Whenever my herb garden decides to cooperate and give me a plentiful harvest, I find myself buried in fresh herbs. Instead of letting them go to waste, I dry them for later! I’ll teach you how to dehydrate parsley in the air fryer for a quick and easy drying method.
Then, you’ll be able to use your parsley all year long in your favorite dishes!
Can I Dry Parsley in My Air Fryer?
Yes, you can dry herbs such as parsley in the air fryer.
While it isn’t the quickest method, it’s still very fast (taking less time compared to the oven, a dehydrator, or air drying) and very low maintenance. I actually prefer the texture I get from drying parsley in my air fryer over other methods.
However, if you’re in a rush, check out the quickest method to dry parsley in the microwave in less than 2 minutes!
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How to Dry Parsley in the Air Fryer: Step By Step Instructions
- Start with clean, dry, fresh parsley
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F, following manufacturer guidelines
- Trim the stems to get rid of excess (so it fits better in the basket too)
- Spread out your parsley in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket (if you have a lot, you may need to do this in batches)
- Tie parsley stems together in a bundle, or top with a rack, tray, or trivet to keep it from flying up during cooking
- Air fry at 360°F for 2-3 minutes, then check for doneness
- If additional time is needed, make sure to shake or rearrange for even air circulation
- Parsley is completely dehydrated when leaves are dry and crispy to the touch (but not blackened – that is overdone)
- Separate leaves from stems by holding the stems in one hand and using your other hands to squeeze the leaves over a bowl or plate. They’ll drop down and then you can crumble or crush up finer if desired
- Store dried parsley in an airtight container or spice jar
How to Use Dried Parsley
Dried parsley is a versatile type of herb perfect for seasoning soups, stews, pasta, sauces, pesto, salads, eggs, roasted vegetables, and more! Use about one-third the amount of fresh parsley called for in recipes (e.g., 1 tsp dried = 1 Tbsp fresh) since it has more intense flavor.
Recipe FAQs
How Long to Dehydrate Parsley in an Air Fryer?
Generally, it takes between 2-3 minutes to dehydrate parsley in the air fryer. This time may vary depending on the size and power of your particular air fryer model, as well as how thick you layer the parsley in the basket.
Learn more about how many amps an air fryer uses and how that relates to cooking power (wattage). You can always start here and add a minute or two as needed to get your parsley completely dry!
What Other Herbs Can Be Dried in the Air Fryer?
Most fresh herbs can be dried in an air fryer, so feel free to experiment with whatever you have on hand! Dehydrating and storing herbs for later is a great way to make sure you always have flavorful seasoning on hand all year round.
See my section below for some more guides to drying specific herbs in the air fryer.
What Is the Best Way to Dry Fresh Parsley?
One of the best ways to dry fresh parsley is in the air fryer since the method is fast, consistent, and low maintenance.
You can also dry parsley in the oven at a low temperature, but this takes 20–30 minutes. For a no-heat option, hang bunches upside down to air dry for about a week.
Tips For the Best Dried Parsley
- On average it takes me about 2 ½ minutes in a Ninja air fryer to dehydrate my parsley to a full dry state
- Make sure that you preheat your air fryer as indicated, or you’ll need to add 2-3 extra minutes to cook time just to get it up to temp. Learn more about how to preheat a Ninja air fryer for more assistance!
- Note that this drying method works with both curly and Italian flat leaf parsley, so you’re covered no matter what you have on hand!
Storage Tips
- Storage: Keep dried parsley in an airtight container (like a spice jar, mason jars, or similar) in a cool, dark place—like a pantry or spice drawer—to preserve its color and flavor. Avoid storing it near heat sources (like the stove) or in direct sunlight
- Shelf Life: For best flavor, use within 6–12 months. It won’t spoil (so long as you dried it correctly as retained moisture can lead to mold), but it may lose potency over time
Other Air Fryer Dried Herbs
Final Thoughts
As you’ve seen, dehydrating herbs like parsley is so easy thanks to your air fryer! It takes under 5 minutes, including preheat time. While it’s not quite as fast as the microwave, it’s still a quick and easy way to get it done.
I actually find I have to “babysit” the parsley less this way and prefer the texture, so I often opt for it over the microwave even if it takes a few minutes longer.
It’s a great way to save grocery store leftovers or your own herbs from a home garden for later use, so you don’t have to worry about waste and still get to enjoy all the great flavors.
Quick Dehydrated Parsley in the Air Fryer
Equipment
- Heat safe tie, air fryer rack, trivet, or shelf
Ingredients
- 12-14 sprigs fresh parsley (washed and dried if needed)
Instructions
- Start with fresh parsley, washing and drying it if needed12-14 sprigs fresh parsley
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F, following manufacturer guidelines
- Trim the ends of the stems off the parsley, making them easier to fit in the basket
- Spread out your parsley in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket
- Bind the stems with a heat safe tie, or add the rack, trivet, or shelf on top of the parsley to keep it from flying around during cooking
- Air fry the parsley for 2-3 minutes
- Continue to cook in 1-minute intervals, flipping between each, until parsley leaves are completely dry and crinkly to the touch
- Remove from air fryer and cool for 1-2 minutes
- Separate leaves from stems by holding the stems in one hand and using your other hands to squeeze the leaves over a bowl or plate. They’ll drop down and then you can crush up finer if desired
- Store dried parsley in an airtight container or spice jar
Notes
- When dealing with a lot of parsley, make sure to dry in batches. Stacking up beyond a single layer won’t heat evenly
- There’s no need to add oil or anything when drying in the air fryer
- I’ve used heat safe silicone food bands to tie my parsley together. However, cooking twine or foil work as well if your air fryer doesn’t have a rack to use.
- Should your parsley leaves start to turn brown or blackened, you have overcooked them
- To crush the leaves, I honestly just use my hands to scrunch them around a bit. Alternatively, a mortar and pestle works well, or put them in a ziploc style bag and crinkle them around a bit
- Dried parsley keeps well for about 1 year in an airtight container; after that it tends to lose flavor
Nutrition
