Ultimate Guide to Dehydrated Strawberries | Dehydrator, Oven, Air Fryer
Dehydrated strawberries are the ultimate grab and go snack. Dehydrating strawberries is the process of removing their moisture, resulting in a concentrated burst of natural sweetness and flavor.
Dried strawberries are a super versatile ingredient. Top your morning oatmeal with them, add to your mint tea, throw in some with your favorite trail mix or granola, or use them in place of raisins in sweet recipes. Imagine sprinkling perfectly dried strawberries atop a vibrant smoked beet summer salad for added texture…the possibilities are endless!
Why Dehydrated Strawberries ROCK!
Tips + Tricks for Dehydrating Strawberries
- Always dehydrate strawberries in a single layer for even drying.
- Choose fresh, firm strawberries for best results.
- Store in a cool, dark, dry place such as your pantry or storage space.
- Pat dry the strawberries with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel after washing to cut down on drying time.
Key Ingredients
Strawberries: Strawberries are considered one of the “dirty dozen.” When possible choose local organically grown strawberries or organic strawberries from your grocery store. Pesticides and other chemicals used to combat fungus in strawberries can easily penetrate strawberry’s soft skin and linger in the fruit long after washing. Choose fresh, unblemished strawberries that are bright red in colour with a nice firm texture.
How To Prepare Strawberries For Dehydrating
To prepare strawberries for dehydrating, start by gently washing them under cool water to remove any dirt or residue. Blot dry with a paper towel or spread them out on a clean dish cloth and allow them to air dry for 10 minutes. Next, remove the stems by either cutting them off or gently pulling them away. Once the strawberries are washed and stemmed, slice them into thin 1/8 inch slices. This ensures that they dehydrate evenly and create delightful, chewy strawberry slices that are perfect for snacking or adding to your favorite recipes.
How To Dehydrate Strawberries In a Dehydrator
Kate’s Two Cents: Using a dehydrator to dry strawberries is my favorite method of the three because it is simple, energy efficient, you can dry a lot of strawberries at once, and it is easy to control moisture and temperature.
Step 1. Prepare strawberries as outlined above.
Step 2. Arrange the strawberries in a single layer on your dehydrator sheet.
Step 3. Set the dehydrator to the “fruit” setting or 135°F and dry for 6-12 hours. Drying time depends on how juicy the strawberries are and how uniformly the slices are cut. Check them at the 6 hour mark and add drying time as necessary.
Check for doneness. Fully cool the strawberries for 10 minutes. For this recipe, strawberries should be leathery and fairly crisp- breaking when folded in half. You may be able to tear and twist- there should be no signs of moisture left in the berries.
How To Dehydrate Strawberries In an Oven
Step 1. Prepare strawberries as outlined above.
Step 2. Arrange the strawberries in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Step 3. Set your oven to the lowest temperature (closest to 135°F) as possible. Some ovens have dehydrate settings- use that! Dry the strawberries for 6-10 hours (adjusting time as needed – strawberry thickness, moisture content, oven temperature and humidity levels can change drying time). Be sure to leave your oven door open slightly to allow moisture to escape. I use a dish towel to prop it open.
Fully cool the berries for 10 minutes. Strawberries are dry when they have a hard, crisp texture. They will be leathery but break when folded, and there will be no signs of moisture when twisted or torn.
How To Dehydrate Strawberries Using an Air Fryer
Step 1. Prepare strawberries as outlined above.
Step 2. Arrange the strawberries in a single layer in your air fryer basket
Step 3. Set your air fryer to the dehydrate setting OR as close to 135°F as possible. Air fry the strawberries for 1-2 hours checking for doneness after 1 hour. adjust time as needed – strawberry thickness, moisture content, higher air fryer temperature and humidity levels can change drying time.
Strawberries are done in the air fryer when they have a hard, crisp texture after being cooled for 10 minutes. They will break when folded, and there will be no signs of moisture when twisted or torn.
Conditioning + Storing Dehydrated Strawberries
At this point you should condition the dehydrated strawberries (test for dryness) over 5 days. Place a handful of dried strawberry slices in an airtight container. Turn the jar or container once a day for 5 days. After 5 days if you notice moisture, or mold, discard the dried strawberries. Check out this full guide to conditioning dehydrated fruits and vegetables for more information.
