How to Dry Habanero Peppers: 3 Ways to Use Dried Habaneros

The primary reason to dry habaneros and other hot peppers is to extend their shelf life so you can store them for later use. While fresh peppers will only keep for a few days in the fridge before becoming wrinkly and rotting, dehydrated peppers will retain their flavor for months when stored in an airtight container in the pantry.

If you own a food dehydrator, the drying process for habaneros (and other chili peppers) is very straightforward.

1. 1. Put on gloves. Habanero peppers contain capsaicin—an active compound that makes them spicy—which can seriously irritate your skin and eyes. As a result, always wear gloves and avoid touching your eyes when preparing hot peppers.
2. 2. Sort and wash. Place your habaneros on a paper towel or in a colander and look for any moldy or bruised ones, which you should remove. Wipe the peppers off with a damp paper towel to remove dirt or debris.
3. 3. Decide whether to halve or score. Whole peppers will dry just fine, so whether you halve your peppers is a matter of preference. Halving your peppers helps them dry faster and allows you to remove the seeds. If you want to keep your peppers whole, consider scoring the outer skin to allow for better air circulation.
4. 4. Place in the dehydrator. Place the fresh habanero peppers on dehydrator trays and set the dehydrator to about 125 degrees.
5. 5. Monitor after a few hours. The exact dehydrating time for your peppers will depend mainly on their size. You can start checking on your peppers after about six hours; once they’re completely dry and crackly, store your dried peppers in an airtight container.

You can use a low oven to dry out many foods, including habanero peppers. Here’s how.

1. 1. Put on gloves. Whenever handling hot peppers, always use gloves to protect your skin from capsaicin exposure, which can cause severe irritation.
2. 2. Sort and wash. Remove any moldy or bruised peppers. Use a damp paper towel to wipe your habaneros down, so they are free of dust and dirt.
3. 3. Set the oven to its lowest temperature. Keeping your oven temperature from climbing too high will help ensure that your peppers dry out without cooking. For many ranges, the lowest temperature setting is around 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. 4. Cut as desired. Whole or sliced peppers will dry out just fine in the oven, so cut them to your preference.
5. 5. Place in the oven. Arrange the peppers on a baking sheet in a single layer and place them in the oven. Consider leaving the oven door slightly ajar, which can improve airflow and keep the oven temperature low.
6. 6. Inspect every few hours. Inspect your peppers, turning them over with a spatula every two hours or two. Remove any dried-out peppers and transfer them to an airtight container. Repeat until all peppers are dry.

If the weather in your area is cool or humid, air-drying will be too challenging, but you can successfully use this method in a hot and dry climate. Here’s how:

1. 1. Put on gloves. For air-drying, it’s easier to leave your peppers whole rather than cut them up, but you should still don protective gloves to shield your skin from capsaicin exposure, which can cause irritation.
2. 2. Check for moldy or damaged peppers. Remove any damaged or moldy peppers, then wipe the peppers down with a damp paper towel to remove dirt.
3. 3. Perforate the stems, then string up your peppers. Using a sewing needle, make a small hole in the stem of each pepper and feed a strong string or piece of floss or thread through each pepper.
4. 4. Hang in a dry place. Hang the peppers in a hot, dry place, giving them ample space so they are not touching. Allow them to hang for several weeks until they are completely dried.

Dried habanero peppers can add a kick to a range of dishes and condiments. Here are a few ways to use them:

1. 1. Rehydrate in water. Allow your dried habaneros to steep in hot water until rehydrated, about twenty minutes. You can then add them to a sauce or salsa, like Chef Gabriela Cámara's salsa brava. Alternatively, make a quick hot sauce by soaking the dried peppers in a mixture of vinegar and water and then blending them with your favorite seasonings.
2. 2. Make pepper flakes or chili powder. Crush your dried habaneros to create homemade pepper flakes, or pulverize them with a mortar and pestle or spice grinder to make chili powder.
3. 3. Add to soups and stews. Throwing a dried habanero or two in the pot as you simmer a soup or stew will allow the pepper’s spicy flavor to infuse the dish.

Dry peppers will retain their flavor for months in an airtight container, especially when kept in a cool, dry place away from direct light.

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