Dehydrate Eggs Safely: How to Make Long-Lasting, Shelf-Stable Eggs at Home

Wondering if you can dehydrate eggs safely at home? You absolutely can—and it’s a smart way to preserve fresh eggs for long-term storage, camping, or emergencies.

✅ Quick Answer: How do you dehydrate eggs safely at home?
To dehydrate eggs safely, start by whisking fresh, pasteurized eggs until smooth. Pour onto lined dehydrator trays and dry at 115°F–135°F for 10–14 hours until fully brittle. Store the powder in vacuum-sealed jars with oxygen absorbers to prevent moisture and bacteria buildup. Rehydrate using a 1:1.5 egg-to-water ratio.

In this guide, you'll learn exactly how to dehydrate eggs using a dehydrator, freeze dryer, or even your oven, plus how to store and rehydrate them properly. Let’s crack into it.

I did some digging... and yes, dehydrating eggs is a fantastic way to preserve the incredible edible egg (takes me back to that classic 1976 TV ad by the American Egg Board)!


Dehydrated eggs in Mason jars

By removing moisture, eggs become shelf-stable for up to 10 years, making them an eggcellent option for long-term food storage.

Whether you need a reliable backup for emergency situations, an easy solution for everyday cooking, or a way to make use of eggs when your lazy chickens take a break, dehydrating eggs is the answer.

Stick around because I’ll show you exactly how to turn fresh eggs into dehydrated powder! Just add water, and hey presto—eggs.

if you want to learn how to raise your own flock, check out my friend’s site, Raising Happy Chickens for tips on keeping your hens productive and, well - happy!

How to Get Started with Egg Dehydration

🛑 Critical Safety Tips for Egg Dehydration

  • Always use pasteurized eggs when dehydrating raw. This helps reduce the risk of Salmonella.
  • Don’t season eggs before drying—salt, pepper, or milk can interfere with the drying process.
  • Use food-safe trays or silicone liners that won’t warp or leach when heated.
  • Dry eggs thoroughly until brittle or crisp; any moisture left behind = spoilage risk.
  • Store in airtight containers with oxygen absorbers and desiccant packets and keep them in a cool, dark spot.

Dry smart. Store smart. Stay safe. ✅

Now that we’ve got safety out of the way, let’s crack on with the fun part:

The easiest—and safest—way to dehydrate eggs is with a good ol' food dehydrator. Just crack your fresh eggs into a bowl and give ’em a good whisk (or blitz them with a blender if you’re in a hurry). Once they’re nice and smooth, pour the mixture onto lined dehydrator trays.

I highly recommend using silicone sheets—they stay flat and behave, unlike some plastic liners that love to curl when things heat up. If you're using a Nesco dehydrator, fill each tray one at a time and stack as you go. Got an Excalibur with slide-out drawers? Just pull out a tray halfway, lay down your liner, and pour carefully to avoid spills. This method helps everything dry evenly without making a mess.

Set your dehydrator to no higher than 115°F and let it run for 12–14 hours. Some folks like to go hotter—135°F—which speeds things up to around 10 hours. Totally up to you!

💡 Tip: Outside the U.S.? Most dehydrating temps here are listed in Fahrenheit — use our quick converter to see the Celsius equivalent for your machine.

If you see a greasy film on your dried eggs, don't panic—that’s just the natural fat from the yolks, which actually helps when using them for baking.

Once the eggs are fully dry, simply break your newly-dried "egg leather" into pieces and then grind it into a fine powder with a blender or food processor.

Why Dehydrate Eggs? Storage, Shelf Life, and Everyday Benefits

Dehydrated eggs are lightweight, shelf-stable, and are a convenient addition to any kitchen pantry's emergency food supply. They store easily in vacuum-sealed Mason jars or Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers and desiccant packets.

Heidi, a fellow dehydrating enthusiast, swears by vacuum-sealing her jars with a car brake bleeding pump—a surprising but effective way to remove air without electricity. If that’s a little unconventional for you, there are dedicated Mason jar vacuum sealers available online such as the Pawcute brand I own. See its review here.

Heidi's Video

In the video, Heidi is big on dehydrating eggs and storing them in vacuum-sealed Mason jars. She provides lots of tips - so make sure to watch it!

Rehydration Ratios: Get the Right Consistency Every Time

The general rehydration ratio for dried eggs is 1 tablespoon of egg powder to 1.5 tablespoons of water. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes before cooking to ensure the eggs fully absorb the water.

Struggling with Vacuum-Sealed Jars? Here’s How to Open Them Easily

Vacuum-sealed Mason jars are great for long-term storage, but getting the lids off can be frustrating. In the video below, Elissa shares a simple technique to pry off vacuum-sealed lids without breaking a sweat—or a fingernail.

Elissa's Video

Should You Scramble Eggs Before Dehydrating? Pros and Cons

While raw egg dehydration is the preferred method for many, some, like Jack from Dehydrated Cookbook, prefer scrambling the eggs before drying them.

