How to Dehydrate Strawberries in an Air Fryer

Does your mouth start watering thinking about strawberry shortcake, strawberry milkshakes, strawberry rhubarb pie, and strawberry cheesecake?  If you are a lover of all things strawberry, then you’ll definitely want to give dehydrated strawberries a try.  Dehydrated strawberries, which may also be called dried strawberries, offer a great solution for those who want to keep delicious strawberries around, even months after strawberry season has come and gone.  While you can make dehydrated strawberries in the oven, you’ll find the task to be even easier if you have an air fryer.  Ready to learn how to dehydrate strawberries in air fryer?  Let’s get right to it!

Table of Contents

• What does dehydrate mean?
• Are dehydrated foods good for you?
• Can you dehydrate fruit in an air fryer?
• Dehydrating Strawberries in an Air Fryer:  Necessary Tools and Ingredients 
• How to Dehydrate Strawberries in Air Fryer: Step-By-Step Directions
  • Step 1
  • Step 2
  • Step 3
  • Step 4
  • Step 5
• How long does it take to dehydrate strawberries?
• What are dehydrated strawberries good for?
• How do you store dehydrated strawberries?
• How long will dehydrated strawberries last?
• Dehydrated Strawberries: Nature’s Candy
• FAQs

What does dehydrate mean?

Dehydration is a process in which the moisture is removed from food.  When the moisture is removed from foods, it makes it less likely for microorganisms or mold to grow on the food.  Therefore, dehydrating foods helps them to last longer.  Dehydration was one of the earliest methods used to preserve foods and keep them from spoiling.

You can dehydrate all sorts of foods.  A few of the many examples include bananas, apples, mangoes, sweet potatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, meat (which creates jerky), and, of course, strawberries.

Are dehydrated foods good for you?

Yes, dehydrated foods can be good for you.  The process of dehydration doesn’t remove any of the nutrients from the food, so whatever food you use will retain its nutritional value after dehydration.  In fact, dehydrated foods represent nutrient-dense snacks.  Many hikers and campers choose to pack dehydrated food for this reason, along with the fact that they are relatively lightweight.

Research studies indicate that there may even be a connection between eating dehydrated foods and staying healthier.  Some studies have shown that eating  dehydrated foods may reduce your risk of getting cancer and improve the body’s digestion process.

While dehydrated foods are healthy, it is also important to note that they will also become smaller than they were when fresh.  This means that you’ll need to consume smaller servings of dehydrated foods to avoid consuming too many calories.

Can you dehydrate fruit in an air fryer?

Air fryers offer a wide range of uses:  from baking moist and flaky fish to cooking hot and crispy bacon and everything in between.  Did you know your air fryer can also help you dehydrate fruit?  Yep, you read that right.  An air fryer can be an excellent tool when you’re trying to dehydrate strawberries or other fruit.

However, it is important to make sure your air fryer offers the right settings to allow for dehydration.  The best way to dehydrate foods is to cook them at a very low temperature for an extended period of time.  In order to make dried strawberries in air fryer, your air fryer must offer the option to set the temperature as low as 130 °F.  If this isn’t possible with the model you have, you may want to consider shopping for a new air fryer.

Dehydrating Strawberries in an Air Fryer: Necessary Tools and Ingredients

Air fryer dried strawberries are really easy to make.  There are only a few things you’ll need to gather before you get started, and most of them are pretty obvious.  Here is what you’ll want to have ready before you begin:

• Strawberries:  I mean, you can’t make dehydrated strawberries without strawberries, can you?  While you could use frozen strawberries, I think dehydrated strawberries turn out best when you use fresh strawberries.  It is entirely up to you how much you want to make, just keep in mind that you may need to do multiple batches if your trays get too full.
• Air fryer:  Next up?  You will need an air fryer.  Again, like I shared above, dehydrating foods works best when done at a very low temperature.  You’ll want to confirm that the air fryer you plan to use can be set to temperatures as low as 130 °F.
• Storage containers:  Finally, you’ll need to decide how you plan to store your dehydrated strawberries.  I’ll go into more depth about some of the options you can consider in a few minutes.  As a brief overview, you can choose from using Ziploc storage bags or airtight plastic containers for shorter-term storage or sealed mason jars for longer-term storage.

