How to dry strawberries in a dehydrator (2024)

FAQs

How to dry strawberries in a dehydrator? ›

Arrange the strawberry slices on the dehydrator trays so that there is at least a half-inch of space between the slices. Set the dehydrator's temperature to 135 F/57 C. It will take 8 to 10 hours to fully dry the strawberries; 10 to 14 hours if you want them to be crisp rather than pliable.

It's not required to pre-treat, but an acidic solution keeps strawberries from darkening (think about how apples or pears turn dark quickly) and improves safety. The easiest and most accessible pre-treatment method is a quick soak in lemon juice. Mix equal parts lemon juice and water to make a lemon juice solution.

Slice the strawberries into ¼"-⅜" thick slices (either cross-wise or pole-to-pole). Arrange strawberry slices in a single layer on dehydrator trays, ensuring there is space between pieces to allow airflow. Dehydrate at 135F/57C for 6-12 hours, until dry (see note 2).

- Place your candied fruit sugar on the plates of your dehydrator set to under 40 ° C. - Check from time to time to assess the progress of drying over 15-20 hours in the dehydrator is a good basis, but it depends on the size of candied fruit, climatic conditions and the performance of your applicance.

You can sprinkle a little sugar on top before dehydrating too for a sweet snack!

Pretreating Fruits

Place cut fruits in a solution of 3¾ teaspoons of powdered ascorbic acid (or crush 20 500-milligram vitamin C tablets) or ½ teaspoon of powdered citric acid in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes before placing on trays to dry.

Dry cut-side up at 130 to 140 degrees F. Use a dehydrator or dry in an oven if you are able to set the oven temperature low enough. Drying time depends on the size of the berry pieces, exposure to air to cut surfaces, temperature, air circulation and method of drying. 7 to 15 hours for slices.

The shelf life of dried strawberries depends largely on the method of preservation and the conditions of storage. Generally, these dehydrated fruits can last from four months up to a year if properly stored. To maximize their shelf life, dried strawberries should be kept in sealed jars or airtight containers.

Slice the fruit evenly (see notes below). Place the slices in a single layer on each tray of the dehydrator. Dehydrate for 4-6 hours, flipping the fruit every 1-2 hours to prevent sticking and promote even drying.

Is dehydrating fruit worth it? ›

The dehydrating process retains a food's original nutritional value. For example, apple chips will have the same calorie, protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber, and sugar content as the fresh fruit. However, because dried food loses its water content, it's usually smaller in size and has more calories by weight.

Test for Dryness

Dried fruits are generally done when they reach about 20 percent moisture content. Because fruit will be more pliable when warm, cool several pieces and test by folding the fruit upon itself; it should not stick together. Berries should rattle when stored in a container.

Many vegetables and also some fruits with skins require blanching to soften the skin and allow the moisture to escape more easily in the dehydrator. You should avoid water-blanching because you will lose water-soluable vitamins that way.

Place ⅓-cup dried strawberries (15 grams) in a cup or bowl. Add ¼-cup of water and wait about ten minutes. You can rehydrate the strawberries with cold water, which is more convenient during a lunch break, but hot water is the way to go when making these for breakfast or after dinner.

Pretreating Fruits

Pretreating light-colored fruits before drying is important for the quality and safety of the final product. Soaking the sliced fruit in an acidic solution preserves the color and texture of the dried fruits, and it increases the destruction of potentially harmful bacteria during drying.

Place in air-tight glassware: Transfer unwashed strawberries into a glass food storage container or mason jar and make sure it's sealed tight. Paper towel method: Place a clean, dry paper towel in a container and put unwashed strawberries on top. Close the lid and place the container in the refrigerator.