How To Dry Chives

It won’t surprise anyone to know that my pantry is packed full of ingredients I’ve made myself. With grocery store prices what they are, you’d be amazed to see the price difference from buying dehydrated chives at the store to drying them yourself at home. Dry chives have a delicious garlic flavor that is frequently used to add flavor to dishes. Plus they are packed full of antioxidants and Vitamin K. So here is my handy guide for how to dry chives at home.

How to Dry Chives

There are three methods for drying chives. You can use any variety of chives you prefer. There isn’t much difference when it comes to the popular garlic chives vs chives for drying – but if you want a stronger taste, go for garlic chives. So, let’s learn how to dry chives. To start, rinse your fresh chives to be dried and pat dry. Cut the chives into even pieces (unless you’re air drying).

In a Dehydrator

To dehydrate chives in a dehydrator, place the pieces on the dehydrator tray in a single layer. As they’re small pieces, you’ll want to use a sheet on the tray or place one on the bottom of the dehydrator. Some of them might fall through the cracks because of the circulation of the air. Dry them at 105ºF/40ºC for around 3-5 hours or longer. You want to wait until the dry chives crackle and crumble easily.

In the Oven

For drying chives in the oven, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then dry chives in a single layer on the tray. Turn the oven to the lowest temperature. Many ovens now have dehydrating features, so set it at 125ºF/52ºC or if possible 105ºF/40ºC. Dry for 3-5 hours. If your oven doesn’t go that low, set it at 170ºF/75ºC, then keep the door open with a wooden spoon to allow air circulation. Dry for 2-3 hours. They should be easy to crumble.

In the Microwave

To dry chives in the microwave, place your chopped chives between two paper towels. Microwave for 30 seconds at medium to high power. Check on them and remove any that are dried. Repeat the cycle until all pieces are brittle and crumbly dry.

Air Drying

Air drying is the best way how to dry chives without using any appliances. Collect the chives in a loose bundle – don’t chop them! – and tie the stems at the bottom with twine or a rubber band. Hang them upside down in a warm, dry place. You can loosely wrap a mesh or paper bag around them to protect them. Air-drying chives will take anywhere from 8 hours to a full week to dry completely, depending on your climate and how hydrated the chives are.

How to Use Dried Chives

Store the dried chives in a cool dry place in a glass or mason jar. Then used them in your favorite recipes:

Sprinkle over a bowl of mashed potatoes or top with sour cream over my salt-baked potatoes, Mix into a sour cream dip, sauces, or herb/chive butter, Use to garnish an omelet or scrambled eggs, Use as a garnish for salads or soups that need a boost of flavor.