The times in this chart should be used as guidelines only. Actual Drying time depends on numerous factors including the type of drying method used, the quantity of food being dried, the amount of moisture in the fruit etc. Note: Watch fruits carefully, testing frequently for correct texture/dryness.
Guidelines for Drying Fruits
Fruit |
Preparation |
An appropriate sulfuring time before sun-drying |
Sun drying time |
Dehydrator & Oven drying time |
Indicators of dryness |
Apples* |
Wash and core; peel if desired. cut in ¼” slices or rings. |
45-60 minutes |
3-4 days |
6-12 hours |
Soft and pliable; no moisture in center when cut. |
Apricots* |
Peel if desired halve or slice, remove pit. |
2 hours (halves) 1 hour (slices) |
2-3 days |
16-36 hours (halves) 7-10 hours (slices) |
Same as apples |
Bananas* |
Peel and cut into ¼” slices |
N/A |
2-3 days -chewy
6-7 days- chips |
8-16 hours
30-40 hours |
Leathery but still chewy. (longer drying will make banana chips) (NOT PLIABLE) |
Blueberries; Cranberries |
Halve |
N/A |
2-4 days |
8-12 hours |
Leathery but still chewy |
Cherries |
Pit and halve |
N/A |
1-2 days |
18-30 hours |
Leathery but still chewy |
Figs |
Peel & Quarter |
N/A |
4-5 days |
10-12 hours |
Pliable; slightly sticky but not wet. |
Grapes* |
Halve; seed if desired |
N/A |
3-5 days |
24-48 hours |
Raisin like texture pliable; chewy. |
Peaches;* Nectarines* |
Peel if desired. Halve or cut in ¼” slices, remove pit. |
2-3 hours (halves or slices) |
3-5 days (halves or slices) |
24-36 hours (halves); 8-12 hours (slices) |
Same as apples |
Pears* |
Halve & core, or core & cut in ¼” slices. |
5 hours (halves or slices) |
5 days (halves or slices) |
24-36 hours (halves); 10-14 hours (slices) |
Same as apples |
Persimmons |
For variety, select firm fruit; for Hachiya variety, let fruit ripen until soft. Peel & cut in ¼” slices. |
N/A |
5-6 days |
14-18 hours |
Light to medium brown; tender but not sticky. |
Pineapple |
Peel, core and cut crosswise into ¼” slices. Dry slices whole or cut them in wedges. |
N/A |
4-5 days (slices) 3-4 days (wedges) |
24-36 hours (slices); 18-24 hours (wedges) |
Chewy and dry to center. |
Plums |
Halve or cut in ¼” slices, removing pit. |
N/A |
4-5 days |
18-24 hours (halves); 8-10 hours (slices) |
Fairly hard and leathery but still chewy. |
Rhubarb |
Cut in ¼” slices. |
N/A |
2-3 days |
18-20 hours |
Hard to crisp |
Strawberries |
Halve or cut in ¼” slices. |
N/A |
1-2 days |
20 hours (halves) 12-16 hours (slices) |
Leathery but still pliable. |
*Pre-treat these fruits to protect their color. Dip in an anti-oxidant or a honey-water solution if dehydrator or oven drying. For sun-drying sulfur fruits or dip in solution.
Source: Logicsouth.com
