Dehydrated strawberries make a tasty snack that you can always keep on hand, since they have a very long shelf life and don't require refrigeration. Strawberries are high in dietary fiber and vitamin C, making dehydrated strawberries a great option for healthy snacking. Buying dehydrated strawberries in the store can be expensive, so consider picking up some fresh strawberries and using your food dehydrator or your regular oven to turn the fresh berries into long-lasting dehydrated treats yourself.
Step 1
Wash the strawberries with cool water, and use a strawberry huller to remove the stems and hulls from the fruit.
Step 2
Cut the strawberries into 1/4-inch-thick slices using a pairing knife.
Step 3
Mix together 1 cup of lemon juice and 1 cup of cold water in a bowl.
Step 4
Place the strawberries in the lemon juice and water mixture, and let them sit for 10 minutes. This helps the dehydrated strawberries retain their original color.
Step 5
Pour the strawberries into a fine mesh strainer, and let them drain for a few minutes.
Step 6
Set your oven or food dehydrator to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 7
Place the strawberry slices on the drying trays of food dehydrator, or on a slotted cookie cooling rack placed on a baking sheet, if you are using your oven. Spray the cookie cooling racks or food dehydrator trays with cooking oil before use to prevent sticking, if you desire. Place the berries into your oven or dehydrator. Leave the oven door open slightly. Assemble the dehydrator completely according to the instructions that came with the unit.
Step 8
Stir the fruit every three hours with a wooden spoon, flipping the strawberry slices over, to contribute to even dehydration.
Step 9
Begin to check to see if the strawberries are done after five hours. Expect oven-dehydrated berries to take twice as long as those placed in a food dehydrator. Check fruit for doneness by cutting a strawberry slice in half to see if all the moisture is evaporated from the middle of the berry, as well as the outside.
Step 10
Turn off the oven or dehydrator when the strawberries are done and allow them to cool for an hour.
Tips and Warnings
- Store the dehydrated strawberries in air-tight, insect-proof containers. Keep the berries in a cool, dark place, and they will last for up to a year.
Things You'll Need
- Strawberry huller
- Paring knife
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 1 cup cold water
- Cooking oil spray (optional)
- Bowl
- Fine mesh strainer
- Slotted cookie cooling rack (if using oven)
- Baking sheets (if using oven)
- Food dehydrator (optional)
- Wooden spoon
- Air-tight storage containers
