During the summer months, I’ve always got a glut of strawberries. And, even with all the TikToks showing me how to preserve them, my strawberries seem to go bad faster than I can eat them! I hate waste, so in this situation, I turn to these delicious strawberry chips. Not only are they super easy to make, dried strawberries only need one ingredient – strawberries! Dehydrated strawberries make a satisfying healthy snack all on their own, but they’re also great for sprinkling into oatmeal or yogurt, mixing into trail mix, granola and parfait, decorating your morning smoothie bowl, or dipping into chocolate.
What You Need
It’s a one-ingredient recipe! For the best dried strawberries, you’ll need ripe fresh strawberries (preferably freshly picked). You’ll also need a mandolin or very sharp knife, a chopping board, parchment paper, and a dehydrator or oven.
How to Make Dried Strawberries
Wash the strawberries and remove their stems. Then, cut them into thin, even slices. I love using my mandolin for this, but be very careful and protect your fingers if you’re using it! Place the slices of strawberry on a parchment paper-lined tray. You don’t need a dehydrator for dehydrating strawberries – your oven will work just as well. Here are my two foolproof methods to dry strawberries.
In a Dehydrator
Dry at 135ºF/57ºC for about 10-14 hours. Dehydrating time will depend on the freshness of your strawberries and how thick the slices are – as well as the overall humidity level in your home. Check your dried strawberries after 10 hours and then every hour after that until they’re completely dry.
In an Oven
Dry the strawberries at the lowest oven setting – this is usually around 170°F/75°C – for about 4-6 hours. Make sure to leave the oven door cracked open with a wooden spoon or other heat-proof tool. Keep an eye on them – we want the strawberries to dry, not cook or burn. If your oven can go as low as 135-140ºF/57-60ºC, then dry them for about 10-14 hours (as you would in the dehydrator) – and check after 10. The timings will depend on how thick your strawberry slices are, so be sure to adjust if you cut slightly thicker slices or thinner ones.
How to Tell When Strawberries Are Done
Your oven-dried strawberries will be ready when the slices are crisp and easily snap in two without bending at all. Bendy strawberry chips will need more time in the oven/dehydrator.
How to Store Dried Strawberries
Like most preserved food, dried strawberries are a great way to keep fresh fruit edible for longer. These strawberries will keep for months in an airtight container at room temperature. Just be sure to keep it in a cool, dark place so they retain their crunchy texture. Allow them to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. To keep them fresh and crispy, give your container a shake once a day to keep the fruit from sticking. You’ll also want to make sure your container is at room temperature and completely dry – moisture can ruin their texture.
Recipe Notes
Keep It Even: If your strawberry slices are different shapes and sizes, they will not dehydrate at an even pace. So I recommend using a mandolin – it gives you even slices every time. Keep an Eye On It: This is especially important if it’s a big batch. Watch out for smaller pieces of strawberry drying out first; with a couple of hours to go, keep checking the strawberries and removing any that are drying faster. No Foil: Put the aluminum away! Foil restricts airflow in a dehydrator, so the strawberries will take longer to dry and the machine may malfunction. Opt for parchment paper or a silicone mat instead. Keep the Oven Open: If you’re using an oven – keep the door open just a little. This will help the airflow and ensure your strawberries dry evenly. Keep it Cool: Allow your dried strawberries to cool completely before enjoying or storing them – this will keep them crispier for longer.
More Delicious Snacks
Blueberry Bread Crispy Kale Chips Tanghulu Candied Fruit Apple Chips Candied Grapes
If you try this dried strawberries recipe, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
