How to Dehydrate Dragon Fruit (Pitaya):

Dehydrated dragon fruit (aka pitaya) is a fun and unique addition to your food storage. We love these! When dehydrated, it makes a crunchy chip with a taste faintly reminiscent of a marshmallow rice crispy treat! Crazy sounding, I know! You have to give it a try. Take them on the go with you and intrigue your friends. These on-the-go crunchy “chips” are filling and nutrient packed! You can also use them as a unique drink garnish that is sure to wow your guests.

They are light weight and will last many years if stored properly.

Instructions:

  • Rinse and then pat dry
  • Horizontally slice into 1/8 thick slices with the peeling on.
  • Evenly spread on your dehydrator tray.
  • Coat with a light amount of lemon juice (use a lemon juice sprayer over the sink for quick application!)
  • Dehydrate at 125 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 hours.
  • Store in a vacuum and Mylar bag for later use in recipes

Dryness Check:

A properly dehydrated dragon fruit slice will “click” when dropped on the table, and should feel dry and not sticky to the touch. They will also be somewhat malleable but can be easily torn in half but not crumbled. If yours do not feel this way, just put them back in the dehydrator for a few more hours!

Other Tips:

I dehydrate with the peelings on and simply eat the peels! But, you can also peel before dehydrating easily as the peels fall away with minimal effort.

Photos

For the full A to Z food dehydrating guide, get our cookbook!