Pineapple is a delicious tropical fruit that can be enjoyed fresh or incorporated into a variety of dishes. When fresh pineapple is dehydrated, it takes on a chewy, sweet texture that makes it perfect for snacking or using in recipes. But is it possible to dehydrate pineapple without a food dehydrator, using just your oven?
The short answer is yes, you can dehydrate pineapple in the oven! While it may take a bit longer than using a dehydrator, the oven can absolutely be used to make dried pineapple at home.
How Does Dehydrating Work?
Before getting into the specifics of dehydrating pineapple in the oven, it helps to understand what the dehydration process actually does to the fruit.
Dehydration removes moisture from food in order to prevent spoilage and bacterial growth. By removing most of the water content, dehydration concentrates flavors and allows foods to be stored for longer periods of time.
The dehydration process causes physical and chemical changes within the fruit:
- Moisture evaporates from the fruit, which condenses on the cooler dehydrator trays or oven racks.
- Sugars become concentrated as the water volume decreases, making the fruit taste sweeter.
- Fruit shrinks and becomes smaller as moisture is removed.
- The fibers and starch of the fruit become compacted as water is evaporated away.
- Enzymatic browning reactions occur faster as enzymes are concentrated, causing the fruit to darken in color.
- Arid conditions inhibit microbial growth and enzymatic reactions, allowing dehydrated fruit to be stored for several months.
By the end of the dehydration process, the pineapple will have shrunk considerably in size and taken on a sticky, concentrated texture that has an intense tropical flavor.
Choosing the Right Pineapple for Dehydrating
To get the best results when dehydrating pineapple in the oven, start by choosing ripe, fresh pineapple. Well-ripened pineapples will have a strong sweet aroma at the stem end of the fruit.
Avoid pineapples that seem underripe with green skin. The fruit should give slightly when pressed and have rich golden skin. Overripe, fermented pineapples will have brown spots and a strong acidic odor.
Select pineapples that feel heavy for their size, which indicates higher juice content. Light, airy-feeling pineapples tend to be fibrous and dry.
Smaller pineapples around 2-3 pounds usually have more concentrated flavor than giant pineapples. The core of large pineapples often remains tough and chewy even when dehydrated.
When preparing the pineapple, be sure to remove the tough outer skin, crown, and core before slicing to improve the texture. The softer inner flesh of the pineapple contains the most sugars and will dehydrate best.
How to Dehydrate Pineapple in the Oven
Dehydrating pineapple in the oven takes a little more time and monitoring than using a dehydrator, but follows a similar process. Here are step-by-step instructions:
1. Prep the pineapple
Cut off the crown and peel away the rough outer skin using a sharp knife. Slice off the bottom 1/2 inch of the fruit and discard the tough core using a coring tool.
Cut the remaining pineapple flesh into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick slices, strips, or cubes. Smaller pieces will dehydrate faster.
2. Pre-heat the oven & prepare trays
Preheat oven to 135°F if it has a dehydration or convection setting, or warm to 150-170°F for a standard oven. Line baking trays with parchment paper.
3. Arrange pineapple on trays
Space pineapple pieces evenly on the baking trays in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd. Pineapple pieces should not be touching each other.
4. Dehydrate pineapple
Place trays on oven racks spaced evenly apart. Dehydrate for 6-8 hours, flipping the pieces halfway through. Check frequently after 6 hours. Fruit is done when no moisture remains on cut edges and the pieces look lightly browned and shriveled.
5. Allow to cool & store
Let pineapple pieces cool completely before storing. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Enjoy as a snack or reconstitute in water for 10-15 minutes before using in recipes.
Tips for Dehydrating Pineapple in the Oven
– Pat pineapple slices dry before dehydrating to remove excess moisture for faster drying.
– Rotate the trays and flip pieces frequently to ensure even drying.
– Brush pineapple with lemon juice before dehydrating to prevent excessive browning.
– Use a thermometer to monitor the internal temperature, which should reach 130-140°F when done.
– Layer wax or parchment paper between stacked pieces to prevent sticking as they cool.
– Consult a dehydration guide to determine the optimal time and temperature for your oven model.
– Cut thicker pineapple rings into smaller pieces to accelerate drying time.
– Add citric acid or Fruit Fresh produce protector to the pineapple to maintain color.
Choosing the Best Oven Setting
Ovens with a dehydration, convection, or low temperature setting around 135°F are ideal for making dried pineapple. These low, steady temperatures remove moisture slowly for better preservation of nutrients and flavor.
If your oven only reaches a minimum of 150-170°F, you can still dehydrate fruit successfully. The process may just take a couple hours longer. Avoid broiler settings, which have high heat that can cook rather than dehydrate the fruit.
Convection ovens that circulate air can speed up drying time. Make sure to rotate the trays a few times as the back trays will dry faster in a convection oven.
The oven door must be propped open 2-6 inches during the entire dehydration time to allow moisture to escape. Some people place a wooden spoon between the door and oven.
Results of Oven-Dried Pineapple
When dehydrated correctly in the oven, pineapple takes on a sticky, shriveled texture that is slightly harder than fresh fruit. The flavor becomes intensely concentrated and sweet, almost like pineapple candy.
