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How to Use Mylar Bags for Dehydrated Food Storage

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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.

Mylar bags can give properly dried foods added protection from light, oxygen, and moisture. When correctly filled, heat-sealed, and stored, they provide a strong outer barrier for dehydrated foods and dry pantry staples.

✅ Quick Answer: What are Mylar bags used for in dehydrated food storage?
Mylar bags are high-barrier pouches that help protect properly dried food from oxygen, moisture, and light when they are correctly heat-sealed. They can help preserve food quality, but they do not make every dehydrated food safe for decades. Shelf life depends on the food, how thoroughly it was dried, the packaging method, storage temperature, and whether an oxygen absorber is appropriate for that particular food.

Whether you’re storing thoroughly dried vegetables, suitable dry pantry staples, or emergency supplies, Mylar bags provide an additional barrier against light, oxygen, and moisture beyond regular vacuum-sealer bags alone.

Good-quality Mylar bags are strong and resistant to tearing, although sharp pieces of dried food can still puncture them. The bags can be heat-sealed, with an oxygen absorber added only when it is appropriate for the food being stored.

Putting vacuum-sealed packages inside Mylar bagPutting vacuum-sealed packages inside Mylar bag

In the image above, you see me inserting cling-wrapped vacuum-sealed dried foods into the Mylar bag.

I can get three to four packages in the Mylar bag. I use pint- and quart-sized food vacuum sealer bags and I also make custom-sized bags from rolls.

Three Mylar bags, 10" x 14" in size

After filling and heat-sealing your Mylar bags, place them inside sturdy, lidded plastic bins or food-grade buckets. This protects the bags from punctures, rodents, and other physical damage during storage.

How Mylar Bags Protect Food From Oxygen, Moisture, and Light

Mylar-type food-storage bags are made from layers of flexible materials that create a strong barrier against oxygen, moisture, and light. When properly heat-sealed, they also help protect food from insects, although the bags should still be placed inside a sturdy bin or bucket for protection against rodents and punctures.

Mylar bags are durable, but they are not puncture-proof. In my storage system, they provide an additional protective layer around the individual vacuum-sealed food packets inside.

Where to Buy Mylar Bags for Food Storage

Dry-Packs ShieldPro Mylar Bags

Dry-Packs 1-Gallon ShieldPro Mylar Bags

  • 10" x 14" Dry-Packs ShieldPro Mylar Bags
  • Includes 60x 300cc Oxygen Absorbers (in packs of 20)
SHIELDPRO 1 Gallon Mylar Bags

1-Gallon Mylar Bags

  • 10" x 14" Genuine Mylar Bags for Long-Term Food Storage
  • Pack of 50
  • No oxygen absorbers included

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases—this does not affect the price you pay. Read full disclosure.

A Quick Look at the Surprising History of Mylar Bags

Mylar is a registered brand name for a type of polyester film introduced in the 1950s. Today, the word “Mylar” is commonly used to describe shiny, multilayer barrier bags made for food storage, although not every bag sold as a Mylar bag contains the branded film.

Food-storage Mylar bags are valued for their combination of strength, flexibility, and their ability to limit the passage of oxygen, moisture, and light.

Mylar bags are generally stronger and more protective than ordinary food-storage bags, but they can still be punctured. This matters because brittle dried foods may have sharp points or edges, so I protect my individual vacuum-sealed packages before placing them inside the larger Mylar bag.

Why Use Mylar Bags for Dehydrated Food Storage?

Properly heat-sealed Mylar bags create a strong barrier against oxygen, moisture, and light. This helps protect fully dried food from quality loss and reduces the chance of insects or airborne moisture reaching it during storage. The food must still be dried and cooled correctly before it is packaged.

I put my filled and heat-sealed Mylar bags inside lidded bins or food-grade buckets to protect them from punctures and rodents. If you need more room—and who doesn’t?—see how I made extra storage space with my dehydrated food storage wall.

IMPORTANT: Mylar bags offer an extra layer of protection
against the three enemies:

👉 MOISTURE

👉 OXYGEN

👉 LIGHT

For suitable, thoroughly dried foods, properly heat-sealed Mylar bags
can provide a useful additional layer of storage protection.

IMPORTANT: Mylar bags offer an extra layer of protection against the three enemies:

👉 MOISTURE

👉 OXYGEN

👉 LIGHT

For suitable, thoroughly dried foods, properly heat-sealed Mylar bags can provide a useful additional layer of storage protection.

Can You Vacuum-Seal a Mylar Bag?

