How to properly dry and wilt strawberries at home

Drying strawberries in an electric dryer is quite easy. You can also prepare berries in the oven and in the fresh air. In all cases, you must follow the rules and temperature conditions.

Is it possible to dry strawberries for the winter?

Ripe strawberries remain fresh for only a few days. But the berries can be prepared for the winter, for example, by drying them in one of many ways. At the same time, the maximum amount of vitamins will remain in them.

Is it possible to dry strawberries in an electric dryer?

One of the most convenient ways to dry strawberries at home is to use a special device. It is designed specifically for the gentle evaporation of moisture from vegetables and fruits.

Is it possible to dry strawberries in the oven?

Drying fruits in a gas or electric oven is less convenient. But if an electric dryer is not at hand, then you can use the capabilities of the stove. In this case, you cannot heat the oven above 55 °C. It is not recommended to close the door tightly; air must flow inside the chamber.

Beneficial properties of dried strawberries

If you dry strawberries in an oven or electric dryer correctly, they will practically not lose their valuable properties. When used in moderation, the product:

• helps fight inflammation and has an antiviral effect;
• helps get rid of swelling;
• improves blood composition and increases hemoglobin levels;
• beneficial for cystitis;
• relieves rheumatism and gout;
• stimulates the thyroid gland;
• supports the functions of the lungs and bronchi;
• tones the nervous system and improves mood;
• equalizes blood pressure.

Drying the product is useful for consumption in order to prevent atherosclerosis and heart disease.

After the moisture evaporates, the fruits contain more pectins and organic acids, vitamin B9

At what temperature should you dry strawberries?

Fresh berries can only be dried at moderate temperatures. They should not be subjected to intense thermal effects, as the latter destroys vitamins.

At what temperature should you dry strawberries in an electric dryer?

It is recommended to dry berries in an electric dryer at a temperature of 50-55 °C. In this case, the moisture from the fruit will evaporate quickly, but the valuable substances will not be destroyed. You can start heating at higher temperatures, but they do not last long.

At what temperature should you dry strawberries in the oven?

For the oven, you need to set the temperature to 50-60 °C. If the heating is more intense, the raw material will simply fry.

How long does it take to dry the berries?

The processing time for strawberries depends on the chosen method. The longest process is the natural evaporation of moisture in the air; it can take several days. In an electric dryer, fruits completely lose moisture in about 6-10 hours.

How long to dry strawberries in the oven

Although using an oven is associated with some inconveniences, you can dry strawberries in it quite quickly. On average, this takes 3-5 hours.

Selection and preparation of berries for drying

You can successfully dry raw materials if you carefully approach the process of selecting fruits. They should be:

• medium in size - large strawberries are too juicy and more difficult to dry;
• ripe, but not overripe;
• firm and neat - without soft barrels and rotten places.

You need to send raw materials to the electric dryer immediately after collection or purchase. You can wait a maximum of 5-6 hours.

Immediately before drying the fruits, they need to be prepared for processing. The process looks like this:

• strawberries are sorted and cleared of debris, and low-quality fruits are set aside;
• Sepals are removed from medium berries, small ones are left unchanged;
• Gently rinse in cool running water and dry on a paper towel.

Prepared berries are cut into thin slices or plates. If the fruits are small, you can dry them whole.

How to properly dry strawberries in an electric dryer at home

You need to dry strawberries in a Veterok electric dryer or any other according to the following algorithm:

• The trays of the unit are covered with baking parchment and the chopped fruits are laid out - tightly, but not overlapping;
• turn on the device and set the temperature to 50-55 °C.

It takes 6-12 hours to dry strawberries using an electric dryer.

The more berries in the electric dryer tray, the more time it will take to process

Strawberry chips in the dryer

A video about drying strawberries in an electric dryer suggests preparing original berry chips - thin and crispy, with a bright summer taste and aroma. The algorithm looks like this:

• the raw materials are washed and dried from moisture on a towel;
• remove the sepals and cut the fruits into two or three parts, depending on the size;
• lay out the slices on pallets, having previously covered them with parchment;
• close the electric dryer with a lid and set the temperature to 70 °C;
• In this mode, the berries are processed for 2-3 hours.

