Homemade Jalapeño Powder | Dehydrated Jalapeño Peppers

If you’re looking for a way to get more life out of your fresh peppers then you have to try this homemade jalapeño powder. Dehydrating and grinding the peppers not only extends their shelf-life, but makes for a flavorful powder that can be used in dry-rubs, soup, salsa and more.

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I love making homemade spices, sauces, and condiments! Check these out:

• How to Make Lemon Pepper Seasoning at Home
• No Sodium Taco Seasoning
• Ají Verde – Spicy Peruvian Green Sauce
• Secret Sauce for Burgers
• Chipotle Aioli
• Quick Pickled Jalapeños
• Ghost Pepper Ranch Dressing

Peace, family!

Spring is in full effect and for many of us that means we are full speed ahead in our vegetables gardens. I absolutely love growing peppers of all kinds, but jalapeños are my all-time favorite. But do we do when we have an over-abundance and don’t want our harvest to go to waste? Peppers are so versatile and perfect for short, mid, and long-term storage. If not eaten/used right away, you can pickle them, use them in hot sauce, and even freeze them! But one of my favorite preservation methods is dehydrating. It prolongs the shelf-life and the dehydrated peppers can be turned into flakes or ground into a fine powder for seasoning. The dehydration process concentrates and intensifies the jalapeño flavor making it perfect for when your favorite dish needs a little pop of pepper goodness.

What Tools Do I Need?

• Knife and Cutting Board – for slicing the peppers. I find that thin slices work best for dehydrating the peppers in a timely manner.
• Dehydrator – Many of the appliances we already own (think: air fryer/pressure cooker combos)have dehydration settings that go completely ignored. If you don’t have a dehydrator, I will outline some alternative methods below.
• Coffee/Spice Grinder – this will allow you to grind the peppers into a fine powder for seasoning. Coffee grinders are very inexpensive come in handy for a wide variety of uses in the kitchen.
• Airtight Container – Just like any spice or seasoning, you’ll want to store your jalapeño powder in an airtight container to prevent any spoilage.

Can I Dehydrate Jalapeño Peppers in the Oven?

Absolutely! If you do not own a dehydrator then you can use your oven for this process. For optimal airflow, I recommend using a wire rack-lined baking sheet. If you don’t have a wire rack then you can use parchment paper, but you will need to flip the pepper slices halfway through the process. Preheat your oven to the lowest possible temperature setting and leave the oven door slightly cracked to allow moisture to escape.

Is Jalapeño Powder Spicy?

This will entirely depend on you. If you remove the seeds prior to dehydrating the peppers you will find that your finished power has mild, pleasant jalapeño flavor. You can leave the seeds in for a powder that packs a bit more of a punch. I prefer to keep the seeds and do not find the resulting powder to be too overwhelmingly spicy. After 6 hours, check the peppers for signs of dehydration; the pieces should be brittle and break when bent. If the pieces easily bend without breaking/snapping, then they need to be dehydrated longer.

How Hot Are Jalapeños?

Jalapeños have a mild to medium heat, ranging from 2,500 to 8,000 on the Scoville scale. You’ll find that they are spicier than banana peppers but much milder than habaneros. They fall into a comfortable “in between.”

How to Make Homemade Jalapeño Powder | Dehydrated Jalapeño Peppers

Begin by washing, drying, and thinly slicing the peppers. The thinner the slices are, the more efficient the dehydration process will be.

Place the pepper slices into the dehydrator. Ensure that the pieces are not touching as this will prevent airflow. You’ll notice in the photo that my pieces were a little too close together, so I went in and removed some.

Set dehydrator to 150° F for 6 hours- the peppers are done when no moisture remains and the pieces easily snap when bent. They should have a dry, brittle texture. If the pieces easily bend without breaking/snapping, then they need to be dehydrated longer.

Place the dehydrated peppers into a coffee/spice grinder and grind until a fine powder forms. Work in batches, if needed.

Storage Tips for Homemade Jalapeño Powder

• Store your powder in an airtight container and keep it tightly closed when not in use.
• Store the powder in a dark, dry area away from heat and moisture.
• Just like with any preservation method, make sure you label your homemade spices with the date that it was prepared.

How Long Can I Store Homemade Jalapeño Seasoning?

This powder can last anywhere from 6 months to a year if you follow the correct storage tips and avoid getting moisture into the container.

Try it out and let me know what you think! When you make it, be sure to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram or Facebook!

Peace,

Adri

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