Dehydrating Peas
the Easiest Vegetable to Dehydrate!

Dehydrating peas is a great way to preserve them for future use. Dehydrating removes the water content from food, leaving behind the dehydrated foods for long- or short-term storage.

Peas are one of the easiest of all vegetables to dry; they rank right up there with corn! If you choose to use a frozen variety, it's just a case of opening the bag, pouring them onto your dehydrator trays, and pushing the "dehydrate" button! More Info on how to dehydrate them from frozen is a little further down this page.

Helpful Accessories
for a Nesco or an Excalibur Dehydrator

I use one (or two!) of the mesh screens when I'm dehydrating peas to make sure they don't fall through the dehydrator tray openings. These screens are readily available where you purchased your dehydrator, and yes, Amazon.com has them! (But what doesn't Amazon have?)

When they are totally dry, they do reduce a lot in size; that's why I use mesh screens. Plus, they help keep your dehydrator clean (just a bit!). Don't skimp on cleanliness, though!

Peas Nutrition Info.

Peas are a fantastic source of vitamin A, followed by vitamin C, Choline, and Niacin.

There are trace amounts of Thiamine, Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin, vitamin B6, and vitamin K. Their minerals: a good source of Potassium, followed by Phosphorus, Magnesium, and Calcium. They also have trace amounts of Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Copper, and Selenium and contain Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.

Blanch Before Dehydrating Peas?

There are two ways to dehydrate them, either fresh or frozen. Fresh peas should be blanched before dehydrating as this helps to preserve their color and keep them from dehydrating unevenly.

Actually, there are three ways. Dehydrate canned peas! But if your intent in dehydrating them is to have them available for long-term food storage, then keep them in their cans. If you're looking to reduce freezer space? Dehydrate frozen peas!

Dehydrate Peas Properly ~ Your First Step

To dehydrate peas properly, start by blanching them in boiling water for two minutes, as mentioned earlier. Then, remove them from the boiling water and immediately place them into a bowl of ice cold water. After they have cooled, drain them and spread them out on a dehydrator tray. Set the dehydrator to 135 degrees Fahrenheit and dry them for 8 to 10 hours. Blanching helps the peas retain their vibrant green color and actually splits their skins. This allows for faster drying.

What Types of Peas Can be Dehydrated?

One can dehydrate any type of pea, however, some types are better suited for dehydration than others. For example, garden peas and snow peas have a higher water content and will not dehydrate as well as other types such as black-eyed peas or chickpeas. When dehydrating the garden- or snow-variety, it is best to blanch them first in order to preserve their color and flavor.

Dehydrator or Oven ~ Which is Best?

You can dehydrate peas in a regular oven, but it's not the best method. They are better dried in a dehydrator. If you choose to dehydrate peas in the oven, set the temperature to between 130-140 degrees Fahrenheit and leave them in for about 12 hours. Check on them occasionally to make sure they're not overcooking. When they're done, they should be dry and hard. Store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

Peas are one of the easiest vegetables out there to dehydrate—and even easier if you choose the frozen variety! I love smoothing the peas out on my trays!

Dehydrate Frozen Peas on Dehydrator Trays

The image below shows my frozen peas all nice and smoothed out on one of my Excalibur dehydrator trays. Yes, Nesco trays are every bit as good! Please, before dehydrating peas, remember to use the mesh sheets. This stops them from falling through the trays as peas tend to shrivel up quite a bit.

Use Latex Gloves to Spread Frozen Peas
on a Dehydrator Tray

ALERT! BIG TIP HERE: Use latex gloves while spreading out the peas on your dehydrator trays. Wearing latex gloves helps stop heat transference, and that means your peas WON'T stick to your HANDS! :-) This way, you can smooth them out on the Excalibur dehydrator or Nesco trays easily.

IMPORTANT: Frozen peas do not need to be blanched before dehydrating. Simply place them on a dehydrator tray and set the temperature at 125- to 135-degrees Fahrenheit for eight to ten hours, or until they are completely dried.

