These dried jalapenos take our favorite hot pepper and concentrate the flavor. Dehydrated jalapenos make a great addition to all kinds of recipes, and you can even have them as a spicy snack!
I love jalapenos, and recently I've discovered how amazing drying them is! I love to dry them in the oven and then add them to all kinds of recipes.
Dehydrated Jalapenos
This was inspired by my smoked jalapeno recipe on this site and pairs well with this amazing chicken spaghetti casserole and our slow cooker Mexican street corn recipe.
Heck, truth be told if you enjoy spicy food you'll love making this easy recipe. I always have some in the house and am glad that I do. So handy to have. You'll see.
Ingredients
You only need one ingredient to make this super easy recipe. ONE!
- Fresh Jalapenos
See the recipe card at the end of the post for exact quantities.
How to Dry Jalapenos
Making this recipe is just as easy as gathering the one ingredient you need to make it.
Step 1: Slice the Jalapenos
Cut the ends off of each jalapeno. Then, slice them crosswise into ⅛-inch slices.
Step 2: Bake Until Dried
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the sliced jalapeno peppers in the oven as evenly as possible. Bake for 2 hours at 200 degrees or until they are hard and completely dry or dried.
Hint: Baking times will vary slightly for this recipe depending on how thickly you cut the jalapenos and how much water content they have.
Substitutions
Don't have the correct ingredient on hand or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change these dehydrated jalapenos.
- Your Favorite Peppers - You can use this recipe to dry any of your favorite hot peppers.
Variations
Want to personalize this dried jalapenos recipe? Well, I have some great ideas.
This isn't really a recipe that you can vary too much because it takes one ingredient and one step. However, I do have some great ideas for you to use up these dehydrated jalapeno peppers.
- Variety - Dehydrate or dry more than one kind of hot pepper so you have a blend to add even more flavor to dishes
- Make Jalapeno Powder - A coffee grinder is all you may need to grind your peppers up into a wonderful powder and here is how to do it
- Make Jalapeno Flakes - coarsely chop or break up dried jalapenos with your fingers
- Chipotle Pepper Dried - allow jalapenos to ripen until turn red with age and make dried chipotle peppers instead or buy them ripe
- Wire Rack in well ventilated room for air drying - using heavy thread through each stem, hang jalapenos for a month and they should be dry enough to grind into powder naturally as long as location is moisture free
- Use a food dehydrator - arrange jalapeno slices on your dehydrator trays at 125 degrees for 7-12 hours, depending on thickness of each jalapeno slice
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this hot pepper sauce.
Equipment
It takes almost no equipment whatsoever to make this dehydrated peppers recipe. You need less than a handful of items.
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet
Storage
You can store these peppers in an airtight container or mason jar for a year, or even two, in a cool, dry, and dark place. However, even if stored properly they're best when used in my experience within 6 months to experience the strongest flavor.
Tips
This recipe is really almost impossible to ruin. So today, I just have some tips about drying jalapeno peppers.
- Wear gloves when working with hot peppers.
- Always wash your hands after working with hot peppers.
- Never, never, EVER touch your face when working with any hot pepper.
FAQ
Do you have questions about dried jalapenos? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about dehydrated jalapenos.
They have the earthy flavor of jalapenos but are more concentrated. Interestingly, although the capsaicin (what makes the peppers hot) is more concentrated, many people say that dried jalapenos are milder than fresh.
You sure can. In fact, many people prefer to store them in the freezer. Their shelf life is the same whether at room temperature or in the freezer.
You can grind them up to make your own homemade jalapeno pepper powder, which is similar to cayenne powder. You can also store them until needed and then rehydrate with some water for soups, stews, pasta, casseroles and so much more.
Simply put, chipotle peppers are ripened jalapeno peppers that have been smoked and then dried. Usually sold ground or added to sauces like adobo sauce in many Mexican recipes.
If the smell is weak or non existant it is time to make more.
Buy jalapenos that are already starting to ripen and turn a very dark green color or ideally red. I look for little red spots on the peppers. Then, leave them in a sunny, bright, warm windowsill so the jalapenos can turn red.
More Jalapeno Recipes
Do you like jalapenos? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
Dried Jalapenos
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Dried Jalapenos
Equipment
- Knife
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 4 jalapenos
Instructions
- Get out and measure your ingredients.
- Preheat oven to 200ºF.
- Cut the ends off of each jalapeno.
- Slice jalapenos crosswise into ⅛-inch slices.
- Place jalapeno slices on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 2 hours.
- or until hard and dried.
- Serve.
- Enjoy every bite!
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