Most Mylar bags are smooth inside, unlike the textured bags made for standard external-suction vacuum sealers. Because there is no textured channel through which the machine can draw air, many ordinary vacuum sealers cannot vacuum a Mylar bag directly. Some specialized machines and methods can do it, so it isn’t impossible.

In my system, there is no need to vacuum the larger Mylar bag because the food is already packaged inside individual vacuum-sealed bags. I use the Mylar bag as an additional protective barrier and heat-seal it closed.

Here's the reason for the "textured side" in vacuum-sealer bags:

Food vacuum-sealer bags need to have one inner side textured. You need to have a way for the air to be drawn out when vacuum-sealing your packages that are filled with dehydrated food!

Desiccant Packets vs. Oxygen Absorbers: Which Do You Need?

Desiccant packets and oxygen absorbers are not interchangeable:

  • Desiccant packets control moisture. They are especially useful when a properly dried food needs help staying crisp or resisting clumping in humid conditions.
  • Oxygen absorbers reduce oxygen. They are used with suitable foods and oxygen-barrier packaging to slow oxidation and other oxygen-related deterioration.

Do not assume that every dehydrated food needs both products. Whether either—or both—is appropriate depends on the food, its moisture level, the packaging, and the products being used.

Follow the instructions supplied by the oxygen-absorber and desiccant manufacturers. Avoid relying on packet placement alone as proof that two products will work correctly together.


Smart Labeling Tricks to Avoid Confusion Later

Black Felt Tipped Marker

When you've filled your 10-inch x 14-inch Mylar bags, use a black felt-tipped pen to describe the contents of the bags.

Write the date on it too!

Keep reading to see the reasonable number of vacuum-sealed packages that can fit inside one of the bags.

Remember to write on the center of the bag, or at the bottom(!) so that the date and its contents won't get cut off at the top when opening, and resealing. Trust me, rewriting bag labels gets old fast—ask me how I know! 😂

Step-by-Step: Packing & Sealing Mylar Bags Without Mistakes

I can get at least three plastic-wrapped vacuum-packed packages into one bag, sometimes four. Do not over-stuff, though. 

Overpacking risks punctures—and losing your food stash when you need it most. That's the reason why I plastic-wrap the packages after vacuum sealing.

For my 10-inch by 14-inch outer Mylar bag, I may add a 300cc oxygen absorber and a 20g desiccant packet before heat-sealing it. These packets affect only the environment inside the outer Mylar bag; they cannot remove oxygen or moisture trapped inside an already sealed inner package. Whether either packet is appropriate depends on the food, its dryness, the packaging method, and the packet manufacturer’s instructions.

NOTE: In my layered storage system, I do not vacuum the air from the larger Mylar bag. The food has already been packaged in individual vacuum-sealer bags, so I use only the heat-sealing function to close the outer Mylar bag.

I use the vacuum-and-seal function on the textured food vacuum-sealer bags or bags made from vacuum-sealer rolls. I then place those sealed individual packages inside the larger Mylar bag and heat-seal the Mylar bag closed.

It sounds like a small distinction, but it helps explain the two separate layers in my storage system.

What My Filled and Heat-Sealed Mylar Bags Look Like

Mylar bags packed and sealed

These are my filled and heat-sealed Mylar bags. Some Mylar bags are sold with oxygen absorbers, while others require you to purchase them separately. Always check the absorber manufacturer’s sizing and food-suitability instructions rather than assuming that an included packet is appropriate for every food.

My Layered Storage System

This chart summarizes the layered method I use for suitable, thoroughly dried foods. Packaging helps preserve food quality, but it cannot compensate for food that was inadequately prepared, dried, or cooled.

My Layered Mylar Storage Method: Quick Reference
Layer Container What Goes Inside Seal Method Purpose
Primary Textured vacuum-sealer bag Thoroughly dried and completely cooled food Vacuum and
heat-seal		 Creates an individual food package; wrap sharp packages in cling film for added puncture protection
Secondary Mylar bag 3–4 sealed primary packages Heat-seal only Adds an oxygen, moisture, and light barrier; label with the contents and date
Protective Storage Lidded plastic bin or food-grade bucket Finished Mylar packages Secure the lid Helps protect against punctures, rodents, and physical damage

Oxygen absorbers and desiccant packets are not automatically required at every layer. Use them only when appropriate for the particular food and packaging method, following the packet manufacturer’s sizing and safety instructions.

