I always feel like my basil produces way more leaves than should be possible. However, now that I know how to dry basil in the air fryer it takes just a few minutes to dehydrate it for later. I use basil from my garden year round, thanks to this quick and easy drying method.
Of course, basil isn’t the only herb your air fryer is great at drying. Learn how to dehydrate parsley in the air fryer for another classic italian herb.
Can You Dry Basil in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can dry basil in an air fryer.
In fact, it’s one of the easiest ways to dry fresh basil for later use. It’s pretty foolproof and only takes a few minutes, which makes it a win in my book!
Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F, following manufacturer guidelines
Remove the leaves from the stems (small leaves connected by thin stems are fine)
Spread out your fresh basil leaves in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket (if you have a lot, you may need to do this in batches)
Place a rack, shelf, or trivet on top of the leaves to secure them
Air fry at 360 for 2 minutes, then check for doneness
If additional time is needed, give leaves a shake and then air fry in 1-minute increments until done
Basil is completely dehydrated when leaves are dry and crispy to the touch (but not blackened – that is overdone)
Crumble dehydrated basil leaves if desired, using your hands or a mortar and pestle
Store dried basil in an airtight container or spice jar
Ensure you preheat your air fryer as indicated, or you’ll need to add 2-3 extra minutes to cook time while it gets up to temp. Learn more about how to preheat a Ninja air fryer for more assistance.
Crumbling the basil is optional, but definitely makes storage easier versus whole leaves. However, crushed leaves do lose potency faster than whole, so it’s your choice.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve seen how easy it is to dry basil in the air fryer, you’ll never feel guilty about your fresh herbs going bad. Just dehydrate that basil and save it for later!
Basil is a great herb for breads, soups and stews, pasta sauces, roasted vegetables, and so much more!
35-40leavesBasil, washed and dried if needed(about 6-8 stems)
Instructions
Start with clean, dry, fresh basil
35-40 leaves Basil, washed and dried if needed
Preheat your air fryer to 360°F, following manufacturer guidelines
Remove the leaves from the stems (small leaves connected by thin stems are fine)
Spread out your fresh basil leaves in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket (if you have a lot, you may need to do this in batches)
Place a rack, shelf, screen, or trivet on top of the leaves to secure them
Air fry at 360 for 2 minutes, then check for doneness
If additional time is needed, give leaves a shake and then air fry in 1-minute increments until done
Basil is completely dehydrated when leaves are dry and crispy to the touch (but not blackened – that is overdone)
Crumble dehydrated basil leaves if desired
Store dried basil in an airtight container or spice jar
Notes
When dealing with a lot of basil leaves, make sure to dry in batches. Stacking up beyond a single layer won’t heat evenly (some overlap is alright)
This recipe should net you around 1 tsp dried crushed basil, depending on the size of your leaves
There’s no need to add oil or anything when drying in the air fryer
You’ll need to set something on the leaves to secure them from blowing around. I just use the included tray from my Ninja air fryer. However, any heat safe rack, mesh, tray, etc that fits in your basket will work
Should your basil leaves start to turn dark brown or blackened, you have overcooked them (some light brown is normal though)
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. Also remove any wayward stems that made it in!
Dried basil has a shelf life of 2-3 years if kept in an airtight container, after that it tends to lose flavor
Keyword basil, drying herbs, drying herbs in air fryer, how long to dehydrate basil in air fryer, how to dehydrate basil in air fryer, how to dry basil in air fryer, how to dry basil in ninja air fryer, how to dry fresh basil in air fryer, using air fryer to dry basil
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
