How to Dry Fresh Mint

If you have an abundance of fresh mint, drying it is one of the easiest ways to preserve its bright flavor and aroma. Whether you use a dehydrator, hang it to air-dry, or use your oven, this simple guide for How to Dry Fresh Mint walks you through the best methods for drying mint leaves so they stay flavorful, fragrant, and ready for tea, desserts, and cooking.

Drying mint is a simple preservation method that concentrates the flavor while extending its usability far beyond the growing season. A dehydrator offers the most consistent results, preserving color and essential oils, while air-drying is ideal for those without equipment in low-humidity environments. The oven method works well in a pinch but requires close monitoring to prevent scorching delicate leaves.

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Pro Tips for Success

 I have so much mint, and I love to use it year-round! So, I wanted to share the Best Way to Dry Fresh Mint (Dehydrator, Air-Dry, or Oven Methods) with you. Let’s start briefly by looking at growing and harvesting the fresh herb, then head into the how to dry mint methods.

Different kinds of mint will have different flavors. I’ve used Mojito mint (Mentha × villosa) in my pictures here. It’s my favorite mint and it grows freely in my garden. It has a lightly lime and a clean minty flavor, being a milder, sweeter version of traditional spearmint. It’s less pungent, less menthol-heavy, and more delicate than peppermint, making it ideal for cocktails and mocktails because it doesn’t overpower other flavors. Read more about fresh mint.

But feel free to use your favorite mint: peppermint, chocolate mint, pineapple mint, etc.  And whether you grow it, get it from the farmer’s market, or the grocery store. It’s all good!

Harvest mint in the morning after the dew has dried for the best flavor, when the essential oils are at their highest, and before the flowers bloom.

Clean the mint by submerging it in cold water. Then gently swish it around. Shake off the excess water, and thoroughly dry it in a salad spinner, or use a clean towel to pat it dry. Remove leaves from woody stems, as leaves dry faster than stems. And remove any damaged leaves, like from bug bites.

Drying fresh mint leaves is a fun and rewarding project. I’ve been loving my dehydrator, and recently also shared How to Dry White Sage.

Thorough drying is essential to prevent mold during storage. The leaves should be completely dry, brittle, and crumble easily. Allow them to cool fully before storing to avoid condensation.

Mint leaves will shrink considerably when dried.

Dehydrator

Here’s the model of dehydrator that I have & love!

Arrange the clean leaves in a single layer to ensure even drying and prevent them from turning brown.

Use mesh tray liners to prevent dry, light leaves from falling through the trays or blowing around.

Use the lowest setting on your dehydrator to preserve the essential oils, flavor, and green color.

Check the mint after 1–2 hours, as drying times vary based on humidity and dehydrator model. 

Air drying

Avoid placing mint in direct sunlight while air-drying, as it can reduce the potency of its essential oils.

Oven

Check frequently when using the oven as well, as mint burns quickly.

Storage

Store the dried leaves (remember, any moisture in the leaves can cause the mint to mold and spoil) in an airtight container like a Mason jar in a cool, dark place for up to a year.

For best flavor, store the leaves whole, and crush just before using. Crushing releases the essential oils. Crush the leaves in your hands just before adding to food. 

How to use

Preserved mint leaves are perfect for herbal teas, seasoning blends, baked goods, Mediterranean dishes, and savory dishes like lamb, vegetables, salads (like my Garden to Table Salad and Lentil Blueberry Salad), lentil soups, and sauces like tzatziki yogurt sauces.

Dried mint works well in cocktails and mocktails by creating simple syrups or steeping to extract flavor. I’ll be bringing you a dried mint simple syrup recipe really soon. Use those infusions in Mojitos, Mint Lemonade (you could even spike it for an adult beverage), and gin cocktails. 

Dried mint for tea (another great recipe I’ll be bringing your way), is so easy to make with dried mint leaves. Always strain out dried leaves to avoid a gritty texture, or steep them in a tea strainer.

Dried mint is more intense as it is more concentrated than fresh; use roughly 1 teaspoon of dried for every 2 tablespoons of fresh required. And, ensure the dried mint is still fragrant before using, or the dish will lack flavor. 

Use it as a garnish and sprinkle on top of hummus, salads, or soups. Mix some into feta cheese to brighten the flavors.

It’s also great in household uses like sachets for odor removal, or as bug repellent. Place a small bag in a drawer to keep clothes smelling fresh. Mint can repel moths, mosquitoes, ants, spiders, flies, fleas, and aphids.

If you make soap, it can be added to the mix. Or, toss some dried leaves into a hot bath for a relaxing fragrance.

I like to add some dehydrated mint leaves to my vacuum cleaner, and that way it adds fragrance to the air every time I vacuum.

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