Jack dehydrates scrambled eggs at 160°F, much higher than the 115°F method Heidi follows. Kiwanna, another dehydrating expert, uses 140°F. While the best temperature is up for debate, all methods agree on one thing: do not season the eggs before dehydrating.

The entire process takes 8-12 hours, depending on temperature and humidity levels. Once dried, grind the eggs into a fine powder, just as you would with raw egg dehydration.

Scrambling first gives the eggs a firmer texture when rehydrated, while raw egg dehydration retains more fat, making it better for baking.

Do You Need Pasteurized Eggs for Dehydrating?

If you’re dehydrating raw eggs, make sure they’re pasteurized—it’s your best defense against Salmonella. A lot of store-bought eggs aren’t pasteurized (yep, even the fancy ones), so check the label before tossing them in your cart.

Pasteurizing is just a gentle heat treatment—eggs are warmed in their shells to 140°F for a set time. It’s enough to zap the bacteria, but not enough to cook the egg. Can’t find pasteurized eggs at the store? No worries—you can DIY it at home with a sous vide setup or a steady water bath. Easy peasy, and your eggs stay safe and scramble-ready.

Why Bother? How Dehydrating Eggs Saves Space and Lasts for Years

Dehydrating eggs extends their shelf life significantly. When stored correctly, they can last up to 10 years. They also take up far less space than fresh eggs—72 dehydrated eggs can fit into a single quart-sized Mason jar!

Powdered eggs are incredibly versatile and work well in baking, scrambled dishes, and emergency food supplies.

Again, rehydrating eggs is simple: mix 1 tablespoon of egg powder with 1.5 tablespoons of water, let it sit for a few minutes, then cook as usual.

Step-by-Step Methods to Dehydrate Eggs at Home

Kiwanna's Video

In the video above, Kiwanna (from Kiwanna's Kitchen) says that when you see brown patches of eggs while in the dehydrating process, they need flipping over and drying out for another 2 to 4 hours (at 140°F).

Kiwanna's Tip: After your eggs are dry, grind them up. She then puts the ground-up eggs back on her clean Nesco trays and dries them more. She also states to add oxygen absorbers into the jars before drawing out the air. I couldn't agree more.

My Tip: Use a cupcake baking liner turned upside down and place it on the top of your dried egg and then vacuum seal the jar. Doing this keeps loose egg from blocking up the suction pipe. Do this cupcake liner trick with any other dried powdered foods.

Freeze Drying Eggs: Long-Term Storage Option

Freeze drying preserves eggs' taste, texture, and nutritional value far better than traditional dehydration. The process takes 24-48 hours and results in a crispy, lightweight egg product that rehydrates to nearly the same consistency as fresh eggs.

While it’s the best method, freeze dryers are expensive and require significant storage space.

HFD-1 Home Freeze Dryer

Harvest Right HFD-1 Home Freeze Dryer
(Amazon Affiliate link, thanks)

The freeze-drying process is pretty similar to regular dehydrating inasmuch as you start by whisking raw eggs into a smooth mixture. It's then spread thinly on trays and placed in the freeze dryer.

The machine freezes the eggs rapidly and creates a vacuum environment. Over 24-48 hours, the water content turns directly from ice to vapor. (Yes, it takes "that long.")

The result is a lightweight, crispy egg product that can be easily crushed into powder.

Using a Food Dehydrator for Eggs: The Most Accessible Method

For those without a freeze dryer, a food dehydrator works just fine. Whisk fresh eggs thoroughly and pour the mixture onto dehydrator trays lined with non-stick plastic or silicone sheets.

Set the dehydrator to 135°F and let it run for about 10 hours. The eggs are done when they are completely dry and brittle. Again, any brown spots indicate the need for further drying.

Dehydrating Eggs in an Air Fryer (For Small Batches)

Air fryers can be used to dehydrate eggs in a pinch. Pour whisked eggs into silicone molds placed inside the air fryer. Set it to 135°F and stir every hour to ensure even drying.

The process takes about 5-6 hours, making it faster than traditional dehydration but only suitable for small batches.

How to Store and Rehydrate Dehydrated Eggs Safely

Once dried, eggs should be ground into a fine powder and stored in airtight containers like Mason jars or Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers and desiccant packets.

To extend shelf life, keep them in a cool, dark place and avoid exposure to air, moisture, and light. Properly stored, dehydrated eggs remain usable for 5-10 years.

I think it's a great idea to dry eggs - making this storage method ideal for cooks, preppers, and tired-out old birds, er, hens!

Vacuum Sealing Tips for Dehydrated Eggs

Pawcute Mason Jar Vacuum Sealer

Read my full review here!

Mason Jar Vacuum Sealer

Mason Jars Available on Amazon

Ball Reg Mouth Quart (32oz) Jar, 12-pk
Ball Reg Mouth Quart (32oz) Jar, 12-pk

Mason Jars Regular Mouth Quart Jars

  • Ball brand regular mouth Glass Mason Jars. Quart size (32oz)
  • Package of 12
Ball Mason Jar Pint size, Wide Mouth, 12-pk
Ball Mason Jar Pint size, Wide Mouth, 12-pk

Mason Jars Wide Mouth Pint Jars

  • Ball brand wide mouth Glass Mason Jars. Pint size (16oz)
  • Package of 12
Jarden Kerr Wide Mouth 8oz jar, 12-pk
Jarden Kerr Wide Mouth 8oz jar, 12-pk

Mason Jars Wide Mouth Half Pint Jars

  • Ball brand wide mouth Glass Mason Jars. Half-Pint (8oz)
  • Package of 12

As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. The price you pay does not increase.  Read disclosure here.

