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How to Dehydrate Peas: Easy Steps for Fresh, Frozen & Canned

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Susan Gast, Author and Food Preservation Enthusiast
Susan has been dehydrating and preserving foods for over a decade, sharing practical, tested methods that help readers make healthy, long-lasting meals at home.

Dehydrating peas is an easy way to preserve fresh, frozen, or canned peas while freeing up valuable freezer and pantry space.

✅ Quick Answer: How do you dehydrate peas?
Water-blanch fresh peas for 3 minutes, use frozen peas straight from the freezer, or drain and rinse canned peas. Spread them in a single layer on mesh-lined dehydrator trays and dry at 125°F–135°F for approximately 8–10 hours. The peas are fully dry when they are hard, wrinkled, and dry inside after cooling. Store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place.

Frozen peas are the easiest choice because they have already been blanched and can go straight onto the dehydrator trays. I’ll also show you my simple trick for stopping those icy little peas from sticking to your hands!

Woman holding up hands with green peas stuck to them while sitting behind a food dehydrator, demonstrating how frozen peas can stick to bare hands—latex gloves recommended.

You’ll also learn how to check the peas for dryness, store them correctly, and rehydrate them for soups, stews, casseroles, and other meals.

Peas before and after dehydrating

How to Dehydrate Fresh Peas

Fresh garden peas must be shelled and blanched before dehydrating:

  1. Shell and wash the peas: Choose young, tender peas and rinse them under cool running water.
  2. Blanch for 3 minutes: Place the peas in boiling water and begin timing when the water returns to a boil.
  3. Cool and drain: Immediately transfer the peas to ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain thoroughly and blot away excess moisture.
  4. Arrange on the trays: Spread the peas in a single layer on mesh-lined dehydrator trays.
  5. Dehydrate: Dry at 125°F–135°F for approximately 8–10 hours, or until the peas are hard, wrinkled, and dry inside after cooling.

Drying times vary depending on the peas, humidity, tray load, and dehydrator. Begin checking them around the 8-hour mark and continue drying any peas that still feel soft inside.

💡 Pro Tip: Blanching slows the enzyme activity that can affect the peas’ color, flavor, and texture during storage.

How to Dehydrate Frozen Peas (The Easiest Method!)

Frozen peas dehydrating on a Nesco dehydrator, and a bowl of dehydrated peas.Frozen peas on Nesco dehydrator
Peas dehydrating on Excalibur dehydrator trayFrozen peas on Excalibur dehydrator tray

Frozen peas have already been blanched, so there is no need to thaw or cook them before dehydrating:

  1. Arrange the frozen peas: Spread them in a single layer on mesh-lined dehydrator trays. Break apart any peas that are frozen together.
  2. Set the temperature: Dehydrate at 125°F–135°F for approximately 8–10 hours.
  3. Check for dryness: Allow several peas to cool before testing them. They should be hard, wrinkled, and completely dry inside, with no soft or cool spots.

Drying times vary, so continue dehydrating any peas that are not completely dry.

✨ The SECRET is Revealed: Wear food-safe disposable gloves when spreading frozen peas so those icy little peas don’t stick to your hands!

Can You Dehydrate Canned Peas?

Yes, you can dehydrate canned peas. However, unopened peas are best left in their original cans for dependable storage. Dehydrating is useful when you have leftover canned peas or want to reduce their weight and the amount of storage space they require.

  1. Drain and rinse: Rinse the peas under cool running water to remove the canning liquid and excess salt, then drain thoroughly.
  2. Arrange on the trays: Spread the peas in a single layer on mesh-lined dehydrator trays.
  3. Dehydrate: Dry at 125°F–135°F for approximately 8–10 hours.
  4. Check for dryness: Allow several peas to cool before testing them. They should be hard and completely dry inside, with no softness or moisture remaining.

Continue dehydrating if any peas still feel soft after cooling.

💡 Outside the United States? Use my quick Fahrenheit-to-Celsius converter to find the equivalent Celsius temperature.

Handy Tools to Make Dehydrating Peas Easier

Mesh screens are especially helpful when dehydrating peas because the peas shrink as they dry and may fall through larger tray openings. Solid sheets are handy for other dehydrating projects, while extra trays let you dry larger batches at one time.

Here are compatible accessories for Nesco and Excalibur dehydrators available on Amazon. Always check the product listing to make sure an accessory fits your particular dehydrator model.

Nesco Accessories Available on Amazon

Nesco Fruit Roll Sheets

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 screens

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 Add-A-Trays

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. Read my disclosure here.

Excalibur Accessories Available on Amazon

Bright Kitchen Silicone Drying Sheets

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
Lova Silicone Dehydrator Sheets

Lova Brand 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 tray inserts

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. Read my disclosure here.