Oven-dried pineapple differs from commercially produced dried pineapple, which has a very soft, pliable texture. Home dehydrated pineapple may be chewier and bend rather than tear when pressure is applied.
The oven-dried fruit will appear shrunken, darkened, and caramelized at the edges but still brightly colored towards the center. There should be no visible moisture, and fruit should not feel tacky.
While slightly less flexible than commercial dried fruit, oven dehydrated pineapple makes an excellent snack and retains much of the nutrition of fresh fruit. Use it in trail mixes, cereals, salads, stuffing recipes, and more.
Nutrition of Dehydrated Pineapple
Dried pineapple is highly nutritious, as the dehydration process concentrates healthy vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber:
| Nutrient | 1 Cup Fresh Pineapple | 1 Cup Dried Pineapple |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 82 | 438 |
| Fiber | 2.3g | 12.4g |
| Vitamin C | 78.9mg (131% DV) | 3.5mg (6% DV) |
| Manganese | 2.5mg (109% DV) | 7.5mg (326% DV) |
While vitamin C is reduced through the dehydration process, dried pineapple contains over three times more fiber and manganese than fresh pineapple.
The natural sugars are also concentrated in dried fruit, giving it more calorie density per cup. Enjoy dried pineapple in moderation as part of a healthy diet.
Storage and Shelf Life
One of the biggest advantages of dried pineapple is its extended shelf life compared to fresh fruit. Properly dehydrated and stored, dried pineapple can last:
– Countertop: 5-7 days
– Refrigerator: 6-12 months
– Freezer: 1-2 years
Keep dried pineapple in an airtight glass or plastic container away from direct sunlight and moisture. For maximum freshness and retention of vitamins, store in the refrigerator or freezer.
Dried fruit may become sticky and lose crispness when exposed to humid environments. Watch for visible moisture, clumping, or mold development, which signals spoilage.
Rehydrating dried pineapple in water for 10-15 minutes before eating can help revitalize the texture if it loses crunch over time.
Watch for Pitfalls When Dehydrating Pineapple
While dehydrating pineapple at home is simple and rewarding, there are a few potential problems to watch out for:
Insufficient Drying
Pineapple left with moisture inside can breed harmful bacteria and spoil rapidly. If fruit still feels at all tacky or moist, continue dehydrating until completely dry.
Scorching
High temperatures can burn and blacken pineapple instead of slowly removing moisture. Keep oven under 170°F and rotate trays to prevent scorching.
Excess Browning
Enzymes in pineapple cause it to brown quickly when cut. Minimize discoloration by dipping in lemon juice and dehydrating fully as soon as possible.
Fermentation
Dehydrating overripe, old pineapple can lead to off-flavors. Use prime, fresh pineapple and discard any bruised or fermented sections.
Mold Growth
Sticky, moist pieces of pineapple can develop mold after dehydrating. Discard any dried fruit that shows fuzzy mold growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should I use to dehydrate pineapple in the oven?
135°F is ideal, or use the lowest temperature setting ranging from 150-170°F in a standard oven. Higher temperatures will cook rather than dehydrate the fruit.
How long does it take to dehydrate pineapple in the oven?
6-10 hours depending on thickness. Pineapple is done when no moisture remains and fruit is shriveled and caramelized at the edges.
Should I use fresh or canned pineapple to dehydrate?
Always use fresh pineapple for the best flavor and texture when dehydrating. Canned variety is already cooked and won’t dehydrate well.
Can I dehydrate pineapple in the oven while cooking something else?
Yes, you can dehydrate fruit at the lowest oven setting while simultaneously baking or roasting at higher temps. Just try to minimize opening the oven door.
Should I pretreat pineapple before dehydrating?
Pineapple can be pretreated by blanching, juicing, or dipping in acids or sulfite solutions. This helps maximize retention of nutrients and color but isn’t required.
Delicious Ways to Enjoy Dehydrated Pineapple
Here are some of the best ways to use up your homemade dried pineapple:
– Add to oatmeal, yogurt, or cottage cheese
– Make trail mix with nuts, seeds, coconut flakes, and chocolate chips
– Mix into pancake or muffin batters
– Sprinkle over ice cream for a tropical twist
– Chop and add to cookies, bars, or quick breads
– Puree into smoothies for natural sweetness
– Mix with jerky flavors like teriyaki or barbecue
– Add to fruit and chicken salads
– Make homemade fruit roll ups by pureeing and dehydrating fruit leathers
– Rehydrate and use in piña colada drinks or pineapple upside down cake
Conclusion
While it requires longer dehydration times, you can absolutely make dried pineapple without a dehydrator by using your oven set to a low temperature. Cut fresh pineapple into thin pieces, arrange in a single layer on trays, and dehydrate 6-10 hours, flipping periodically, until no moisture remains. Dried properly and stored in an airtight container, homemade oven-dried pineapple retains its nutrition and provides a tasty, chewy snack for months to come. Dehydrating your own pineapple is an easy way to reduce food waste while creating a nutritious and convenient ingredient to use in recipes.