So the first day of autumn is a pretty big deal around here. Like… a REALLY big deal. Every Facebook meme cliché of loving scarves, warm sweaters and pumpkin spice EVERYTHING is just me, me, meeeee!
I plan on playing some laid back, autumn breezy acoustic beats throughout the house while I pull out the fall decorations from storage and officially say goodbye to summer by adding a few cozy autumnal touches all around the house, and much on some homemade pumpkin spiced goodies.
Over the last week, the hubby and I made a couple batches of pumpkin, butternut squash and apple chips – and I think some pear chips would go really nicely in the mix for future batches!
Autumn brings in lots of varieties of squash, all of which make wonderful chips when popped in the dehydrator, and when you think beyond the generic pumpkin, there are literally hundreds of fun flavors to throw into a tasty bowl of autumn chips!
The Rosewill BPA Free Dehydrator
For this recipe we used the Rosewill BPA Free 5 Tray Countertop Portable Electric Dehydrator with Adjustable Thermostat (CLICK HERE to view the product on Amazon.com!).
The biggest and single most important feature of this dehydrator is that it is BPA free. As I have covered in past blog posts, Bisphenol A – more commonly known as BPA – is a chemical found in hard plastics that is used to make countless products.
BPA was never intended to be an edible chemical. When consumed, BPA behaves in a similar way to estrogen and other hormones in the human body. What this means is that BPA is an endocrine disruptor – basically a substance that interferes with the production, secretion, transport, action, function and elimination of natural hormones. When BPA imitates our body’s own hormones, it is hazardous for our health. A recent CDC report found BPA in the urine of 93% of adults!
Studies have shown that BPA leaches into foods that are acidic, salty or fatty, (like tomatoes and some vegetables). So it is recommended you not eat, drink or cook from anything made of plastic that doesn’t specify its BPA free.
This Rosewill dehydrator has an adjustable thermostat that ranges from 95 to 155 degress F, and it comes with BPA-Free herb trays, roll trays and stackable trays. I am REALLY looking forward to making tea with the native flowers and herbs I keep staring wistfully at each spring here in the Central Valley!
The machine is pretty straightforward, and redunkulously simple and easy to use. You just select the temperature that you want and then turn the thing on. It’s really that simple.
It is really quiet – not ninja quiet, if you are in the same room with it you’ll know its running, but it is not obnoxiously loud and having it running constantly is not an annoyance at all.
Only down side is that there is no timer, just temp settings, meaning that for us forgetful folks, you need to be sure to note the time you popped the food in and leave a timer on to check back around the done time. It is also a good idea to rotate trays from top to bottom for even dehydration. But otherwise, this unit offers some good bang for your buck!
[Disclaimer: There are no affiliate links in this review. I am an independent product reviewer. I only review products I am truly interested in. I don’t accept payment for reviews. The products I take the time to jabber on about are either items I have personally purchased, or the product has been provided for review after me initiating contact and incessantly nagging for a sample. All of my reviews are unbiased regardless of how the item was obtained.]
Pumpkin, Butternut Squash and Apple Chips Recipe
To make a flavorful bowl of edible autumn goodness, just select the squash and fruit you would like to include (we included pumpkin, butternut squash and apples), and after scooping out the seeds, cut them into slices using a mandolin – or in the case of tougher squash like the mini heirloom pumpkins we used, you may have to slice by hand.
Once you have your raw chips, mix the pieces together in a bowl while drizzling coconut oil over them. Place them side by side on the trays of the dehydrator, leaving enough room between the pieces for the hot air to circulate throughout the machine. Generously sprinkle some pumpkin spice over the chips. (We used a pre-mixed spice mix from McCormick, which has now gone GMO free!)
Since the heating unit on this model is on the bottom, we placed the tougher squash pieces on the bottom tray, and put the apple chips closer to the top. This five tray unit easily fit one medium mini pumpkin, half a medium butternut squash and two apples, which yielded about 3 to 4 servings of autumn pumpkin spiced chips!
Once your chips are all in place, dry them out at 145 degrees for two hours, and then lower the temperature to 110 degrees for an additional 8-10 hours for crisp chips. If you like your chips a little more on the fruit jerky side, then you can pull them out earlier.
