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 one of the easiest ways to preserve their natural sweetness so you can enjoy them year-round in snacks, smoothies, or baked goods.

✅ Quick Answer: How do you dehydrate pears?
To dehydrate pears, wash and slice them, pre-treat with lemon juice to prevent browning, then dry in a food dehydrator at 125–135°F for 6–16 hours. Finished pears should be pliable, not sticky, and store best in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed Mason jars or food vacuum sealer bags.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to slice, pre-treat, and dehydrate pears at home, along with tips for ripeness, storage, and the best pear varieties for drying.

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!

Nutritional Benefits of Pears You’ll Love

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!

Creative Ways to Use Dehydrated Pears Beyond Snacking

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!

Best Tools for Quick and Easy Pear Prep


Cutluxe Chef Knife

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 Guide: How to Dehydrate Pears at Home

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 Pears Are Ripe and Ready for Drying

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!

Enjoy Roquefort Pear Salad!

Roquefort Pear SaladRoquefort Pear Salad
Recipe and Image courtesy Allrecipes

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!

Best Pear Varieties for Dehydrating Success

pear trees collage

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...

Your Pear Dehydrating Questions — Answered!

Do pears need to be peeled before dehydrating?

No — peeling is optional. The skin adds fiber and texture, but some prefer peeling for smoother use in baking or baby food.

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.

Can I use frozen pears for dehydrating?

Yes! Thaw them first, then skip pre-treating since frozen pears are already softened. Slice and dry as usual.

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.

How long do dehydrated pears last in storage?

Properly dried and sealed pears last 6–12 months in a cool, dark pantry. Vacuum sealing with oxygen absorbers can extend shelf life beyond a year.

What’s the best way to rehydrate dried pears?

Soak in warm water or juice for 20–30 minutes, or simmer gently if using in oatmeal, compotes, or baked dishes.

Thanks for visiting my guide on how to dehydrate pears! Now you can enjoy their natural sweetness in snacks, smoothies, and baking all year long.

If you’d like even more tasty ideas, be sure to grab the free 5 Dried Food Recipes You’ll Actually Love PDF below — it includes my favorite recipes like carrot soup, minestrone, split pea, spicy beef jerky, and even banana cinnamon rolls!

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