How to Dry Pears in a Food Dehydrator

The afternoon lull, after lunch but before dinner, is the perfect time for a little pick-me-up to help push you through the rest of your day. Dried pears are a healthy option that are packed with fiber and vitamin C but are sweet enough to satisfy your afternoon sweet-tooth. Store-bought dried fruits can be expensive and full of additives like extra sugar and the preservative sulfur dioxide. Take a lazy afternoon to dehydrate your own healthy weekday snack. You won't miss the additives or the price.

Things You'll Need

Dehydrator with 3 slotted trays
Large bowl

3 pears
1/2 cup lemon juice

Instructions

Select pears that are at the same stage of ripeness. Crispness and dampness affect drying time and can vary as fruit matures.
Peel and core pears.
Slice pears into wedges approximately 1/2 an inch thick. All pieces should be equal in thickness to ensure equal drying time.
Place lemon juice in a large bowl. Add the pear wedges to and toss until well coated. This prevents yellowing due to oxidation.
Place the pear wedges in a single layer on dehydrator trays.
Start the dehydrator immediately after loading. Drying will take approximately eight to16 hours depending on the qualities of the fruit as well as room humidity and style of dehydrator. After approximately eight hours, check the fruit to estimate remaining drying time. Although most dried fruits have a flexible texture, a longer drying time will produce a satisfying chip-like brittleness.
Turn off the dehydrator when the desired dryness is achieved. Cool pears completely before storing them in a dry container.

Previous:How to Preserve Garlic for a Long Time (3 Steps)

Next: What Is an Apple Pear?