How to Dehydrate Strawberries:
Easy and Delicious Every Time

Want to know how to dehydrate strawberries at home? You’re in the right spot.

✅ Quick Answer: How do you dehydrate strawberries at home?
To dehydrate strawberries, slice them about ¼ inch thick and place them in a single layer on dehydrator trays. Dry at 125°F–135°F for 6–15 hours until leathery, rotating trays for even drying. Let them cool before storing in airtight containers.

Whether using fresh or frozen berries, a dehydrator or air fryer, this guide walks you through everything—from slicing to drying temps to long-term storage. It’s a simple way to enjoy sweet strawberries year-round!

Dehydrated Strawberries on an Excalibur dehydrator sheet

Strawberries go on BOGO often—stock up then to get even more value from every dehydrated batch!

Many people wonder why you would dehydrate frozen food. Two words: "Power outages." When the freezer goes off, the frozen foods inside it thaw. We've been through that scenario so many times down here in Florida with rampant hurricanes.

Having dehydrated foods stashed away BEFORE the power goes out means you won't end up with wasted food.

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

Let’s get busy dehydrating strawberries—whether they’re fresh or frozen!

🥶 If using frozen strawberries:

Let them partially thaw so they’re easier to slice. Let excess juice drain through a sieve over a bowl or the sink. Then follow the same steps below as you would with fresh.

🍓 For fresh strawberries:

  1. Wash strawberries, pat them dry, and remove the green tops.
  2. Slice into ¼" thick pieces or cut in half if they're small.
  3. If using halves, place them cut-side up on the dehydrator tray to avoid drips onto lower trays.
  4. Arrange all slices in a single layer on the trays without overlapping.
  5. Set your dehydrator temperature between 125°F and 135°F (or follow your machine’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.

🍓 How long does it take to dehydrate strawberries?

  • Drying time: between 6-15 hours.
  • Dehydrated strawberries will be crisp and leathery when dried.
  • Remember to rotate your food dehydrator trays, for even drying.

Strawberries Nutrition Info.

VITAMINS: Vitamin A and Vitamin C, followed by Choline and vitamin K. There are trace amounts of Vitamin E, Betaine, Pantothenic Acid, Niacin, and Vitamin B6.

MINERALS: Potassium, followed by Phosphorus, Calcium, Magnesium, and Fluoride. Strawberries have trace amounts of Selenium, Manganese, Iron, and Copper.

They also contain Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.

No Dehydrator? Use Your Air Fryer to Dry Strawberries

Samantha from RecipeThis dried strawberries in Ninja FoodiThis is NOT a video.
Click it to read all about it and stay on Easy Food Dehydrating

Check out my full post on Dehydrated Strawberries in Air Fryer —including a clever tip to boost drying volume with a stackable wire rack made for air fryers!

Make Strawberry Preserves with Your Dried Berries

Strawberry Preserves on a biscuitStrawberry Preserves Photo and Recipe from Allrecipes

Create a Dreamy Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry ShortcakeStrawberry Shortcake Photo and Recipe from Allrecipes

For the Strawberry Preserves, and Strawberry Shortcake recipes, simply click their links or click on their photos above! Both recipes are courtesy of Allrecipes.com

How to Grow Sweet, Juicy Strawberries at Home

Strawberries can be grown from seeds, runners, or plants. Runnerless varieties are typically the easiest to grow.

To plant strawberries, dig a hole that is large enough to accommodate the roots comfortably. Gently place the plant in the hole and back-fill it with soil. Water the area well and continue to water regularly. Strawberries typically bear fruit in the spring or summer.

Here's Gardening Mentor's post that goes into great detail on how to grow strawberries, from preparing the bed to plucking them.

Kevin reminds us, "Bear in mind that strawberries don't produce fruit until their second year."

What's the Best Area to Grow Strawberries?

There is no one single answer to this question as it depends on a number of factors, such as climate and soil type.

General tips for growing strawberries include planting in an area that receives full sun and has well-drained soil. It's also important to space the plants properly so that they have room to grow.

