Drying figs at home can be a real fun project, and it’s a awesome way to preserve them while keeping them healthy and natural, as you said! There are several methods, but let’s break it down a bit.
First off, let’s chat about using your oven. To dry figs in the oven, you would slice them in halves or quarters. This helps them dry evenly. Set the oven to a low temp, around 140-150°F (60-65°C), and place the figs on a parchment-lined tray with enough space between them. You’ll want to keep the oven door slightly open to allow moisture to escape - you could use a wooden spoon to prop it open. It may take 10-24 hours, depending on the fig size and moisture content. Flip them halfway through to ensure they dry equally. No need to add sugar, really; figs are sweet enough! Lemon juice is optional, it can prevent browning though.
Sun-drying can be more traditional, and pretty effective if you’ve got a lot of sun. Lay the figs cut side up on a clean screen or drying rack and cover them with a thin cloth or cheesecloth to keep away insects and dust. It’ll take around 3-7 days, again it varies on weather. If possible, bring them indoors at night to avoid dew and moisture.
If buying a dehydrator is in your budget, it’s definitely convenient and offers precise control of temp and time. Models vary, but generally, you would dry figs at around 135°F. It’s efficient, but like you wondered, perhaps only worth it if you’ll use it for other things too.
Once figs are dried, cool, and dry completely, store them in airtight containers to keep out moisture. Mason jars or sealed bags work well. You can keep them in a cool, dark place or fridge if you prefer. Properly dried and stored figs can last up to a year, but keeping them in optimal conditions will maintain the flavor and texture longer, maybe 6-12 months is reasonable unless you devour them faster!
Each method might give figs a slightly different texture, but overall, sun-drying gives a leathery feel, oven, or dehydrator can be more chewy. As for recipes, you can use them in trail mixes, baking, or even adding to stews for a sweet touch.
Hope this helps! Have fun experimenting and enjoy your fig journey!
