How to Dry or Dehydrate your Garden Fruit
Dehydrating (or drying) fruit, whether from your garden or from the produce market, for use in the off-season, is actually one of the healthiest ways of preserving your crop. The nutritional content retained in the dehydrating process far surpasses that of it's canned equivalent. Additionally, the drying process is often more cost-effective than freezing, as you don't use electricity in the long-term storage of your items.
The process of dehydrating (drying) your fresh garden fruit can be broken into a couple of simple steps:
- preparation, including pre-treating the fruit (when necessary)
- dehydrating / drying
- storing the finished product
Below, you'll find a list of common fruit types that dehydrate / dry well, along with easy to follow instructions. You may also want to investigate dehydrating or drying your herbs and vegetables!
Note: You may want to make sure that you like the end-product, or that you have recipes that your family will eat using the end-product, before going all-out.
How To Deydrate (Dry):
How to Dehydrate or Dry Apples
Wash apples. Peel (optional). Remove core. Cut into 1/4" thick slices. (You can pretreat by soaking slices in a lemon juice or ascorbic acid solution for 2 or 3 minutes, but I don't find it necessary.)
Dry the apples at 100 degrees (F) for about 8 hours or until just crisp.
To reydrate apples: soak in hot water for about 15 minutes. Use reyhdrated apples for pies, bakery, pancakes, in your oatmeal, as an ingredient in your stuffing, etc.
Dried apples make a wonderful winter snack, as is. I can never keep enough of these on hand!
If you like fruit leather, apple makes a fine fruit leather. Season like you would for an apple pie (cinnamon, ginger, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, etc.) or mix with other fruit purees. Making apple (fruit) leather's pretty simple. Just puree the apples (and other fruit, if mixing), sweeten with honey or fruit juic concentrate to taste. Add spices, if desired. Spread puree 1/4" thick on a solid plastic drying tray (or cover a ventilated drying tray with plastic wrap). Leave about an inch around the edges. Dry at 100 for 18 hours, or until leathery and pliable. You'll want to remove the leather from the tray while it's still warm. Roll it up , and wrap in plastic. Store in an air-tight container, or it will dry out and become brittle.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Apricots
Wash apricots. Cut in half and remove pits.
Place apricots on drying trays, skin side on top. Dry for approximately 48 hours at 100 degrees (F), or until pliable (the same consistency as store bought).
Note: dehydrated apricots will be darker in color than store bought, but have wonderful flavor!
To rehydrate: soak in hot water for 15 minutes. Dried apricots make nutritious snack treats. They're also great for baking, trail mixes, or even chop the apricots and add to dress up your cereal or oatmeal! Apricots also make a nice fruit leather.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Bananas
Mmm. Dried banana chips are family favorites. If you watch the produce section, you can often find "older" bananas for cheap (but not squishy overripe ones), that will be fine for dehydrating.
Peel bananas and cut into 1/4 slices (chips).
Pretreat by soaking in ascorbic acid solution for 2 minutes and drain. (I prefer to use pineapple juice).
Drying bananas takes about 55 hours... dehydrate banana chips until crisp.
To rehydrate, soak in hot water for 10 minutes.
Dried banana chips are wonderful nutritious snacks, and great additions to trail mixes. Rehydrated dried bananas are useful in bakery like muffins, breads, and even pancakes. Banana is also a good ingredient in fruit leather, generally coupled with another ingredient, and bananas are too sweet by themselves (dehydrating concentrates the flavor!).
How to Dehydrate or Dry Blackberries
Wash, and dry (shake off moisture or gently pat dry). Remove stems from blackberries.
Dehydrating blackberries at 100 degrees (F) takes approximately 10 hours. Dehydrate until brittle.
To rehydrate, soak in hot water for 15 minutes.
Note: blackberries are loaded with seeds. You may wish to make a puree from the rehydrated berries and strain out the seeds.
Blackberries make very good fruit leather also.
My favorite Blackberries recipes
How to Dehydrate or Dry Blueberries
Drying blueberries, because of their skins, requires a little extra effort, but is well worth it.
Wash and drain blueberries. Remove stems.
Drop blueberries in boiling water until skins crack (1-2 minutes). Drain and immediately immerse in ice water to stop cooking process. Drain and place on cookie sheets in freezer. Once frozen, remove and place on dehydrator trays.
Dehydrating blueberries at 100 degrees (F) takes about 10 hours.
To rehydrate, soak in hot water for 15 minutes.
Dried blueberries are perfect additions to your morning oatmeal (just toss in with the dried oats as they're cooking). Also, they're great additions to your bakery. No need to rehydrate before using in your bakery. They also make a nice addition to home-made herbal teas.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Boysenberries
Wash, and dry (shake off moisture or gently pat dry). Remove stems from boysenberries.
Dehydrating boysenberries at 100 degrees (F) takes approximately 10 hours. Dehydrate until brittle.
To rehydrate, soak in hot water for 15 minutes.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Cantaloupe
Remove cantaloupe rind and seeds (consider saving seeds for next year's crop!). Cut into bite-sized pieces about 1/4" thick.
