How to Dehydrate Honey to Make Honey Powder

‍Do you love the sweet taste of honey but hate how sticky it can be? You will be happy to know you can enjoy all the great flavors of honey without the mess.

Making honey powder can be done with a dehydrator. To begin, spread a thin layer of the honey on a silicone sheet. Set your device to 120°F and place the honey inside. Check every two hours to ensure it has not burnt. Once it is no longer sticky, remove the honey and pulverize it in a blender.

As a home cook, I have often worked with honey and can vouch for the convenience of honey powder. Below I cover why dehydrating honey is a good idea, the step-by-step process of dehydrating honey, how to store honey powder, and ways to use the powder.

‍Why Should I Dehydrate Honey?

Home chefs and cooks are likely aware that honey has an extremely long shelf life, so why would you want to dehydrate it? The answer is simple: the advantages of doing so are difficult to ignore!

Honey powder is ideal for baking since it offers a user-friendly approach to accurately measuring and mixing with other ingredients. Also, unlike traditional honey, you won't need to fight against its sticky consistency when blending. Just remember to a bit of extra water to the recipe to compensate for using honey powder!

Second, honey powder is a more convenient form of honey. Say goodbye to the sticky hassle of measuring out the honey with a spoon! Honey powder offers an easy-to-scoop alternative and packs a powerful punch.

Third, dehydrating honey makes it impossible for bacteria and yeast to develop and ruin the taste. Over time, the yeast present in the honey can ferment, altering the taste and texture of the honey. While it is still safe to eat, it may not appeal to some people.

Finally, honey powder is a healthier alternative to sugar. Packed with antioxidants and nutrients, honey is a healthier option to replace sugar. So if you're aiming to cut back on the number of processed sugars in your diet, give honey powder a try - put some into your oatmeal or coffee for an added health boost!

Preparation for Making Honey Powder

When you are ready to make your honey powder, ensure everything is in order, including the correct honey and all the required supplies.

Choosing the Best Honey

Before putting your honey in the dehydrator, selecting the best honey for making powder is important. One of the biggest issues people have with making honey powder is using subpar honey.

Here are some factors I consider when looking for the perfect honey

Avoid The Cheap Store Brand

Money can be an issue for many; however, if you want the best possible powder, you must steer clear of the "best value" brand. These brands are often more additives than genuine honey.

Only Buy 100% Raw and Unfiltered Honey

Raw honey is the purest form of honey. It is the best example of "farm-to-table" honey available. Raw and unfiltered honey has not been tampered with in any way. It does not contain fillers, corn syrup, and other additives. It has also not been heated or processed, ensuring it is full of nutrients and flavor.

Buy Locally Sourced Honey

If it is available to you, opt for locally harvested honey. Not only will this be the freshest and most flavorful honey you can buy, but it also supports local businesses and farmers. So head on down to your local farmers market before running to the grocery store.

Choosing the Dehydration Method

Not everyone has a dehydrator, but if you do, great! First, make sure it is clean and ready to go. No worries, you can still make honey powder on your stovetop if you do not have one. The stovetop version will require a bit more work, but the result will be the same.

Gather the Supplies

Now that you have the perfect honey make sure you have all the supplies you need. Here are the essential supplies for making honey powder:

• Silicone Baking Mat
• Blender or Food Processor
• Mason Jars
• Silicone Spatula
• Baking Sheet
• Desiccant Pouch
• Candy Thermometer (stovetop)
• Sauce Pan (stovetop)

Dehydrating Honey with a Dehydrator

Now that you have everything you need to dehydrate honey let's start.

Step One

Make sure the dehydrator is clean and ready to use. A clean appliance is important as the honey will be in the dehydrator for many hours. During this time, bacteria and food particles can taint the honey, making it a subpar powder.

Step Two

Place the silicone mat on the tray which comes with the dehydrator. If you do not have one, a baking sheet will do fine. Just make sure they are clean and dry.

Step Three

Spread the honey on the mat using the silicone spatula. Make sure you only put a cup or so of honey, as a thin layer allows moisture to escape. To dehydrate correctly, the honey should be at most 1/8 of an inch thick.

Step Four

Set your dehydrator to 120 degrees F. This is the ideal temperature for dehydrating honey. Many people may be tempted to crank up the heat during this process but don't! Attempting to dehydrate on high heat will cause the honey to burn. If this happens, you will need to start all over again.

Step Five

Check on your honey every couple of hours. It will need to be dry and have no trace of stickiness. Depending on the humidity levels, the power of the dehydrator, and the viscosity of the honey, this process can take from several hours up to two days. I have also heard that some people need 72 hours or more before the honey is no longer sticky.

Step Six

Once the honey is fully dry, remove it from the dehydrator and allow it to cool in a dry location. It shouldn't take longer than one hour, but the drying location is important. Keep the honey away from any moisture, as the honey can absorb the moisture and become sticky again.

Step Seven

Once cooled, remove the honey from the silicone sheet in small pieces and place it in a food processor or blender. Grind the honey up to your preferred consistency. If you want a fine powder, ensure enough time for the processor to do its job. Once the texture is how you want it, you have successfully made your own honey powder!

Dehydrating Honey via Stovetop

If you don't have a dehydrator to use, here is how you can make honey powder on the stovetop.

Step One

Add the honey to a saucepan and slowly begin to heat it up. Do not put the burner on full, as this can burn the honey.

Step Two

Mix the honey continuously to ensure nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pan or burning.

Step Three

Use a candy thermometer to monitor the honey's temperature. It should reach 300 degrees F before removing it from the heat.

Step Four

Once the honey is at the correct temperature, pour it onto a silicone mat and spread it around with a silicone spatula if needed to create an even layer.

Step Five

Layer time for the honey to cool. Because the honey was heated to a higher temperature than it was in the dehydrator, this process will take longer. Make sure you keep the honey in a cool and dry place while it cools.

Step Six

Once cooled, break the honey into small pieces and put it in the blender to break it down to a powder.

Storing Honey Powder

After all the work you put into making the powder, you want to ensure it is stored correctly. One of the best places to store honey powder is in a mason jar. These glass jars let you see the powder and can be sealed for long-term storage.

Clean and thoroughly dry a mason jar, insert the honey powder, and seal the lid. For added peace of mind, add a desiccant pouch in the jar to absorb any stray moisture.

Best Ways to Use Dehydrated Honey

Now that you have made your own honey powder, what should you do with it? Many people, like myself, use honey powder instead of sugar in baking. The honey powder can be substituted 1 for 1 in any recipe calling for sugar.

Honey powder is also a great addition to coffee, tea, and other drinks you want to sweeten.

The best part is that it is easy to rehydrate the honey if you need to. Add small amounts of water to the honey and stir. The honey will absorb the water and return it to its original form. This is also a great way to alter the viscosity of the honey if you need to.