Dehydrated Apples and Bananas

Ohhhh back to school. Back to school.

To prove to dad that I’m not a fool.

I got my lunch packed up, my boots tied tight.

I hope I don’t get in a fight OHHHHHH back to school. Back to sch – yeah okay I can chill.

Let’s dry some fruit!

Are you wondering why I sang that song to you just now? I am too. When I figure it out, you’ll be the first person I come to.

Are you also wondering what the wonkalonk these lemons are for? Well, they are a part of a jolly little adventure we like to call the ACID BATH.

Oh! Let’s start a heavy metal band called Acid Bath. I’ll play bass.

You basically mix 1 part lemon juice to 4 parts water (more like acid MATH, ohhhhhh you hate me) and then you plunge thinly sliced apples and bananas into the bath and let them sit for about 5 minutes. This will prevent some browning in the drying process.

Just like suntan lotion.

After a lil’ bit, you’ll transfer the fruit to a bunch of paper towels, where you’ll pat them as dry as ya can.

I have no idea why my hand looks like it’s just spent 46 months in Cancun. Perhaps I needed to stick IT in the acid bath too.

And then you’ll just arrange the little fruit slices on the little trays.

Let the drying begin!

At this point you’ve got some major time to kill so you can sit down for 15 hours and read 50 Shades of Grey and WHOA, WHOA, WHAT IS HE DOING TO THAT GIRL?

. . . now my eyeballs need that acid bath.

You should know, the apples took abouuuuut 12ish hours, while the bananas took a full 24. Maybe even 25. But you’ll be so curious along the way, so go ahead and check on them and give them a little poke every few hours to see how they’re dern.

Look! All shriveled up and ready to be snacked on by all the children of the lands.

I mean are these not so perfect for back to schoo – ooooooh.

Our band is seriously going to be so popular.

Dehydrated Apples and Bananas:

What it took for about 4 cups:

* 3 slightly overripe bananas
* 2 green apples
* 1 cup lemon juice
* 4 cups water
* dehydrator

Using a knife, slice the bananas into 1/4-inch pieces.

Using a mandolin or knife, thinly slice the apples. (I think my setting was on 2)

Combine the lemon juice and water in a large bowl. Toss the fruit into the bowl and let sit for 5 minutes. This is their acid bath. It will help prevent browning in the dehydration process.

Then, transfer the fruit to some paper towels and pat them as dry as you can.

Arrange them on the trays, turn the machine on, and live your life.

The apples will probably need close to 12 hours actually, as the bananas went a full 24. But check on them starting at the 12-hour mark and see if they’re dried and slightly pliable.

They won’t be so crispy that they break in half, but that’s good.

Snack-a-roo!