Dehydrate cantaloupe at 100 degrees (F) for approx 30 hours (or until pliable).
Cantaloupe is a good choice for fruit leather. Also, dried cantaloupe makes a nice snack or addition to trail mix.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Cherries
Wash cherries, remove stems and pits.
Because the skins are so thick, you'll need to "check" the cherries before deydrating (just like you would with blueberries). Drop the cherries into a pot of boiling water for no more than 2 minutes (or until the skins crack). Drain.
Dehydrate cherries at 100 degrees (F) for about 48 hours. (When done, they should have the consistency of raisins).
To rehydrate, soak in hot water for 15 minutes. Drain.
Cherries work well for fruit leather. Dried cherries can be eaten as a snack, like you would raisins. They're also good in bakery.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Cranberries
Wash and drain the cranberries. Because they have such tough skin, you'll need to "check" them as you would with blueberries or cherries.
To check the berries, drop them in boiling water until the skins crack (shouldn't take any longer than 2 minutes). Drain.
Dehydrate cranberries at 100 degrees (F) for approximately 12 hours. (Should have the same consistency as raisins.)
To rehydrate, soak in hot water for 15 minutes.
You can use cranberries for leathers, but it's best to use them combined with other fruits. Use dried cranberries in your bakery.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Dates
Wash dates, remove the pits, and cut in half lengthwise. Place cut-side down on dehydrator tray.
Dehydrate dates at 100 degrees (F) until leathery (+/- 20 hours).
Dried dates are great for snacking by themselves, for bakery, for trail mixes, even cereal/oatmeal additions.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Figs
Wash figs, remove the pits, and cut in half lengthwise. Place cut-side down on dehydrator tray.
Dehydrate figs at 100 degrees (F) until leathery (+/- 20 hours).
Dried figs are great for snacking by themselves, for bakery, for trail mixes, even cereal/oatmeal additions.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Grapefruit
Wash fruit, leaving peels attached. Slice into thin, even slices.
Dry grapefruit at 100 degrees (F) for about 45 hours. Finished consistency should be brittle.
Note: you can also just dry the peels. If doing this, try to remove the white part of the peel, as it's bitter. If drying just the peels, dehydrating should take only about 10 hours.
*make sure it's comletely dry and brittle, as this fruit is prone to mold if there's any moisture left.
Uses for dried grapefruit: grind into a powder, and use as a spice/flavoring. Use dried grapefruit to flavor beverages. Dried grapefruit also makes a very aromatic and pretty addition to home-made potpourris.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Grapes / Raisins
It's best to use seedless grapes. Remove the grapes from the stems and wash.
Check the grapes by dropping them into boiling water until the skins crack (should take no longer than 2 minutes). Remove from water and drain.
Dehydrate grapes at 100% for about 80 hours, until leathery and they look similar in consistency to store-bought raisins. (no mositure pockets).
Rehydrate: I like to plump raisins for my bakery by soaking them in hot water for about 20-30 minutes before adding to my recipe. (Save the water and use it in your recipe, if it calls for water. It'll add extra flavor!)
Use your raisins just as you would store bought.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Huckleberries
Drying huckleberries, because of their skins, requires a little extra effort, but is well worth it.
Wash and drain blueberries. Remove stems.
Drop huckleberries in boiling water until skins crack (1-2 minutes). Drain and immediately immerse in ice water to stop cooking process. Drain and place on cookie sheets in freezer. Once frozen, remove and place on dehydrator trays.
Dehydrating huckleberries at 100 degrees (F) takes about 10 hours.
To rehydrate, soak in hot water for 15 minutes.
Dried huckleberries are perfect additions to your morning oatmeal (just toss in with the dried oats as they're cooking). Also, they're great additions to your bakery. No need to rehydrate before using in your bakery. They also make a nice addition to home-made herbal teas.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Kiwi
Peel kiwi and cut into 1/4" slices.
Dehydrate kiwi at 100 degrees (F) for about 48 hours (should be pliable, not brittle).
Eat dried kiwi as a snack or in trail mix.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Lemons
Wash fruit, leaving peels attached. Slice into thin, even slices.
Dry lemons at 100 degrees (F) for about 45 hours. Finished consistency should be brittle.
Note: you can also just dry the peels. If doing this, try to remove the white part of the peel, as it's bitter. If drying just the peels, dehydrating should take only about 10 hours.
*make sure it's comletely dry and brittle, as this fruit is prone to mold if there's any moisture left.
Uses for dried lemons: grind into a powder, and use as a spice/flavoring. Use dried lemons to flavor beverages. Dried lemons also make a very aromatic and pretty addition to home-made potpourris.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Limes
Wash fruit, leaving peels attached. Slice into thin, even slices.
Dry limes at 100 degrees (F) for about 45 hours. Finished consistency should be brittle.
Note: you can also just dry the peels. If doing this, try to remove the white part of the peel, as it's bitter. If drying just the peels, dehydrating should take only about 10 hours.
*make sure it's comletely dry and brittle, as this fruit is prone to mold if there's any moisture left.