Can You Eat Dehydrated Peas?

Yes, you can eat dehydrated peas. Dehydrated peas are a healthy and nutritious snack that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Peas are a good source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and they have a variety of health benefits. When dehydrated, they retain most of their nutritional value and are a convenient and easy-to-store snack. So, next time you are looking for a healthy and tasty snack, reach for some dehydrated peas!

They can be used in a variety of recipes or rehydrated and eaten as a healthy snack. They are a good source of protein, fiber, and vitamins A and C. Dehydrated peas can be found in most health food stores or online and now you know how to make your own!

A warning here about eating hard dried peas: Watch your teeth! I honestly don't eat dehydrated peas. I always rehydrate them (along with other vegetables) for use in soups and other recipes.

Fresh Peas Taste Best... of course!

If you're lucky and have your own garden, dehydrate fresh peas, obviously! It pretty much goes without saying that you can use dehydrated vegetables in soups and stews! (But I said it anyway!)

Here's a velvety pea soup recipe for you! It's one of my dad's favorite soups I make!

Also, check out our easy-to-make bread here. Need to have something to dip in it. Please visit our recipes page here; the recipes all contain dehydrated foods.

Rehydrating Your Dried Peas

After dehydrating peas, your dried peas can be rehydrated by soaking in water for 30 minutes. They can be used in any recipe that calls for fresh or frozen peas. To me, they almost plump back up to their original state. Almost.

How Long Will Dehydrated Peas Last?

Dried peas can last for a very long time if stored properly. The key to safe food storage is to make sure that they are completely dry before storing them, and to place them in an airtight container. If this step is done correctly, they can last for years. Reminder: Store in a cool, dark location in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Food Storage Tips for Storing Peas
for Long-Term Food Storage

It's important to read all about food vacuum sealers, what they are, and why you should have AND USE one. Also, it's important to include a 100cc oxygen absorber inside the vacuum-sealer bag prior to drawing the air out, and sealing the bag. Oxygen absorbers contain ingredients that react with one another and draw moisture to them. Learn more about the different-sized oxygen absorbers and their uses at the above link.

If you're using Mason jars to store your peas, also include a 100cc oxygen absorber inside your jar of dried peas. These oxy packs are your best friend when dehydrating vegetables of all kinds. Keep safe food storage in mind at all times.

How Do You Know When An Oxygen Absorber
Has Quit Working?

Great question! When you next open a recently-filled Mason from your food storage stash, listen for a 'pop' as you unscrew the lid. That pop means the oxygen absorber has been doing its job and has life left in it. How long they last depend on how good of a job you did while drying them. The damper the vegetables (or fruit) were, the more they have to work to absorb the moisture and oxygen.

Re-Use 'Spent' Oxygen Absorbers

Here's an excellent food storage idea: When my oxygen absorbers get a little worn out, I simply keep and reuse them in the smaller 1/2 pint Mason jars. These smaller jars are great for storing sliced dehydrated garlic, for instance. Or if you've ground up your dehydrated garlic to make powder, these smaller jars are just the right size when you're dehydrating small quantities of either fruits or vegetables.

Add the 'spent' 100cc oxygen absorber and it'll take care of your garlic for a while. Remember: when you don't hear a pop, get rid of the old oxygen absorber and put in a new one. TIP: For the smaller 1/2 pint Mason jars, a 50cc oxy pack is sufficient.

Dehydrating Peas for Planting

Drying out peas for planting is a simple process that can be done in a matter of days. First, you will need to collect them. You can either grow your own or purchase them from a local farmers' market. Once you are ready, spread them out on a baking sheet and place them in a warm, dry area. Allow them to dry for 24-48 hours, or until they are brittle. Once they are dry, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

When you are ready to plant, simply soak the peas overnight in water and then plant them in your garden. Peas are hardy plants and will thrive in almost any type of soil. With a little care and attention, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of fresh peas each and every year.

If you're interested in learning how to grow peas, Common Sense Home has some guidance for you.

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