How Do You Make Dried Fruit from Frozen Fruit?

You can dry frozen fruit, and pretreating it can improve the final product. Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Drying Frozen Fruit: The Process

While you can dehydrate frozen fruit directly, many find a simple pretreatment improves the outcome.

Thawing (Optional): You can dehydrate frozen fruit straight from the freezer, but some prefer to let it thaw slightly first. Partially thawing allows any added sugar to better adhere to the fruit. Thawing completely may make the fruit too mushy to handle.
Preparation: Cut the fruit into appropriately sized pieces for drying. For example, halve or quarter strawberries or cherries.
Sugar Coating (Optional but Recommended): Tossing the fruit with a small amount of sugar (e.g., granulated sugar) and refrigerating the mixture for a day before dehydrating is often recommended. The sugar draws out moisture and helps prevent the fruit from becoming overly hard or brittle during drying.
Dehydrating: Arrange the fruit in a single layer on dehydrator trays. Follow your dehydrator's instructions for fruit, or generally aim for a temperature of around 135°F (57°C).
Drying Time: Drying time varies greatly depending on the type of fruit, the size of the pieces, and the dehydrator. It can take anywhere from 6 to 24 hours, or even longer. Check the fruit periodically. It should be leathery and pliable, with no visible moisture.
Cooling and Storage: Allow the dried fruit to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container. Properly dried and stored fruit can last for several months.

Choose ripe fruit: Start with high-quality fruit for the best flavor.
Consistent Sizing: Cut pieces to a uniform size to ensure even drying.
Proper Storage: Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark, and dry place.