Ultimate Guide To Dehydrating Peaches | Dehydrator, Oven, Air Fryer
Dehydrating peaches is the process of removing their moisture, resulting in a concentrated burst of natural sweetness and flavor. Dried peaches are an incredibly tasty snack with some significant benefits. Firstly, they’re packed with fiber, making them a guilt-free indulgence that promotes a healthy digestive system (more about that here). Secondly, their long shelf-life makes them perfect for stocking up and enjoying year-round.
On a recent trip to Idaho for the Modern Homesteading Conference, I tasted some Peach Chai Tea from a small tea shop called Farmhouse Teas– and I was hooked! The sweetness from the dried peaches combined with the warm chai spices was an out of this world combination. I knew I had to dry to make my own peach tea blend. Cue the dehydrated peaches!
Dried peaches are incredibly versatile – toss them into granola for a delightful crunch, blend them into smoothies for a burst of fruity goodness, or infuse them in tea for a fragrant and refreshing twist. Looking to get creative in the kitchen? Imagine adding chewy dried peaches to a cozy peach cobbler, sprinkling them atop a vibrant summer salad for added texture, or incorporating them into a mouthwatering smoked pork tenderloin glaze. The possibilities are endless! So grab your apron, let’s make some peachy goodness!
A Note About Peaches
Peaches belong to the stone fruit family and are closely related to plums, apricots, cherries, and almonds. With their juicy flesh and sweet taste, peaches are a summer favorite. The peak peach season typically occurs from June to August in the Northern Hemisphere. There are different varieties of peaches available, including freestone peaches, clingstone peaches, and semi-freestone peaches, each with unique characteristics and flavors. When selecting a ripe peach, look for ones that yield slightly to gentle pressure. A fragrant aroma and vibrant color are also indicators of ripeness.
Dehydrated peaches won’t rehydrate to their former juicy glory and are best added to recipes in their dry form!
If you LOVE peaches as much as I do, check out this Canned Peach Recipe With Brown Sugar + Spices and this Smoked Peach Habanero Hot Sauce.
Tips + Tricks for Dehydrating Peaches
- You can decide if you want to leave the peach skin on or off for the drying process! Leaving the skin will cut down on precious prep time. Peach skin is full of vitamins and if you are confident that it isn’t full of pesticides, go ahead and leave it on!
- Don’t skimp on the lemon juice while slicing and preparing your peaches or they can turn brown.
- Choose ripe peaches! Ripeness is important when dehydrating peaches to ensure that the dried peaches have great color and texture.
- Wait until peaches are in season and watch for sales! I can fit around 10 sliced peaches in my 4 tray excalibur dehydrator.
Key Ingredients
Peaches- Choose unblemished peaches that are slightly soft when you apply pressure. The peaches should be bright in color and have a pleasant smell. Freestone peaches, clingstone peaches, and semi-freestone peaches will all work well to dehydrate.
Lemon Juice (optional)- Lemon juice is used to prevent browning while cutting and preparing the bulk of your peaches.
How To Prepare Peaches For Dehydrating
When it comes to peeling peaches, there are a couple of methods you can try. One popular technique is blanching, where the peaches are briefly immersed in boiling water (around 30 seconds) and then transferred to an ice bath. This process helps loosen the skin, making it easier to peel off.
Another option is to use a peeler (my preferred method for smaller amounts of peaches), gently gliding the sharp blade along the surface of the peach to remove the skin.
Place peeled peaches in bowl with lemon juice and water (1 tablespoon per four cups).
Using a sharp pairing knife, cut the peach off of the pit and slice it into 1/8 inch thick wedges. Place the cut peach slices back into the lemon water solution while you finish peeling and slicing the rest of the pieces.
How To Dry Peaches Using a Dehydrator (My Preferred Method)
Step 1. Prep. Prepare the peaches as mentioned above! Blot the peaches dry with paper towel or allow them to air dry on a cooling rack for 5-10 minutes. If you skip this step, you may have to add up to 30 minutes to your dehydrating time.
Step 2. Arrange. Place the sliced peaches onto your dehydrator tray in a single layer.
Step 3. Dehydrate. Set the dehydrator between 130 and 135°F and dehydrate for 3 or 4 hours. As always when using kitchen appliances, you should reference the manufacturer suggestions for this recipe.
To determine if peaches are completely dehydrated, check for a dry and leathery texture with no moisture or stickiness remaining in the fruit. The peaches should be able to bend when cooled but show no signs of moisture that seeps out when folded or torn.
Condition + store as outlined below.
How To Dry Peaches Using an Oven
Step 1. Prep. Prepare the peaches as mentioned above! Blot the peaches dry with paper towel or allow them to air dry on a cooling rack for 5-10 minutes. If you skip this step, you may have to add up to 30 minutes to your drying time.
Step 2. Arrange. Place the sliced peaches in a single layer onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
Step 3. Dry. Place in your oven on the lowest setting or between 135°F-150°F. Dry the peaches for 4-6 hours (adjusting time as needed – peach 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. Peaches are dry when they have a dry and leathery texture with no moisture or stickiness remaining in the fruit. The peaches should be able to bend when cooled but show no signs of moisture that seeps out when folded or torn.
Condition + store as outlined below.
How To Dry Peaches Using an Air Fryer
Step 1. Prep. Prepare the peaches as mentioned above! Blot the peaches dry with paper towel or allow them to air dry on a cooling rack for 5-10 minutes. If you skip this step, you may have to add up to 30 minutes to your drying time.
