Are you interested in learning how to dry mealworms? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you intend to use them as a snack, pet food or a protein-rich ingredient to enhance your cooking, drying mealworms is a simple and effective way to preserve them for future use.
Mealworms can be air dried, roasted on a grill or dried in an oven. Place the dried mealworms in an airtight container to preserve them.
There are many reasons why you may want to dry mealworms. You might want to do it for animal feeding purposes, or cook it as a savory dish. Whatever the reasons, there are different ways to do it. I will show you each one.
Method 1: Air Dry
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you dry mealworms. This takes time but is well worth it.
Step 1: Collect and clean the mealworms
Collect your mealworms. You can buy these in stores online or you can raise your own mealworm colony at home LNK. Ensure they are clean and free of any dirt or debris. If you purchased them, they are probably pre-cleaned, but giving them a quick rinse won’t hurt.
Related. Where mealworms come from
Step 2: Prepare a drying surface
Choose a surface where to dry your mealworms. This could be a baking sheet, a tray, or even a mesh drying rack. Any of those is fine. Clean the surface first.
Step 3: Spread out the mealworms
Place the mealworms on the drying surface in a single layer. Line them up evenly and do not stack them. This will allow for proper airflow and help them dry evenly.
Step 4: Air dry the mealworms
Leave the mealworms in a dry, well-ventilated area. Make sure that there is plenty of air circulation to avoid any moisture buildup.
Ideally, the room should have low humidity and be relatively warm. You may consider using a fan or dehumidifier to speed up the drying process. I use it when it is too humid.
Step 5: Monitor and rotate
Check on your mealworms regularly to observe the drying progress. Flip them over or rotate them so everything dries evenly.
This will prevent them from sticking together and reduce drying time. This is going to take more time but trust me, the results are better.
Step 6: Test for dryness
After several days, your mealworms should be dry and crispy. To test their dryness, break a few open and inspect the interior.
If they are dry and crumbly all the way through, store them. If they are still slightly moist, give them a little more time to dry. How long it takes depends on the environment.
Step 7: Store the dried mealworms
Once fully dried, transfer the mealworms to an airtight container. It should be moisture resistant because the mealworms won’t dry.
A glass jar, plastic container, or Ziploc bag will work well. Store them in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.
Exposure to light can cause them to lose nutritional value. Too much light and heat also turns mealworms rancid.
Method 2: Dry Roasting
The idea of eating mealworms isn’t for everyone, but they’re actually delicacies in many parts of the world. If you want to give mealworms a try, roasting is good option.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of live mealworms
- Olive oil (or any other cooking oil)
- Salt (to taste)
- Spices and seasonings (t’s up to you)
You can also try this recipe with freeze dried mealworms. They are just as tasty and nutritious, and it’s easier to cook since they are not live.
- Choose your mealworms: Buy only high-quality and farm-raised mealworms from a trusted source. It has to be labeled for human consumption.
- Prepare the utensils. Clean your grilling utensils, cutting board. Wash your hands.
- Safety: Wear gloves to handle live mealworms if you feel uncomfortable. Follow all food cooking safety guidelines.
- Prepare the grill. Preheat your grill to medium heat, around 350°F (175°C). Ensure the grill grates are clean to prevent sticking.
- Preparing the mealworms. Rinse the live mealworms with water and allow them to air dry on a paper towel. You may want to put them in a tray to prevent any from crawling away.
- Coat the mealworms. Put the dried mealworms in a bowl. Drizzle them with olive oil.
- Add salt and any other preferred spices or seasonings. I prefer paprika, garlic powder or chili powder because they add a lot of flavor.
- Toss the mealworms to ensure all are coated evenly.
- Grilling the mealworms. Spread the mealworms evenly across the grill grates. Keep a close eye on them as they are delicate and can burn quickly.
- Stir the mealworms frequently using tongs or a spatula. Make sure they are evenly cooked.
- Roast for 6-8 minutes or until the mealworms turn golden brown and crispy.
- Almost done. Remove the mealworms from the grill and allow them to cool for a few minutes.
Serve the dry-roasted mealworms in a bowl. Add your favorite dips. I also use mealworms as toppings on salads, stir-fries. You can also add them as crunchy garnish on various dishes.
I recommend that you experiment with different seasonings. Because mealworms have a nutty taste, you can use all kinds of spices, herbs and condiments.
Roasting time can vary depending on the number of mealworms. If you are drying 3000 frozen mealworms for instance, it can take a long time.
If you want to give mealworms to your chickens LNK, they prefer live ones. Of course you can still serve dried mealworms and they will eat it. But there is no need to add spices or other stuff to make it tastier.
How Long Do Dried Mealworms Last?
Once you have dried the mealworms, the next question is how long they can stay fresh. It depends on the following factors.
Packaging. The type of packaging used can determine how long dried mealworms can remain edible.
I use vacuum-sealed packs or air-tight containers because they prevent moisture. Once you have stored the mealworms, keep them away from light.
Storage conditions. Proper storage is crucial to maintaining the shelf life of dried mealworms. A cool, dark, and dry environment is ideal as it prevents oxidation and deterioration.
Avoid places with excessive heat and humidity. Don’t expose the containers to sunlight because the mealworms will deteriorate quickly.
Quality at the time of purchase. I cannot stress enough how important the quality of the mealworms are at the time you bought them.
Freshly dried and processed mealworms with no signs of decay or contamination tend to have a longer shelf life.
How to Extend Mealworms Shelf Life
When stored properly, dried mealworms can have a long shelf life. On average, well-stored mealworms can last months to years.
Although mealworms can be less palatable over time, they remain edible. It’s important to do periodic checks for any signs of spoilage, mold growth, off smells, or unusual textures.
If any of these signs are present, it’s best to discard them. Don’t give them to your pets or livestock, just dispose of them properly.
Sealed packaging: In vacuum-sealed or air-tight packages, dried mealworms can last up to 6-12 months under optimal conditions.
Opened packaging: Once opened, move the dried mealworms to an airtight container. The container should allows minimal exposure to air. Stored this way, mealworms can retain their quality for 4-6 months.
Freezing: If you won’t consume them right away, freezing dried mealworms can help extend their shelf life. Properly frozen in airtight containers, they can remain edible for up to 2 years.
Quality decline: Over time, dried mealworms may lose their crunchiness. This is something you will notice if you eat mealworms regularly.
If you use mealworms as feed for chickens, birds, fish, reptiles etc., you probably don’t have to worry about expiration. These animals love mealworms and will eat a ton if you let them.
Conclusion
If you have made this far, you’ve learned how to dry mealworms and extend their shelf life. Remember to label your containers and add dates so you can keep track of their shelf life.
Whether you choose to eat them as a snack or give them to your pets, keeping mealworms fresh is an easy process once you know how.
