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Fresh strawberries? Always. Not much can compare to a tasty and fun family outing such as picking your own strawberries at a local farm.
As a child, I can remember going to a local strawberry farm every summer in Muskoka and spending half a day picking (and eating) our fill of this delicious and juicy treat.
Now it gives me so much joy to see my kids enjoying this experience too. Although, my youngest certainly made me work hard this time to fill my basket as she plunked her 15 month old self down next to me and kept helping herself! My oldest on the other hand was very proud to pick her own little basket, and she ate most of them on the tractor ride back!
What are Dehydrated Strawberries?
Dehydrated strawberries are made using a dehydrator or oven which essentially “draws out” and dries all the water content from the berries, leaving you with delicious dry slices of strawberry chips. The flavour is strong and even the scent is more enhanced after being dehydrated.
Are Dehydrated Strawberries Good for You?
Dried strawberries are packed full of goodness! Higher in Vitamin C than fresh or frozen strawberries, and a rich antioxidant.
They are also known to help with digestion, as they are high in fibre, and help to regulate blood pressure from spiking due to their high potassium levels.
How Long do Dehydrated Strawberries Last?
Dehydrated strawberries and other fruits and vegetables are a great item to keep in your pantry because of the natural shelf life they give if properly stored. Most sources suggest a year for shelf life.
For long term storage, put your dehydrated chips in an airtight container in your pantry for a week, and give the jar a shake once a day, checking for any missed moisture before storing in a cooler, dry location. If some moisture is spotted within this time, just put back in the dehydrator to dry a little longer. If any mold is noticed within the week, toss it all out and don’t risk eating. I tend to over-dry instead of under-dry, because of being paranoid of mold.
But if you are drying a small batch to enjoy snacking on within a few days, just put in a jar on the counter and enjoy!
Can You Dehydrate Strawberries in the Oven?
I have not personally dehydrated strawberries in the oven, but from what I have researched, it is very easy to do so. (And when I have done it, I’ll be sure to post here how it went!)
The process is the same as with a dehydrator, but you would put the strawberry slices on a parchment-covered baking sheet.
Then put on the middle oven rack with a preheated temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for 2 hours or until the tops are dry. Then turn over for another 30-60 minutes until the underside is also dry.
Oven drying is a quicker process, but you will need a little more patience and keep a close eye on the strawberry chips to see that they don’t burn.
Ways to Eat Dehydrated Strawberries
There are so many uses for dehydrated strawberries! Once dehydrated, you can store the chips/slices in an airtight container and use them in many different recipes. You can also blend up the dehydrated chips into strawberry powder to use as natural strawberry flavouring and colour.
Here are a few fun ideas:
| Dehydrated Strawberry Slices & Chunks | Dehydrated Strawberry Powder |
| Strawberry Chips | Smoothies |
| Trail mix | Yogurt |
| Homemade Granola | Flavoured Milks |
| Cake & Desert Decorating | Frozen Yogurt |
| Camping Oatmeal (Instant) | Ice Cream |
| Granola Bars | Whipping Cream |
| Overnight Oats | Cake Icing |
| Baked Oatmeal | Frozen Yogurt Bark |
Watch the video to see how easy it is to dehydrate strawberries!
How to Dehydrate Strawberries
Supplies Needed:
- Dehydrator
- Bowls
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Newspaper
- Colander
- Airtight container (I use 1L glass jars)
Ingredients:
- Fresh strawberries
Directions:
1. Choose the most firm and unblemished strawberries. This will ensure that they have a nice deep red colour after being dehydrated. Any softer berries can be frozen for later or made into jam, popsicles, smoothies, etc.
2. Cut the green ends off and wash.
3. Cut into slices 1/4″ thick and set aside any end skin pieces. The skin pieces retain the strawberry’s water content and they take longer to dry. You can toss the skin pieces into the same bowl saving the softer berries for other uses. Note: This part is extremely messy! I put down newspaper on top of my cutting board to save it from getting stained.
4. Lay slices out on dehydrating trays without touching, and set temperature to 135 degrees fahrenheit (57 degrees celcius). Set timer for 7-9 hours. Depending on the humidity in the room, they may take longer to dry. We picked our berries following several days of hard rain, so there was a lot of moisture to draw out!
5. When crispy and fully dry, put into airtight container and store in cool, dry place. For long term storage, keep accessible in a dry place and monitor for a week. Give the jar a shake once a day, checking for any missed moisture before storing in a cooler, dry location.
If some moisture is spotted within this time, just put back in the dehydrator to dry a little longer. If any mold is noticed within the week, toss it all out and don’t risk eating. Best to use within 1 year as long as they are dried fully and stored properly.
More Great Ideas for Your Homemade Pantry!
Hi, I’m Jessie!
I’m a Wife and Homeschooling Mom living in a remote town in Northern Ontario, Canada. I love making wholesome meals for my family from scratch, homeschooling our girls and learning more about natural living.
Read more about my story HERE.
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How to Dehydrate Strawberries
Preserving Strawberries for Countless Recipe Ideas!
Supplies Needed
Ingredients
- Fresh Strawberries
Directions
- Choose the most firm and unblemished strawberries. This will ensure that they have a nice deep red colour after being dehydrated. Any softer berries can be frozen for later or made into jam, popsicles, smoothies, etc.
- Cut the green ends off and wash.
- Cut into slices 1/4″ thick and set aside any end skin pieces. The skin pieces retain the strawberry’s water content and they take longer to dry. You can toss the skin pieces into the same bowl saving the softer berries for other uses. Note: This part is extremely messy! I put down newspaper on top of my cutting board to save it from getting stained.
- Lay slices out on dehydrating trays without touching, and set temperature to 135 degrees fahrenheit (57 degrees celcius). Set timer for 7-9 hours. Depending on the humidity in the room, they may take longer to dry. We picked our berries following several days of hard rain, so there was a lot of moisture to draw out!
- When crispy and fully dry, put into airtight container and store in cool, dry place. Best to use within 1 year, but will likely keep much longer as long as they are dried fully and stored properly.
Nutrition
Per 1 Cup: 52 calories; 0.5 g fat; 12.8 g carbohydrates;
1.1 g protein.
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