Mylar Bag Thickness Guide (Quick Reference)

Thickness Best Use Notes
3.5 mil Light-duty storage or an additional inner layer Flexible and easy to handle, but more vulnerable to punctures from sharp foods
5 mil General food storage A useful balance of flexibility and puncture resistance; confirm that the bag is food-grade and designed as an oxygen and moisture barrier
7 mil+ Sharp foods or packages that will be handled frequently Offers greater puncture resistance, although thickness alone does not determine food shelf life
Stand-up 4–5 mil Snacks or small batches opened regularly The zipper is convenient after opening; heat-seal above the zipper for unopened storage

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Mylar Bags

⚠️ Even experienced food preservers can make mistakes when packaging food in Mylar bags. Here are five important ones to avoid:

  1. Packaging food before it is fully dry and cool. Warm food can produce condensation after sealing, while residual moisture can encourage mold or other microbial growth. Allow food to cool completely and confirm that it has reached the appropriate final dryness for that particular food before packaging it.
  2. Choosing an oxygen absorber by bag size alone. The amount of oxygen remaining depends on the bag’s capacity, how much food it contains, and the amount of empty space. Follow the absorber manufacturer’s sizing instructions rather than relying on one universal packet size.
  3. Using an oxygen absorber with food that contains too much moisture. Removing oxygen from inadequately dried food can create unsafe storage conditions. Oxygen absorbers should be used only with foods sufficiently dry for reduced-oxygen storage.
  4. Reusing a damaged or contaminated Mylar bag. A bag may be trimmed and heat-sealed again if it remains clean, odor-free, and undamaged. Inspect it carefully for pinholes, worn folds, contamination, and damage around the new sealing area before reusing it.
  5. Forgetting to label and date the bag. Write the contents and sealing date in the center or lower portion of the bag, leaving enough unused material at the top for cutting and resealing later.

👉 Pro Tip: Place sealed Mylar bags inside lidded plastic bins or food-grade buckets to help protect them from punctures, rodents, and other physical damage.

Your Top Questions About Mylar Bags Answered

Can I reuse Mylar bags for food storage?

Yes, provided the bag remains clean, completely dry, odor-free, and undamaged. Trim away the previous heat seal and inspect the entire bag for pinholes, worn folds, contamination, and damage around the area that will be resealed. Do not reuse a bag that previously held a food that could cause cross-contamination or an allergic reaction.

What thickness of Mylar bag is best for food storage?

A 5–7 mil bag generally offers useful puncture resistance for food storage, while thinner bags are more vulnerable to damage from sharp foods. Thickness is only one consideration, however. Look for food-grade bags designed to provide an oxygen, moisture, and light barrier.

How do I know what size oxygen absorber to use?

Follow the absorber manufacturer’s sizing chart. The correct capacity depends on the size of the bag, the amount and density of the food, and how much empty space remains after filling. Do not rely on one packet size for every bag or food.

What are the best Mylar bags for dehydrated food?

Choose food-grade, multilayer Mylar-type bags intended for food storage and heat-sealing. The bags should provide a strong oxygen, moisture, and light barrier and be thick enough to resist punctures from the food being stored. Flat bags work well for sealed storage, while stand-up zippered bags are convenient for foods that will be opened and used regularly.

Can you store dehydrated fruit in Mylar bags?

Yes, Mylar bags can protect properly dried and conditioned fruit from moisture and light. However, many home-dried fruits remain pliable and retain more moisture than foods intended for oxygen-free storage. Do not automatically add an oxygen absorber, and never use a desiccant as a substitute for thoroughly drying and conditioning the fruit.

How long does food last in Mylar bags?

There is no single shelf life for food stored in Mylar bags. The result depends on the food, its moisture and fat content, how it was prepared and dried, the quality of the seal, and the storage temperature. General recommendations for home-dried foods commonly range from several months to about one year. Some commercially dried staples may last much longer under appropriate conditions, but those estimates should not be applied to all homemade dehydrated foods.

Can Mylar bags store non-food items?

Yes. Mylar bags can also help protect documents, matches, seeds, small electronics, and emergency supplies from moisture and light. Keep medications in their original labeled packaging and follow the manufacturer’s storage instructions rather than repackaging them directly into a Mylar bag.

Thanks for stopping by to learn more about using Mylar bags for dehydrated food storage. Choosing an appropriate food-grade bag, drying and cooling the food thoroughly, and using the correct sealing method will help protect your stored food from oxygen, moisture, light, and physical damage.

Before you go, grab the free 5 Dried Food Recipes That Actually Taste Great PDF below—featuring carrot soup, minestrone, split pea soup, spicy beef jerky, and even 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!

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