How to Dry Chives in the Air Fryer: Easy Herb Dehydration

Chives are one of my favorite herbs. They add a bit of mild onion flavor and make a great topping or garnish. My chive plant, however, grows like a weed! How do I keep it all from going to waste? Well, once I show you how to dry chives in the air fryer you’ll know the secret!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick. In just a few minutes, you’ll be able to quickly and easily dry chives in your air fryer. Once completely dehydrated, your dried herbs store away in a spice jar for later use
• Simple. You don’t need to spend a lot of time turning or tending to dry chives in an air fryer, and (depending on the size of your basket) you can dehydrate a decent amount at once, so it’s very convenient
• Less Waste. Whether you have grocery store leftovers or your own herb garden, you can preserve fresh herbs for later use – dehydrated chives keep well for up to a year if stored properly!

How to Dry Chives in an Air Fryer: Step by Step

1. Start with clean, dry, fresh chives (flowers and roots removed)

2. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F following manufacturer guidelines
3. Spread out your chives in a single layer in the air fryer basket (don’t overcrowd; cook in batches if needed). Trim if need be to fit (but leave them as whole as possible so they don’t blow around as much)

4. Cover chives with a rack, tray, or trivet to prevent it from blowing around

5. Air fry at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until leaves are dry and crinkly to the touch
6. If additional time is needed, shake basket and cook in 1-minute increments before re-checking. If they turn brown or black, they are overcooked

7. Remove chives from basket and cut to desired length using a chef’s knife, kitchen shears, or herb scissors (I do about ¼” long pieces, but it’s your choice)

8. Store dried chives in an airtight container or spice jar for 6-12 months

How to Use Dried Chives

• Rehydrate if Needed: While you can sprinkle them directly onto dishes, rehydrating them in a little warm water for 5–10 minutes can bring out more flavor
• Add To: Scrambled eggs, baked potatoes, dips, soups, sauces, stews, salads, chive butter, or savory baked goods, like my Bacon Cheddar Scones
• Finishing Touch: Dried chives are best added at the end of cooking or used as a garnish to preserve their delicate flavor. I like to reheat salmon in the air fryer and then top it off with dried chives for a pop of color and flavor!

Tips For the Best Dried Chives

• As long as it’s not packed too deep, it takes me about 3 minutes on average to dry chives in my air fryer
• If your air fryer happens to have a dehydrate function, you can use that as well. However, you’ll need to cook your chives on this setting for 3-4 hours. To me, the additional time doesn’t seem worth a similar end result!
• Whichever method you use, your drying time can vary slightly based on the total amount of chives used, wattage of your air fryer, and the size of your basket. Always add additional cook time in small increments and you’ll be good to go!

Storage Tips

• Store in a Cool, Dark, and Dry Place: Store dried chives in an airtight container, like a glass jar, mason jar, or spice tin, in a pantry or cupboard away from light and heat
• Avoid Moisture: Make sure chives are fully dried before storing to prevent mold
• Shelf Life: Dried chives can last up to 6–12 months when stored properly, though their flavor is best within the first 3–6 months

Final Thoughts

Now that you know you can dry chives in the air fryer and it takes around 5 minutes including preheating, you’ll always want to dehydrate herbs this way.

I love how quick and easy this method is, plus it takes the guesswork and babysitting out of the mix and makes it easy to preserve your harvest!

It’s a great way to save an overabundance from your herb garden for use year round. I use chives for many dishes, but they make a superb baked potato topping. Just reheat a baked potato in the microwave and top it with chives, cheese, sour cream, and other delicious choices!