Want sweet strawberries out of season? Simple! Just make some delish dried strawberries with your oven!
Summer is peak strawberry picking season, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait till June to grab a batch of these delicious berries. Okay, I’ll admit there’s only so much time to savor juicy, fresh strawberries, but there are ways to preserve this summer snack even as cooler temps arrive.
Of course, you could put these strawberries in a Ziploc bag and pop them in the freezer for future strawberry smoothies, but instead of putting your strawberries in the freezer, why not turn on your oven?
No, we’re not baking a strawberry pie (although that’s a yummy idea!). Instead, we’re going to dry out these strawberries to make shelf-stable nibbles that will last for months. So, if you want to capture the magic of strawberry season in a crisp and nutritious snack, break out some parchment paper for these oven-dried strawberries.
Are Oven-Dried Strawberries Healthy?
Yes. There’s only one ingredient, and it’s a fruit! Don’t worry, drying doesn’t mean ruining the health benefits of strawberries. You’ll still get all of that amazing vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and folate found in fresh strawberries with this oven-dried version. Drying strawberries concentrates the natural sugars, making them taste almost like candy, but candy that’s good for you! In fact, some people call oven-dried strawberries keto candy because there’s no added sugar, making them perfect for the keto diet.
The simplest way to give your oven-dried strawberries a health boost is to pair them with something super nutritious. I know, it’s super tempting to top sugar-drenched desserts with these strawberries, but that’s not the best call if you’re looking for the best nutritional profile. Thankfully, there are tons of ways to add oven-dried strawberries to healthy recipes. See the serving suggestions section below!
How Do You Know Oven-Dried Strawberries Are Done?
This recipe calls for baking the strawberries at 200° F for three hours. However, everyone’s oven works a little differently, and you might find your strawberries need extra time. The best way to test whether your oven-dried strawberries are done is to pick up a few and give them a “bend test.” As you might’ve guessed, all you have to do is bend these berries with your fingertips and see if they snap. Once your berries break, they’re done. However, if your strawberries still feel a bit rubbery, put them back in the oven for about 10 to 15 minutes and try again.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store oven-dried strawberries in an airtight container and leave them in a reliably cool and dry area. You should also grab one of those nifty moisture absorber packets and place it inside your container. In these ideal conditions, your oven-dried strawberries will likely last at least 6 months at room temperature. Do not refrigerate or freeze them, as this will ruin the texture.
Serving Suggestions
Oven-dried strawberries are an awesome snack in their own right, but these dried delights really shine as an enhancement for other sweet recipes. If there are already berries in a recipe like Strawberry Pancakes or Strawberry Crêpes, then sprinkling some dried strawberries on top is a no-brainer. Looking for healthier recipes to use these berries for? Try Frozen Yogurt, granola, and Healthy Chewy Granola Bars With Chocolate Chips.
You can also use oven-dried strawberries to accent savory meals. For example, keep these slices of strawberry close by when making a Spiralized Cucumber Salad Recipe With Chia Seed Strawberry Vinaigrette or a Strawberry-Chicken Salad. With a jar of dried strawberries on hand, you have the perfect summertime garnish all year round!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh strawberries
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Hull the strawberries and cut them into uniform thin slices to ensure even drying.
- Arrange the strawberry slices on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them to allow air circulation.
- Bake for 2 hours, then flip the strawberries over for even drying.
- Continue baking for another hour or until the strawberries are fully dehydrated and crisp.
- Let the strawberries cool completely and store in an airtight container.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
Leave a Comment