How to Dehydrate Strawberries
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Dehydrated strawberries are delightful little snacks that offer endless possibilities. They can be enjoyed in trail mix, granola, and oatmeal, infused in tea or water, incorporated into baked goods and energy bars, or even used as a salad topper. The options are truly limitless.
Snapshot
Special Prep
none
Temperature
135°F
Time
8-10 hours
Mass Change
Approx 90% decrease
How to prep strawberries for dehydrating
Strawberries simply need to be sliced – or diced – and thrown into the dehydrator.
An extra step to keep apples from discolouring
This preparation step is completely optional and up to personal preference. I personally skip this because it’s primarily for aesthetics. But if taking extra measures to prevent your apples from discolouring is something you’re interested in, it can be done! You can either lightly coat or spray the apple slices with lemon juice or an ascorbic acid based product before dehydrating. Keep in mind that both routes will slightly alter the taste of the apples.Â
Pro tip:
For finely diced strawberries, I recommend initially dehydrating them as 1/4″ thick slices, and then once dried, chop or mince them into your desired size. This method ensures consistent thickness for drying, retains more of their flavour and makes it easier to arrange the strawberries on the trays for optimal airflow.
How to dehydrate strawberries
Basic Steps:
- Slice strawberries into congruent slices; ideally about 1/4″ thick
- Optional: lightly coat or spray the strawberries with lemon juice or an ascorbic acid based product
- Arrange on a mesh lined dehydrating tray with enough room for air to circulate between the pieces (avoid over lapping)
- Place in dehydrator and dehydrate at 135°F for about 8-10 hours
It’s that easy!
Notes:
- A mesh liner is highly recommended for strawberries to make removing from the trays easy. If dicing the strawberries into small pieces, a mesh liner is required (otherwise they will fall through the trays)
- Dehydrating times may vary (the water content in the strawberries, as well as the humidity and altitude of where you live in impact the time)
- To learn more about dehydrating, check out our post How to Dehydrate: Learning the Basics
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How do you know when strawberries are fully dehydrated?
Strawberries will be dry to the touch and firm, but flexible. No moisture should excrete when split in half and squeezed.Â
Jar test: If eager, you can place your strawberries in a glass jar and tightly close the lid. If you notice moisture or condensation forming in the jar within 24-48 hours (or if the strawberries become tacky) you know there is still moisture and more dehydrating time is needed.Â
Note: You technically can’t over dehydrate strawberries. If in doubt, dehydrate until you’re absolutely certain there’s no moisture left.Â
Fresh to dehydrated conversion measurements ​
90%
The mass and weight of strawberries decrease by about 90% once dehydrated.
Ex. 1 cup strawberries, sliced (about 10 whole)
- Pre-dehydrated:Â 130g | 1 cup
- Dehydrated: 12g | 1/3 cup
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How to store dehydrated strawberries:
Here are some tips to help you maximize the shelf life of your dehydrated strawberries:
- Allow to cool after dehydrating before storingÂ
- Keep stored in a sealable container or bag in a cool, dry and dark place
- Using Mylar bags or vacuum sealing can extend the shelf life by up to three times its normal duration! This is useful if you’re prepping lots for longer term use. Learn the pros and cons of each in our post: The Ultimate Guide to Long-Term Food Storage: Mylar Bags vs. Vacuum Sealing (Bags & Jars)
When dried and stored properly, strawberries should have a shelf life of several years.
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Some of our recipes with dehydrated strawberries:
Rehydrating Dehydrated Ingredients
When & Why to Rehydrate Dehydrated Ingredients
Knowing how much water to use for rehydration is essential for getting the best texture and flavour out of your dehydrated foods. Some ingredients are best rehydrated just before use, while others can absorb enough liquid during cooking – it all depends on how you’re using them!Â
For Dehydrated Meal Prep
- When preparing dehydrated meals for outdoor adventures, understanding the water requirements for different ingredients ensures you add just the right amount, giving you confidence in your meal creativity and preparation.
Before Cooking or Baking
- If a recipe doesn’t contain much liquid – such as stir-fries or casseroles – rehydrating beforehand prevents ingredients from staying too tough
- Pre-soaking reduces cooking time, especially for hard ingredients like beans or root vegetables
- Certain dehydrated ingredients (such as whole mushrooms or tomatoes) regain a better texture and flavour if rehydrated before cooking
- Rehydrated ingredients absorb flavors more easily when cooked, making dishes more flavorful
- Baking: Ingredients like dried fruits can be rehydrated to have a softer texture and to prevent them from drawing moisture out of the dough or batter
For Eating Raw
- If you’re eating the dehydrated ingredients uncooked, but prefer a softer texture (such as using dehydrated fruits or vegetables in a salad)
Rehydrating Dehydrated Onions:
Dehydrated strawberry to water ratio is typically 1 : 1 – 1.25
 Per 1/4 cup of dehydrated strawberries:
Quick Simmer
- Add 1/4 cup water and bring to a boil
- Turn down heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes
- Turn off or remove from heat and let sit for 2-3 minutes
Just Add Hot Water
- Add 1/4 cup boiling water and stir
- Let soak for 12-15 minutes
Add water & refrigerate
- Add 1/4 cup boiled water and stir
- Allow to cool, place in fridge and let soak for 24 hours
Note: it’s important to not let sit for more than 30 minutes in room temperature because of the risk of bacteria growth.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes, you can absolutely dehydrate frozen strawberries! For the best results, use pre-sliced frozen strawberries—no need to thaw them beforehand.
If you’re working with whole frozen strawberries, let them thaw first, then slice before dehydrating for even drying.
Can I use an oven to dehydrate strawberries?
Not unless your oven can maintain a low temperature of around 135°F (57°C). Strawberries need to be dehydrated at this temperature to dry properly. If the temperature is too high, you risk either cooking the strawberries or causing “case hardening,” where the outer layer hardens, trapping moisture inside and preventing proper drying.
How to Dehydrate Strawberries
Dehydrated strawberries are delightful little snacks that offer endless possibilities. They can be enjoyed in trail mix, granola, and oatmeal, infused in tea or water, incorporated into baked goods and energy bars, or even used as a salad topper. The options are truly limitless.
Notable Equipment
- 1 Dehydrator
Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced (about 8-10 whole)
Instructions
- 1. Slice strawberries into congruent slices; ideally about 1/4″ thick
- 2. Optional: lightly coat or spray the strawberries with lemon juice or an ascorbic acid based product
- 3. Arrange on a mesh lined dehydrating tray with enough room for air to circulate between the pieces (no over lapping)
- 4. Place in dehydrator and dehydrate at 135°F for 8-10 hours (for 1/4" thick)
Notes
- You can use frozen strawberries, however, fresh strawberries are highly recommended for the best texture and flavour
- A mesh liner is recommended for strawberries - especially if doing small chunks (otherwise they may fall through the trays)
- Dehydrating times may vary (the water content and thickness of the strawberries, as well as the humidity and altitude of where you live in impact the time)
- To learn more about dehydrating, check out our post How to Dehydrate: Learning the Basics
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The Foodie Behind the Screen
Hi there! I'm Bri. I'm sharing my love for cooking - and the outdoors - one recipe at a time.
