Dishwasher appliances and method for operating dishwasher appliances are provided. A method includes executing a wet cycle, wherein a heating unit and a fan of a desiccant assembly are active during the wet cycle. The desiccant assembly includes the heating unit, the fan, and a desiccant module and is in fluid communication with a wash chamber of the dishwasher appliance. The method further includes executing a delay period, the delay period occurring for a predetermined time period between the wet cycle and a dry cycle, wherein the heating unit and the fan are active during the delay period. The method further includes draining liquid from the wash chamber after the delay period, and executing a dry cycle, wherein the fan is active and the heating unit is inactive during the dry cycle.