After the expiration date, the temperature must be reduced to 40 ° C and the raw materials should be left in the electric dryer for another ten hours. The finished chips are removed from the tray after cooling.

Strawberry chips are not usually candied; they are usually consumed unchanged.

How to properly dry strawberries in an electric or gas oven

Processing the fruit in the oven is another simple way to dry strawberries for the winter.The diagram looks like this:

• the oven is preheated to 45-50 °C;
• the berries are washed and dried to remove any remaining water, and then cut into slices;
• cover the baking sheet with parchment and lay out the fruits in one layer;
• put away in the cell, leaving the door ajar.

When the berries wrinkle a little and lose their elasticity, the temperature in the oven can be raised to 60-70 °C. In this mode, the fruits are dried until fully cooked.

Every half hour the pieces on the baking sheet in the oven need to be turned over

How to dry strawberries in a convection oven

You can dry strawberries for tea or desserts in a convection oven in almost the same way as in a regular oven. Treatment is carried out on average at 50-60 °C.

The main difference is that a convection oven maintains airflow and ensures that food dries evenly. Therefore, you can keep the door closed and only look into the chamber from time to time to check the condition of the raw materials.

How to properly dry strawberries in a dehydrator

A dehydrator is a type of electric dryer and provides high-quality evaporation of moisture from juicy vegetables and fruits. Use it like this:

• fresh raw materials are traditionally washed, dried and cut into 2-3 slices lengthwise or crosswise into circles, focusing on the size of the berries;
• Place the pieces in one layer in the dehydrator tray - the slices should not overlap each other;
• The device is plugged in at a temperature of 85 °C for half an hour;
• after time, reduce the heating intensity to 75 °C;
• After another half hour, set the temperature to 45 ° C and leave for six hours.

After cooking, the strawberries are allowed to cool in trays and then transferred to a glass jar for storage.

When using a dehydrator, the trays can be swapped from time to time

How to dry strawberries in the microwave

Not only an oven and an electric dryer, but also a microwave oven can dry meadow or garden strawberries. The main advantage of the method is the high processing speed. A fairly large bookmark can be dried in just 1.5-3 hours.

The diagram looks like this:

• prepared and chopped berries are placed on a dish covered with baking paper;
• The plate is also covered with a sheet of parchment on top;
• set the microwave to “Defrost” mode and put the unit into operation for three minutes;
• switch to minimum power and continue to dry the raw materials for another three minutes;

After removing from the microwave, the pieces are left in the air for several hours.

Strawberries are placed in the microwave in a simple plate without patterns or metal elements

How to dry strawberries in an air fryer

An air fryer can replace an electric dryer or oven. Strawberries are processed in it like this:

• prepared chopped berries are laid out on a mesh tray or steamer;
• set the temperature to 60 °C and high blowing speed;
• turn on the device and dry the fruits for 30-60 minutes, leaving a gap between the flask and the lid;
• Check the berries for readiness and, if necessary, place them in the air fryer for another 15 minutes.

Like a microwave, an air fryer allows you to dry fruits as quickly as possible.

The advantage of the air fryer is the transparent bowl - it’s easy to monitor the drying process

How to dry strawberries in the sun and air

In the absence of an electric dryer and other kitchen appliances, you can dry field strawberries at home, just like garden strawberries, in a natural way. The berry processing process looks like this:

• cover a large baking sheet with paper - preferably parchment or whatman paper;
• spread the strawberry slices evenly in one layer;
• place the baking tray outside under a canopy or in a warm and dry room with good ventilation;
• Every seven hours, turn the slices over and change the damp paper if necessary.

The drying process takes on average 4-6 days. It is recommended to cover the pieces of berries with gauze on top to protect them from midges.