Uses for dried limes: grind into a powder, and use as a spice/flavoring. Use dried limes to flavor beverages. Dried limes also make a very aromatic and pretty addition to home-made potpourris.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Loganberries
Wash, and dry (shake off moisture or gently pat dry). Remove stems from loganberries.
Dehydrating loganberries at 100 degrees (F) takes approximately 10 hours. Dehydrate until brittle.
To rehydrate, soak in hot water for 15 minutes.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Mangoes
Wash, peel, remove seed. Cut into 1/4" slices
Dehydrate mangoes at 100 degrees (F) for approximately 20 hours. (finished consistency should be pliable)
Mangoes are good for fruit leather. Dried mangoes make a wonderful snack. Rehydrated mango is best used in bakery, or try in your favorite chutney.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Nectarines
Wash, peel and remove pit. Cut into 1/4" slices.
(Nectarines can discolor when dehydrating. If you're concerned about the appearance, pretreat by soaking for 2 minutes in lemon-juice/water (or ascorbic acid) solution.)
Dehydrate nectarines at 100 degrees (F) for about 30 hours. Finished consistency should be pliable.
Nectarines are a good addition to fruit leather. Dried nectarines are good for snacks or bakery.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Oranges
Wash fruit, leaving peels attached. Slice into thin, even slices.
Dry oranges at 100 degrees (F) for about 45 hours. Finished consistency should be brittle.
Note: you can also just dry the peels. If doing this, try to remove the white part of the peel, as it's bitter. If drying just the peels, dehydrating should take only about 10 hours.
*make sure it's comletely dry and brittle, as this fruit is prone to mold if there's any moisture left.
Uses for dried oranges: grind into a powder, and use as a spice/flavoring. Use dried oranges to flavor beverages. Dried oranges also make a very aromatic and pretty addition to home-made potpourris.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Papaya
Wash, peel, halve and remove seed from papaya. Cut into 1/4" slices.
Dry papaya at 100 degrees (F) for about 20 hours. Finished consistency should be pliable.
Papaya makes great fruit leather, and combines well with other fruits for leather. Dried papaya is a tasty snack.
Papaya doesn't rehydrate very well - it's best to use it in it's dried form.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Peaches
Wash peaches. Drop into boiling water for about 30 seconds. Then place immediately in cold water. (This loosens the skins, so that you can easily remove them.) Remove skins. Halve the peaches & remove the pits. Cut into 1/4" slices.
Dried peaches will discolor. You may choose to pretreat with lemon juice/acsorbic acid solution to help prevent discoloration.
Dehydrate peaches at 100 degrees (F) for about 28 hours. Finished consistency should be pliable.
Peaches are a good choice for fruit leathers. Dried peaches are great in bakery, trail mix, cereal, etc. Snack on them, or even use them in your home-made yogurt.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Pears
Wash, peel and core pears. Cut into 1/4" slices.
Pears will discolor some as they deydrate. You may elect to pretreat in ascorbic acid/lemon juice solution (soak for 2 minutes).
Dry pears at 100 degrees (F) for about 10 hours. Finished consistency should be pliable.
Use dried pears in bakery, as a snack by itself, in trail mixes, etc. Pears also are good for making fruit leather.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Pineapple
Peel pineapple, core and cut into 1/2" slices (or cut into bite-sized pieces, if you prefer).
Dehydrate pineapple at 100 degrees (F) for about 70 +/- hours. Finished consistency should be leathery.
Use dried pineapple as a stand alone snack, in baked goods, trail mixes. Pineapple also makes a nice fruit leather.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Plums / Prunes
Wash, halve and remove pits. If looking for "prunes" type of outcome, flatten plums. Otherwise, slice into 1/4" slices.
Dehydate plums at 100 degrees (F). Whole plums will take around 72 hours. Slices will take about 30 hours. Finished consistency should be an even leathery consistency throughout.
Dried plums make a tasty snack, but eat in moderation (for their laxative effect). Use in bakery, sweet and sour dishes, etc.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Raspberries
Wash, and dry (shake off moisture or gently pat dry). Remove stems from raspberries.
Dehydrating raspberries at 100 degrees (F) takes approximately 10 hours. Dehydrate until brittle.
Raspberries make very good fruit leather also. Dried raspberries are tasty additions to oatmeal, cereal, trail mix, bakery.
How to Dehydrate or Dry Strawberries
Wash strawberries and remove caps. Cut into 1/4" slices.
Dehydrate strawberries at 100 degrees (F) for about 30 hours. Finished consistency should be leathery.
Strawberries make nice fruit leather. Dried strawberries are great as additions to oatmeal, cereal, bakery, yogurt.
My favorite Strawberry recipes
How to Dehydrate or Dry Watermelon
Remove rind and seeds. (Consider saving seeds for next year, if an heirloom variety.) Cut into 1/4" thick bite-sized pieces.
Dehydrate watermelon at 100 degrees for about 3o (+/-) hours. Finished consistency should be pliable.
Use dried watermellon as a snack.
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