How To Dehydrate Chives (5 Easy Ways)

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Drying chives is an easy way to preserve them to enjoy all through the year. Learn how to dry chives with a dehydrator, oven, or easy air drying methods that use no electricity.

Chives are one of my favorite herbs to grow for fresh herbs in the summer. They are easy to grow and one of the first herbs ready in the early spring.

These tasty herbs are perennials that will grow year after year in your garden. In our zone 5 growing zone I can normally start harvesting chives in late May.

Their greens are perfect for adding to egg salad, potato salad, or any dish that you would like a mild onion flavor in.

While the chive flowers make tasty chive vinegar or oil.

Chives grow quickly in the spring and will grow all summer, but the growth rate will slow down as the hot weather kicks in.

So to start putting up your chives as soon as they are ready take your first big cutting. You should get 3 to 4 cuttings in the spring and early summer and a few more through the summer.

If you’re not growing chives in your garden make sure to check your local farmers market to grocery store for fresh chives.

How To Dehydrate Chives In A Dehydrator

My favorite way to dry chives is using a dehydrator. I live in a humid area and while I can air dry herbs I find that using a dehydrator is much faster and I end up with better results.

Prepare Your Chives

Rinse your chives in cool water removing any yellowed or dead chives.

Next, you’ll want to get as much of the moisture off the chives as possible.

Place the chives in a salad spinner and spin until dry. If a little moisture remains you can pat them dry with paper towels or a hand towel.

If you don’t have a salad spinner lay your chives out on a towel and pat dry.

Cut To Size

Then cut the chives into 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch pieces using a sharp knife or kitchen scissors.

Dehydrate

Line your dehydrator tray with parchment paper, this helps to keep the chives from falling through the mesh tray. You can also use a silicone liner or a Paraflex sheet.

Spread the chives over the parchment paper in a single layer.

Then I like to place another mesh dehydrator tray liner over top of the chives. This keeps them from blowing around in your dehydrator but still offers good airflow.

Place the trays of chives into your dehydrator and set the temperature to 95F. If your dehydrator doesn’t go that low you can use 125F.

Depending on your dehydrator and weather conditions they will dry in 2 to 4 hours. On very humid days I’ve had them take up to 12 hours.

How long they will take to dehydrate depends on many factors including how wet they were going into the dehydrator and how humid your weather is.

You’ll know they are done when they feel dry and can crumble in your hand.

How To Air Dry Chives

If you don’t have a dehydrator or simply want to use electricity you can also air dry chives.

Rinse and clean the chives under cool water. Then pat or spin dry to remove as much water as possible.

Cut the chives into 1/4 inch pieces and spread them out in a thin layer on parchment paper or a clean towel.

Place the chives in a warm, dry location out of direct sunlight.

Stir and flip the chives over a few times a day to help them dry. Always make sure they are in a single layer after stirring.

It will take 3 days to 2 weeks for the chives to finish air drying, but the drying time will depend on the humidity of the air.

Drying Chives By Hanging

If you don’t have room to spread the chives out while drying another easy way to is drying chives by hanging them in bunches.

As with the other methods you will want to rinse and dry the chives first.

Using twine tie the chives together in a loose bundle. Be careful not to tie them too tightly or the leaves could crush.

Then hang the little herb bundles in a warm, dry place to air dry. Depending on your area it could take 1 to 2 weeks for them to fully dry.

Drying Chives In A Paper Bag

Take a paper bag, a lunch sized bag works well and punch some holes in it.

A paper hole puncher works really well for this. The holes will help with airflow to keep your chives from molding.

Wash and dry your chives. Then pat dry to remove as much moisture as possible.

Cut your chives into 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch pieces or leave whole if desired.

Place the chopped chives into the bag and roll the top down to close the bag.

Set the bag in a warm, dry area to dry.

Make sure to check on your chives daily to make sure they aren’t molding. This is very important if you live in a humid area or if the weather has been very rainy.

Give the bag a shake to stir up the chives every day.

Your chives should be dry in 5 to 7 days but it can take as long as 2 weeks in humid weather.

Drying Chives In The Oven

If your area is too humid to air dry chives well but you don’t have a food dehydrator you can dry chives in your oven. It’s really very easy!

Preheat your oven to its lowest setting.

Wash your chives in cool water to remove any bugs and dirt. Then remove any damaged or yellowing chives.

Pat them dry using paper towels or a clean hand towel.

When dry cut your chives into 1/4 inch pieces using your favorite knife or scissors.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread your chives out in a single layer.

Place the chives into your oven on the middle rack. Check your chives often during the drying process to make sure they aren’t burning. If your oven gets too hot you’ll need to crack the door open to cool it off.

Safety Note: If you have young children or pets do not leave the oven door open and unattended. Use good safety measures to prevent anyone from getting burned.

Make sure to stir them occasionally to help them dry evenly.

It will take 1 to 2 hours for your chives to fully dry.

You’ll know your chives are done when they feel dry to you and crumble easily.

How To Store Dried Chives

Store dried chives in a cool, dark place in an airtight container.

You can use plastic containers or a freezer bag. But for long term storage, I always use mason jars.

These glass jars are great for herb storage. It’s easy to see what is in each jar and you can vacuum seal them to keep the herbs fresh.

Whatever container you decide to use store your dried chives in a cool, dark, dry area for the best shelf life. It’s best not to store them next to the stove. That area gets too warm and humid when you’re cooking.

A pantry, cupboard, or drawer is perfect because it protects the herbs from light and heat.

But I know this isn’t always convenient.

I like to keep small jars of herbs near my stove for ease of use. But I keep the bulk jars in my pantry so they last longer. Simply refill the small jars as needed.

FAQ

Do I Have To Wash The Chives?

No, you don’t have to wash your chives before drying them. But all plants grown outside can have dirt or bugs on them. I like to give herbs a quick wash before using them to make sure they are clean.

But if you prefer to dry them without washing you certainly can.

Should You Chop Chives Before Drying?

You can dry chives whole or chopped into pieces. I prefer to cut the chives before drying because the cut herbs dry faster. It’s also easier to fit cut herbs into jars for storage.

How Long Do Dried Chives Last?

Dried chives will last a long time when stored in air-tight containers and in a dark, dry place. But over time the color and flavor of the chives will start to fade. The first 3 months after drying is the best time to use them.

If you want top flavor that lasts longer freezing chives is a wonderful way to preserve them.

More Ways To Preserve Chives

• Easy Chive Butter
• Chive Blossom Vinegar

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