Recommended Dehydrating and Preserving Books
These are independent recommendations. Links go to Amazon UK; Ezidri UK isn't paid for them.
Our pick of the most useful books on dehydrating, preserving and foraging, chosen for UK home cooks, allotment growers and outdoor types.
1. The Dehydrator Bible Best all-rounder
Jennifer MacKenzie, Jay Nutt and Don Mercer (Robert Rose, 2009)
The big all-rounder: how to dry almost anything, then hundreds of ideas for using it, from snacks to full meals.
2. The Ultimate Dehydrator Cookbook Best A–Z reference
Tammy Gangloff, Steven Gangloff and September Ferguson (Stackpole, 2014)
A thorough A–Z reference of foods to dry, with a large recipe section. Handy to keep next to the dehydrator.
3. The Complete Dehydrator Cookbook Best for beginners
Carole Cancler (Rockridge, 2020)
Clear and beginner-friendly, with a food-by-food guide and straightforward recipes.
4. The Beginner's Guide to Dehydrating Food (2nd edition)
Teresa Marrone (Storey, 2018)
Photo-led and practical, with good sections on jerky, fruit leathers and trail meals.
5. Mary Bell's Complete Dehydrator Cookbook
Mary Bell (William Morrow, 1994)
A long-standing classic from one of the best-known names in home drying.
6. Dry It – You'll Like It!
Gen MacManiman (3rd edition, 1997)
The cult original, first published in 1974. Charming, hand-drawn and still useful.
7. Recipes for Adventure Best for trail food
Glenn McAllister (2013)
Dehydrated meals for backpacking. Useful for DofE groups and hillwalkers planning their own trail food.
8. Preserves: River Cottage Handbook No.2 Best UK preserving
Pam Corbin (Bloomsbury, 2008)
The British preserving classic: jams, chutneys, cordials and more, with a strong seasonal UK focus.
9. Pam the Jam: The Book of Preserves
Pam Corbin (Bloomsbury, 2019)
A newer, broader collection from the same author, full of ideas for allotment gluts.
10. Hedgerow: River Cottage Handbook No.7 Best for foraging
John Wright (Bloomsbury, 2010)
A UK guide to wild food, from sloes and rosehips to elderflowers, with identification advice.
11. Mushrooms: River Cottage Handbook No.1
John Wright (Bloomsbury, 2007)
Essential reading before you pick and dry any wild mushroom: identification, safety and what's worth drying.
12. Food for Free (Collins Gem)
Richard Mabey
The pocket-sized British foraging guide to keep in a rucksack.
13. Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving
Judi Kingry and Lauren Devine (Robert Rose)
Broader preserving (canning, pickling, freezing and drying) for when you want to go further.
Prefer to start with free recipes? Browse our recipes and guides, or head back to the Ezidri Dehydrating Hub.