Dehydrated Strawberries

Strawberries make a sweet winter treat that you can enjoy in the cold weather. At the same time, they are full of vitamins and antioxidants that keep you healthy. Dehydrated strawberries are a delicious and versatile option for preservation if you want to use them throughout the year!

Dehydrating strawberries at home is easy. Start with fresh strawberries and wash them with plenty of water. Then, hull and cut the strawberries into halves or smaller pieces. Finally, dry the prepared strawberries at the correct temperature using an air fryer, a dehydrator, an oven, or a microwave.

Preparing to Dehydrate Strawberries

How to Pick Fresh Strawberries

Strawberries are a winter fruit, so you should preserve them while they are fresh in winter for the best results. If you want to choose fresh strawberries while shopping or picking, follow these tips:

Tip #1: Choose strawberries that are entirely red and free of any white or green spots.

Tip #2: The sweetest strawberries have a sweet scent. So, you can sniff out the sweetest strawberries of the lot.

Tip #3: Avoid strawberries with soft spots or a mushy texture, as these are signs of spoiling.

Tip #4: Strawberries will get redder as you store them but not any sweeter. If possible, ask for a sampling of the strawberries to make sure you get the sweetest of the bunch.

Supplies You Need

Strawberries

You can dehydrate as many or as few strawberries as you like. However, you should use in season and fresh fruits for the best results. 

Drying Equipment

You can use any drying equipment to dehydrate your strawberries. A food dehydrator works best if you want the most convenient drying process. However, if you do not have a dehydrator, you can still dehydrate strawberries using an oven, microwave, or even an air fryer!

Storage Containers

Storage containers are essential when storing your dried strawberries for extended periods. We recommend using transparent glass jars for the best results. Glass is a good conductor of heat, so any residual heat spreads throughout the glass jar and lowers the chances of spoilage. Additionally, any condensation that forms is visible through the glass.

How to Dehydrate Strawberries

Preparing the Strawberries

Strawberries lead the Dirty Dozen Food List, so you should clean the strawberries thoroughly. To properly wash strawberries, follow these easy steps:

1. Wash the strawberries in plenty of water to eliminate all traces of dirt, germs, and insecticides. 
2. Then, use a vinegar solution to disinfect them by mixing three parts water and 1 part distilled white vinegar. Soak the strawberries in this solution for a few minutes before rinsing them with fresh water.
3.  Finally, drain the strawberries into a colander.

After you wash the strawberries, you need to cut and hull the strawberries with these steps:

1. Hull the strawberries using a paring knife or a strawberry huller. 
2. Slice your strawberries into halves or smaller pieces. The smaller you cut, the quicker they will dehydrate. Remember to cut the strawberries into equal-sized pieces to dry them uniformly. If you cut the strawberries into slices, a thickness of ¼ inch is ideal. 

Drying with an Air Fryer

Only use air fryers that can reach the necessary temperatures for dehydration. To get long-lasting dried strawberries, you need to dehydrate the strawberries at 130 degrees Fahrenheit. To dehydrate strawberries using an air fryer, follow these simple steps:

1. Load your air-fryer shelves with the strawberry slices. Remember to leave enough space between the pieces for the hot air to circulate.
2. Place the trays into the air fryer, set the temperature to 130 degrees Fahrenheit, and air-fry the strawberries for up to 5 hours. You can also leave them until they have reached your preferred level of dryness.
3. Once the strawberries have dried, remove them from the air fryer and onto a wire rack where they can cool down to room temperature.

Drying with a Dehydrator

A food dehydrator dries food at low temperatures necessary to achieve a long-lasting, high-quality product. If you want a reliable dehydrator, Excalibur is an excellent choice.

To dry strawberries with a dehydrator, follow these simple steps:

1. Place your strawberry slices in a single layer on your dehydrator trays. Leave space between every two pieces for the hot air to circulate.
2. Load the trays into the dehydrator and dry the strawberries at 130 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-8 hours.
3. Check on the strawberries every few hours after the 5-hour mark and rotate the trays for even drying.
4. Once the strawberries have dehydrated to your preference, remove them from the dehydrator and let them cool to room temperature.

Drying with a Microwave

The microwave is a quick solution for dehydrating strawberries. You can have strawberry chips ready in less than an hour! However, you need to watch the strawberries closely when drying so you get a perfect dryness level.

To dehydrate strawberries with a microwave, follow these easy steps:

1. Place your strawberry slices in a single layer on a microwave-safe dish lined with parchment paper. Ensure that no pieces overlap, or they will dry stuck to each other.
2. Place your prepared dish in the microwave and turn your microwave on to the defrost setting for 30 minutes.
3. Halfway through, flip the strawberry slices for even drying.
4. When the strawberries have dehydrated, remove them from the microwave and cool them to room temperature.

Drying with an Oven

The oven is an excellent alternative to a food dehydrator. You can also dry a larger batch than a microwave. However, it takes much longer to dehydrate in the oven.

To dry strawberries with an oven, follow these simple steps:

1. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and spread the strawberry slices in a single layer without overlapping any pieces.
2. Load the tray into the oven and set the temperature at the lowest setting. For most modern-day ovens, this is around 170 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Bake the strawberries for 2-3 hours in the oven. You can leave the oven door slightly open to allow the hot air to circulate.
4. When the strawberries have dried to your preference, remove them from the oven and let them cool to room temperature.

How to Rehydrate Dried Strawberries

If you want to rehydrate dried strawberries, you can use water or fruit juice, depending on your preference. To rehydrate strawberries using water, add your dehydrated strawberries to a bowl of cold water and let them soak for 15-20 minutes.

If you want more flavor for your strawberries, you can even rehydrate them using fruit juice. To rehydrate strawberries using fruit juice, soak the strawberries in a bowl of fruit juice. Let them soak until they have absorbed the liquid and rehydrated. These strawberries work great in desserts!

How to Store Dehydrated Strawberries

It is essential to store your dried strawberries properly to last long, and one trick is to condition them. Conditioning treats the dehydrated strawberries to distribute any residual heat and moisture evenly through the batch. This also reduces the chance of spoilage.

To condition your strawberry chips, follow these simple steps:

1. Add dried strawberries to your glass jars once they have cooled to room temperature. Remember to fill the jars so that they are ⅔ full. 
2. For a week, shake the jars gently several times a day to redistribute the residual moisture and heat throughout the jar.
3. If your jars are free of condensation at the end of the week, fill, label, and date them before moving them into the pantry. If there is any condensation, the strawberries need extra time to dry. 

How to Use Dehydrated Strawberries

Dehydrated strawberries can be used in so many ways! You can use them as a healthy snack on hiking trails and a garnish for cocktails and desserts. If you rehydrate them using fruit juice or alcohol, they can give baked desserts an extra kick of flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Do Dehydrated Strawberries Last?

Dehydrated strawberries will last in your pantry for 6-9 months, giving you enough time to dehydrate a fresh batch during strawberry season!

How Can You Tell When Strawberries Have Gone Bad?

You should check on your strawberries every few months for signs of spoilage. If your strawberries have any signs of mold or unusual smells, then it is best to toss out the entire jar.

Conclusion

Dried strawberries make a delicious and healthy snack, and dehydrating them allows you to enjoy them all year long! You can use all kinds of equipment to dry strawberries, such as an air fryer, a dehydrator, an oven, or a microwave. Regardless of what you use, you should always pick fresh strawberries and store them properly. Otherwise, you might end up with dried strawberries that have spoiled too quickly for you to use in desserts.

If you have enjoyed our guide on dehydrating strawberries, you can also learn how to can strawberries and freeze strawberries to preserve any extra batches!