Step 1: Clean the Basil

1. Cut the basil back from the plant. I typically cut about 1/4 inch above a set of two leaves.
2. Remove the leaves from the stems.
3. Repeat with the remaining stalks of basil until all pruned stalks have been picked clean.
4. Wash the basil in cold water until clean.
5. Lay out the basil pieces on clean dish towels to dry.
6. I like to leave the basil on the dish towel to dry overnight but if you do not have the time or resources to leave a cloth of basil out all night long, use a second clean dish towel and gently press down on top of the basil to dry both sides before baking.

Option 1: Oven Drying Basil

1. Preheat the oven to the lowest temperature it will go to. For our oven it’s 170°F.
2. Place the washed and dried basil on a parchment paper lined rimmed baking sheet in one even layer.
3. Bake the basil in the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes or until all of the pieces are dried to the touch.
4. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before placing in a long term storage solution.

Option 2: Air Drying Basil

1. After laying the basil on the clean dish towels to dry, simply leave them there for 3-5 days or until all of the pieces are dried out completely.
2. Some of the smaller pieces will dry out and can be placed in storage while other larger pieces finish drying on their own.