Frederic Melton
Dehydrated cheddar cheese is a nutritious food item that can be stored long-term. It is perfect for outdoor adventures such as hiking, camping, hunting, backpacking, and plane rides. The process of dehydrating cheddar cheese involves cutting the cheese into small pieces, placing them in a food dehydrator, and drying them at a low temperature. The cheese is ready when it is dry to the touch and should be stored in an airtight package. Dehydrated cheddar cheese can be ground into a fine powder and used as a seasoning or added to meals for a melted cheesy flavor.
How to Dehydrate Cheddar Cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese Type | Cheddar |
| Melting | Melting the cheese at a low temperature before dehydrating helps to separate the oil/fat. |
| Grating | Grating the cheese before dehydration is optional. |
| Thickness | Cheese slices should be no more than 1/4 inch thick. |
| Dehydrator Temperature | Lowest setting. |
| Dehydration Time | Flip the cheese pieces over every three hours. |
| Dehydrator Fan | If the food dehydrator does not have a fan, rearrange the trays every three hours. |
| Doneness | The cheese is done when it is dry to the touch and a shade or two darker than fresh cheese. |
| Storage | Store the dry cheese in an airtight package. |
| Rehydration | Rehydrate by soaking in water overnight or simmering for 30 minutes to one hour. |
| Powder | Dehydrated cheese can be processed into a fine powder using a food processor, mortar and pestle, or coffee grinder. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cheese
When choosing a cheddar cheese for dehydration, it's important to consider the fat content. Cheddar cheese with a higher fat content will result in a more oily and sticky texture during the dehydration process. This can be mitigated by melting the cheese at a low temperature prior to dehydration, which allows some of the oils to separate and be removed. However, it's worth noting that the oil can also be soaked up using paper towels during or after the dehydration process.
The quality of the cheddar cheese is also an important factor. Store-bought or homemade cheese can be used, but it should be of good quality to ensure a tasty end product. It's worth noting that some cheeses, like feta, are easier to make at home and can be seasoned with herbs to enhance their flavour.
Finally, the texture of the dehydrated cheddar cheese can be adjusted by grinding it into a fine powder. This powder can be used as a seasoning or added to dough for crackers or bread. However, if a smoother texture is desired, the cheddar cheese can be blended with corn starch before dehydration to reduce graininess.
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Preparing the cheese
Once you have your grated cheese, spread it out on the dehydrator trays, ensuring the cheese pieces are not touching each other. The thickness of the cheese slices is important, as thicker slices will take longer to dry. Ideally, the slices should be no more than 1/4 inch thick. If you're using a food dehydrator with a temperature setting, choose the lowest setting.
During the dehydration process, you'll need to flip the cheese pieces over every three hours to ensure even drying. If your food dehydrator does not have a fan, rearrange the trays every three hours by moving the top tray to the bottom and moving the other trays up one spot.
The dehydration process will take several hours, and the cheese is done when it is dry to the touch and appears even-toned in color, slightly darker than fresh cheese.
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Dehydrating the cheese
Dehydrating cheddar cheese is a great way to preserve this nutritious food for long-term storage. The process is simple but lengthy and can be done at home with a food dehydrator.
First, cut the cheese into small pieces, no more than 1/4 inch thick. The smaller the pieces, the faster and more evenly they will dry. Then, place the cheese pieces on paper towels to absorb the oils. This step is especially important for cheddar cheese, as it has a high-fat content. You may need to change the paper towels several times during this process.
Next, lay the cheese pieces directly on the rack in the food dehydrator, ensuring they are not touching each other. Leave space around each piece to allow for airflow. If your food dehydrator has a temperature setting, choose the lowest setting.
During the dehydration process, flip the cheese pieces over every three hours. If your food dehydrator does not have a fan, rearrange the trays every three hours by moving the top tray to the bottom spot and moving the other trays up one spot. This provides more airflow for even drying.
The dehydration process is complete when the cheese is dry to the touch and a shade or two darker than fresh cheese. Remove the cheese from the dehydrator and place it on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil. Then, break the cheese into smaller bits and powder it using a food processor or coffee grinder.
Finally, store the dehydrated cheese powder in an airtight package. As long as it is kept dry, the cheese will stay good and can be used to add a cheesy flavour to meals, snacks, and seasonings.
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Storing the dehydrated cheese
Storing dehydrated cheddar cheese is a straightforward process. Once the cheese is fully dry, it should be removed from the dehydrator and allowed to cool. It is important to ensure that the cheese is completely dehydrated before storing it. Dry cheese will appear even-toned in colour and will be one or two shades darker than fresh cheese.
After the cheese has cooled, it should be stored in an airtight container, such as a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. It is essential to keep the dehydrated cheese away from moisture, as any contact with water will cause it to spoil. The container should be stored in a cool, dry place, such as a pantry or a cold storage room.
To further extend the shelf life of dehydrated cheddar cheese, it can be vacuum-sealed. This process removes any remaining air and moisture from the container, creating an even drier environment for the cheese. Vacuum-sealed dehydrated cheese can last for several months, or even years, if stored in a cool, dry location.
Additionally, dehydrated cheddar cheese can be ground into a fine powder using a food processor. This powder has a longer shelf life than block cheese, lasting up to three to five years if stored properly. The powder can be used as a seasoning or added to dishes like casseroles, soups, sauces, dips, and baked goods.
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Using the dehydrated cheese
Dehydrated cheddar cheese is a versatile food item with a long shelf life and a wide range of applications. Here are some ways to use dehydrated cheddar cheese:
Camping and Hiking:
Dehydrated cheddar cheese is perfect for outdoor adventures like camping, hiking, hunting, or backpacking. Its lightweight and compact nature makes it an excellent addition to your trail mix, and it doesn't require refrigeration. Simply add it to your meals, such as chilli or stew, for a boost of flavour and nutrition.
Cooking and Baking:
Dehydrated cheddar cheese can be used in various cooking and baking applications. You can add it to dough for homemade crackers, bread, or even pizza. It can also be sprinkled on top of dishes like pasta or potatoes for a cheesy kick. When cooking with dehydrated cheddar cheese, simply rehydrate it by mixing it with water in a 1:2 ratio, or adjust the water amount to achieve your desired consistency.
Snacking:
Dehydrated cheddar cheese makes for a delicious and nutritious snack on its own. Thinly sliced cheddar cheese dehydrated for about ten days can result in tasty cheese chips. You can also create your own cheese crackers by dehydrating slices of bread coated with dehydrated cheddar cheese.
Seasoning:
Dehydrated cheddar cheese can be ground into a fine powder and used as a chemical-free seasoning. Sprinkle it on popcorn, salads, or roasted vegetables for an extra cheesy touch. You can also mix it with herbs and spices to create your own custom seasoning blends.
Long-Term Food Storage:
Dehydrated cheddar cheese is an excellent option for long-term food storage. By removing the moisture, the cheese becomes shelf-stable and can be stored in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed in mason jars or mylar bags. This method extends the shelf life of the cheese, making it a valuable addition to your emergency food supply or survival rations.
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Frequently asked questions
Cut the cheese into small pieces, no more than 1/4 inch thick.
Place the pieces on a dehydrator tray, ensuring they are not touching each other. If you are using shredded cheese, blot the cheese with paper towels to absorb the oils.
Set the dehydrator to the lowest temperature setting.
Dehydration time depends on the size of the cheese pieces. Smaller pieces will take less time to dry. Check the cheese every three hours and remove it from the dehydrator when it is dry to the touch.
Store dehydrated cheddar cheese in an airtight package in a cool, dry place.
