How to Dry Basil (5 Easy Ways!)

Dry Basil Naturally (Air Drying)

1. Bundle 4-6 basil stems together and secure them with a string or rubber band. Make sure the bundles are not too thick to allow for proper airflow.
2. Find a warm, dry, and well-ventilated area in your home. Hanging the bundles upside down is a common method. Ensure the basil is not exposed to direct sunlight, which can cause loss of flavor and color.
3. Allow the basil to air dry for about 1-2 weeks, or until the leaves crumble easily when touched. Check for dryness by testing a leaf.

Dry Basil in the Sun

1. Lay the basil leaves out in a single layer on a clean, dry surface, such as a baking sheet or a clean cloth.
2. Place the basil in direct sunlight in a location with good airflow. You can use a screen or mesh to protect it from insects and debris.
3. Place the basil in direct sunlight in a location with good airflow. You can use a screen or mesh to protect it from insects and debris. When the basil is crispy and crumbles easily, it's ready.

Dry Basil in Oven

1. Preheat the oven to the lowest setting possible (in my oven it's 175°F but try to keep it under 180°F) . If the lowest oven setting is higher, leave the oven door slightly open to keep the temperature down.
2. Spread the basil leaves in a single, even layer on your baking sheet, making sure that they don't overlap. This restricts air flow, so you want to make sure it's all in a single layer.
3. Let them dry for about an hour, and then start checking 15 minutes thereafter to make sure it doesn't burn. My oven took about 2.5 hours at 175°F for reference.

Dry Basil in Air Fryer

1. Preheat your air fryer to the lowest possible temperature setting, typically around 100°F (38°C). Some air fryers may have a "dehydrate" function; if so, use that.
2. Arrange the basil leaves in a single layer on the air fryer trays or racks, ensuring there is space between each leaf for proper airflow.
3. Place the trays in the preheated air fryer and let the basil dry for 1-2 hours. Check the progress periodically to prevent over-drying. The exact drying time may vary depending on your air fryer model.
4. Once the basil leaves are dry, remove them from the air fryer and allow them to cool completely.

Dry Basil in Microwave

1. Place a towel on a microwave-plate, then places the leaves on the towel single file, and then another towel on top. Microwave in 3x30 second bursts. The basil leaves should shrivel. It'll continue to dry out even at room temperature thereafter. Note: Though I've included the method here, I actually don't recommend doing this if you have access to an oven. The basil flavor tends to get zapped out pretty bad, but it works in a pinch if you don't have an oven (and still tastes better than storebought dried basil!)

Dehydrate Basil

1. Place the basil leaves in a single layer on the dehydrator trays, ensuring there is space between each leaf for proper air circulation.
2. Set your dehydrator to the lowest temperature setting, typically around 95°F (35°C) for herbs.
3. Allow the basil to dry in the dehydrator for 2-4 hours. Check the progress periodically to ensure the leaves are drying evenly.
4. When the basil leaves are completely dry and brittle, remove them from the dehydrator. Allow the dried basil leaves to cool to room temperature.

Store Dried Basil

1. Once fully dried, remove the leaves from the stems and store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Crush or crumble the leaves when needed for recipes.