Dehydrated Onion Flakes Recipe

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Discover a delicious Dehydrated Onion Flakes Recipe using a simple method to create your own from the minced onion. Store these aromatic flakes for extended use in your favorite recipes, adding a burst of taste with the help of onion powder. Make a more exciting food for your snack from chopped ones and transform it into beautifully dried flakes.

Is Making Onion Flakes Related To Making Onion Powder?

If you tried making your onion powder recipe at home, you should know that the dried ones are the starting point for making onion powder, as they are dehydrated and can be further ground into a finer powder.

Onion Flakes are often used in cooking soups, stews, stir-fries, and dishes where you want some onion texture. Onion Powder is used when you want the taste to be evenly distributed throughout a dish without adding any texture. You can even add it as a topping to any rice recipes you’ll make.

Can I Make Onion Flakes With Just One Ingredient?

In making dried flakes, you literally need only a single ingredient which is the onion because they are the primary and essential component needed to create dried onions. It’s just that simple. You won’t need any additional ingredients or seasonings.

What Onions Are Best To Use For Making Dehydrated Onion Flakes?

Personally, I often use the white kind or the yellow ones because they provide a stronger flavor and are definitely better for drying. The other types are sweeter and most people don’t like a sweet take on their dried onions.

Unlike making dried garlic or garlic powder which only uses one option, making onion flakes is more exciting because you will have to choose from different kinds of it and adjust according to your taste.

Does Onion Flakes Share The Same Flavor As Powdered Onion?

Onion flakes and onion powder are both made from dehydrated onions, so they share similar moisture and flavor. However, there are some differences between the two in terms of texture and results in how they are used in cooking.

2 Types Of Onions For Dehydrating: Red Onion Vs. white Onion

Both red and white onions can be dehydrated successfully, but the choice between them depends on your flavor and color preferences for the particular dish you are preparing.

Red Onion – the red kind has a milder and slightly sweeter flavor compared to white onions.
White Onion – the white ones have a stronger flavor compared to red ones.

How Many Carbs Dehydrated Onion Flakes Have?

Knowing how many carbs on what you are eating is very important especially if you are following a diet. For a gluten free snack with high in energy like dehydrated onion flakes, the amount of carbohydrates in a teaspoon is 2 grams, while 1 tablespoon is 4 grams.

How To Make Homemade Dehydrated Onion Flakes

Here I have made a simple step-by-step process for making this recipe. Basically, you can do the whole process in different ways like using an oven, but I am using a dehydrator for the recipe for easy results.

Just like making dried mushrooms, and later mushroom powder. Whenever there is time, I keep making other dried recipes because they are not only very easy to make, you always have a ready to eat snack at home.

Some of them are chicken chip jerky recipes, dehydrated broccoli, and dehydrated cucumbers.

Kitchen Gadgets:

Knife
Dehydrator

Ingredients:

Onions
Water

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

FULL INSTRUCTIONS WITH STEPS FOR DRIED ONION FLAKES RECIPE

First Step: Prepare Ingredients

Prepare your onions by washing and cleaning them for a minute. A cup of water will do. Peel them fresh and cut them into two, removing the roots and all the excess skin.

Slice the onion using a very sharp knife into very thin slices.

Second Step: Prepare the Sliced Onions

After slicing them, place the chopped onions and carefully separate each of the streaks with your hands.

Third Step: Spread On The Tray

Lay the freshly sliced onion in a single layer on the dehydrator trays and make sure they won’t overlap because it will help them dry evenly. If you are making more, you can use another layer until they all fit in.

Spreading onion slices onto a dehydrator tray.

Fourth Step: Dehydrate The Onions

Turn on the dehydrator and allow it to run for approximately 6-7 hours and switch it to 70 degrees Celsius or 160 Fahrenheit.

The drying time can vary depending on the thickness of the slices and the specific dehydrator model so make sure you know the instructions of your dehydrator. You may need to rotate the trays if you use many layers so the air circulation balances.

Check them regularly. They should be dry and crispy with no moisture when you break them. If the slices are not completely dry, continue to dehydrate them until they reach the desired crisp and consistency.

Once the slices are thoroughly dried, turn off the dehydrator and let the flakes cool to room temperature.

TIPS FOR MAKING DRIED ONION FLAKES AT HOME:

Cutting Onions – prepare a very sharp knife to achieve consistent pieces.
Dehydrator – Using a dehydrator is the most efficient and reliable way to dry onions. However, you can also air-dry or oven-dry them but make sure the temperature is low.
Store Properly – Keep the dried flakes in an airtight container away from heat and light to maintain their quality.
Experiment with Seasoning – You can add some seasonings like salt, pepper, or garlic powder before drying to create flavored onion flakes.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Onion Flakes As A Substitute For Fresh Onions

Having these dried flakes in your pantry is a very convenient way to substitute your fresh onions when cooking.

They offer the same flavor without the need for chopping and sautéing and I can tell you there are lots of benefits of having them on hand rather than just buying them in the store.

Can I Dry Onions In An Air Fryer?

You can dry chopped onions in an air fryer, although it might not be the most efficient or convenient method compared to using a food dehydrator or an oven.

Keep in mind that drying them might leave a strong odor in your air fryer so I will advise you that if you plan to dehydrate foods frequently, investing in a food dehydrator might be a better long-term solution.

How Do I Store Dried Onion Flakes?

Dried foods like onion flakes are usually placed in a glass jar or in an airtight container to preserve their quality. Do not place them anywhere aside from what I have mentioned. You will thank me later.

Can I Freeze Dehydrated Onion Flakes?

Even though the can be stored in the jar for long, by freezing your dehydrated onion flakes, you can extend their shelf life for an extended time, making them a convenient ingredient to have on hand for various recipes.

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And when you need some alternative for your rice, try making this cauliflower rice which is better than any subs there is. It is a simple and easy way to reduce calories without even sacrificing flavor.

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Yield: 2 Cups