Concentrated sweet berry flavor with a chewy texture, dried strawberries are quick and delicious snack to top on oatmeal, cereal, and yogurt. Dried strawberries are loaded with natural sugars that make it a tasty sweet snack.
Dehydrated strawberries can also be baked into scones or muffins when fresh strawberries are not available. Not only preserving and lengthening the shelf life, dehydrating strawberries also increases nutritional value of essential vitamins and minerals.
As a matter of fact, it is easy to dehydrate fruits in the oven when a dehydrator is not available. There are many instances where oven drying is a better method to nail the preferred texture.
How do you dehydrate strawberries in the oven? To dehydrate strawberries in the oven, choose sweet berries that are firm, ripe, and have a solid red color.
Wash the berries and remove the leafy cap. Cut ½” slices lengthwise or slice thinly ¼” width. Mix with an acid like lemon juice to minimize the discoloring during the drying process.
Preheat the oven to 135 degrees Fahrenheit or 57 degrees Celsius. Lay the strawberry slices on a sheet pan, and spread enough space between each piece to allow for airflow.
Dry for 4 hours and open the oven door every hour to allow the humid air to release and rotate the tray for even dehydration. Check the dryness whether it is hard, crisp, chewy or shrunk in size.
When done correctly, dry strawberries can last up to 6 months when stored without any moisture remaining. Otherwise, it is easy for moisture to buildup in the jar or mold start forming.
Answered below are frequently asked questions about tips and technique to dehydrate strawberries in the oven. This article shares how to prevent any of problems happening so that the berries dry properly for long-term storage.
Can you dehydrate strawberries without a dehydrator?
Yes, you can dehydrate strawberries without a dehydrator. A dehydrator helps to shorten the drying time and the temperature is already set which make it convenient, but oven drying is a great alternative method to dehydrate any fruit.
There are many ways to dehydrate strawberries from the natural methods like the sun to helpful appliances like a dehydrator or oven. Each method offers unique result, and the oven is a perfect example to achieve crispy and sweet result.
When using an oven to dehydrate strawberries, apply the proper temperature setting and cooking time to fully draw out any remaining moisture.
How do you dry fresh strawberries in the oven?
Fresh strawberries do not last very long. To extend the shelf life and preserve the nutrients, dehydrating is the best method.
Using the convection oven setting, preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit or 93 degree Celsius to start. Once you place the tray of prepared strawberries into the preheated oven, lower the temp to 135 degrees Fahrenheit or 57 degrees Celsius until completely dried.
Slice the strawberries into uniform pieces approximately ⅛” to ¼” thick. Be aware that the thicker the berries, the longer it will take to dry.
If the berries are not sweet enough, coat lightly with sugar to add more sweetness. To prevent browning and avoid discoloring, brush or soak the sliced strawberries with lemon juice prior to dehydrating.
Arrange sliced pieces on parchment paper and position equal spaces between each.
Dry for 30 minutes to an hour and check the dryness. If needed flip the slices on the other side and rotate the tray to get even heat and airflow to dry. Repeat the process for 2 to 4 hours until fully dried.
Remove the dried strawberries from the oven and let cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for several months.
What temperature do you dehydrate strawberries at?
Generally, the temperature to dehydrate strawberries in the oven is 135 degrees Fahrenheit or 57 degrees Celsius. However, this can change if the oven is an older model or has fan mode for better air circulation.
Depending on how watery the strawberries are, the temperature and drying time will vary.
The temperature setting is quite important to achieve well dried berries to preserve and store without spoiling. When in doubt, use an oven thermometer inside the oven to get an accurate reading on the internal temperature.
Furthermore, some ovens have uneven heating or hotspots that can be an issue while dehydrating. Flip the berries and rotate the tray every hour to further assist the drying.
Can you sprinkle sugar on strawberries before dehydrating?
Yes, you can sprinkle sugar on strawberries before dehydrating. This will help to add more sweetness before drying, especially if the berries are super tart.
Always slice the strawberries first before coating with sugar. This will help to soak the sweetness into dried berries more than simply sprinkling on the outside of the whole strawberries.
Be aware that sugar coating can result in a porous texture, or smoking and burning if the temperature is set too high or the oven gets overheated.
Why did my dehydrated strawberries turn brown?
The reason behind this browning issue is the enzyme polyphenol oxidase contained in the cells gets exposed to air. The result of the oxidation is the strawberries turning brown.
Soaking or brushing lemon juice on strawberry slices is an important factor to consider. The acid from lemon juice actually helps to prevent the oxidation from air to keep the strawberries from turning brown.
Tips to dehydrate strawberries in the oven
Dehydrating fruits is very easy with an oven. It is alternative route compared to using a dehydrator, and the results are similar.
From discoloration to uneven heating, there are techniques to follow when using an oven to dehydrate strawberries.
Here are some useful tips to learn:
- Coat strawberries with sugar before placing in an oven to make tart berries taste sweeter.
- Avoid using foil or wax paper to replace parchment paper or silicone baking mat since the dried strawberries will stick.
- Use sharp knife or slicer to get even thickness on each piece.
- Choose firm and ripe strawberries to dehydrate.
- Mix with lemon juice to eliminate browning.
Dehydrating Strawberries in Oven: Conclusion
A dehydrator is widely used to dry strawberries, but when it’s not available and oven is the perfect substitute.
In order to dehydrate strawberries in the oven, select ripe berries that are firm and solid color.
Preheat the oven to 135 degrees Fahrenheit or 57 degrees Celsius so it is ready to go.
Wash the berries thoroughly and slice thin. Mix with lemon juice to prevent from browning, and coat with sugar to add more sweetness.
Place the prepared strawberries on a parchment paper lined tray, in a single layer with even spacing between each piece.
Dehydrate for 2 to 4 hours, and flip the slices and rotate the tray every 30 minutes until fully dried.
It is ok to leave the oven door slightly open to release moisture and prevent from condensation building up inside the oven. This will help to get crispy strawberries rather than chewy and mushy.
Periodically check the doneness, and allow the oven dried strawberries to completely cool down before placing in the desired storage method.