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⚡ In a hurry?
For dehydrating, you need a real low-temperature mode and multiple racks. The Breville Smart Oven Air is the best dehydrator-plus-air-fryer with a dedicated dehydrate function and room for several trays. The Instant Vortex Plus is the budget pick, since it often includes a DEHYDRATE setting.
Check Price on Amazon →Why most air fryers cannot dehydrate
Dehydrating is the opposite of air frying: instead of blasting food hot and fast, you dry it low and slow — often around 130–160°F for many hours — so moisture leaves without cooking the food. That is exactly why most basket air fryers fail at it: their lowest temperature is too high, and a single basket only gives you one small layer of space.
To actually dehydrate jerky, fruit, or veg you need two things: a genuine low-temp dehydrate setting that can hold gentle heat for hours, and multiple racks or trays so you can dry a worthwhile batch at once. Oven-style units and a few basket models with a real DEHYDRATE mode can do this; a standard drawer that bottoms out around 200°F cannot. The picks below all offer a true low-and-slow mode.
Quick comparison
| Model | Best for | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breville Smart Oven Air | Best true dehydrator | ~1 cu ft | ~$350 |
| Instant Vortex Plus | Best budget dehydrate | 6 qt | ~$100–140 |
| Cuisinart TOA-60 | Best oven-style value | ~0.6 cu ft | ~$200 |
Prices are typical street prices and move around — tap any “Check Price” button for the current number.
Breville Smart Oven Air
The Breville is the closest thing to a standalone dehydrator that also air-fries. Among its 13 functions is a dedicated dehydrate mode that holds low temperatures for long runs, and its roughly 1 cubic foot of space fits multiple racks so you can dry a real batch of jerky or fruit at once. This is the pick if dehydrating is more than an occasional experiment.
What We Like
- Dedicated dehydrate function holds low heat
- Room for multiple racks / trays
- Even heat for consistent drying
- Also a top-tier air fryer and oven
What Could Be Better
- Expensive
- Large footprint on the counter
Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart
The Vortex Plus often includes a DEHYDRATE function among its modes, which lets it hold the gentle low temperatures that jerky and dried fruit need — something most basket fryers simply cannot do. Capacity is the trade-off: a single drawer limits how much you can dry per run, so plan on smaller batches or a rack accessory.
What We Like
- Has a real DEHYDRATE low-temp mode
- Much cheaper than oven-style units
- ClearCook window to check progress
- Doubles as a strong everyday air fryer
What Could Be Better
- One drawer limits batch size
- Fewer rack levels than an oven-style unit
Cuisinart TOA-60 Air Fryer Toaster Oven
As an oven-style unit, the TOA-60 gives you a flat rack and low-and-slow control that suits drying better than a cramped basket, plus the room to spread jerky strips or fruit slices out in a single layer. It is the value oven-style option if you want more space than a drawer without the Breville’s price — confirm the low-temp settings before you commit to long dehydrate runs.
What We Like
- More rack room than a basket
- Flat layout spreads strips and slices
- Also a full toaster oven and air fryer
- Cheaper than the Breville
What Could Be Better
- Not as low-and-slow specialized as the Breville
- Big footprint on the counter
How to dehydrate in an air fryer
Insist on a real low-temp mode
True dehydrating happens around 130–160°F over several hours. A standard basket fryer that bottoms out near 200°F will cook your food instead of drying it. Only buy a model with a genuine dehydrate setting if this is a priority.
Slice thin and even
Uniform, thin slices dry at the same rate — thick or uneven pieces leave you with some strips leathery and others still moist. Aim for consistent thickness, arrange in a single layer without overlap, and rotate racks if your unit heats unevenly.
Plan for long runs and space
Jerky and fruit can take many hours, so a single small basket means tiny batches. Multiple racks (oven-style units) let you dry a worthwhile amount at once. Make sure air can circulate around every piece, or the covered spots stay damp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any air fryer dehydrate food?
No. Dehydrating needs low temperatures around 130–160°F held for hours, and most basket air fryers cannot go that low — they bottom out near 200°F, which cooks food instead of drying it. You need a model with a genuine dehydrate mode, such as the Breville Smart Oven Air or an Instant Vortex Plus that includes a DEHYDRATE setting.
What temperature do you dehydrate jerky at in an air fryer?
Jerky is typically dried at a low temperature in the range of about 145–160°F for several hours, depending on thickness. Only air fryers with a true dehydrate mode can hold heat that low for that long, which is why a standard basket fryer with a ~200°F floor is not suitable.
Is an air fryer or a standalone dehydrator better?
A dedicated dehydrator holds many trays and excels at large batches, while an air fryer with a dehydrate mode is more versatile because it also crisps and bakes. For occasional jerky or dried fruit, a capable oven-style air fryer like the Breville is a strong all-in-one; for frequent large batches, a standalone dehydrator has more capacity.
How long does it take to dehydrate food in an air fryer?
It depends on the food and thickness, but dehydrating generally takes several hours — often many hours for jerky and fruit. Because runs are long and single baskets hold little, models with multiple racks let you dry a worthwhile batch at once rather than repeating small loads.