NOTE: A lot of people in the Amazon reviews are saying these vacuum-suction contraptions are BEST suited for WIDE MOUTH jars, not REGULAR mouth jars.

Canning Jars from WalmartMy canning / Mason Jars from Walmart

My hubby was shopping at Walmart, so I had him get me another 12-pack of quart-size jars. I had him check for broken glass and/or dented metal lids in person... rather than hoping they make it in transport via Amazon (or the Walmart store online).

Another reason why I prefer to use wide-mouth jars is that I can get my hand inside the jar to give them a nice soapy wash! Can't do that with regular-mouth jars.

Silicone Sheets (Instead of Plastic)

Check out these silicone sheets, perfect for Nesco round dehydrators, and the brown ones are ideal for the square Excalibur dehydrators (Amazon Affiliate link, thanks).

I like the idea of silicone rather than plastic - plastic sheets can bend a bit when/if they get too hot, but good old silicone lays flat, no matter what.

Fits Nesco Dehydrators

Silicone Dehydrator Sheets

Fits Excalibur Dehydrators

Silicone Dehydrator Sheets

Alternative Methods: When a Dehydrator Isn't an Option

Oven Drying Eggs Without a Dehydrator

If dehydrating eggs at home isn’t your thing, you can buy store-bought powdered eggs from brands shown below. 

Store-Bought Powdered Eggs vs. Homemade

(and they are my Amazon Affiliate links, thanks!)

These commercially prepared eggs have an extended shelf life and are great for emergency food storage.

FAQs About Dehydrating Eggs

Here are answers to some common questions about the process, storage, and rehydration of dehydrated eggs.

What's the process for drying eggs if you don't own a dehydrator?

No dehydrator? No problem! You can still dehydrate eggs using your oven. Set it to the lowest temp possible—typically 170°F or lower if your oven allows it.

Whisk the eggs well and spread the mixture thinly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Prop the oven door open with a wooden spoon handle to let moisture escape.

The process takes 6–12 hours depending on your oven and local humidity. Flip the eggs if they start developing brown spots.

Can I dehydrate eggs in an air fryer, and if so, how?

Yep, air fryers can do the trick—just in smaller batches. Pour whisked eggs into a shallow air fryer-safe dish or silicone mold that fits the basket.

Set it to the lowest possible setting (ideally 135°F–170°F) and give the eggs a stir every 30 minutes.

You’re looking at about 5–6 hours. Once fully dry and crumbly, grind the eggs into powder using a blender or food processor.

How do you properly rehydrate dehydrated eggs for cooking?

It’s super simple: mix 1 tablespoon of egg powder with 1.5 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes to fully rehydrate before cooking.

Too runny? Use a little less water next time.

Too thick? Add a splash more. And if the mix looks lumpy or uneven, let it sit a bit longer—patience pays off.

Why do my dehydrated eggs turn out rubbery?

Rubbery eggs usually mean the yolks and whites weren’t fully mixed before drying. Be sure to whisk or blend them thoroughly before pouring onto your trays. That even mix is key to smooth, rehydratable results.

Final Thoughts on Dehydrating Eggs

Dehydrating eggs is an easy, effective, and space-saving way to store eggs for years while maintaining nutrition and convenience. Whether you’re a prepper, camper, or home cook, having powdered eggs on hand is a smart food storage solution.

  • 🥚 Long shelf life – Up to 10 years when stored properly
  • 🥚 Multiple methods available – Freeze drying, dehydrator, air fryer, oven
  • 🥚 Versatile uses – Baking, scrambled eggs, emergency food

    • I hope you found all this information eggstra special. (Groan).

    Whether you're prepping for emergencies, preserving backyard eggs, or just looking to cut food waste, dehydrating eggs is a game-changer for any pantry.

    Want even more inspiration? Grab your free 5 Dried Food Recipes You'll Actually Love PDF (below) — and start building a shelf-stable stash that tastes amazing too.

    Grab 5 Dried Food Recipes You'll Actually Love

    5 Easy Dried Food Recipes free PDF

    Don't forget to grab a copy of our all new
    5 Dried Food Recipes (That Actually Taste Great)
    They're my all-time favorite easy dried food meals!

    Get it here right now.

    For Free!

    You Might Like These

    You Might Like These


    Before You Go...

    If you like the content, please give me some love by clicking on the 🩷 in the lower right-hand corner (on just about all my pages). This signals to me that you find it enjoyable and useful.

    5 Dried Food Recipes That Actually Taste Good free PDF download!

    And don’t forget to grab your FREE 5 Dried Food Recipes via the opt-in form — they're waiting for you! Thank you so much! (Get it here).