Have plenty of garden mint and thinking about how to preserve them? Here’s how you can dry fresh mint leaves using microwave in just 2 minutes. In this post, I also share the oven and air fryer method to make dried mint at home.
Why should you make dried mint at home?
- You have plenty of mint produce from your garden. Preserving them is the best way to use them throughout the year.
- The method is really easy and you don’t need any precise measurements. Use all the extra mint leaves you want to preserve to make it. Also, most of the process is handy off.
- It costs only a fraction of the cost to make the dried herb at home.
- The dried herb – in this case, mint keeps well for more than a year.
- Fantastic edible gift for the holiday season.
- Dried mint leaves is convenient and flavoursome. Use in seasoning blends, add some to your cucumber raita, tzaziki, flatbreads and more.
Why buy dried mint from the stores, when you can make them for a fraction of the cost at home?
Every year I grow a fresh mint leaves in my herb pot and always find ways to use them in my recipes. Right from homemade dried mint to using in green chutney, Indian mint sauce, pilau rice to garnish for drinks.
Even after that, I have plenty left and I find drying mint is the best to preserve them.
The method is similar no matter which herb you are drying. With my yearly ritual of homemade dried basil, I found that the same preservation technique seamlessly applies to mint as well.
Cost of making dried mint is only the cost of using the appliance. In this case either microwave, air fryer or oven. I find microwave and air fryer are cost effective to use.
Homemade dried mint process: Step by Step Guide
Making dried mint at home is not much of a recipe, it is just a process. There are 3 easy methods to dry the mint at home. Depending upon the method you pick, the dry mint leaves should be green in colour and have a minty aroma. Use the method that is convenient to you.
About 100g fresh mint will yield 10-11g dried mint.
Method 1 – How to Dry mint leaves in microwave oven?
I have been drying mint leaves in the microwave for a while and they come out perfect every single time. It is the quickest method.
Arrange the clean mint leaves in a plate. Microwave at the lowest setting as possible in burst of 10-15 seconds for a total of 1.5 – 2 minutes maximum. Check in between and when you see the leaves are visibly dry, leave it to cool. They will crunch afterwards.
Fresh mint will turn into slightly pale green colour when dried. Allow it to cool and they will crunchy to touch. You can either leave them whole as leaves or crunch them and store them in glass bottles.
However in this method, you have to be cautious and vigilant as there is a tendency for the leaves to dry quickly and darken in colour.
Method 2 – How to dry mint using the Air fryer?
To make dried mint in air fryer, arrange the leaves in the air fryer basket and air fry them 137F / 58°C for 1 – 1.5 hours. If you have dehydrate function, you can use that too. The dehydrated mint leaves will be completely dry. Do not worry about placing them in a single layer. You can overlap the leaves as they will tend to circulate inside the air fryer.
When the leaves have shrivelled and there is no moisture, transfer them to a plate.Allow to cool down, they tend to crunch afterward.
The process is very similar to making Airfryer Apple Chips / Air fryer dehydrated strawberries.
Method 3- How to dry mint using the oven?
Arrange the clean mint leaves in a single layer on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Transfer the tray to the preheated oven of 40-50C or the lowest setting in your oven. Dry the mint leaves for about 1.5 – 2 hours, checking a couple of times in between. Also, don’t forget to turn them around a few times. When the mint leaves are dry to the touch and feels crunchy, take them out of the oven.
How to store Homemade Dried mint?
Store the dried herbs in an air-tight glass container and tuck them away in a dry dark place for up to 12 months. You can either store the mint leaves in whole, crumbled or as a powder before refilling the jars.
Tip – Store in whole and crumble the mint leaves just before adding them to your recipes. In that way, you release the delicious aroma of the mint.
How long does Dried mint last?
They keep well for up to 12 months in an air tight container.
Tips to make Dried mint perfectly
- Regardless of the method you choose, the key step is to clean, wash, and thoroughly dry the mint. If you have a salad spinner, it’s a useful tool for removing excess water. Afterwards, place the mint on a kitchen towel and let it air dry for at least 30-60 minutes.
- Remember to dry the mint at the lowest temperature, whether you’re using an air fryer, oven, or microwave.
- The dried mint leaves should retain their green colour and not turn brown during the drying process. If you notice any mint leaves browning, remove them.
How to use Dried Mint leaves?
There are plenty of ways to enjoy homemade dried mint leaves.
- Enhance the flavour of soups, pasta, and risotto by incorporating dried mint.
- Sprinkle them into seasoning blends or use them as a seasoning for salt.
- Make tea with the dried mint if you are using chocolate mint leaves or spearmint.
- Crush the leaves between your fingers and add them to yogurt garlic sauce, Indian mint sauce, or parathas for an extra burst of freshness.
- Elevate the taste of yellow pilau rice or vegetable pilau rice by adding dried mint leaves.
Homemade Mint leaves dried – 3 methods below
Ingredients
- 100 g Fresh Mint leaves
Instructions
- Wash the mint leaves under running tap water.
- After rinsing, spread it on a towel to get rid of as much water as possible. If you have a salad spinner, use to remove as much water and then pat dry. Allow air drying for at least 60 minutes to remove the excess moisture.
Microwave Method
- Arrange the clean mint leaves in a plate. Microwave at the lowest setting as possible in burst of 10-15 seconds for a total of 1.5 -2 minutes maximum. Check in between and when you see the leaves are visibly dry, leave it to cool. They will crunch afterwards.
Air fryer Method
- Arrange mint leaves in basket, air fry at 137°F/58°C for 1-1.5 hrs. Overlapping is okay. Transfer to plate, let cool to crunch.
Oven Method
- Place mint leaves on parchment-lined tray. Bake at 40-50°C for 1.5-2 hrs, flipping occasionally, until dry and crunchy.
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