Can You Dehydrate Cauliflower?

Cauliflower is an amazing source of nutrition as a part of the low-carb keto diet. And even if you’re just eating it as a snack, it’s super healthy! However, it goes bad quickly and doesn’t last too long. To preserve it, you may ask, “can you dehydrate cauliflower?”.

Let’s dive into dehydrating cauliflower and all the related questions you might have!

Yes! You can dehydrate cauliflower using a dehydrator at home. Just crank it up to 125 degrees Fahrenheit and dehydrate for 8 to 12 hours until the pieces are hard.

Apart from a dehydrator, there are more methods to dehydrate cauliflower. You can dehydrate raw cauliflower and even frozen cauliflower.

How to dehydrate cauliflower?

You can use several methods to dehydrate cauliflower. Go through the steps below to dehydrate cauliflower at home easily!

Method 1: Dehydrating cauliflower in a dehydrator

For dehydrating raw cauliflower in a dehydrator:

1. Clean the cauliflower’s head using a vegetable scrub and warm water.
2. Cut off black spots.
3. Cut the cauliflower head into florets. Make sure all florets are equal so that all of the pieces dry simultaneously.
4. To blanch the pieces, boil them for 3 minutes in water mixed with 4 tablespoons of lemon juice. When done, place the florets in an ice water bath.
5. Dry the pieces by patting with a lint-free towel or simply through a salad spinner.
6. Place the pieces on the dehydrator trays. Make sure to sort the sizes, so each piece is equally dry by the end.
7. Set the dehydrator to 125 degrees Fahrenheit or 52 degrees Celsius and keep the pieces in for 8 to 12 hours. The dehydration time will vary depending on the humidity of your home and the moisture inside the cauliflower.
8. Check for moisture by touching the pieces. If they’re still moist, leave them for a few more hours but do keep a lookout.
9. Once done, you can store your dry cauliflower florets in paper packets.

Method 2: Dehydrating cauliflower under the sun

If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can always use the sun for drying.

1. Clean the cauliflower the same way you would for a dehydrator.
2. Cut off black spots.
3. Next, cut the cauliflower into florets.
4. Now, place the florets onto baking trays and place those trays under direct sunlight.
5. Place the trays in a way that they are slightly tilted for effective and adequate air circulation.
6. It will take 3-5 days for the cauliflower florets to completely dry.
7. Check for moisture by touching the pieces, and store your dry cauliflower florets in paper packets.

How to dehydrate frozen cauliflower?

All the prep you need prior to the dehydrating process is already done for you if you have frozen cauliflower (commercially frozen food). This will save you a lot of time too!

1. Without thawing them, sort the cauliflower florets onto the trays according to their size. You can thaw and cut the florets if you want smaller or evenly sized pieces. Make sure you put the parchment or any non-stick paper on the trays before placing your cauliflower.
2. Place the florets in the dehydrator at 125 degrees Fahrenheit or 52 degrees Celsius.
3. Check for moisture by touching them. If they are dry, then you are good to go.
4. Shake them gently in a loose jar to double-check for moisture.
5. Lastly, store the dehydrated cauliflower florets in an airtight container and use them!

How to rehydrate cauliflower?

There are two ways to rehydrate cauliflower. Using the first method, put the florets in boiling water for 15-20 minutes. The duration depends on your desired texture. As for the second method, soak the florets in a water bath and put the bath in the refrigerator overnight. Remember to drain the excess water with a tea towel once done.

How long does dehydrated cauliflower last?

If dried and stored properly, your dehydrated cauliflower will last for at least 1-2 years. It is best if you don’t exceed this window. Keep in mind that the quality and texture of the cauliflower will deteriorate with time.

How long does cauliflower take to dry?

It can take 8-12 hours for cauliflower to dry in a dehydrator. If you sun-dry the cauliflower, it will take you 3-5 days. Your home’s humidity conditions and the moisture of your vegetables can cause time variations.

How do you get the moisture out of cauliflower?

Simply drain the cauliflower using a strainer and toss it multiple times at 2-minute intervals. You can also use paper towels to get rid of the remaining moisture.

You can get all the moisture out of cauliflower using an oven, a frying pan, or a microwave. Put the cauliflower florets in a dry frying pan and stir them frequently on the heat for 15 minutes. When they start to stick a little, you are good to go. Sticking is a sign that the water has evaporated.

Related FAQs to dehydrating cauliflower!

Is dehydrated cauliflower good for you?

Dehydrated cauliflower has abundant benefits. It is crunchy, low in carbs, and great for your brain health because of choline. It is rich in fiber and has anti-inflammatory properties as well. Moreover, it is an amazing meat substitute filled with vitamins and cancer-fighting agents.

Can you dry cauliflower to make flour?

Yes! You can make cauliflower flour by utilizing dried cauliflower. Simply dry the cauliflower florets in a dehydrator or oven, as explained above. Then take the dried florets and use a food processor to grind them into a flour-like consistency.

Concluding our thoughts on dehydrating cauliflower!

You can easily dehydrate cauliflower at home using several methods. It will be your best buddy when you want to have a low-carb meal to adhere to your diet. You can dehydrate cauliflower the quickest by using a dehydrator. Of course, it is still time-consuming, but once you do it, you can use the dried florets for 1-2 years! Happy, healthy eating.

Make sure to read this article on how you can dry olives!