How to Dry Fruit in an Oven or Dehydrator

Dried fruit drains the water content of fresh fruit. Dried fruits like blueberries, cranberries, and apricots make healthy snacks without the hefty grocery store price tag. Dried fruits are more versatile and long-lasting than fresh fruits, whether enjoyed as room temperature fruit leather or in a dessert recipe.

Some fruits are better for dehydrating than others. Bananas, for example, have a satisfying crispy texture along with a sweet flavor when dried. Apples, mangos, papaya, pineapple, cherries, strawberries, plums (known as prunes when dried), and apricots are all great choices for drying. Savory fruits like tomatoes are best for sun drying. You can also dehydrate veggies like zucchini and green beans for a savory, crunchy snack.

Learn how to dry fruit with the oven drying method.

1. 1. Preheat your oven. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. A temperature higher than that will cook rather than dry the fruit.
2. 2. Rinse ripe fruit. The pretreating process is simple and involves rinsing the fruit, which should be ripe for optimal flavor and nutritional value. Wash your ripe fruit thoroughly and pat it dry with a paper towel. Another option is to soak your fruit in a mixture of cold water and lemon juice or citric acid, which will help prevent the fruit from browning.
3. 3. Cut fruit into thin slices. Trim away any stems or leaves. Then use a sharp knife to cut thin slices.
4. 4. Arrange the fruit for drying. Place your sliced fruit in a single layer on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
5. 5. Dry your fruit for several hours. The total drying time will take between four and eight hours depending on the size and water content of your fruit pieces. Open the oven door periodically to check the progress of your fruit. You will know when your dried fruit is ready by its texture. The fruit should be slightly shriveled and chewy.
6. 6. Store your dried fruit properly. Store dried fruit in an airtight container at room temperature. Glass jars like mason jars make good storage units for dried fruit if you prefer not to store your fruit in plastic. Stored properly, dried fruits can last up to one year.

To dry fruit in a dehydrator, arrange your prepared fruit slices in single layers on the dehydrator trays and set them in the dehydrator. Apply the “fruit” setting on your dehydrator if there is one or set the temperature to 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Most fruits will take six to eighteen hours to dry completely depending on the size of the fruit slices.

Dried fruit is excellent on its own as jerky or as part of a recipe. Consider some ideas for using your DIY dried fruit.

1. 1. Make granola. Take your batches of dried fruit and mix them with your favorite dry cereal for a homemade granola treat.
2. 2. Use dried fruit in homemade stuffing. Traditional stuffing gets a boost of fiber and flavor when you add ingredients like dried pineapple, apricots, and cherries.
3. 3. Give dried fruit as a gift. Baskets of dried fruit make colorful gifts—especially around the winter holidays. Include some nuts and candies for an extra festive look.

Become a better chef with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Alice Waters, Gabriela Cámara, Niki Nakayama, Chef Thomas Keller, Gordon Ramsay, Yotam Ottolenghi, Dominique Ansel, and more.