How to Dehydrate Spinach
and Make Spinach Powder

Fresh spinach is delicious but spoils quickly — dehydrating it keeps all that leafy goodness on hand for months. By drying spinach at home, you’ll cut food waste, save money, and always have nutrient-packed greens ready for soups, smoothies, or even homemade spinach powder.

✅ Quick Answer: How do you dehydrate spinach?
Wash and dry the leaves, then dehydrate at 125–135°F in a dehydrator (2–4 hours) or in the oven on its lowest setting with the door ajar (2–3 hours). Spinach is ready when it’s crisp, crumbly, and fully dry. Store in airtight jars or vacuum-sealed bags.

Even better, the process is simple with either a dehydrator or a regular oven. On this page, I’ll show you step-by-step how to dry spinach the right way, plus tips for storage, rehydration, and making spinach powder.

Woman arranging fresh spinach leaves on a round dehydrator tray in a kitchen.

What Makes Spinach a Superfood? (Vitamins, Minerals & Antioxidants)

VITAMINS: Vitamin A, and Vitamin C. It also contains Vitamin K1 and is packed with Folate.

MINERALS: Calcium, although the oxalic acid it contains can inhibit calcium absorption. But don't let that put you off as spinach is a great source of Potassium and Magnesium, along with dietary fiber.

This green leafy veggie is loaded with antioxidants such as Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Beta-Carotene.

Must-Have Tools for Stress-Free Spinach Dehydrating

No matter what method you choose for dehydrating spinach, a few crucial tools are needed. First, you'll need an electric dehydrator or an oven.

To me, a dehydrator is best because it allows a more precise temperature control to make sure your spinach doesn’t get too hot.

You’ll need baking sheets (for the oven method) or dehydrator trays when using a dehydrator!

Next, have a colander handy for washing the spinach, and finally, an air-tight container or bag for storing the dehydrated spinach such as an airtight container like a Mason jar or food vacuum-sealer bags that are made purposely for storing dehydrated foods.

Spinach on a dehydrator tray, and loose spinach

Step-by-Step: How to Dehydrate Spinach Perfectly Every Time

Prepping Spinach

Spinach Prep: Rinse it under the kitchen faucet in a colander in the sink using cold water to get rid of any grit, soil, or bugs.

If you’re wondering how to dry spinach after washing, use a salad spinner. If you don't have one of those handy salad spinners, pat the leaves dry - gently -  with a paper towel or two.

Optional: Pre-Treating Spinach to Retain Nutrients

Before dehydrating your spinach, you might want to consider blanching it. Blanching (read more here) can help retain the color and some of the spinach's nutrients, but this step is optional.

If you do decide to blanch the spinach, cool it down quickly in an ice water bath to stop the cooking process. Thoroughly dry it with paper towels before starting the dehydration process. Dehydrators like towel-dried leaves!

Next up: How to dehydrate spinach in a food dehydrator or an oven is coming up next.

How to Dehydrate Spinach in a Food Dehydrator

First up is using a dehydrator, which is the best way in my humble opinion.

Why? Because a dehydrator gives you better, precise temperature control (vs the oven-drying method).

  1. Rinse fresh spinach with cold water in a colander to remove dirt and any bugs.
  2. Arrange on your food dehydrator trays, making sure the spinach leaves don't overlap.
  3. Turn on your food dehydrator and set the temperature between 125°F and 135°F (or per your food dehydrator's instructions).
  4. Dehydrated spinach will be crisp and break easily in your fingers when fully dried. 
  • Drying time: between 2-4 hours. The difference in time is due to a few factors:  the size of the leaves, and the thicker stems from large spinach leaves.
  • Please remember to rotate your trays for even drying.

 Try not to rush the drying process.

💡 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.

How to Dehydrate Spinach in An Oven

Here's how to dehydrate spinach in the oven If you don’t own a dehydrator. You can use your regular stove oven. Spread the prepped spinach leaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure the leaves don’t overlap. Place the baking sheet in the oven.

Regular oven with its door open

The challenge with dehydrating spinach in an oven lies in temperature management. You need to set your oven to the lowest temperature setting possible, ideally not above 200°F.

💡 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.

It's quite hard to do as oven temperatures become inconsistent with the oven door ajar (as mentioned in the tips, below)... and too high of a temperature may cook the spinach instead of dehydrating it.

Drying spinach this way takes about 2 to 3 hours, but keep a watchful eye so it doesn't shrivel up to nothing!

Oven Drying Hacks: Keep Spinach Crisp, Not Soggy

A useful tip when dehydrating spinach in the oven is to keep the oven door slightly open, using the handle of a wooden spoon to create a gap. This allows cooler air to get in the oven and stops the oven from getting too hot, plus it allows the moisture to escape.

Also, remember that temperatures can vary within an oven, so rotating the baking sheets certainly helps to promote even drying.

Don’t Store Yet! Why Cooling Dried Spinach Is Critical

Whichever method you choose to dehydrate your raw spinach, allowing the dehydrated spinach to cool down to room temperature is important, as with any dehydrated fruit or vegetable.

Attempting to store spinach that is still warm leads to condensation in the storage container which can lead to mold growth.  And that's where oxygen absorbers and desiccant packets come into play

Plan to let the spinach cool for approximately 20 to 30 minutes after the dehydration process.

Why Dehydrating Spinach Is So Worth It

Loose spinach in a bag

Why bother dehydrating spinach when you can buy it fresh at the store? The answer is simple: shelf life. Dried spinach keeps for months, so you’ll always have greens ready for soups, smoothies, sauces, or casseroles — even when fresh isn’t available.

