How to Make Dried Fruit (Using Your Oven)

Most of the people that make their own dehydrated fruit are using a food dehydrator, but did you know that you can do it in your oven as well? Yes, you heard us right, you can have delicious dehydrated fruits without having to buy an expensive machine to do it!

Prep Your Fruit

Choose a just over-ripe or ripe berry or fruit .

Wash it with cold water.

Remove all blemishes or spots .

Remove any stems.

Remove any pits.

Evenly cut and slice the fruit, to ensure that they dry in the same time frame.

It is not necessary, but you can remove the skins.

Some fruits such as apples, peaches and nectarines dry better if you remove the skin first..

Soak It

To minimize discoloration, and to keep the fruit visually appealing, soak the fruit in water and lemon juice for 10 minutes. Blot and drain using a lint-free towel.

To the oven

Preheat the oven to 130-160F; using a lower temperature for thins sliced fruits like peaches or apples. Strawberries and other whole berries must be dehydrated on a hotter temperature.

Onto sheet pans, place the parchment paper and arrange the fruit in a single layer, but do not allow anything to touch. Top with a silicone pan liner or a pizza screen to keep them from curling as they dry. Place the fruit into an oven and rotate every two hours.

General Cooking Times

Peaches 6 hours

Pears    6 hours

Plums    6 hours

Bananas 6 hours

Apples    6 hours

Citrus Peel 8-10 hours

Grapes    8-10 hours

Cherries 12 hours

Strawberries 12 hours

Apricots 12 hours

Cure it

Remove the fruit from the oven when it’s ready and place the fruit into a plastic or glass container to “cure.” Leave the container open for 4-5 days so that any moisture left from the drying process can evaporate. At least once a day shake the container to move the fruit around.

Don’t Forget To Share With Your Friends And Family, As You Might Help Someone In Need!