How to Dehydrate Strawberries in Air Fryer: Step-By-Step Directions

OK, let’s go over the exact steps you’ll need to follow to dehydrate strawberries in your air fryer.  As I shared above, making dehydrated strawberries isn’t challenging.  You’ll just need to pick a day when you plan to be home and can frequently check on their progress in the air fryer.

Here are the steps to follow to dehydrate strawberries in an air fryer:

Step 1

Wash each strawberry and remove their stems.  Use a knife to carefully cut each strawberry into slices that are around ⅛-inch thick.  After slicing, use a paper towel to dry the strawberries and remove any excess liquid.

Step 2

Arrange the strawberry slices in a single layer on your air fryer tray(s).  Do not overlap the slices; if they can’t all fit, put aside the extra slices to dehydrate in a separate batch.

Step 3

Set your air fryer to 130 °F.  Air fry the strawberry slices for 3 hours.  Pause the air fryer about every 30 minutes to flip the strawberries over.  This will make sure the dehydrating process occurs evenly.

Step 4

After 3 hours, check for doneness.  Your strawberries will be done when they have a leathery texture.  If they are not done, set the timer for an additional 30 minutes and continue checking/flipping the strawberries every 30 minutes until they are done.

Step 5

Remove the strawberries from the air fryer.  Let them fully cool, then place them in airtight containers for long-term storage, Ziploc bags for short-term storage, or your mouth for immediate enjoyment!

How long does it take to dehydrate strawberries?

Dehydration is a slow process.  The length of time it takes to dehydrate strawberries can vary depending on the thickness of the slices you use and the temperature setting you choose on your air fryer.  

In most cases, it will take at least 3 hours, if not closer to 5 hours, to dehydrate strawberries.  You’ll also want to make sure you’re flipping the strawberries about every 30 minutes to keep everything even.

You will be able to tell that your strawberries are finished when they have a leathery texture.  

What are dehydrated strawberries good for?

Dehydrated strawberries are delicious as a snack just by themselves, in my opinion.  However, there are many other ways that you can find to use dehydrated strawberries.  

I love adding a few dehydrated strawberries to my oatmeal or cereal in the morning.  It changes up the texture and adds a delicious flavor.

Making trail mix is another great way to use your dehydrated strawberries.  As I shared above, they are a very nutrient dense food and can be great for helping hikers and campers get the calories they need to keep their energy up.  Plus, they add a unique taste to your trail mix.

Some of the other ways I’ve used dehydrated strawberries include topping my ice cream, mixing in with a smoothie, and even adding them as a unique donut topping.

How do you store dehydrated strawberries?

The best way to store dehydrated strawberries that you don’t plan on eating right away is in an airtight container or sealed mason jar.  Any strawberries that you’ll be consuming within the next week or so can simply be stored in a Ziploc bag.

How long will dehydrated strawberries last?

The storage conditions will determine how long your dehydrated strawberries will last.  If your strawberries are kept in an airtight container in a cool and dry space (about 60 degrees Fahrenheit), they may last for up to a year.  Strawberries stored in an airtight container in an 80 degree space will likely last a little closer to six months.  However, it is always a good idea to check on the stored strawberries and look for any signs of condensation.  If you notice any condensation in the jar, you should remove the strawberries and put them back in the air fryer again.  Follow the steps above again to dehydrate them fully, then return them to a completely dry container.

If you just keep your dehydrated strawberries in a Ziploc bag, you’ll want to eat them within a few weeks because they likely won’t last as long.

Dehydrated Strawberries: Nature’s Candy

I think you’ll absolutely love making your own dehydrated strawberries in air fryer.  They’re so simply and utterly delectable.  I always make a huge batch of these towards the end of strawberry season to keep myself from going through withdrawal waiting for the next summer to come.  

FAQs