Recipe: Spiced Oven-Dried Pineapple

Making dried fruit at home can be as simple as turning on your oven. It can also be a less expensive alternative to purchasing a store bought version. Pineapple lends itself well to drying because it has an inherent sweetness that comes out even more so once baked.

From a nutrition standpoint, pineapple contains a high concentration of vitamin C, manganese, and the enzyme bromelain. Bromelain is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that can help in alleviating chronic pain. Pairing the pineapple with spices like turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne packs an extra antioxidant punch.

The next time you have a hankering for a sweet snack, whip up a batch of these pineapple slices!

Spiced Oven-Dried Pineapple (Makes 24-30 Slices)

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 whole pineapple, peeled with “eyes” removed
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper
  • Pinch of salt

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat your oven to 225 degrees.
  2. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  3. Place the pineapple on its side, and carefully cut slices as thin as possible.
  4. Place the slices on the baking sheets. Evenly sprinkle the spices over all of the pineapple.
  5. Bake the pineapple slices for approximately one hour, flipping once, until both sides are dry and lightly browned.
  6. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days!

Do you make dried fruit at home?