How to Dry Basil

Basil is a delicious herb that adds flavor to pizza, casseroles, roasted vegetables and more. These oven drying tips and tricks will show you how to easily dry basil leaves without a food dehydrator. We love to make this Bruschetta with fresh tomatoes for a delicious appetizer recipe before making Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole.

If you love making Homemade Spaghetti Tomato Sauce Recipe add fresh basil and fresh oregano for a delicious recipe.

Why to Dry Basil?

We like to dry out basil because it allows this flavorful herb to last longer. It may be confusing on when to use the dry version or when to use the fresh version. You will find that using the dry version has a more concentrated flavor than the fresh basil.

Some may prefer the fresh flavor but what to preserve it so that it can be used for a longer period. There are three ways to keep that fresh flavor without drying it out and harvesting basil.

• Freeze Pesto – Make Pesto and freeze. There are many Pesto dishes that would it would be amazing in. Try our Crock Pot Pesto Chicken Pasta Recipe.
• Freeze Fresh Basil Leaves – To keep basil leaves in its freshest form, freeze them.
• Make Herb Bombs – This is a simple process of chopping fresh basil in a food processor with oil or water to make a paste. Then freeze in herb bombs in a ice tray for an easy fresh flavor basil to add to many recipes.

What Do You Need

• Fresh Basil – You can get from the grocery store or a local farmer’s market
• Baking Sheet – Any type of baking sheet will work

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.

How to Dry Basil Leaves

• Step 1 – Prepare Basil and Oven – Wash the dirt from the basil and thoroughly pat dry the fresh basil plant with a clean kitchen towels to remove moisture. You can also use a salad spinner. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees F.
• Step 2 – Place Basil on Baking Sheet – Then spread out the basil on a baking sheet in a single layer line with parchment paper. Make sure that the basil does not touch or over lap.

• Step 3 – Bake Basil in Oven – Then place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the basil leaves are dry and crumble easily.
• Step 4 – Bake until Basil is Dry – Make sure to check the basil regularly while it’s cooking as you want the basil dry but not browned from baking.
• Step 5 – Continue Baking it not Dry – If the basil is not dry after 30 minutes, continue to bake it in 5 minute intervals until the basil is dry.

• Step 6 – Break into smaller pieces – Crumb the leaves with your fingers so that the basil is in smaller pieces
• Step 7 – Continue process – Continue this process until all the basil leaves are crumbled.

• Step 8 – Store in Airtight Container – Then transfer the dried basil to an spice jars or glass jar container with good air circulation and store in a cool, dry place.

How to Dry Fresh Basil

Fresh Basil can also be dried in the Microwave. This is an easy process and an option if you don’t want to heat in the oven.

• Get a Microwave Safe Plate – Place basil between two paper towels on the plate.
• Heat Basil in Spurts – You heat microwave to 45 seconds, then 30 seconds, then another 30 seconds.
• Dry Basil – Your basil should look dry and shriveled.
• Heating time varies – The heating time will vary. So it might take your microwave 10 mores seconds to get dried herbs.

Different Methods to Drying Basil

Here is a quick guide in drying Basil. This guide shows you the quickest way to the best way in drying basil.

• Microwave – Microwaving Basil is the fastest way to dry basil. Dries in about 90 seconds. It has the least flavor retention but is the most convenient.
• Food Dehydrated – Using dehydrated is a great way to dry basil on dehydrator trays at the lowest setting. It is also the best and retaining the flavor. But it does take awhile to dry them when using the herb setting. It could take a couple of hours or up to 24 hours to get dried basil.
• Air Dry Basil – Air drying is also a great way to retain the flavor of dried basil. But it takes about 4 to 5 weeks for the basil to dry.
• Oven – Drying basil in the oven is our best recommendation. It gives it the best flavor and it is the most convenient. You want to bake until dry and be careful not to burn it.

Can you Dry Basil without a Microwave or a Oven?

Yes, if you prefer to not use a microwave or a oven to dry your basil you can hang dry the basil.

• Wash and Dry Basil with a towel.
• Tie a bunch of Basil together with their stems.
• Then hang them in a dry, cool place high in your kitchen.
• This process takes about 4 – 5 weeks to fully dry out basil.