Air Fryer Strawberry Drying: A Quick, Easy Guide

Drying strawberries in an air fryer is a great way to preserve the flavor and color of strawberries. It is also a healthy and economical way to enjoy the benefits of fruit, as it only requires one ingredient and has no added sugar or preservatives. Here's a simple guide on how to dry strawberries in an air fryer:

Firstly, prepare your strawberries by washing and drying them. Then, remove the stems and any bruised spots. Slice the strawberries into uniform thickness, preferably around 1/8 inch thick.

Next, place the strawberry slices in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are close but not touching. If your air fryer does not have a dehydrating setting, select the lowest temperature setting, typically around 180°F. Cook the slices for 30 minutes, then use tongs to flip them and return them to the air fryer for another 30 minutes to an hour. If your air fryer has a dehydrator setting, cook the slices for 2 hours on that setting, then flip and cook for an additional hour or until the desired texture is achieved.

Finally, let the strawberries cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container for storage. Enjoy your delicious and healthy snack!

Choosing and preparing strawberries for air-drying

Choosing the right strawberries is essential for air-drying. Opt for fresh strawberries with a bright red colour, shiny exterior, and healthy green leaves. Avoid those with significant white areas, as they may not be as sweet, and skip overripe or mushy berries. Aim for strawberries that are in season, as they will be the plumpest, juiciest, and most flavourful.

When selecting strawberries at the grocery store, give the berries a sniff to ensure they are fragrant. Check for vibrant red colour and perky, green leaves. Avoid containers with mushy or mouldy berries.

If you're picking strawberries straight from the plant, choose fully ripened berries with no white or green spots. Ensure they are free from critter nibbles. Gently twist the strawberry, holding the stem above the green cap, to harvest it.

Once you've selected your strawberries, it's time to prepare them for air-drying. First, wash the strawberries thoroughly and gently blot them dry. Remove any stems and cut off any bruised spots. Slice the strawberries into even slices, aiming for a thickness of about 1/8 to 1/4 inch. You can now proceed to air-fry your strawberries following the desired recipe instructions.

Air fryer settings and timings

The ideal temperature for dehydrating strawberries is 55°C/130°F. If your air fryer doesn't go this low, the next best temperature is 180°F. If your air fryer's lowest setting is 200°F, you can still dehydrate strawberries, but you'll need to keep a close eye on them to ensure they don't over-dry or burn.

If your air fryer has a dehydrating setting, set it to 135°F/57°C and dehydrate the strawberries for about 3-4 hours. If your air fryer doesn't have a dehydrating setting, set it to its lowest temperature and dehydrate for 2-2.5 hours, checking every 30 minutes and flipping the slices for even drying.

If your air fryer's lowest setting is 180°F, dehydrate for one hour, flip the strawberry slices, then let them dry for another 30 minutes to an hour. If your air fryer's lowest setting is 200°F, dehydrate for 45 minutes, flip the slices, and dehydrate for another 22 minutes.

The strawberries are done when they are dry, with crispy edges and slightly chewy centres. They should not feel squishy or moist. If they seem soft, continue dehydrating in 30-minute increments until they reach the desired texture.

Once the strawberries are fully dehydrated, let them air out at room temperature for about an hour or overnight. This will ensure any remaining moisture evaporates and prevent condensation from building up inside the storage container.

Storing air-dried strawberries

If you want to store your strawberries for longer, you can place them in individual serving sizes in a plastic bag, remove as much air as possible, seal the bag, and place them in the freezer for later use.

Serving suggestions

Dried strawberries are a versatile snack with a long shelf life. Here are some ways to serve them:

Snack

Dried strawberries are a great snack on their own. Their sweet, chewy bite makes for a perfect healthy snack option.

Toppings

Add dried strawberries to your breakfast by sprinkling them on yogurt, oatmeal, or cereal for added texture and sweetness. You can also use them as sprinkles on homemade donuts or other baked goods.

Mix-ins

Mix dried strawberries into your trail mix, granola, pancake or cookie batter, smoothies, or morning smoothie bowls for an extra punch of flavour and nutrition.

Baking and Cooking

Use dried strawberries in your baking and cooking by adding them to muffins, cupcakes, cookies, or pancakes for a fruity twist. You can also use them to make delicious dairy-free strawberry frosting, strawberry milk, or strawberry mouse.

Drinks

Grind dried strawberries into a fine powder and add them to dairy-free icing, or mix with milk and honey for a delicious, healthy strawberry milk.

Desserts

Make easy strawberry candies or use dried strawberries as a garnish for cakes, cupcakes, or other desserts to add a pop of colour and flavour. You can also dip them in chocolate for a decadent treat.

Other methods of drying strawberries

There are several other methods to dry strawberries, including using an oven, a dehydrator, or a freeze-dryer.

Oven-Dried Strawberries

Wash and dry the strawberries, then remove the stems and slice the strawberries into 1/8-inch or 1/2-inch thick pieces. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay the slices out, ensuring they don't touch each other. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, then turn it down to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and place the strawberries inside for 1-2 hours. Flip the slices over and continue baking for up to 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let them cool.

Dehydrator Strawberries

Slice the strawberries into thin, even slices. Place them on the dehydrator tray, ensuring they don't touch. Some people like to soak the fruit in lemon water for 15 minutes before dehydrating to preserve the color. Run the dehydrator for 8-14 hours, depending on the desired level of crispiness.

Freeze-Dryer Strawberries

Remove the strawberry caps and cut them into thin, uniform pieces. Place the fresh or frozen strawberries onto the freeze-dryer trays. Freeze-dry for 12-24 hours, depending on whether fresh or frozen strawberries are used.

Frequently asked questions