Oven-Dried Strawberries are a fantastic, healthy, and naturally sweet snack that’s easy to make at home. They retain a chewy texture while maintaining their natural flavor. Here’s a simple recipe to make them!
🍓 Oven-Dried Strawberries: A Sweet and Chewy Snack
Ingredients:
- 1 lb fresh strawberries (about 2 cups)
- 1-2 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional, for added sweetness)
- 1 tsp lemon juice (optional, to enhance flavor)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven: Set the temperature to 200°F (90°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the strawberries:
- Wash the strawberries thoroughly and remove the stems. You can leave them whole or slice them into even 1/8-inch thick slices.
- If you’re slicing them, be sure the slices are consistent in thickness for even drying.
- Sweeten (optional): If you’d like sweeter dried strawberries, you can drizzle them with honey or maple syrup and toss them gently to coat. You can also squeeze a little lemon juice over them for added brightness, but this is optional.
- Arrange on baking sheet: Lay the strawberry slices (or whole berries) out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Ensure they aren’t touching or overlapping too much to allow airflow for even drying.
- Dry the strawberries: Place the baking sheet in the oven and let the strawberries dry slowly for 3 to 5 hours. This will depend on how thick your slices are, so check them periodically. The strawberries are done when they are dry to the touch but still slightly pliable (they should not be crispy).
- Cool and store: Once they are dried to your desired texture, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet. Store them in an airtight container for up to 1-2 weeks.
Tips:
- Slow drying is key to keeping the strawberries chewy and not too brittle. Be patient!
- Avoid over-drying: Strawberries can become too tough if left in the oven for too long. Check them at the 3-hour mark and taste test to see if they’re as chewy as you’d like.
- Custom flavors: You can add a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dash of vanilla extract to add some extra flavor before drying.
These oven-dried strawberries are perfect as a snack, a topping for yogurt or oatmeal, or even as a mix-in for baked goods like muffins or granola. Would you like to explore other dried fruit options too?