How to Dehydrate Pears the Easy Way —
Slice, Dry, Store!

If you’ve ever wondered how to dehydrate pears, you’re in the right place. Drying pears is a simple way to lock in their natural sweetness and enjoy this fruit year-round — whether in smoothies, snacks, or baking.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the easy steps to slice, pre-treat, and dehydrate pears at home, plus tips on storage, ripeness, and more.

dehydrated pears on a table, with loose pears

Dehydrate pears when they are in season so you and your family can enjoy them all year long in pies and smoothies!

Pear Nutrition Info.

VITAMINS: Vitamin A, and Vitamin K, followed by Vitamin C, Folate, and Choline.

MINERALS: Pears rank high in Potassium, followed by Phosphorus, Calcium, Magnesium, and Fluoride.

Pears also contain Omega-6 fatty acids, are a great source of carbohydrates, and contain a good amount of dietary fiber, too!

Why Dehydrated Pears Belong in More Than Just Snacks

Dehydrated pears are also tasty as snacks, cookies, fritters, breads, and granola. Also great in fruit rolls! Juicy pears are also 'stars' in my morning smoothies.

Try this in your morning smoothie:

  • Wash one whole pear, cut off its top, and slice to remove the center core.
  • Add a banana and 1 cup of Silk-brand Light Vanilla Soy milk.
  • Put all in the blender—blend until smooth—and enjoy!

Tools That Make Slicing Pears a Breeze

Cutluxe 8
Cutluxe 8" Chef Knife, Full Tang

Begin by Using a Good Sharp Knife by Cutluxe!

Check out this great chef's knife with a full tang that means the handle and blade "are one" so they can't come apart when we're slicin' and a dicin'.

I know these Cutluxe Chef knives may be a little expensive, but they do last pretty much a lifetime when you maintain their cutting edges.

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

Step-by-Step: How to Dehydrate Pears Like a Pro

Let's get busy learning how to dry pears in a food dehydrator!

If using frozen pears, ignore steps 1 and 2.

  1. Wash fresh pears, peel if desired, remove the core, and either slice into halves, or quarters or cut into 3/8" slices
  2. Fresh pears need to be pre-treated, so place the pears in a bowl and spray liberally with lemon juice TIP: Use a pump top from a new unused spray bottle, pick one that fits your lemon juice bottle, and look for one that has a long enough plastic tube that will reach the bottom of your lemon juice bottle.
  3. If you decided to simply cut your pears into halves or quarters, place them on your food dehydrator trays with the cut-side up to prevent drips on the lower trays!
  4. Turn on your 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.

  • Drying time for dehydrated pears: between 6-16 hours and they will feel pliable when dried.
  • Remember to rotate your food dehydrator trays, for even drying.

How to Tell If Your Pears Are Ripe Enough to Dry

A pair of ripe pears

TIP: Dehydrate pears or other fruits at peak ripeness.

The usual way to test for ripeness is simply pressing on the fruit's skin—if you leave a slight indentation with your thumb, then the fruit is ripe. Don't go puncturing the skin. If you do, it'll go brown and you may attract those pesky fruit flies and we don't want that to happen!

To speed up the ripening process, put your fruit inside a brown paper bag, like one of those used for lunch bags. If your grocery store still uses those small brown paper bags at the checkout counter, save and use those... we do!

To speed up the process, leave a piece of fully ripened fruit in the brown paper bag, and the gas that it emits will help ripen the newly added fruit! Honest!

Roquefort Pear SaladRoquefort Pear Salad
Recipe and Image courtesy Allrecipes

Enjoy Roquefort Pear Salad!

Enjoy a luscious Roquefort Pear Salad, from Allrecipes.com - Recipe is by Michelle Krzmarzick and she says, "This is the best salad I've ever eaten and I make it all the time. It is tangy from the blue cheese, fruity from the pears, and crunchy from the caramelized pecans. The mustard vinaigrette pulls it all together."

Start dehydrating pears when they are in season so you and your family can enjoy them all year long!

pear trees collage

Which Pears Are Best for Dehydrating?