Store dehydrated strawberries in an airtight container (I love mason jars for this) in a dry, dark place. Dehydrated strawberries will store for up to six months before the flavor and texture starts to degrade. I have dried strawberries that are 12+ months old and still delicious!
Printable Guide For Dehydrated Strawberries
Ultimate Guide to Dehydrated Strawberries | Dehydrator, Oven, Air Fryer
Dehydrated strawberries are the ultimate grab and go snack. Dehydrating strawberries is the process of removing their moisture, resulting in a concentrated burst of natural sweetness and flavor.
Dried strawberries are a super versatile ingredient. Top your morning oatmeal with them, add to your mint tea, throw in some with your favorite trail mix or granola, or use them in place of raisins in sweet recipes.
Ingredients
- 3 cups sliced strawberries (1/8 inch slices)
Instructions
Prepare Strawberries for Dehydrating
To prepare strawberries for dehydrating, start by gently washing them under cool water to remove any dirt or residue. Blot dry with a paper towel or spread them out on a clean dish cloth and allow them to air dry for 10 minutes. Next, remove the stems by either cutting them off or gently pulling them away. Once the strawberries are washed and stemmed, slice them into thin 1/8 inch slices.
How To Dehydrate Strawberries In a Dehydrator
Step 1. Prepare strawberries as outlined above.
Step 2. Arrange the strawberries in a single layer on your dehydrator sheet.
Step 3. Set the dehydrator to the “fruit” setting or 135°F and dry for 6-12 hours. Drying time depends on how juicy the strawberries are and how uniformly the slices are cut. Check them at the 6 hour mark and add drying time as necessary.
How To Dehydrate Strawberries In an Oven
Step 1. Prepare strawberries as outlined above.
Step 2. Arrange the strawberries in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Step 3. Set your oven to the lowest temperature (closest to 135°F) as possible. Some ovens have dehydrate settings- use that! Dry the strawberries for 6-10 hours (adjusting time as needed – strawberry thickness, moisture content, oven temperature and humidity levels can change drying time). Be sure to leave your oven door open slightly to allow moisture to escape. I use a dish towel to prop it open.
How To Dehydrate Strawberries Using an Air Fryer
Step 1. Prepare strawberries as outlined above.
Step 2. Arrange the strawberries in a single layer in your air fryer basket
Step 3. Set your air fryer to the dehydrate setting OR as close to 135°F as possible. Air fry the strawberries for 1-2 hours checking for doneness after 1 hour. adjust time as needed – strawberry thickness, moisture content, higher air fryer temperature and humidity levels can change drying time.
Conditioning + Storing Dehydrated Strawberries
At this point you should condition the dehydrated strawberries (test for dryness) over 5 days. Place a handful of dried strawberry slices in an airtight container. Turn the jar or container once a day for 5 days. After 5 days if you notice moisture, or mold, discard the dried strawberries. Check out this full guide to conditioning dehydrated fruits and vegetables for more information.
Store dehydrated strawberries in an airtight container (I love mason jars for this) in a dry, dark place. Dehydrated strawberries will store for up to six months before the flavor and texture starts to degrade. I have dried strawberries that are 12+ months old and still delicious!
Notes
Check for doneness. Fully cool the strawberries for 10 minutes. For this recipe, strawberries should be leathery and fairly crisp- breaking when folded in half. You may be able to tear and twist- there should be no signs of moisture left in the berries.
Always dehydrate strawberries in a single layer for even drying.
Choose fresh, firm strawberries for best results.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1/4 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 42Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 3gSugar: 6gProtein: 1g
Dehydrated Strawberry FAQ
Strawberries along with other fruits should crack and break when fully dehydrated. The dryer the better unless you are making fruit leather or fruit snack-type dishes.
3 Recipes Using Dehydrated Strawberries
Strawberry Cookies
Swap out raisins or 50% of your chocolate chips with dried strawberry chunks for a refreshingly fruity cookie or muffin. Check out these Strawberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies from Cookies & Cups for inspiration.
Granola With Strawberries
Roughly chop your dehydrated strawberries and add them to your favorite granola recipe. Try out this Strawberry Coconut Granola from Minimalist Baker.
Strawberry Garnish
Use crushed up strawberries as a natural “sprinkle”, toss them on top of your favorite salad for extra flavor, or add them to a vanilla cake recipe. These smoked beets pair perfectly with fresh goat cheese and dried strawberries for the ultimate salad.
