Drying figs at home is a great choice for keeping control over the quality of what you consume, and I can see why you’d want to skip those pesky additives and preservatives. You have few methods there.
First, let’s talk about sun-drying, a traditional way of preserving figs. To start with, you’d want the figs firm and ripe, but not squishy. Slice them in half for faster drying, this also helps to make sure they’re not dry on outside and moist inside. Lay them on a clean, dry surface like a muslin cloth in direct sunlight. Weather needs to be hot and dry, humid days might spoil the process. You might want to cover 'em with a thin cloth or mesh to keep insects away. Depending on the weather, it usually takes about 3-7 days. Just make sure to bring them inside if it rains or gets too damp.
Oven-drying is a tad faster, and great if you don’t have consistent sun. Preheat your oven to around 140°F (about 60°C), and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the figs cut-side up, and turn them occasionally to ensure even drying. If they start to brown too much, reduce the temp a bit. It takes 6-12 hours depending on the size and moisture of figs. Oven-drying might slightly change the flavor but should keep most nutrients intact.
Then there’s dehydrators, which many find very convenient. Set it to 135°F (57°C), arrange sliced figs on trays, allow some space between them for air circulation. It’s a controlled and more stable method compared to the other two. It might also preserve nutrients better because of the consistent temperature. Approx time needed will be 6-8 hours.
On storage, once the figs are completely dry, cool them down before storin’. Use airtight containers like mason jars or vacuum-sealed bags to keep moisture out. Store them in a cool, dark place. Refrigeration can help them last longer, up to a year sometimes! Look out for off-smells or molds before eating, those are signs of spoilage.
Blanching isn’t necessary for figs but a quick dunk in boiling water then ice can keep colors bright and might help in killing any lurking bacteria.
Experiment with the methods – you might find your preferred taste and texture with one method over others. Hope this helps you get some healthy, delicious dried figs to snack on!