There are many different types of pears, but the two most common varieties are the Bartlett and the Bosc.

Bartlett pears are also known as Williams' pears. They are round with green skin that turns yellow when ripe.

Bosc pears are long in shape with brown skin and a crispy texture.

Did you spot the Partridge in the pear tree, above? No? (Just kidding!) Made you look...

Where Do Pears Grow Best in the U.S.?

Pears grow best in areas with cool winters and warm summers. They need full sun and well-drained soil.

whole pear, and a half pear

Want to Grow Pears at Home? Here’s How

Pears can be grown from seed, but it is more common to grow them from cuttings. The cuttings should be taken from a healthy pear tree that is at least two years old.

They should be placed in moist soil and kept in a sunny location.

Fertilizer or Not? What Pear Trees Really Need

Surprisingly, pears do not need to be fertilized if they are grown in nutrient-rich soil. However, if the soil is poor, you can fertilize the pear tree with a balanced fertilizer in the spring.

When to Pick Pears for Perfect Drying

Pears are ready to harvest when they are soft to the touch and the skin is slightly yellow.

Thanks for visiting how to dehydrate pears. I hope you learned a lot about pears, the different kinds, and where and how to grow them. Please feel free to share this info with your pear-loving friends.

The more people know about how to dehydrate pears - and food in general - the better. It's time to put food away for long-term storage, especially in inflationary times, right? Right!

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact me here.

FAQ: Oven Drying, Pear Uses, and More

Have questions about drying pears? You’re not alone. These answers cover everything from dehydrator timing to how to use your finished slices.

Can I dehydrate pears without peeling them?

Yes! You can leave the skin on for extra fiber and texture. Just be sure to wash the pears thoroughly. Some people prefer peeling for a smoother bite, especially when using dried pears in baking or baby food.

Can I dehydrate pears in the oven?

Yes, absolutely! Set your oven to its lowest temperature (130–140°F if possible). Slice pears evenly, place on parchment-lined trays, and prop the oven door open slightly to let moisture escape. Drying takes about 6–8 hours.

How do I know when my dehydrated pears are done?

Dehydrated pears should feel pliable but not sticky, like soft leather. If you bend a slice and it cracks, it’s too dry. If it feels tacky, give it more time. Fully dried pears should have no visible moisture when torn in half.

What can you use dehydrated pears for?

Enjoy dried pears in a variety of ways:

  • Snacking - Dehydrated pears make for a healthy sweet snack on their own. They are high in fiber and antioxidants. Their portable size makes them ideal for taking on-the-go.
  • Baking - Chop rehydrated pears to mix into quick breads like muffins, scones, and bars. Or use as an alternative to raisins in cookies, granola and bread pudding.
  • Cereals & Porridge - Diced pears lend sweetness and texture mixed into breakfast cereals like oatmeal or chia pudding.
  • Salads - Toss chopped rehydrated pears for a nutrition and crunch boost over fresh greens, chicken, grains, or cheese.
  • Dessert Toppings - Rehydrate pear slices to use in plates of cakes, waffles or ice cream sundaes. The concentrated flavor makes an excellent topping.
  • Blending - Add a few pieces when making smoothies for extra fiber, potassium, vitamin C... and sweetness.

What's the best pear variety for dehydrating?

Bartlett pears are a popular choice for their sweetness and fast drying time. Bosc pears work well too and hold their shape better when sliced. Avoid overly soft or bruised pears — they dry unevenly and may spoil faster.

Do I need to soak pears in lemon juice before drying?

Yes — pre-treating with lemon juice helps prevent browning and preserves the pears’ natural color. Either dip slices in a bowl of lemon water or spritz them directly using a clean spray bottle.

How should I store dehydrated pears?

Once fully cooled, store your dried pears in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. For longer storage (6–12+ months), vacuum sealing or adding oxygen absorbers to Mason jars works great.

Can I rehydrate dried pears? How?

Yes! Just soak them in warm water or juice for 15–30 minutes. You can simmer them for faster rehydration if you’re adding them to cooked dishes like oatmeal or fruit compotes.

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