How to Dehydrate Strawberries {Dehydrator or Oven}

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If you’re lucky enough to have an abundance of fresh strawberries on hand, dehydrate them to enjoy them all winter long! Dehydrating is an easy process that makes the freshest berries even more delicious. Learn how to dehydrate strawberries the easy way in this step-by-step guide.

Strawberries are one of my all-time favorite berries, and I look forward to preserving them during the early summer! I have lots of memories of hunching over rows of strawberries during my days as a farmhand. The season starts in late May here with the Shuksans, a very special June-bearing variety known for being incredibly flavorful. I grow Albion strawberries, which are a fantastic everbearing variety that produces large, incredibly sweet berries from June through October in my mild growing region.

One of the easiest ways to store these berries for later is to dehydrate them. When you remove the water from the berries, the sweet strawberry flavor becomes even more concentrated. My husband and I agree that dehydrated strawberries are basically candy! They’re wonderful added to oatmeal, homemade trail mixes, granola, and more. They’re especially wonderful during the winter months when strawberry season feels so far away!

If you love working with fresh strawberries, don’t miss this strawberry apple crisp! It’s just heaven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. These pink chocolate covered strawberries are a lovely treat for Valentine’s Day or just because!

What are dehydrated strawberries?

Dried strawberries are like any other type of dehydrated fruit. You gently heat the fruit to remove any excess moisture, which preserves the fresh berries for later. Dehydrated strawberries are an especially delicious option for your strawberry harvest because they’re chewy with concentrated strawberry flavor. They’re also incredibly easy to make!

Why you’ll love this dehydrated strawberries recipe

GREAT WAY TO PRESERVE THE HARVEST – Properly dried, your strawberries will last for approximately one year in a cool, dark place. They’re ready to be enjoyed any time without needing to unseal a canning jar or open the freezer!
VERSATILE & CONVENIENT – There are many ways to use your own dehydrated strawberries, from enjoying them as a snack to incorporating them into a variety of dishes. We like to preserve a lot of them because they go quickly!
HEALTHY SNACK – Although they taste like candy, they’re completely sugar-free with just the natural sweetness of the berries. They’re a great option for people looking for a sweet treat without the sugar!

Equipment

To make your own dehydrated strawberries, you’ll just need a few common supplies:

Dehydrator method – Dehydrator with dehydrator trays
Oven method – baking sheet with parchment paper
Cutting board
Sharp knife
Strainer
Clean kitchen towel
Airtight jar or container

Ingredients

Fresh, ripe strawberries – It’s very important to use the freshest and best strawberries! They should be fully ripe (red all over with no green or white spots) and there shouldn’t be any signs of mushiness, softness, or rot. I recommend purchasing organic strawberries whenever possible to avoid pesticides (they’re on the Dirty Dozen list).

Tip: Be sure to wash them thoroughly first, and let them air fry on a clean kitchen towel before you begin the process.

How to Dehydrate Strawberries in the Dehydrator

Remove the tops of the strawberries and cut each berry into thin slices, approximately 1/4 inch wide.
Arrange the strawberry slices in an even layer on a dehydrator tray.
Place the tray in the food dehydrator and let it run for 8-10 hours at 135 degrees F.
Allow the strawberries to dry completely before removing the tray from the dehydrator.
Let the strawberries cool to room temperature, then transfer the strawberry chips into a clean mason jar. Seal tight and store in a cool, dry place for up to 1 hour. I recommend shaking the jar every day for the first week to break up the berries and help them condition.

How to Dry Strawberries in the Oven

Set the oven to its lowest setting (usually 170 or 200 degrees F).
Arrange the sliced strawberries in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and place the tray in the oven.
Prop the door open slightly with a wooden spoon and then the strawberries dry for 1-2 hours.
Check the strawberries and flip them over. Continue drying an additional 2-3 hours until completely dry and not sticky to the touch.
Once the berries are dry, follow the steps above to store the dry strawberries.

Storing

Store your dehydrated strawberries in an airtight container, like a mason jar, in a cool, dark, and dry place for up to 1 year. Consider adding an oxygen absorber to keep them fresh even longer.

It’s a good practice to shake the jar often for the first few days to separate the berries and help condition the fruit.

How to Use Dehydrated Strawberries

There are many ways to use these tasty berries! Keep it simple and enjoy them as a delicious snack or transform them into something else with these options:

Crumble them into your oatmeal
Add to trail mixes with dark chocolate chips and almonds
Toss them into your homemade granola with other dried fruits and nuts
Blend the dried strawberries into a strawberry powder
Dip the dehydrated berries in melted chocolate for a delicious treat

white dish with dehydrated strawberry slices.

Tips & Variations

Save the tops of the berries! I like to add the strawberry tops (the green leafy top with a little bit of red attached) to a mason jar, then cover them with a mild vinegar like champagne vinegar or white balsamic. The vinegar will absorb that fresh strawberry flavor so you can add it to vinaigrettes and other recipes.
Check each berry carefully. I like to give each berry a little squeeze. Sometimes, they’ll look fine on the outside, but they’re already going bad on the inside. These should not be dehydrated.
Rinse very well. Strawberries can get quite dirty, and you don’t want that stuff on the berries. It’s worth it to give them a good rinse.
Use a strawberry huller. I just use a paring knife, but you can use a strawberry huller to speed up the process.

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FAQs

How do you know when dehydrated strawberries are done?

It’s tempting to dry the strawberries until they crumble to pieces, but they’ll be pretty challenging to eat like that! When properly dried, the strawberries should still feel a little bit soft and flexible, but they shouldn’t have any juice or moisture left at all.

Can you dehydrate strawberries in the oven?

Yes, although oven-dried strawberries can dry out very quickly if you aren’t careful. It’s important to set the oven temperature as low as possible to avoid cooking the fresh fruit. Slice the berries into 1/4 inch thick slices, place them in an even layer on a sheet pan, and let them dry. I like to flip them halfway through to make sure they’re dry on both sides.

Can you dehydrate whole strawberries?

You certainly can; however, it will take much longer to remove all of the moisture from inside the berries. If they are not fully dried, they can go bad and ruin the whole batch! There’s also a greater likelihood that you will dry out the edges of the strawberries, which can be unpleasant to eat. It’s best to slice the berries in half vertically at the very least or cut them horizontally into thin slices.

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