You can lay out strawberry pieces not only on paper, but also on a thin mesh

How to dry strawberries in chocolate

Dried strawberries in chocolate, especially white, are very popular. You can prepare the delicacy at home according to the following scheme:

• fresh strawberry fruits for dessert are processed separately in any convenient way, preferably in an electric dryer or oven;
• the finished slices are cut into small pieces with a knife;
• 25 g of milk powder is mixed with 140 coconut sugar and ground into powder in a coffee grinder;
• melt 250 g of cocoa butter over a steamer;
• mix with sugar and milk powder and bring until smooth;
• add about 40 g of crushed dried fruits and a pinch of vanilla sugar to the mass.

Next, the mixture needs to be poured into silicone molds and put in the refrigerator for seven hours to harden.

Dried strawberries in white chocolate give the delicacy a slight sour note

How to dry wild strawberries at home

You can dry wild strawberries in an oven or electric dryer in the same way as garden ones. In the process you need to adhere to several rules. Namely:

• Be sure to rinse wild berries in cool water before processing;
• dry at a temperature of no more than 40-55 ° C;

Wild berries are much smaller in size than garden berries. Therefore, they are usually not cut into slices, but loaded whole into an electric dryer.

How to make dried strawberries at home

Dried berries differ from dried ones in that they retain a small amount of moisture and have a more plastic structure. They are processed according to the following algorithm:

• washed and dried fruits are generously sprinkled with sugar in a deep container and put in the refrigerator for a day so that they yield juice;
• after the time has elapsed, drain the liquid;
• prepare simple sugar syrup and dip the berries in it immediately after boiling;
• boil over low heat for no more than ten minutes;
• remove the pan from the heat and drain the berries in a colander;
• after excess moisture has drained, place it on the tray of an electric dryer;
• turn on the device at a temperature of 75 °C;
• after half an hour, reduce the heat to 60 °C;
• after another hour, set the temperature to just 30 °C and bring the fruits until cooked.

In total, you need to continue drying dried strawberries at home for at least 16 hours, with overnight breaks allowed.

After the electric dryer, the finished dried berries are kept in the air for a few more days. Dried strawberries without sugar

You can dry strawberries at home without sugar. This allows you to preserve the characteristic light sourness. In the cooking process, instead of sweet syrup, natural berry juice is used, and not only strawberry juice. You can choose any base for filling according to your own taste.

Here's how to wilt strawberries at home:

• the selected natural juice is brought to a temperature of about 90 °C;
• pour washed fruits into it;
• as soon as the liquid begins to boil again, turn it off;
• repeat the procedure three times.

After this, the raw materials are laid out in an electric dryer and first processed at a temperature of 75 ° C. Then the heat is gradually reduced, first to 60 °C, and then to just 30 °C, and dried for about 14 hours.

How to dry strawberries for seeds

Small seeds for subsequent planting are collected from dried raw materials, since it is quite difficult to extract them from fresh berries. The procedure looks like this:

• ripe fruits are carefully trimmed on the sides - it is necessary to remove the outer parts in which the seeds are located;
• the resulting strips are laid out on parchment or whatman paper;
• on a warm sunny day, keep it in a well-lit place for about six hours.

After the thin red stripes of berries are completely dry, all that remains is to separate the seeds from them over a sheet of paper.

Strawberry seeds should not be dried under high heat, otherwise they will not sprout later.

How to determine product readiness

When drying wild strawberries in an oven or electric dryer, as when processing garden berries, you need to monitor the degree of readiness. You need to pay attention to the appearance. At the final stages of cooking, the pieces should acquire a rich burgundy color and practically lose their elasticity. Strawberries may spring slightly in your fingers after an electric dryer, but they should not squash too much and yield juice.

How to use and prepare dried strawberries

You can dry the strawberry harvest for consumption as an independent dessert. But it is also allowed to use the workpiece in the preparation of baked goods and drinks.

Cupcake with dried strawberries

To prepare a quick cake you need the following ingredients:

• flour - 250 g;
• dried or dried strawberries - 200 g;
• orange - 1 pc.;
• champagne - 120 ml;
• egg - 4 pcs.;
• vegetable oil - 70 ml;
• powdered sugar - 70 g;
• baking powder - 2 tsp;
• salt - 1/4 tsp.

