Having canned fruit in your fridge is awesome. You can use it anytime you need it. However, there are times when you need enough space for other perishables that needed to be refrigerated.
In this case, you might be finding ways to create some space in the fridge without discarding canned fruits. It happened to me before and I ended up asking myself whether I could do something about it.
Luckily, I learned that dehydrating is a viable solution. In fact, this strategy goes back to the ancient practice of storing food.
So, can you dehydrate canned fruit? You can absolutely dehydrate canned fruit. Examples of fruits that can be dehydrated are pineapples, peaches, and mandarin oranges. It is a great way to preserve canned fruits.
The Benefits of Dehydrating Canned Fruit
The idea of dehydrating canned fruit may not be common. But dehydrating or drying is actually a good way to preserve fresh and canned fruits. There are many benefits you can get from dehydrating canned fruits.
Here are the reasons why you want to dehydrate canned fruits.
1. To save space in the fridge
One of the best things you can get from dehydrating canned fruits is that it allows you to save space in the fridge. Dried fruits only occupy a small space providing enough storage for other perishables.
2. To make the fruits more accessible
Dried fruits are some of the best treats you can have. Unlike fruits in the can, they are more accessible. You can easily get them without any concern about spoiling the fruits.
3. To enhance the flavor of the fruit
Dehydrating canned fruit will not only provide extra space in the storage but also enhances the flavor. Dried pineapple, for instance, becomes sweeter and more delicious.
As mentioned, there are many canned fruits you can dehydrate. Many people asked me so many questions with regards to what canned fruits can be dehydrated.
I decided to include in this post some of the questions I got. If you are reading this post until this point, you might also have asked one of these questions. If so, this could also be helpful to you.
Here are some of the related questions…
1. Can You Dehydrate Canned Pineapple?
Yes, you can dehydrate canned pineapple. In fact, it is one of the common fruits being dried.
Here’s how to dehydrate canned pineapple:
1. Drain the pineapple
The first step is to drain the pineapple well. Make sure that all the pieces at least have equal sizes. If not, you can cut them into uniform sizes. The ideal size is between 1/8 to ¼-inch thick.
2. Lay the pieces on the mesh trays
The second step you need to do is to place all the pineapple pieces on the mesh trays in a single layer. Make sure that the pieces do not overlap. Then dehydrate at 130-135 degrees Fahrenheit until the pieces are dried. It takes about 12-14 hours. But the time depends largely on the size. Larger pieces take longer up to about 12 to 14 hours.
3. Remove the pineapple pieces from the drying trays
It is important to remember that canned pieces tend to stick to the trays when warm. The solution is to let them cool for an hour.
4. Place the pieces in an airtight container
The final step is to put the dried pineapple pieces in an airtight container. Make sure that they are completely cool. Squeeze as much air as possible out of the container to make the pieces last longer. Then store the container in a dry area. You can keep it for a year or more. However, consuming it within months is the best way to enjoy the best quality.
2. Can You Dehydrate Canned Peaches?
Yes, you can absolutely dehydrate canned peaches. Like pineapples, peaches are also great fruits to dry.
Here’s how to dehydrate canned peaches:
1. Rinse the peaches
The first step is to rinse the canned peaches before dehydrating.
2. Line plastic wrap on the dehydrator tray
Make sure that the dehydrator tray is lined with plastic wrap to keep the peaches from sticking during the drying process.
3. Dehydrate
Once the canned peaches are ready, dehydrate them in the food dehydrator. Follow the instructions on the manual to dehydrate peaches correctly.
4. Store the dehydrated peaches in the freezer bags
Once the peaches are dehydrated, you can store them in the freezer bags and enjoy them anytime you want.
3. Can You Dehydrate Canned Mandarin Oranges?
Yes, you can dehydrate canned mandarin oranges. They are another fruits to dry. You’ll enjoy their great flavor later.
Dehydrating mandarin oranges is super easy and quick. It only involves a couple of simple steps.
Here’s how to dehydrate canned mandarin oranges:
1. Drain the oranges
First stop is to drain the oranges well. This eliminates the extra syrup from the can.
2. Place the orange segments on the dehydrator tray
Once the oranges are drained well, lay them on the dehydrator tray. Make sure that all segments are in single layer.
3. Dehydrate
Place the dehydrator tray in the food dehydrator and dehydrate at 135 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 to 15 hours or until all the segments are dry.
What Foods Can You Not Dehydrate?
As you already know, pineapples, peaches, and mandarin oranges are some of the fruits you can dehydrate. However, there are many fruits that you should not dehydrate.
Here are the foods that you should not be dehydrated:
1. Avocadoes
Avocados are examples of fruits that you should not dehydrate. Due to their high-fat content, they tend to get rancid pretty quickly during the dehydrating process.
2. Non-Lean Meats
Lean meats have high-fat content which requires more time to dehydrate. The bad news is that dried lean meats can only last for one week or two. It is not worthy of the effort.
3. Butter
It is no secret that butter is mostly fat making it unsuitable for dehydrating. If your intention is to have powdered butter out of it, I recommend that you buy powdered butter instead.
Final Thoughts
Canned fruits can be dehydrated. Example of canned fruits suitable for this process are pineapples, peaches, and mandarin oranges.
Dehydrating canned fruits allows you to save space and enhance the flavor of the fruits. The process is both quick and easy.
If you want to try it for the first time, you can follow the steps shared in this post. I hope this helps. Thank you for stopping by.
