Homemade dehydrated fruit is naturally sweet, but contains fewer preservatives than store-bought varieties. Store-bought pineapple can be sliced and prepared for dehydration in just a few minutes. Dried pineapple can be made in an oven or a dehydrator, and then stored in a cool, dry place for months.
Steps
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Purchase several pineapples from a supermarket. You can wait for a sale when the supermarket is overstocked and get pineapples for $.99 per lb. or less. [1] X Research source
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Let your pineapple ripen fully. Once the pineapple starts to have a strong, sweet smell, the sugars are concentrated and it is ready for dehydration. Drying it too early will result in sour pineapple slices. [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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Remove the top and the bottom from the pineapple. Set the pineapple on its side on your cutting board. Slice approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the spiky green top of the pineapple and 1 inch above the bottom section. [3] X Research source
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Slice off the tough skin. Set the pineapple upright on your cutting board. Cut straight down from the top of the pineapple to the bottom in 1 slice. [4] X Research source
- Try to cut just inside the hard outer layer.
- Turn the pineapple and repeat until you have exposed the flesh of the pineapple.
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Remove the “eyes. ” Notice how the prickly brown dots on the pineapple form at a diagonal line from top to bottom. Take your knife and cut approximately 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) into the pineapple at an inward angle from the right. [5] X Research source
- Go to the other side of the line of eyes and cut at an inward angle from the left.
- Peel back the strip of eyes and discard it.
- Then, find the next diagonal strip and repeat.
- When you finish cutting the eyes out of the pineapple, the surface will form a spiral pattern around the entire parameter.
- This method of cutting a pineapple takes some practice, but it will result in more flesh being saved than cutting deep enough to remove the eyes and the skin together. [6] X Research source
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Slice your pineapple in rings or chunks. If you want your pineapple to be dried in rounds, slice the pineapple horizontally and thinly. Then, cut out the center with a paring knife. [7] X Research source
- If you want to dry the pineapple in chunks, cut vertically, separating the flesh from the hard center, then cut into thin chunks.
- The thinner, the better when drying. It will dry faster and more evenly.
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Preheat your oven to the warming or low setting. Try to aim for 150 degrees Fahrenheit (66 degrees Celsius) for best results. Set the oven no higher than 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius). [8] X Research source
- Dehydrating works best when set at low heat for a long time. You do not want to cook the pineapple.
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Cover 1 to 2 baking sheets with a layer of parchment paper. Use as many baking sheets as you can fit in your oven. [9] X Research source
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Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven. Set it for 24 hours. It may take up to 36 hours.
- Test to see if it is done. If it is chewy throughout and slightly flexible, it is done. [10] X Research source
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Purchase a dehydrator. You can find them on sale on internet sites, like Amazon. They are also available in box stores and at kitchen specialty stores.
- If you plan to dehydrate fruit regularly, or even try making jerky, a dehydrator can make inexpensive snacks all year.
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Purchase pineapple. One pineapple may be enough to fill your dehydrator trays. If you have a large dehydrator, you should opt to buy several pineapples at once to double your quantity of preserved fruit.
- You can also dehydrate cans of dried pineapple. They are more likely to contain extra sugar, salt and preservatives, so choose the whole fruit if you want a natural snack. [11] X Research source
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Cut the pineapple. Remove the skin and eyes using the process above. Slice it into rounds or into thin chunks. [12] X Research source
- Your slices should be no more than 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) thick.
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Plug in your dehydrator. Choose a medium setting. The temperature should be about 135 degrees Fahrenheit (57 degrees Celsius). [13] X Research source
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Place the pineapple sections on the dehydrator trays. Ensure there is some space between the pineapple chunks. [14] X Research source
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Community Q&A
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QuestionDoes it need to be this long? Thirty-five hours seems like a lot.Community AnswerIt needs to be that long to dehydrate the inside.
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QuestionCan I dehydrate my pineapple in an air fryer?Community AnswerYes, you should be able to use an air fryer to dehydrate your pineapple.
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QuestionWhy does the pineapple have to stay in the dehydrator for so long?Community AnswerThe dehydrator uses warm air and a fan to suck the moisture from the pineapple without touching it. Therefore, it removes the moisture from the pineapple which is why it is required.
Tips
Things You'll Need
- Pineapple
- Cutting board
- Sharp chef’s knife
- Paring knife
- Parchment paper
- Baking trays
- Dehydrator machine
- Oven
References
- ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/ingredients/how-to-buy-and-store-pineapple-article
- ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/story/how-to-tell-if-a-pineapple-is-ripe
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH7nfHbfHBY
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-cut-a-whole-pineapple-75226
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-cut-a-whole-pineapple-75226
- ↑ http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_cut_a_pineapple/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH7nfHbfHBY
- ↑ https://selfproclaimedfoodie.com/oven-dried-pineapple/
- ↑ https://spoonuniversity.com/recipe/dried-fruit-oven
- ↑ http://www.chfusa.com/blog/?p=363
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2Rb3IhVvLM
- ↑ https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_cut_a_pineapple/
- ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-dehydrate-fruit-step-by-step-article
- ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-dehydrate-fruit-step-by-step-article
- ↑ http://preservedhome.com/dehydrated-pineapple-natures-candy/
About This Article
To dehydrate pineapple in the oven, start by slicing the top, bottom, and outer skin off of a fully ripe, fresh pineapple. Next, slice off any eyes, or prickly brown dots, that you see on the flesh and cut the pineapple into thin chunks. Then, cover baking sheets with parchment paper and scatter the cut pineapple in a single layer on top. Finally, bake the pineapple at 150 degrees Fahrenheit for 24 to 36 hours to dehydrate it. You'll know it's done when the fruit is chewy and slightly flexible. For tips on using a dehydrator, read on!
Reader Success Stories
- "Preparation of pineapple for dehydration, temperature settings and duration required to get the finished product were helpful. Presentation of the article in simple language is also appreciated. No suggestion found to uphold the natural color of the fruit. Thanks." ..." more