How to Dehydrate Corn: Easy Steps for Frozen, Fresh, or Canned

Learning how to dehydrate corn is one of the easiest ways to preserve this versatile veggie—whether you start with frozen, fresh, or even canned kernels.

Dried corn is perfect for soups, chowders, fritters, or grinding into your own homemade cornmeal.

Delicious Corn and Corn Chowder

And best of all? It’s quick, budget-friendly, and super satisfying to do at home.

Why Corn Is Perfect for Dehydrating

Frozen corn has got to be right up there with frozen peas for ease of dehydration! There's no excuse to not dehydrate these fantastic vegetables.

Corn Nutrition Info.

Frozen off-the-cob corn is a substantial source of these:

VITAMINS: Vitamin A, followed by Choline, Vitamin C, and Niacin. There are trace amounts of Vitamin E, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Pantothenic Acid, and Folate.

Frozen corn is a good source of:

MINERALS: Potassium, Phosphorus, and Magnesium, followed by Calcium, and Iron. There are trace amounts of Zinc Manganese, Copper, and Fluoride.

Frozen corn contains Omega-3 fatty acids and a high amount of Omega-6 fatty acids too!

Corn is rich in starch and dietary fiber—and the fiber is good news for a stubborn digestive system.

How to Dehydrate Corn the Easy Way

At Easy Food Dehydrating, we're all bout keeping things easy... so frozen corn wins hands down. For corn purists, read how to dehydrate fresh corn too! And then read on for how to dehydrate canned corn.

Step-by-Step: How to Dehydrate Frozen Corn

  1. Toss your frozen bag of corn kernels on the countertop a few times to loosen the kernels.
  2. Arrange the frozen corn on your food dehydrator trays, making sure there's some space for breathing room!
  3. Turn on your food dehydrator and set the temperature between 125°F and 135°F (or per your food dehydrator's instructions).

💡 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.

  • Dehydrated corn will be brittle when fully dried.
  • Drying time: between 6-12 hours.
  • Please remember to rotate your trays for even drying.

Step-by-Step: How to Dehydrate Fresh Corn

For those of you with fresh corn (click the link to learn how to grow it), simply husk and wash them. Get a pan of water boiling and steam the ears for 4-5 minutes. Get them into cold water as soon as possible to stop the cooking process.

  1. Pull down/off the corn husks and cut off the end for a flat bottom. Cut the corn off the cob by standing the ear on the cut end, and slice downwards from the top to cut off the kernels. Make sure you get the whole kernel and not tons of stalk!
  2. Arrange the fresh corn kernels on your food dehydrator trays, making sure there's some space for breathing room!
  3. Turn on your food dehydrator and set the temperature between 125°F and 135°F (or per your food dehydrator's instructions).

💡 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.

  • Fresh corn takes around 12-15 hours when fully dehydrated.
  • It will be brittle and very hard. 

Step-by-Step: How to Dehydrate Canned Corn

  1. Drain your canned corn.
  2. Arrange the canned corn on your food dehydrator trays, making sure there's some space for breathing room! 
  3. Turn on your food dehydrator and set the temperature between 125°F and 135°F (or per your food dehydrator's instructions).

💡 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.

  • Dehydrated canned corn will be brittle when fully dried.
  • Drying time: between 6-12 hours.
  • Please remember to rotate your trays for even drying.
(Frozen but thawed!) loose corn on a Nesco Dehydrator tray
Dehydrated corn in a bowl

Is Growing Corn at Home Easy?

Corn is a type of cereal grain that's popular in many cuisines and is eaten on its own, used as an ingredient in other dishes, or processed into corn oil or cornstarch.

Corn is relatively easy to grow, and it’s a great crop for beginner gardeners. It’s also a very versatile crop, as it can be grown in a variety of climates and soil types.

If you’re thinking about growing corn, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Corn needs full sun and well-drained soil to grow properly.
  • It’s best to start corn seeds indoors in pots about 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.
  • When transplanting corn seedlings to the garden, be sure to space them out evenly. Each plant should have about 2 feet of space all around it.
  • Corn is a heavy feeder, so be sure to fertilize your plants regularly.
  • Water your corn plants regularly, especially during dry periods.
  • Harvest your corn when the ears are ripe. This is typically about 2-3 months after planting.

What’s the Best Fertilizer for Corn?

The best fertilizer for corn is a balanced fertilizer with an NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) ratio of 10-10-10.

Apply fertilizer to your corn plants when they are about 6 inches tall. Apply additional fertilizer every 4-6 weeks throughout the growing season.

When applying fertilizer, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Applying too much fertilizer can damage your plants.

How Squirrels Accidentally Grew a Cornfield!

squirrel eating corn off the cob

I was chatting with a lovely neighborhood gardener the other day.

We were talking about squirrels and that reminded him of the day when he couldn't believe that one of my neighbors was actually growing corn in their tiny back garden.

He asked them how their 'corn growing' was going and they were shocked to see actual stalks of corn! You see, they hadn't planted it.

corn growing in a field

And they hadn't even noticed it because they are 'snowbirds' and had just arrived back in town!

Apparently, before they left town, they had been feeding the squirrels out back with leftover corn cobs from dinner.

The squirrely squirrels took those cobs and buried them! Hence the nice batch of corn ears shooting up a few months later!

How Long Does Corn Take to Grow?

Corn typically takes about 2-3 months to grow from seed to harvest. This can vary depending on the variety of corn you’re growing and the growing conditions.

If you’re looking for a quick-growing crop, choose a variety of corn that matures in about 60 days. For a slower-growing crop, choose a variety that matures in about 90 days.

What’s the Best Method for Planting Corn?

Corn is best planted in rows that are about 30 inches apart. Each seed should be planted about 1 inch deep and 2-3 inches apart. (Tell *that* to the squirrels, huh?)

If you’re planting more than one row of corn, space the rows about 3 feet apart. This will give the plants plenty of room to grow.

How to Know When Your Corn Is Ready to Harvest

You’ll know your corn is ready to harvest when the ears are ripe. This is typically 2-3 months after planting.

To test if your corn is ready, peel back a few of the outer leaves and check the kernels. They should be plump and firm. If they’re not quite ready, leave the ears on the plants and check them again in a few days.

And when you've got leftovers? Skip feeding the squirrels—now you know how to dehydrate corn instead of burying it!

Thanks so much for stopping by to learn how to dehydrate corn.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dehydrating Corn

Can you dry corn kernels?

Yes, you can dry corn kernels from frozen, fresh, or canned corn using a food dehydrator. Kernels should be spread out evenly and dried at 125°F–135°F until brittle.

How do you dehydrate corn for seed saving?

Let corn dry completely on the stalk, then remove ears and dry indoors for 2–4 weeks. Shell and store when kernels are rock-hard and moisture is under 12%.

How do you dry corn husks for tamales?

Clean and dry corn husks in a food dehydrator at 95°F–115°F for 6–10 hours. Flip halfway through and store in airtight bags until ready to use.

Can you dry corn for chickens?

Yes! Dry corn ears in mesh bags for 4+ weeks or use a food dehydrator to dry kernels. Store in cool, dry places and grind for easier digestion.

If you want to learn much more about looking after chickens, you need to check out my friend Cath's blog: Raising Happy Chickens.

Now that you know how to dehydrate corn the easy way, you've unlocked one more tool in your food-saving toolbox. Whether you’re stocking your pantry, planning for emergencies, or just trying to reduce waste, drying corn is a smart move.

So grab that dehydrator—and don’t forget to download your 5 free dried food recipes shown below! Happy drying!

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