You Pick 'em Strawberry Farms!

Strawberry field collage

Getting great fresh strawberries from "You Pick 'Em" farms is probably the best way to go of obtaining sweet big strawberries... so long as you don't 'put your back out' bending down! 

It's a great activity for the kids (read: have the kids do the bending down!)

Strawberries are easy to grow in pots, or in beds, no matter the size of your backyard, or lack thereof.

NOTE: Check out how easy it is to dehydrate all kinds of fruits.

See my main Fruit page here.

After Dehydrating Strawberries, Add Water to Rehydrate them for Adding to Smoothies!

After dehydrating strawberries, you can easily rehydrate them by soaking briefly in water — or toss them straight into your morning smoothies! It's a sweet way to boost your fruit intake and skip the need for sugary snacks or vitamin pills.

After you've dehydrated your strawberries, you'll want to pack them away safely. Learn how to do just that by reading my Storing Dehydrated Food page. There are six steps from buying to storing! Speaking of the six steps, don't forget to sign up for our free Six Simple Steps eBook to learn more.

Strawberry FAQs: Drying, Storing, and More

What’s the best way to dehydrate strawberries at home?

Slice strawberries evenly about 1/4-inch thick, lay them on dehydrator trays without overlap, and dry at 125°F–135°F for 6–15 hours until leathery.

Rotate trays for even drying!

Can you dehydrate frozen strawberries?

Absolutely! Let frozen strawberries partially thaw, drain excess juice, slice if needed, and dehydrate as usual. It’s a great option when fresh strawberries are out of season.

How to dehydrate strawberries in an air fryer?

Here is a simple method for dehydrating strawberries in an air fryer:

Ingredients:

  • 1 pint fresh strawberries, washed, dried, hulled and sliced

Instructions:

  • Slice your strawberries about 1/4 inch thick. Keep them whole or halved if smaller.
  • Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper then arrange the strawberry slices in a single layer without overlapping.
  • Set your air fryer to the lowest temperature setting. Ideally around 95°F-115°F if there is a dehydrate function. If not, use the minimum warmup setting.
  • Dehydrate the strawberries for 6-8 hours, shaking the basket gently every 60-90 minutes to rotate.
  • Strawberries are fully dehydrated when smaller in size, no moisture remains, and they are dried through completely yet still pliable.
  • Allow them fully cool down before storing dried strawberries in an airtight container like a Mason jar - or vacuum-sealer bag - for up to 1 year.

Use our Fahrenheit to Celsius converter here on our site!

Enjoy as sweet, healthy snacks! Soak in water first or incorporate directly into recipes like cereals, trail mixes, and baked goods.

Adjust air fryer temp/time based on model and load size. Monitor closely to prevent burning in the compact space.

What are the different types of strawberries?

There are many different types of strawberries, including June-bearing, ever-bearing, and day-neutral varieties.

June-bearing strawberries produce a large crop all at once while ever-bearing and day-neutral varieties produce smaller crops throughout the season.

When are strawberries in season?

The strawberry season varies depending on the type of strawberry. June-bearing strawberries are typically in season from late May to early July, while ever-bearing and day-neutral varieties can produce fruit from spring to fall.

How do you rehydrate dried strawberries?

Soak dried strawberries in warm water for 10–20 minutes until plump. You can also add them directly to smoothies, oatmeal, or baked goods — they’ll soak up moisture naturally!

How long do dehydrated strawberries last?

Strawberries can last up to 12 months when stored properly in an airtight container like a Mason jar or a vacuum-sealer bag. Choose a cool, dark place such as a pantry. For best taste and texture, use within 6–9 months.

How did strawberries get their name?

The name "strawberry" is thought to come from the straw-like material that was used to mulch the plants. This practice was common in Europe during the 18th century.

REMINDER: See many more fruits here.

Thanks for stopping by to learn how to dehydrate strawberries! Whether you're preserving a bumper crop or stocking your pantry with long-lasting snacks, mastering how to dehydrate berries—like strawberries, blueberries, and cranberries—is a sweet and practical skill.

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