How To Dehydrate Pineapple and Keep It Like Raw

By Eric Mitchell โ€ข  Updated: Sep 4, 2023 โ€ข  8 min read

Hello and welcome! Today we’ll be writing about dehydrating pineapples. Actually, how to dehydrate pineapple with a food dehydrator.

Dehydrated pineapple is a delightfully tasty treat, reminiscent of candy, but healthier. It can be used in a variety of ways and, for this guide, we’ll be preparing the pineapple in different styles.

Dehydrated Pineapple Chips

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you make a purchase after clicking on a link I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if items are purchased.

How To Dehydrate Pineapple Key Points (TL;DR)

What you need:

To successfully dehydrate pineapples, you need a few essential items:

  1. Fresh pineapples
  2. A knife (like this one)
  3. Excalibur food dehydrator or any other type (see reviews)
  4. Optional: A mandolin slicer

Selecting the Pineapple

When selecting the pineapple, make sure it has some coloration. It’s perfectly fine if there’s a bit of mold on the bottom, as this indicates the fruit’s ripeness. Weed out any bad parts during the preparation process.

Preparing the Pineapple

Our first step involves breaking down the pineapples. After cutting off the top and bottom, quarter the pineapple to inspect the inside. The core can be removed and set aside for later use.

Clean up any remaining unwanted bits. This process doesn’t require any fancy techniques, just some patience and a sharp knife.

Cutting Styles

There are multiple cutting styles to explore:

  1. Pineapple Chunks: For these, cut the pineapple into eight pieces. Chunks are ideal for baking or as small snacks.
  2. Thick Rounds: To prepare thick rounds, cut the pineapple about a quarter of an inch thick. Remove the core if you prefer, but it’s not a requirement. These are perfect for snacking.
  3. Pineapple Chips: For pineapple chips, use a mandolin for thin slices. These slices can be left uncored. Ensure you have enough dehydrator space, as these slices can take up quite a bit.
  4. Small Pieces: Smaller pieces can be achieved by cutting the pineapple into sixteenths. These are also great for snacking.

Once you’ve cut the pineapple into your desired sizes, arrange the pieces on the dehydrator trays. Make sure the pieces aren’t touching each other to ensure even dehydration.

Dehydrating the Pineapple

The goal is to keep the pineapple raw and preserve the enzymes, specifically bromelain, that aid in digestion. Overheating can break down these enzymes and diminish their benefits.

The dehydration temperature plays a crucial role in preserving the enzymes. Aim to dehydrate at around 104 degrees Fahrenheit, which studies have shown preserves 100% of the enzymes.

Increasing the temperature to 124 degrees can reduce the enzyme’s preservation to 83%, and at 176 degrees, the enzyme is entirely lost.

Expect the dehydration process to take at least 24 hours. However, keep in mind the dehydration time might vary based on the thickness of the slices.

Checking the Pineapple in the Food Dehydrator

After a couple of days, check the pineapple slices. Peel them off the dehydrator sheets and get ready for storage. On average, the dehydrating process might take between 36 to 40 hours at 104 degrees. Thinner slices may dehydrate quicker, approximately within 24 hours.

Final Steps for Raw Dehydrated Pineapple

Following the dehydration process, there are a few steps you need to take to store your dehydrated pineapple correctly. The thin pineapple slices will be ready quicker, approximately 24 hours, while thicker slices will take longer – about 36 to 40 hours.

Once your pineapple slices are ready, peel them off the dehydrator sheets and prepare them for storage. As they are irresistibly delicious, you might find yourself “testing” or rather snacking on them frequently. This is perfectly okay, as the aim is to produce a delicious and healthy snack!

Taste Test

Once you’ve dehydrated the pineapple, it’s time to taste-test it. The dehydrated pineapple should be flavorful and have a unique texture, not exactly crunchy but pleasantly chewy.

Storage of Dehydrated Pineapple

For storage, use jars or other suitable containers. If you have been doing a lot of dehydrating, consider investing in Desi Packs, which are great at absorbing any leftover moisture. This helps to keep the dried fruit in the best condition possible and prevents molding or any other undesirable effects.

Oxygen absorbers are also an option, but Desi Packs are often sufficient for this purpose. If you own a vacuum sealer with a Mason jar attachment, you can remove all the air from the jar, further preserving your pineapple.

They are a great snack for children who are constantly on the hunt for sweets. You can feel good about offering these as a healthy alternative to processed sugary snacks.

Thoughts on Raw Dehydrated Pineapple

Dehydrating pineapple at a low temperature is a lengthy process but it is worth it if you value preserving the natural enzymes present in the pineapple. The texture will not be as crunchy as with higher temperature dehydration, but the flavor is incredible and the health benefits are significant.

If you’re not too concerned about retaining the enzymes, you can certainly increase the temperature to about 135 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the typical fruit and vegetable setting on most dehydrators. This will speed up the process considerably, likely taking between 12 to 18 hours, depending on how thick you cut your slices.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you prepare pineapple for dehydration?

To prepare the pineapple for dehydration, peel the pineapple, remove the core, and slice it into thin or thick slices, as per your preference. It’s recommended to slice the pineapple about a quarter of an inch thick, but you can certainly make them thicker if you like a chewier texture.

How do you dry pineapple naturally?

Drying pineapple naturally can be done using a dehydrator set at a low temperature. The recommended temperature is around 105 degrees Fahrenheit for 24-36 hours to keep the enzymes intact. The duration might vary based on the thickness of the pineapple slices and the humidity of your environment.

Is dehydrated pineapple crunchy?

The texture of dehydrated pineapple depends on how thick you cut your slices and the temperature at which you dehydrate it. At lower temperatures (around 105 degrees Fahrenheit), the pineapple tends to be more chewy than crunchy.

If you want a crunchier texture, you can increase the temperature to about 135 degrees Fahrenheit, which will also speed up the dehydration process.

Can you dehydrate a whole pineapple?

It’s not recommended to dehydrate a whole pineapple as the process would take an impractical amount of time and the result may not be consistent. It’s best to cut the pineapple into slices before dehydration to ensure even drying.

How to store dehydrated pineapple?

Store dehydrated pineapple in jars or other suitable containers. To absorb any leftover moisture, consider using Desi Packs or a vacuum sealer with a mason jar attachment or a vacuum sealer kit.

Conclusion

Remember, when dehydrating at home, you have the freedom to experiment and create according to your preferences. The possibilities are limitless, so let your imagination soar! Try out dehydrating pineapple and enjoy the delicious and healthy results!

Thank you for reading, and we hope you found this guide helpful. Happy dehydrating!

Eric Mitchell

Eric is the owner, author, content director and founder of dehydratorlab.com. He is the lead architect and the main man in matters concerning dehydrators, their accessories, guides, reviews and all the accompaniments.Whenever he is not figuring out simple solutions (hacks) involving cookery and their eventual storage, you will find him testing out the different types of dehydrators, to bring us the juicy details regarding these devices.He is a foodie enthusiast, pasionate about making jerky has a knack for healthy and tasty food and won't hesitate to share out any ideas that might be of value around this subject.

Explore More