Just a warning though.. these things are super tasty, and you will most likely eat them all in one sitting! Lol! Looking forward to chowing down on these while waltzing around my house in a fuzzy sweater and spreading autumn joy all over my home!
I’m the same when it comes to Autumn! The chips look delish! I’ve never made anything in a dehydrator before.
It is soooo easy! You really should give it a shot sometime. Its also super fun, haha!
So cool! Fab review!
xoxox,
CC
Thanks Carrie! <3 <3 <3
A simple and nice snack! Happy Fall!
Happy Fall to you too Angie! I am curious to see what you like to do in a dehydrator, your recipes are always so delish!
Looks so Yummy!
http://deffinatlyshaz.co.zw/
Thanks Sharron, it really is! <3
sounds amazing! xx
Thanks Cara! <3 <3
I love apples and pumpkin so I need to try this recipe 🙂
You should, it is super tasty!! <3
Oh now, these chips just sound plain YUMMY!
Try it, try it, try it!!!! 😉
Hi Gingi…thanks for stopping by and nice meeting you 🙂
These chips are sure a great way to welcome Autumn…great combination of flavors!
Hope you enjoy the rest of your week 🙂
I am so happy you stopped by my blog Juliana! I look forward to following you… glad you liked the recipe! This one is a keeper for us! <3
Omg, how cool is this!? I’ve never even heard of a dehydrator before! This is a much better option than purchasing veggie/fruit chips because you at least know what’s exactly inside (organic, non-GMO, salt, etc.). Thanks so much for sharing and I hope you’re having a great week so far!
XO,
Jalisa
http://www.thestylecontour.com
EXACTLY!!! We are trying very hard to eat primarily organic and non-GMO, and it is best to make foods yourself, including processing like dehydrating! So happy to have these tools!
Yummy these look so good
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
They really really are!!!
i love dried vegetable and fruits
have an happy day
kiss
—> tr3ndygirl fashion & beauty blogger <—
Thanks for stopping by Pamela! <3
Oo, those chips look yummy!
They really are! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Wow! This is simply yummy! Thanks for sharing pretty!
http://www.tessyonyia.com
Thanks for stopping by! <3
These look so yummy! I’ve never tried to make these, thanks for writing about them!
http://Leftbankgirl.blgspot.com
Thanks for stopping by! And yes, they are yummy!! We ate the whole batch in like one day haha!
That looks amazing! I think I need to buy a dehydrator…
Have a nice weekend! 🙂
fashionabejita.blogspot.com
You doooooo!!! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
These look so yummy ! You and your hubby did a good job 🙂 I wish I had a dehydrator. If I did I would probably make some sort of thin bread or cookies ?
xo
http://style-hue.com/
That is what I want to make next…. pizza crusts and chips! YUM!!!
I’ve never used a dehydrator before but it looks awesome! The chips look so good!
~Jessica
Jeans and a Teacup
It is crazy easy… like using a microwave only… umm… longer wait time? haha!
This gadget will look good in my kitchen. My son loves crisps and this will be great to do ours at home. Love it and thanks for sharing. 🙂
http://missymayification.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks for stopping by Missy, glad you enjoyed the review!
Gingi this post reminds me of my mom, she lived in Oregon and she was big on drying fruit and vegetable… I loved her banana chips, they were actually soft and so tasty… and one time I ate a good amount of pears, too many which then puffed up inside and I had quite the tummy ache, I learned to eat much less of them xox
Hahaha, I did the same thing with figs! Also, my husband loves banana chips, that is what he likes making the most in a dehydrator!
Omg it looks so delicious!
Thanks Adriana!! And thanks for stopping by!
Gosh, love these healthy chips! The kitchen gadget looks like a must-have. Happy weekend, dear! xoxo
It really is a must have kitchen gadget!!!!
MMmm yummy! I wish I had a dehydrator too to try these out!
You should get one! They are pretty inexpensive….
Yum, perfect fall treat and makes me want to dig out my dehydrator. Thanks!
You should!! I bet you have some amazing recipes up your sleeves!!
looks like i need to bust out my dehydrator!
Yes you doooooo!!!! And share the results! <3