Homemade Mint leaves dried - 3 methods below
Even after that, I have plenty left and I find drying mint is the best to preserve them. The method is similar no matter which herb you are drying. With my yearly ritual of homemade dried basil, I found that the same preservation technique seamlessly applies to mint as well. Cost of making dried mint is only the cost of using the appliance. In this case either microwave, air fryer or oven. I find microwave and air fryer are cost effective to use. About 100g fresh mint will yield 10-11g dried mint.
Method 1 - How to Dry mint leaves in microwave oven?
I have been drying mint leaves in the microwave for a while and they come out perfect every single time. It is the quickest method. Arrange the clean mint leaves in a plate. Microwave at the lowest setting as possible in burst of 10-15 seconds for a total of 1.5 - 2 minutes maximum. Check in between and when you see the leaves are visibly dry, leave it to cool. They will crunch afterwards. Fresh mint will turn into slightly pale green colour when dried. Allow it to cool and they will crunchy to touch. You can either leave them whole as leaves or crunch them and store them in glass bottles. However in this method, you have to be cautious and vigilant as there is a tendency for the leaves to dry quickly and darken in colour. When the leaves have shrivelled and there is no moisture, transfer them to a plate.Allow to cool down, they tend to crunch afterward. The process is very similar to making Airfryer Apple Chips / Air fryer dehydrated strawberries.
Method 3- How to dry mint using the oven?
Arrange the clean mint leaves in a single layer on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Transfer the tray to the preheated oven of 40-50C or the lowest setting in your oven. Dry the mint leaves for about 1.5 - 2 hours, checking a couple of times in between. Also, don’t forget to turn them around a few times. When the mint leaves are dry to the touch and feels crunchy, take them out of the oven.
How to store Homemade Dried mint?
Tip - Store in whole and crumble the mint leaves just before adding them to your recipes. In that way, you release the delicious aroma of the mint.
How long does Dried mint last?
They keep well for up to 12 months in an air tight container.
Tips to make Dried mint perfectly
Regardless of the method you choose, the key step is to clean, wash, and thoroughly dry the mint. If you have a salad spinner, it’s a useful tool for removing excess water. Afterwards, place the mint on a kitchen towel and let it air dry for at least 30-60 minutes. Remember to dry the mint at the lowest temperature, whether you’re using an air fryer, oven, or microwave. The dried mint leaves should retain their green colour and not turn brown during the drying process. If you notice any mint leaves browning, remove them.
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