How to Dehydrate Strawberries in a Food Dehydrator: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making dehydrated strawberries at home is a great way to save money and have delicious snacks on hand. There’s no need for preservatives or additives, so you can feel good about what you’re putting in your body!
Follow these easy instructions to learn how to make dried strawberries:
How To Make Dehydrated Strawberries
Tools Needed
You will need the following to get started.
- Large Bowl for Cleaning
- Paper towels or a clean dish towel
- Food dehydrator
- Parchment paper
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife or huller
- Strawberries!!!
Step 1: Wash The Strawberries
Wash the strawberries gently in a large bowl of cool water. Be careful not to bruise them or leave any dirt on the strawberries.
Take them out and lay them on paper towels or a clean dishcloth to dry off for about an hour before you start dehydrating them.
Step 2: Remove the Stems
Next, you need to remove the green leafy stems from the strawberries.
Cut off any big leaves that are attached to the strawberries with a sharp knife. This is the fastest way to remove the stems, but you can also use a strawberry stem remover if you want.
To use a stem remover or huller, just insert the metal end into the strawberry and twist it back out.
Step 3: Slice the Strawberries to Prepare Them For Drying
Once you’ve removed the stems, it’s time to slice them into small pieces.
You can slice the strawberries into rings (if you used a huller) or halves. Try to keep the slices even so that they dry at a consistent rate.
You may want thicker or thinner pieces based on the use of the final product. I like slightly thicker pieces for snacks and thinner cuts for baking. Don’t go smaller than a quarter-inch thickness or the pieces may break apart too easily.
If you use a slicer with adjustable thickness settings it can be easier to keep a consistent width. Just be sure to adjust the setting for thicker cuts.
Step 4: Put the Strawberries Into the Dehydrator
Lay out two sheets of parchment paper on top of each other; place 6-8 berries lengthwise on one sheet of parchment paper without touching. You should space them apart from one another to ensure even drying time for all of the strawberries in a given tray.
Fold the other sheet of paper over top and place it on a dehydrator tray or baking sheet to catch any juice that drips out (you could also use waxed paper).
Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the top of the berries.
Step 5: Dry The Fruit
Set the dehydrator to 135 degrees Fahrenheit for between 8 to 12 hours.
If you want the strawberries to be a little chewy, take them out before the 10-hour mark. If you prefer crispy fruit, let it run for a little longer up to 12 hours.
You will know the strawberries are ready when they are dry to the touch.
Turn off the dehydrator, let them cool down until they’re ready to handle, then remove the trays of dried strawberries.
Step 6: Conditioning Your Dried Fruit
Preparing your dried fruit for long-term storage is important to keep your food safe for consumption. The most common problem is the fruit hasn’t fully dried or was dried uneven.
- To make sure the moisture is evenly distributed across all pieces, you can condition it. Place the dried fruit in a glass jar for one week, shaking it occasionally. The drier pieces will absorb the moisture from the larger pieces.
- If you see any condensation in the jar, put it back in the dehydrator to remove any excess moisture.
- Once you are sure it’s fully dry, they are ready for long-term storage.
For additional safety tips when storing dried fruit, be sure to check the guidelines from the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
Additional Tips For Storage
To keep your dried strawberries in tip-top shape, here are a few tips to follow:
- Place the dried strawberries in an airtight container before storing them.
- Store dried strawberries in a cool, dark place to avoid spoilage from light and heat.
- If you want them colder, store your dried fruit in the fridge or freezer instead.
- Label and date each container with the type of berry inside
What Are The Best Containers To Store Dried Strawberries?
Airtight storage is important to maintain quality! The type of airtight container you use will vary depending on how long you plan to store your dried strawberries.
Ziplock Bags
You can keep dried strawberries in a ziplock bag, but be aware that plastic is porous. Therefore, the dried berries will pick up more flavors from nearby food items and other strong odors over time.
Dried strawberries will stay fresh in ziplock bags for about six months.
Glass Containers
Glass jars will seal out oxygen and moisture better than plastic or metal containers can You should be able to store dried strawberries in glass jars for six months to a year.
Glass containers are breakable, so be sure to store them out of reach of children and pets.
Vacuum Sealer Bags
If you’re planning on storing dried strawberries for any long period of time, then vacuum sealer bags are the best option. This will help keep in the sweet and natural flavor while avoiding spoilage.
Dried strawberries will stay fresh in vacuum sealer bags for a year to a maximum of about 18 months. This time span may vary depending on the quality, storage conditions (e.g., temperature), and how dry your berries are when you start dehydrating them.
Metal Containers
If you find yourself without any other options, metal will do the trick as well. Metal is not porous, which means your berries won’t pick up flavors.
Dried Strawberry Recipe Ideas
What can you do with dried strawberries? There are many different things you can do with this sweet, tart fruit.
- Eat them plain as a healthy snack for you or the kids
- Add them to oatmeal or cereal for some added fiber and natural sweetness
- Add them to your yogurt or smoothie for an extra punch of flavor. You can also blend dried strawberries into ice cream for added sweetness
- Use dehydrated strawberries as a topping on ice cream or in homemade yogurt
- Make your own trail mix with dried strawberries instead of chocolate chips
- Bake into cakes, muffins, or scones
- Add to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a quick lunch or snack on the go
- Make dehydrated strawberry lemonade by mixing dried strawberries with fresh squeezed lemons, sugar, ginger tea bags & honey. Pour over ice cubes in glasses and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s The Best Way To Dehydrate Whole Strawberries?
You can try dehydrating whole strawberries, but the results won’t be as good.
The best way to do this is to dip them in boiling water for about 30 seconds before you place them on your drying tray. This will soften up the skin and allow for a better final product.
Can You Dehydrate Strawberries in The Oven?
Yes, you can follow most of the steps, but instead of using your food dehydrator, you will put them in the oven. Place the strawberries on a baking sheet covered with parchment or wax paper. The baking time will depend on your oven, but as a general guideline, it can take about three to four hours at 170 degrees Fahrenheit.
What’s The Difference Between Dehydrating Strawberries and Drying Them in the Oven?
The benefit of using a dehydrator is that there is less risk of burning the strawberries. The dehydrator will also take less energy and heat than an oven.
Don’t miss our blog post on our favorite food dehydrators of 2021.
Can You Dehydrate Strawberries In An Air Fryer?
Yes! You can dehydrate strawberries in an air fryer. To do this, set your machine on its lowest setting and add about six cups of strawberries at a time.
The key is to stir often as the berries will dry out differently if they are not stirred. Stirring them every few minutes while keeping the temperature low helps make sure the strawberries dry evenly.
How Long Do Dehydrated Strawberries Last?
The length of time your dehydrated strawberries will stay fresh depends on the type of container you keep them in. They will last for between 6 to 12 months.
Summary
Making your own dehydrated strawberries is a great way to get more healthy snacks into your diet, and it’s so easy! All you need are some fresh berries, water, and a food dehydrator.