3 Easy Ways to Use Dehydrated Peas in Meals

Rehydrating peas in water, in a measuring jugDehydrated peas soaking in hot water in a measuring jug

Rehydrate Them: Cover the dried peas generously with boiling water and soak for 20–30 minutes. Drain them and, if necessary, cook until they reach your preferred tenderness before adding them to rice, pasta, or other dishes.

Add Them Directly to Recipes: Stir dried peas into soups, stews, and casseroles that contain plenty of liquid. Add them early enough to soften as the meal cooks, and include a little extra liquid if needed.

Make Dry Meal Mixes: Combine dehydrated peas with other dried vegetables, seasonings, rice, pasta, or soup ingredients for convenient pantry, camping, and emergency meal mixes.

How Long Do Dehydrated Peas Last?

For the best flavor, color, and texture, plan to use home-dehydrated peas within about six months. Properly dried peas may retain their quality longer when vacuum-sealed and stored in a cool, dark, dry place, but heat and repeated exposure to air and moisture shorten their storage life.

Label each container with the date and use the oldest peas first. Check them occasionally for moisture, mold, unusual odors, or other signs of spoilage, and discard any peas that have become moldy.

Dehydrated peas in a vacuum-sealer bag with an oxygen absorberDried peas with an oxygen absorber tucked in prior to vacuum sealing

How to Store Dehydrated Peas

Allow the dehydrated peas to cool completely before packaging them. Warm peas can create condensation inside a sealed container, which may lead to mold and spoilage.

Store the peas in clean, dry, airtight Mason jars or vacuum-sealer bags. Package them in amounts you are likely to use at one time so the remaining peas are not repeatedly exposed to air and humidity.

For longer storage, you may add a correctly sized oxygen absorber, but only after confirming that the peas are completely dry. Oxygen absorbers remove oxygen—not moisture—from sealed packaging. Use my oxygen absorber size guide to choose the appropriate size for your container.

Desiccant packets help control moisture inside a container, but they cannot make inadequately dried food safe to store.

Keep your packaged peas in a cool, dark, dry place. If you notice condensation or moisture and there are no signs of spoilage, return the peas to the dehydrator immediately. Discard them if you see mold or detect an unusual odor.

Smooth Pea Soup Made With Dehydrated Peas

Velvety Smooth Pea soup made from dehydrated peas

Put your dried peas to delicious use in my velvety smooth pea soup. It was one of my dad’s favorite soups—and its secret ingredient makes all the difference!

Serve it with a slice of my easy homemade bread for dipping. You can also discover more ways to use your dried food on my dehydrated food recipes page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dehydrating Peas

Can you eat dehydrated peas as a snack?

Home-dehydrated peas are generally very hard and may be difficult to chew, unlike commercially produced crunchy pea snacks. It is better to rehydrate them or add them to soups, stews, casseroles, and other cooked meals.

Which types of peas can be dehydrated?

This method is for shelled green peas, whether they are fresh, frozen, or canned. Snow peas and sugar snap peas can also be dehydrated, but their edible pods require different preparation. Black-eyed peas and chickpeas are different legumes and should not be dried using these instructions.

Can I dehydrate peas for planting later?

No. Peas intended for planting should not be blanched or dried in a food dehydrator because heat can damage the seed and prevent germination. For seed saving, allow suitable peas to mature fully on the plant, then harvest and air-dry the seeds using proper seed-saving methods.

How do I know when peas are fully dehydrated?

Allow several peas to cool before testing them. Properly dehydrated peas should be hard and wrinkled, with no softness, moisture, or cool spots inside. Check some of the largest peas because they usually take the longest to dry.

What’s the best way to rehydrate dried peas?

Cover the peas generously with boiling water and soak them for 20–30 minutes. Drain them and cook further if they have not reached your preferred tenderness. You can also add dried peas directly to soups and stews that contain plenty of liquid and allow enough cooking time for them to soften.

Dehydrating peas is a simple way to create a lightweight pantry ingredient that requires no freezer or refrigerator space. Once they are completely dry and properly stored, your peas will be ready for soups, stews, casseroles, dry meal mixes, and emergency meals.

Before you go, grab my free 5 Dried Food Recipes That Actually Taste Great PDF below. It includes carrot soup, split pea soup, minestrone soup, spicy beef jerky, and banana cinnamon rolls.

5 Easy Dried Food Recipes free PDF

5 Free Dried Food Recipes
That Actually Taste Great

Put your dried food to delicious use!
Five very different recipes.
Not one dull bite...

← Get your free copy now!

5 Free Dried Food Recipes
That Actually Taste Great

5 Easy Dried Food Recipes free PDF

Put your dried food to delicious use!
Five very different recipes.
Not one dull bite...

Get your free copy now!

More From Easy Food Dehydrating

More From Easy Food Dehydrating


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