Start with fresh chive leaf clippings, washing and drying it if needed
35-40 leaves Chives
Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F, following manufacturer guidelines
If needed, trim the chive leaves so they will fit in your air fryer basket
Spread your chives in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket
Add the rack, trivet, or shelf on top of the chives to keep them from flying around during cooking
Air fry your chives for 2-3 minutes
If additional time is needed, shake the basket, and then continue to cook in 1-minute intervals until chives are completely dry and crinkly
Remove dehydrated chives from air fryer
Cut your dried chives to desired length using a chef’s knife, kitchen shears, or herb scissors
Store chopped dry chives in an airtight container or spice jar
Notes
Only dry the chive leaves - flowers and/or roots should be removed
Stacking up beyond a single layer won’t heat evenly, so make sure to dry chives in batches if need be. On average it takes me 3 minutes per batch if I don’t overcrowd
There’s no need to add oil or anything additionally as part of the cooking process
I’ve just used my normal air fryer rack for this. However, if your air fryer doesn’t have a shelf, you can tie the leaves together using twine, foil, or silicone food bands to keep them from flying around
Should your chives start to brown or blacken, you have overcooked them
I normally cut mine to about ¼” long using kitchen shears before storing, however, you can choose whatever length you like. They will curl up when air frying, so use whatever chopping method is easiest for you
Do not cut the chives before drying, as they’ll fly all over your air fryer (even with a rack on them)
Dried chives keep well for 2-3 years in an airtight container, before starting to lose flavor and potency