How to Dehydrate Pineapple

Discover how to dehydrate pineapple, whether it's fresh, or frozen - even canned!

Dehydrated pineappleCreated with Midjourney

Pineapple Nutrition Info.

Pineapple is an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin B1 (also known as thiamine).

As far as minerals go, pineapple contains Potassium, Manganese, Bromelain (digestive enzymes), Copper, and Folate.

Pineapple also packs a punch in the fiber department.



Picking Pineapple at its Peak!

When you're ready to cut up your pineapple, read the tips in the FAQ area near the bottom of this page, to know exactly when your pineapple is at its peak!

cutting pineappleCreated with Midjourney

Carefully cut off the crown and save it! Read the tips from "Empress of Dirt" farther down the page on how to grow your own pineapples, indoors, using the top of the pineapple.





This Knife Makes Chopping & Slicing Easy!

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Drat! Looks like my fave knife is unavailable right now... so here's another 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').

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How to Dehydrate Pineapple ~ Fresh

I have a pineapple corer which you screw into the pineapple and out comes a long coil of pineapple, sliced into approx 1/2" thick overall.

* As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. The price you pay doesn't increase.

  1. Slice into 1/4" to 1/2" thick "rounds" or chunks, uniformly sized
  2. Place the pineapple on your food dehydrator trays
  3. Turn on your dehydrator and set the temperature between 125°F and 135°F (or per your food dehydrator's instructions).
  • Drying time: between 6-12 hours
  • Dehydrated pineapple will feel leathery with no tackiness.
  • Remember to rotate your food dehydrator trays, for even drying.

How to Dehydrate Pineapple ~ Frozen

The way to dehydrate frozen (pre-packaged) pineapple, is to simply allow it to thaw in the fridge for 24 hours (or at a minimum overnight).

Drain away excess pineapple juice/ice water in a sieve in the sink.

Follow the "fresh" steps 2 through 3 above, assuming your thawed pineapple has already been cut into uniform pieces.



How to Dehydrate Pineapple ~ Canned

And for canned pineapple? Simply drain the excess pineapple juice from the can as you pour the canned pineapple into a sieve in the sink and then follow "fresh" steps 2 through 3.

Many people save the canned juice and enjoy it as a beverage with a bit of sparkling water added to it.

Also, the acidity in pineapple makes it great for tenderizing meats for use in marinades, for sweet'n'sour dishes like teriyaki chicken, or pork.

Use the left-over pineapple juice in your next smoothie!





Re-hydrating Dried Pineapple

To rehydrate dehydrated pineapple, simply soak the pineapple - preferably in its own juice - until it plumps back up, give it about 30 minutes or so.

When using plain water if you need - or want - to add a little sweetness back in, add a bit of sugar or honey to the water, prior to rehydrating your dried pineapple.

Enjoy Indoors or Outdoors!

Dehydrated pineapple will be much sweeter than its fresh state due to the water having been evaporated - it condenses the sweetness.

A male eating pineapple while backpackingCreated with Midjourney

Don't overindulge in this candy-like fruit snack... I know it's tempting. Having said that, it's a great way to get some energy when you're out hiking in the great outdoors. Take dried pineapple along with you when you're backpacking!

Best Areas to Grow Pineapple? Everywhere!

Here's how to cultivate a pineapple top and grow your own pineapples!

Simply visit: empressofdirt.net and learn how to nurture roots to form on a pineapple crown.

pineapple roots on the crowncourtesy of empressofdirt.net

Empress of Dirt shares how to grow a pineapple indoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Best Areas in the U.S. for Growing Pineapples?
  • Hawaii - The tropical climate of Hawaii provides ideal conditions for growing pineapples. The Hawaiian Islands have a long history of pineapple cultivation.
  • Florida - Southern Florida's warm climate allows fresh pineapple production, especially along the coasts. Major pineapple growers are located in Palm Beach County.
  • Texas - Pineapples can be grown in the southernmost and warmest regions of Texas, such as around the Corpus Christi area.
  • California - Some specialty and ornamental pineapple growers are able to cultivate pineapples in greenhouses in Southern California.
  • Puerto Rico - As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico has a suitable tropical climate for pineapple cultivation, especially in the central plains.
  • U.S. Virgin Islands - The hot and humid climate of the Virgin Islands enables pineapple production. Growers are located on St. Croix Island.
  • Louisiana - Minimal pineapple production is possible in the southernmost parts of Louisiana due to elevated temperatures.

The keys to successfully growing pineapples in the U.S. are temperatures above 65°F, high humidity, lots of sunshine, and protection from frost and cold winds. It makes sense, then, that commercial pineapple production thrives best in Hawaii and Florida.

When Are Pineapples Ready to Harvest?
  • The pineapple fruit has reached full size and maturity. It will be about 16-20 inches tall and weigh 2-4 lbs.
  • The skin color changes from green to yellow or orange hues. As the pineapple ripens, the skin color becomes more vibrant.
  • The fruit yields a sweet fragrance at the base near the first set of leaves. When lightly pulled, it should release with a bit of resistance.
  • The eyes on the pineapple skin are flat, not sunken or concave. The eyes turning concave is a sign of over-ripeness.
  • The leaves in the center of the plant begin to turn brown and wilt. But the leaves should still be somewhat firmly attached.

Ideally, pineapples should be harvested when the base turns yellow/orange and the aroma is present, but before over-ripeness sets in for maximum sweetness and shelf life after picking.

How Do You Store Pineapple?
  • Whole, uncut pineapple can be stored at room temperature for 2-5 days. Keeping it on the counter allows it to continue ripening.
  • For longer shelf life, refrigerate the whole pineapple. It will stay fresh for up to 5-7 days in the fridge.
  • Cut pineapple should always be refrigerated in an airtight container. This prevents oxidation and preserves the flavor.
  • Cover the exposed pineapple flesh with plastic wrap if not stored in a sealed container. Press the wrap gently against the surface.
  • Store cut pineapple chunks in their own juices in the fridge to prevent drying out. Canned pineapple juice works too.
  • Frozen pineapple chunks maintain their texture and taste if stored in airtight freezer bags for 2-3 months.
  • Dehydrate it!

Proper refrigeration is key to maintaining the flavor and extending the shelf life of fresh-cut pineapple. Whole pineapple can stay at room temp for a few days before needing fridge storage.


The author, Susan Gast, used GPT-4 by OpenAI, Bard by Google, and Claude2 by Anthropic, to research this topic. The author then wrote this entire article, optimizing its content and value for you the reader. As such, she takes ultimate responsibility for the content of this publication. Midjourney (and occasionally Leonardo) also helped her bring back stunning images for you to feast your eyes on. Also, utilizing AI as an assistant means she can write better, more interesting articles - just for you - on a regular basis.


Susan Gast owner, Easy Food Dehydrating plus Finally-Keto.com and SusanGast.com

Susan Gast began Easy Food Dehydrating in December 2010. Read Susan's story of what sparked her interest in all things related to "food dehydrating."

She is featured on Mother Earth News blog, and on Solo Build It (SBI) who host this site. Read her first SBI interview, and her second SBI interview.

Since 1980, Susan's involvement in publishing - in one form or another - led her to create a "review site" of products related to the publishing industry. Visit ePubTechReviews today, also hosted by Solo Build It. Susan also runs her namesake site SusanGast.com on Solo Build It that showcases the books she has written since 2010.

Do you want to send Susan a quick message? Visit her contact page here. She'd love to hear from you!


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