How to Dehydrate Peas
Peas are One of the
Easiest
Vegetables to Dehydrate!

Peas - fresh inside their pods, and shelled

Learning how to dehydrate 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.

Use fresh, or frozen (even canned) peas...

TOP Frequently Asked Questions:

Dehydrate peas snack? (Top question!)

Yes, peas make a great snack treat. Read how to dehydrate peas from fresh, frozen, and canned on this page.

What types of peas can be dehydrated?

You 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 fast as other types such as black-eyed peas or chickpeas that naturally have a lower water content.

Dehydrated peas nutrition?

See our "Peas Nutrition Info." section further down this page.

Dehydrator or oven ~ which is best?

You can dehydrate peas in a regular oven, but IMHO they are better dried in a dehydrator. If you choose to dehydrate peas in the oven, set the temperature to between 130-140°F and leave them in for about 12 hours.

Check on them occasionally to make sure they're not getting overly hot or cooked. When they are 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!

Peas are one of the easiest of all vegetables to dry; they rank right up there with corn.

More Information coming up on how to dehydrate peas from frozen.

Check out the "Latex Glove" trick, too - also coming up - for non-stick peas!


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Pick up my Free eBook today!

How to Grow &
Dehydrate Herbs

How to Grow and Dehydrate Herbs free eBook

Treat yourself today with my free eBook. Learn how to dry the top six herbs and make herb-infused oils and vinegars!

Click the book cover and that will take you to my secure download page and full deets.

It's my gift to you as a way of saying "thanks for stopping by!"


Peas Nutrition Info.

VITAMINS: Vitamin A, followed by Vitamin C, Choline, and Niacin. There are trace amounts of Thiamine, Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin K.

MINERALS: Good source of Potassium, followed by Phosphorus, Magnesium, and Calcium. They also have trace amounts of Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Copper, and Selenium.

Peas contain Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.

Peas are also a good source of protein and fiber. When dehydrated, they retain most of their nutritional value and are a convenient and easy-to-store snack.

Blanch Fresh Peas Before Dehydrating

There are three kinds and ways to dehydrate peas, either fresh, frozen... or canned.

  1. Fresh Peas should be blanched before dehydrating as this helps to preserve their color and keep them from dehydrating unevenly.
  2. Frozen Peas need no extra prep steps! The blanching of the peas was done in the manufacturing facility!
  3. Canned Peas Canned peas also don't need any extra prep steps. But if you intend  to have peas available for long-term food storage, then simply keep them in their cans.

If you're looking to increase freezer space? Dehydrate frozen peas and store in your pantry. No electricity required!

Frozen peas dehydrating on a Nesco dehydrator, and a bowl of dehydrated peas.

How to Dehydrate FRESH Peas ~ Your First Step

To dehydrate peas properly:

  1. Start by blanching fresh peas in boiling water for two minutes, as mentioned earlier.
  2. Remove them from the boiling water and immediately place them into a bowl of ice-cold water.
  3. After they have cooled, drain them and spread them out on a dehydrator tray.
  4. 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.

How to Dehydrate Peas that are Frozen

Peas are partially dehydrated on an Excalibur dehydrator tray.

The image 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.

BIG TIP...
Use Latex Gloves to Spread Frozen Peas on a Dehydrator Tray

ALERT! 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°F for 8 to 10 hours, or until they are completely dried.

Helpful Accessories for a Nesco or Excalibur Dehydrator

I use 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!

NESCO™ ACCESSORIES at Amazon

Nesco Solid Fruit Roll Sheets

Nesco LSS-2-6 Round clear plastic 13-1/2" diameter Fruit Roll Sheets, white.

  • 2 pk of solid fruit roll sheets
  • 1.6 sq feet drying area
  • Dry capacity up to 3 cups of pureed fruit per sheet
  • Check the red Amazon link to see which Nesco models these Fruit Roll Sheets fit

Nesco Mesh Sheets

Nesco LM-2-6 Round plastic mesh 13-1/2" diameter Clean-A-Screens, white.

  • 2 pk of mesh sheets
  • 1.6 sq feet drying area
  • Check the red Amazon link to see which Nesco models these Clean-A-Screens fit

Nesco Trays

Nesco WT-2SG Round Speckled Plastic 13-1/2" diameter Add-A-Tray.

  • 2 pk of speckled round trays
  • 1.6 sq feet drying area
  • Fits 20 Series and 30 Series Food Dehydrators
  • Check the red Amazon link to see all the Nesco models these Add-A-Trays fit

* As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The price you pay does not increase.

EXCALIBUR™ ACCESSORIES at Amazon

Excalibur Solid Sheets

Excalibur 14 x 14 inch Fruit Leather Sheets, beige centers and green outer edges.

  • 5 pk of solid sheets
  • high-grade silicone, excellent non-stick properties
  • Check the red Amazon link to see which Excalibur models these Fruit Leather Sheets fit

Excalibur Mesh Sheets

Lova brand mesh dehydrator sheets for Excalibur Dehydrators, Cosori Dehydrators, Magic Mill Dehydrators, white.

  • 6 pk of mesh sheets, can be cut to fit
  • high-grade silicone, excellent non-stick properties
  • Check the red Amazon link to see which Excalibur models in particular these mesh screens fit

Excalibur Mesh Sheet Inserts

Excalibur 14 x 14 inch Polyscreen Mesh Tray Screen Inserts (black tray NOT included).

  • 9 pk of mesh screen inserts/trays
  • 100% FDA Food Grade Material
  • Check the red Amazon link to see all the Excalibur models these Excalibur-brand mesh tray sheets fit

* As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The price you pay does not increase.

When the peas are totally dry, they do reduce a lot in size; that's why I use mesh screens so they don't fall down into the bottom of the dehydrator.

Plus, they help keep your dehydrator clean (just a bit!). Don't skimp on cleanliness, though!

In answer to the last question about eating dehydrated peas, I have to add these reminders:

TOOTH ALERT! A warning here about eating dried peas that may be hard: 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!)

Velvety Smooth Pea soup made from dehydrated peas

Velvety Smooth Pea Soup Recipe...

Here's a velvety smooth 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. After all, you need to have something to dip in it.

Please visit our recipes page here; the recipes all contain dehydrated foods.

Peas before and after dehydrating

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, peas can last for years. Reminder: Store in a cool, dark location in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Dehydrated peas in a food vacuum -sealer bag with a 100cc oxygen absorber.

Tips on How to Dehydrate 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.

Dehydrating Peas for Planting

Drying out peas for planting is a simple process that can be done in a matter of days.

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. Thanks for stopping by to learn how to dehydrate peas.

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Susan Gast, founder of Easy Food Dehydrating

Hi, I'm Susan Gast, founder of Easy Food Dehydrating. My passion for dehydrating food began in 2010 while seeking crafty uses for abundant tomatoes. I've since devoted myself to elevating the art of removing moisture from fruits, vegetables, meats, and so much more!
JOIN ME as we unlock the magic of food preservation through dehydration together!
Read About Me here.

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