Oven Dried Fruit Recipes

EASY OVEN-DRIED FRUIT RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Set the oven racks at the top and bottom thirds of the oven. Preheat the oven to 170°F (75°C), or its lowest temperature. Line up to 4 baking sheets with nonstick reusable mats.
• Cut the top off of the pineapple, and slice a thin layer off the bottom so it stands upright. Core the pineapple and discard the skin and core. Cut into 2-3-inch (5-7.5 cm) pieces. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Peel the skin off the kiwis, then slice into ¼-⅓-inch (½-1 cm) wide rounds. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Peel the skin off the mangoes. Cut around the pit, then slice into ¼- to ⅓-inch (½-1 cm) wide strips. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Squeeze the lemon over the mango so it does not oxidize in the oven.
• Remove the tops from strawberries, and cut into ¼-⅓-inch (½-1 cm) wide slices. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Bake the fruit, in batches if necessary, for 6-8 hours, until dried, leathery, and all moisture has evaporated. The kiwis and strawberries should take less time, while the pineapple will take the longest. Crack the oven door every hour or so, especially in the beginning, to allow moisture to escape.
• Let the fruit cool, then store in an airtight container for up to 1 week, ideally with a silica gel packet to maintain dryness.
• Enjoy!

OVEN-DRIED FRUIT

Steps:

• Heat oven to 225 degrees. Line a baking pan with parchment paper (or a Silpat baking mat, if you're drying figs). Arrange fruit, cut sides up, spaced 1/2 to 1 inch apart, on pan. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon sugar over fruit; depending on fruit's tartness, add more sugar.
• Transfer pan to oven; dry until fruit has shriveled, edges have dried, and centers are still juicy; timing will vary according to variety of fruit, ripeness, and size, 1 1/2 to 4 hours. If juices start to run, baste with juices every hour. Transfer pan to a cooling rack; remove from pan while still warm.

APRICOT LEATHER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 150 degrees F (165 degrees C), or the lowest setting you have.
• Combine the lemon juice, apricots and sugar in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until sugar has dissolved. Transfer to a blender and puree until smooth.
• Cover an 11x17 inch pan or cookie sheet with a layer of plastic wrap. Pour the pureed fruit onto the plastic and spread evenly to within 1 inch of the edge.
• Bake for 4 to 6 hours in the preheated oven, using a spoon or a pair of tongs to keep the door slightly ajar, or until the puree has dried and is no longer sticky. Once dry, you can cut it into strips and store in an airtight container.

FRUIT LEATHER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 150 degrees F (65 degrees C). Cover a baking sheet with a layer of plastic wrap or parchment paper.
• In the container of a blender, combine the sugar, lemon juice, apple and pear. Cover and puree until smooth. Spread evenly on the prepared pan. Place the pan on the top rack of the oven.
• Bake for 5 to 6 hours, leaving the door to the oven partway open. Fruit is dry when the surface is no longer tacky and you can tear it like leather. Roll up on the plastic wrap and store in an airtight jar.

OVEN DRIED STRAWBERRIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees F / 90 degrees C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or a silicone baking mat)
• Slice strawberries into uniform slices, approximately 1/8 inch thick. Note: if you slice the strawberries thicker, it will take longer for them to dry
• Arrange strawberries on parchment paper, leaving space between each slice
• Bake at 200 degrees F / 90 degrees C for approximately 2 hours, until the tops of the strawberries are dry
• Peel the strawberry slices from the parchment paper and flip over. Continue to bake for another 30 minutes to an hour until fully dehydrated
• Remove the dried strawberries from the oven and allow to cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. The dried strawberries can be stored for several months at room temperature without spoiling