The cooking algorithm looks like this:

• strawberry slices are processed in an electric dryer, and when ready, cut into small pieces;
• beat eggs with salt and powdered sugar, add butter and champagne and bring until smooth;
• sifted flour and baking powder are added to the liquid mixture, and then the dough is thoroughly kneaded;
• Remove the zest from the orange, finely chop and combine with berry pieces;
• The dough is allowed to rest for 15 minutes and the cupcakes are formed.

The blanks are placed in molds and sent to the oven for 40-50 minutes.

Strawberry muffins should be baked at 170°C

Strawberry nut balls

To make delicious balls you will need:

• walnuts - 130 g;
• roasted almonds - 50 g;
• dried strawberries - 50 g;
• agave syrup - 50 ml;
• hazelnuts - 50 g.

The recipe looks like this:

• the nuts are fried and crushed in a blender along with strawberry slices processed in an electric dryer;
• add syrup and jam;
• mix the resulting mass thoroughly;
• balls are formed from the viscous mixture;
• put on a plate covered with polyethylene;
• put in the refrigerator for several hours.

When the balls have hardened, they can be served with tea or cold drinks.

If desired, strawberry-nut balls can be rolled in coconut flakes

Cookies with dried strawberries

For the recipe for oatmeal cookies with strawberry chunks you need:

• dried strawberries - 3 tbsp. l;
• butter - 120 g;
• white chocolate - 40 g;
• eggs - 2 pcs.;
• sugar - 120 g;
• flour - 200 g;
• vegetable oil - 5 ml;
• milk - 1/4 cup;
• soda - 1/2 tsp;
• salt - 1/4 tsp.l.;
• oatmeal - 4 tbsp. l.

The cooking process looks like this:

• flour is mixed with salt and baking powder;
• Grated white chocolate and berry slices, pre-processed in an electric dryer and crushed, are added to the resulting mixture;
• mix again;
• beat the butter and sugar separately with a mixer, adding milk and eggs to them in the process;
• dry ingredients are combined with the liquid mass;
• add oatmeal and stir.

Next, you need to cover the baking sheet with parchment, grease the sheet with vegetable oil, and spoon the dough into the shape of the cookies. The top of the workpiece is sprinkled with the remaining flakes and sent to the oven at 190 °C.

Oatmeal strawberry cookies only need about 15 minutes to bake.

Milk-berry cocktail

Using strawberries put through an electric dryer, you can prepare a tasty and healthy drink. The recipe requires:

• milk - 1 tbsp. l.;
• dried strawberries - 100 g;
• vanilla - to taste;
• honey - 30 g.

The cooking algorithm is as follows:

• the berries, passed through an electric dryer, are loaded into a blender along with honey and vanilla and brought until smooth;
• add milk and beat again at high speed;
• pour the cocktail into a clean glass.

If desired, you can add a little more sugar to the drink. But it remains most useful without any sweetener.

It is recommended to drink the milkshake cold immediately after preparation.

How to store dried strawberries at home

Strawberry fruits can be dried and stored in glass jars or paper bags. The shelf life of the product in this case will be about two years. Dried strawberries should be stored in a cool, dry place.From time to time you should check and stir the berries so that mold does not appear in them.

Dried strawberries from the electric dryer are stored in sealed glass containers or plastic containers. The fruits can also be used within two years, but they must be kept in the refrigerator.

Contraindications to the use of dried strawberries

The benefits and harms of dried strawberries are related to each other. It cannot be used:

• with exacerbation of gastritis or stomach ulcers;
• with pancreatitis;
• for severe liver diseases;
• for individual allergies.

You should eat dried strawberries with caution if you have diabetes. The fruits are not offered to pregnant, nursing mothers and children under two years of age to avoid an allergic reaction.

Conclusion

Strawberries should be dried in an electric dryer, oven or convection oven at moderate temperatures. The process takes several hours, but the finished slices retain most of the nutrients and bright taste.

Reviews of dried strawberries in an electric dryer

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