It’s also perfect for people outside prime growing regions. By dehydrating spinach when it’s in season and affordable, you can enjoy its nutrition year-round. Plus, it’s a smart way to use up that bag of fresh spinach before it wilts in the fridge.

Choosing the Best Spinach for Dehydrating Success

The quality of your dehydrated spinach starts from the moment you pick or buy your fresh spinach. Inspect spinach carefully. It should be vibrant and free of any yellow, wilting, or damaged leaves.

Fresh, organic spinach provides the best taste and nutrient profile.

Baby Spinach vs. Regular: Which Dries Better?

There are a few differences between dehydrating baby spinach and regular spinach:

  • Leaf size - Baby spinach leaves are much smaller and more tender than regular spinach leaves. This means they dry faster and more evenly.
  • Nutrient content - Baby spinach is typically harvested earlier than regular spinach so it may have slightly higher nutrient levels, especially Folate. However, both types are highly nutritious.
  • Preparation - You don't need to chop or tear baby spinach leaves before dehydrating but regular spinach leaves may need to be torn into smaller pieces to dry properly.
  • Drying time - The smaller baby spinach leaves will usually dry faster, in as little as 1-2 hours at around 125°F. Larger regular spinach leaves may take 3-4 hours.
  • Storage - Both types should keep for 6 months or more when properly stored in airtight containers out of direct light. But the smaller baby spinach leaves pack down into less space.
  • Rehydration - Baby spinach can rehydrate a bit faster than regular spinach leaves. But both rehydrate well when soaked or added to soups, stews, or other cooked dishes.

💡 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.

So in summary, while there are some differences, both types of spinach dehydrate well and can be used interchangeably in most recipes.

Best Ways to Store Spinach So It Lasts All Year

Once your spinach has cooled, one way to store it is in an air-tight container, such as a Mason jar. Use a Ziploc bag if you want to use the spinach the following day or so. Read more about storing food here.

If you want to store it for the long term, then use food vacuum sealer bags. Once vacuum-sealed, store your dehydrated spinach in a cool, dark, and dry place.

When using a food vacuum sealer, remember to add oxygen absorbers to your vacuum sealer bags. Add a 100cc oxygen absorber inside the vacuum-sealer bag before drawing the air out. Read more about oxygen absorber sizes here.

Safety First: How to Prevent Moldy Spinach

Note: Make sure your hands are clean and dry (or wear latex gloves) before handling your dehydrated spinach. Doing so helps prevent bacteria (from you!) from getting onto your dehydrated spinach flakes and having them go moldy later on.

Dehydrated spinach can last for up to one year if properly stored. It will keep its flavor and nutritional value.

It's important to check your stored spinach periodically for any signs of moisture or mold. If you find any, discard the entire batch as it's no longer safe to consume.

Easy Ways to Rehydrate Spinach for Soups, Smoothies & More

Blue icon of a dripping tap

When you’re ready to use your dehydrated spinach for soups or smoothies, add the dried spinach directly and it will rehydrate while the dish is cooking (or while the smoothie mix is blending).

If you want to use it in other recipes, soak it in cool water for about 15 to 20 minutes to rehydrate it.

Easy Ways to Rehydrate Spinach for Soups, Smoothies & More

Here are some tips for grinding dehydrated spinach leaves to make spinach powder:

  • Use a spice grinder, a mini food processor, or a coffee grinder. This way, you'll get a fine powder.
  • Grind in small batches to prevent clogging the grinder. Also doing smaller batches allows for even grinding.
  • Let the grinder run for 30-60 seconds per batch to get a fine powder.
  • If the leaves are not grinding well, try adding a teaspoon or two of dried herbs like oregano or thyme to help absorb moisture and grind the dried spinach more easily.
  • Sift the ground spinach through a fine mesh strainer to remove any large fibrous pieces.
  • Store the spinach powder in an airtight container such as a Mason jar, in a cool, dark place. It should retain its color and nutrients for several months.
  • Be sure to thoroughly clean the grinder after use to remove any oil residue from the spinach leaves.

Grinding dehydrated spinach means you can easily add this nutritional spinach powder to green smoothies, soups, sauces, and more.

Thanks for stopping by to learn how to dehydrate spinach! Check out our other veggies here.

Spinach Dehydrating FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered

What’s the fastest way to dehydrate spinach at home?

A dehydrator set to 125–135°F is fastest and most consistent. Spinach usually dries in 2–4 hours, depending on leaf size.

Can I dehydrate spinach without a dehydrator?

Yes. Use your oven’s lowest setting (under 200°F) with the door propped open. Spinach dries in 2–3 hours but requires closer attention than a dehydrator.

How long does dried spinach last?

When cooled completely and stored in airtight jars or vacuum-sealed bags with oxygen absorbers and desiccant packets, dehydrated spinach can last up to one year.

Can you dehydrate spinach in an air fryer?

Yes, if your air fryer has a low-temp or “dehydrate” setting (ideally 95°F–115°F). Dry small batches and stir occasionally to avoid uneven results.

Do I need to blanch spinach before dehydrating?

Blanching is optional. It helps preserve nutrients and color but isn’t required. Just make sure leaves are fully dry before dehydrating.

How do I use spinach powder?

Add it to smoothies, soups, sauces, eggs, or homemade pasta for a quick nutritional boost. One tablespoon of spinach powder equals about a handful of fresh spinach.

Dehydrating spinach is one of the easiest ways to stretch your groceries, boost your pantry staples, and always have a healthy green ready for soups, smoothies, and sauces.

If you’d like even more inspiration, don’t miss my free 5 Dried Food Recipes You'll Actually Love PDF — featuring carrot soup, minestrone, split pea soup, spicy beef jerky, and even banana cinnamon rolls. Grab your copy below and start cooking with your dried foods today!

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