Wash and thoroughly dry the fresh basil. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees F.
Then spread out the basil on a baking sheet. Make sure that the basil does not touch or over lap.
Then place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the basil leaves are dry and crumble easily. Make sure to check the basil regularly while it's cooking as you want the basil dry but not browned from baking. If the basil is not dry after 30 minutes, continue to bake it in 5 minute intervals until the basil is dry.
Crumb the leaves with your fingers so that the basil is in smaller pieces Continue this process until all the basil leaves are crumbled.
Then transfer the dried basil to an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place.