How to Dehydrate Jalapenos for Soups, Dips, and More

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If you want to add some heat to your favorite recipes but don’t always have fresh jalapenos on hand, try making dehydrated jalapenos. It’s a great way to store your harvest so you always have spicy peppers available!

jalapeno peppers dried in the oven or dehydrator.

A little bit certainly goes a long way when it comes to spicing up our soups, salads, and tacos with jalapenos, which is why most of us don’t keep a bunch of fresh peppers lying around.

By dehydrating them, you can harvest or buy a lot of peppers in season and preserve them for up to a year. That way, you won’t have to worry about wasting food and can enjoy the convenience of having a high-quality stash of jalapenos ready to go.

Once dried, you can add your jalapenos to recipes as slices or easily grind them up into a powder.

What are Dehydrated Jalapenos?

Dehydrated jalapenos are exactly what they sound like: fresh jalapeno peppers that have been completely dried out. You can do this with a dehydrator machine or the oven.

Dehydrating your jalapenos preserves every bit of heat as the fresh ones. In fact, dried peppers are even a bit spicier due to their decreased volume and increased heat concentration. This is a great option for home gardeners or pepper heads who want to extend pepper season as long as possible!

jar with dried jalapeno peppers splling out.

Why you’ll love dehydrated jalapeno peppers

CRISPY TEXTURE – Dehydrating your peppers gives them a bit of crunch, making them a great topper for tacos, salads, dips, and more.
VERSATILITY – From tossing the dried peppers in soups or stews to grinding them up into a powder, dehydrating your jalapenos offers many different ways to enjoy them.
PRESERVE THE HARVEST- If you grow your own jalapenos, you will end up with a lot. This is a simple way to preserve your fresh peppers, so you can enjoy them year-round. Plus, they’ll last a long time!

Equipment

To make these dried jalapenos, you will need:

Cutting board
Sharp knife
Gloves (yes, these are essential!)
Food dehydrator trays (for dehydrating)
Baking tray with parchment paper (oven method)
Spice grinder or coffee grinder (optional; for powdered jalapenos)
Canning jar or vacuum-seal bags

Ingredients

Fresh jalapenos: Choose the freshest, firmest jalapenos to ensure your dehydrated jalapeño peppers turn out beautifully. Process enough to make the effort worthwhile. I dried 20 hot peppers for this recipe. Skip any that have dark spots or signs of mold.

How to Prepare Jalapenos for Dehydrating

Wash and dry jalapenos. Then, remove the ends, slice them vertically, and scoop out the pith and seeds. Don’t forget to wear gloves!
Either cut the jalapenos into 1/4 inch slices or dice them into bite-sized pieces. They will fit better in a mason jar when they are cut smaller.

How to Make Dehydrated Jalapenos in the Dehydrator

Evenly space your jalapeno pieces in a single layer on your dehydrator trays.
Dehydrate at 125 degrees F for approximately 5-6 hours. Check them for dryness before removing them from the dehydrator. Continue dehydrating if needed (large slices can take up to 10-12 hours total).
Let the peppers cool to room temperature before transferring to a storage container.

Dehydrating Jalapenos in the Oven

Preheat your oven to its lowest temperature (usually 170 degrees F). Prop open the door with a wooden spoon.
Evenly space the sliced jalapenos on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
Place the tray in the oven and dry for approximately 2-3 hours. Stir occasionally.
Check for dryness. If needed, continue drying until the peppers are completely dry to the touch.

How to Make Jalapeno Powder

Place your fully dehydrated peppers in a spice grinder and blend until they are a smooth powder. It may take a little time, but just keep at it!

How to Store Dehydrated Jalapenos

Dehydrated food should always be stored in an airtight container or glass jar to keep the moisture out. Keep your jalapeno slices in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, like your pantry or spice cupboard, and they will last for about one year.

You can also add a food-safe desiccant packet to absorb any excess moisture or vacuum seal the container for long-term storage.

Tips & Variations

Wear gloves! The jalapenos are really hot and can irritate your skin (or anything you touch) if you don’t use some sort of protection.
Make sure your jalapenos have completely cooled before storing. If they are still warm, there will be moisture in the container.
Make consistent cuts. Try your best to cut each pepper into the same-sized pieces. This will help them dry at the same time.
Try red jalapenos. Are the green peppers not enough heat for you? Red jalapenos ripen on the vine longer, making them a spicier substitution.
Keep the size of your slice small. The smaller the jalapeno slices, the faster they will dry and the easier they will store.
Rehydrate in hot water for 5-10 minutes. This will bring your dried peppers back to life, though I recommend using them in dishes that don’t require the same firmness as fresh jalapenos.
Substitute the jalapenos with your favorite pepper. Whichever one you choose, just make sure to find the highest quality vegetables.
Leave in the pith and seeds. This will make your dehydrated peppers even spicier. You can also save the seeds to plant next year!

mason jar with dehydrated jalapeno pieces.

How to Use Dehydrated Jalapenos

Once you have your stash of dried peppers on hand, use them up! These are some of my favorite options:

Cook them into stews or soups, such as this butterbean chili or roasted cherry tomato soup, to add a little heat.
Add them to homemade spice blends for a pop of heat.
Sprinkle small slices on top of hummus and dips for a spicy garnish.
Use your jalapeno powder to create a homemade taco seasoning mix.
Add some texture to your loaded guacamole with coarsely ground powder or small pieces.
Spice up your homemade salsa.
Sprinkle onto pizza as a substitute for red pepper flakes.
Mix your jalapeno powder into mayo for a spicy sandwich or burger spread.
Use the dried rings as a garnish for margaritas, palomas, or Bloody Marys.

FAQs

Are dried jalapenos hotter than fresh?

Yes. Capsaicin is the chemical that makes peppers hot. When peppers are dehydrated, the volume decreases, increasing the capsaicin density. They’ve got a good kick!

Can you dehydrate whole jalapenos?

You could, though whole peppers would take much longer to dry out, and you’d need to deal with the stems and seeds. It’s much faster and easier to at least slice the jalapenos in half.

What do you use dehydrated jalapenos for?

If you love spicy food, the possibilities are endless! Use dehydrated jalapeno slices to add heat to any cooked dish, like soups or stews. The crispy slices also make a nice topper for salads, tacos, and even pizza. Try grinding the dried peppers into a powder for spice mixes, sauces, and condiments.

Can you dehydrate jalapenos in an air fryer?

Absolutely! Using the dehydrator setting, just set your air fryer to 135 degrees F and let your jalapenos dry for 4-6 hours.

Related Recipes

Dehydrated Jalapenos (Oven or Dehydrator)

If you want to add some heat to your favorite recipes but don't always have fresh jalapenos on hand, try making dehydrated jalapenos. It's a great way to store your harvest so you always have spicy peppers available!

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Prep Time 20

Drying Time 6

Total Time 6 20

Equipment

dehydrator
gloves
paring knife
small bowl

Ingredients

1 lb jalapenos