Step 2. Arrange. Place the sliced peaches in a single layer directly onto your air fryer tray.
Step 3. Dry (Air Fry). Turn your air fryer onto the “dehydrate” mode. If your air fryer doesn’t have a dehydrate setting, get the temperature as close to 135°F as possible. Air fry peaches for 3-5 hours, checking after 3 hours for doneness.
Remove a dried peach slice from the air fryer and allow it to cool to test for doneness. To determine if peaches are dehydrated properly, check for a dry and leathery texture with no moisture or stickiness remaining in the fruit. The peaches should be able to bend when cooled but show no signs of moisture that seeps out when folded or torn.
Condition + store as outlined below.
Conditioning and Storing Peaches
At this point you should condition the dehydrated peaches (test for dryness) over 5 days. Place a handful of dried peach 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 peaches. Check out this full guide to conditioning dehydrated fruits and vegetables for more information.
Store dehydrated peaches in an airtight container (I love mason jars for this) in a dry, dark place. Dehydrated peaches will store for up to six months before the flavor and texture starts to degrade.
Printable Recipe For Dehydrated Peaches
Ultimate Guide To Dehydrating Peaches | Dehydrator, Oven, Air Fryer
Dehydrating peaches is the process of removing their moisture, resulting in a concentrated burst of natural sweetness and flavor. Packed with fiber and flavor, these dehydrated peaches are shelf stable for up to 6 months! Add to your favorite tea, granola, water mixtures, and other sweet treats for the best peach flavor infusion.
Ingredients
- 4 medium peaches
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 8 cups water
Instructions
How To Prepare Peaches For Dehydrating
- Peel peaches by blanching for about 30 seconds or using a peeler.
- Place peeled peaches in bowl with lemon juice and water (1 tablespoon per four cups).
- Using a sharp pairing knife, cut the peach off of the pit and slice it into 1/8 inch thick wedges. Place the cut peach slices back into the lemon water solution while you finish peeling and slicing the rest of the pieces.
How To Dry Peaches Using a Dehydrator (My Favorite Method)
- Prep. Prepare the peaches as mentioned above! Blot the peaches dry with paper towel or allow them to air dry on a cooling rack for 5-10 minutes. If you skip this step, you may have to add up to 30 minutes to your dehydrating time.
- Arrange. Place the sliced peaches onto your dehydrator tray in a single layer.
- Dehydrate. Set the dehydrator between 130 and 135°F and dehydrate for 3 or 4 hours. As always when using kitchen appliances, you should reference the manufacturer suggestions for this recipe.
To determine if peaches are completely dehydrated, check for a dry and leathery texture with no moisture or stickiness remaining in the fruit. The peaches should be able to bend when cooled but show no signs of moisture that seeps out when folded or torn.
Condition + store as outlined below.
How To Dry Peaches Using an Oven
- Prep. Prepare the peaches as mentioned above! Blot the peaches dry with paper towel or allow them to air dry on a cooling rack for 5-10 minutes. If you skip this step, you may have to add up to 30 minutes to your drying time.
- Arrange. Place the sliced peaches in a single layer onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Dry. Place in your oven on the lowest setting or between 135°F-150°F. Dry the peaches for 4-6 hours (adjusting time as needed - peach 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.
Peaches are dry when they have a dry and leathery texture with no moisture or stickiness remaining in the fruit. The peaches should be able to bend when cooled but show no signs of moisture that seeps out when folded or torn.
Condition + store as outlined below.
How To Dry Peaches Using an Air Fryer
- Prep. Prepare the peaches as mentioned above! Blot the peaches dry with paper towel or allow them to air dry on a cooling rack for 5-10 minutes. If you skip this step, you may have to add up to 30 minutes to your drying time.
- Arrange. Place the sliced peaches in a single layer directly onto your air fryer tray.
- Dry (Air Fry). Turn your air fryer onto the "dehydrate" mode. If your air fryer doesn't have a dehydrate setting, get the temperature as close to 135°F as possible. Air fry peaches for 3-5 hours, checking after 3 hours for doneness.
Remove a dried peach slice from the air fryer and allow it to cool to test for doneness. To determine if peaches are dehydrated properly, check for a dry and leathery texture with no moisture or stickiness remaining in the fruit. The peaches should be able to bend when cooled but show no signs of moisture that seeps out when folded or torn.
Condition + store as outlined below.
Conditioning and Storing Peaches
At this point you should condition the dehydrated peaches (test for dryness) over 5 days. Place a handful of dried peach 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 peaches. Check out this full guide to conditioning dehydrated fruits and vegetables for more information.
Store dehydrated peaches in an airtight container (I love mason jars for this) in a dry, dark place. Dehydrated peaches will store for up to six months before the flavor and texture starts to degrade.
Notes
3 Recipes Using Dehydrated Peaches
Looseleaf Tea With Dehydrated Peaches + Mint
Throw together some dried mint leaves and dried peaches, place them in a steeping vessel. Allow the tea to steep for 5-7 minutes, or longer if you prefer a stronger flavor.
Homemade Granola with Dehydrated Peach Chunks
Check out this delicious recipe by Marisa Moore for inspiration on how to add dried peaches to your granola.
Use Dehydrated Peaches in Baking *think muffins, cookies, cakes*
Easily swap small pieces of dried peaches for raisins in virtually any recipe. Try swapping them in this classic oatmeal raisin cookie recipe by NYT.
