You’ll love this recipe for oven-dried strawberries that are sweet, chewy, and perfect to pack for kids on the go.
Table of contents
❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe
They’re delicious! These strawberries have a candy-like chewiness, like a dried apricot. They are sweet, delicious, and hold up very well in packed snacks and lunches. I eat many of them each time I make a batch for the kids.
Super easy! There is nothing to this recipe. Just pop ’em in the oven and wait!
🧂 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You’ll find the full measurements and instructions in the printable recipe at the bottom of the page.
You’ll need the following for this yummy homemade snack
- fresh strawberries
- lemon juice
- sugar
🥣 Equipment
- baking sheet
- parchment paper
- mixing bowl
🍴Instructions
Step One
Preheat the oven to 175 if possible, or 200 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes until strawberries have released their juices
Step Two
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mat and place strawberries on top in a single layer. Bake for 2-3 hours with the door ajar, rotating every 30 minutes. The strawberries are done when the edges are darkened, and they have a sticky texture.
🥫 Storage instructions
Before storing, allow them to cool completely, which may take a few hours.
They will last in the fridge for about 2 weeks, or can be frozen for 6 months. Mason jars are great for storing these.
🔍 FAQs
Just be patient! They’ll get there.
👩🏻🍳 Expert tips
- Your strawberries should sit in the sugar for a few minutes to draw the juices out.
- Finished strawberries should be chewy and still somewhat moist.
📘 Related Recipes
- Well, obviously, they are good as a snack by themselves. They are especially useful for packing in lunchboxes and snacks because they hold up much better than fresh strawberries.
- We also like them as a mix in our DIY Chobani Flips.
- I love them in salads with pecans and blue cheese, but my husband hates them in there, so who knows.
- Don’t forget to add them your printable canning planner, so you can make a big batch when strawberry season comes around!
The Story behind the recipe
Once upon a time, my sister-in-law gave me a five-pound bag of the most delicious dried fruit on earth. They tasted like a giant, sweet gummy bears but were dried strawberries. Imagine my horror when I went to buy some more, only to find that they were THIRTEEN DOLLARS A POUND. Very sad.
I have been on a five-year mission to duplicate them. Have I succeeded? No. I will not post the recipe, but instead sell them and be rich if I ever do. Until that day comes, this recipe is very satisfying.
📖 Here’s the recipe
Chewy Oven Dried Strawberries
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh strawberries halved or quartered
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice bottled or fresh
- 4 tablespoons sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 175 if possible, or 200 degrees
- Combine all ingredients in large bowl and allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes until strawberries have released their juices
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mat and place strawberries on top in a single layer
- Bake for 2-3 hours with the door ajar, rotating every 30 minutes. The strawberries are done when the edges are darkened and they have a sticky texture.
- Allow to cool completely before storing. Will keep best refrigerated or frozen.
Hi, can I know if its 175 in Celsius or Fahrenheit?
Hey, not sure if you’re still looking for the secret but the truth is all you need is the sun. No sugar or lemon. I’ve made these before, fresh picked strawberries and left them in the sun for three days. If you ever have a hot day, please give it a go. Your prayers have been answered.
i’m going to try it! we have super high humidity here in early summer but i’ll pray for some dry days
Yummy! I bet my kids would enjoy these!
It’s amazing how sweet dried or dehydrated fruit taste! Want to try this soon!
First, of all I have never heard of dried strawberries! Next, your line about getting rich if you ever perfect the recipe for the ones your sister-in-law gave you had me laughing!!
These sound yummy! We should have strawberries soon, so I will give this a try!
I live strawberries. Will definitely need to try this when my strawberries start producing!
I saw something similar on Facebook recently. But now I’ll have to try these! Much healthier than candy and I’m sure my little one (and me!) would love them! Thanks for sharing.
Oh interesting! I need to poke around other peoples recipes for them. Yes they are definitely more like candy than fresh fruit!