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Dry, crushed up basil in a white, glass bowl with a wooden spoon.
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5 from 5 votes

How to Dry Fresh Basil

Learn How to Dry Basil so you have access to this flavorful and fragrant herb all year long! There are four simple methods to dry fresh basil leaves out once you harvest it.
Prep Time3 minutes
Total Time3 minutes
Course: Seasoning
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1
Author: Jennifer Deppa

Ingredients

  • 1-4 bunches basil

Instructions

  • Rinse and dry the basil and then remove the leaves from the stem.

Microwave Method:

  • Place leaves on a paper towel-lined plate. Cover the leaves with another paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds.
  • Move the leaves around in a single layer, and microwave at 30 second-intervals until they are completely dried out. (Depending on your microwave this should take between 1 ½ - 3 minutes.)

Oven Method:

  • Preheat the oven to 200 degrees, or the lowest temperature it will go.
  • Place the leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for a 1-3 hours, flipping them every 45 minutes to ensure even drying.

Air Fryer:

  • Place the leaves in a single layer in the bottom of the air fryer basket.
  • Cook the basil leaves at 270 degrees for 8-12 minutes, checking on them halfway through to ensure they do not burn.

Air Drying:

  • Place the leaves in a single layer on the counter and let air dry for 2-4 weeks.
  • Store the leaves whole or crunch between your fingers to store it crushed. Dried basil will last in an airtight glass jar or container for up to 1-2 years. It will begin to lose its potency after 6 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 0.1kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.01g | Protein: 0.01g | Sodium: 0.02mg | Potassium: 1mg | Fiber: 0.01g | Vitamin A: 21IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.01mg