The Best Foods To Dehydrate For Snacks 

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

Whether you are planning summer snacks for by the pool, preparing camping food, or designing an amazing picnic charcuterie board, this list of the best foods to dehydrate for snacks will help you plan the perfect healthy summer snack!

No need to pick up expensive packaged snacks from the grocery store. You can have your own sweet and salty delicious snack right at home using the dehydrated snack ideas on this list. From sweet dried fruit to savory dehydrated vegetables I can guarantee that everyone in your family will love at least something on this list-even kids! 

We will even cover proper storage for your dehydrated snacks to increase shelf life and what to do if you don’t own a dehydrator.

Savor all the flavors from your garden and reduce food waste by using this list of dehydrated snack ideas to plan ahead and dehydrate your favorite goodies!

This post is all about the best foods to dehydrate for snacks.

Best Foods to Dehydrate For Homemade Snacks

1. Fruit leather

Fruit leather is SO nostalgic for many. It is sweet and easy to pack and go. Aside from a dehydrator, you will also need a blender for this recipe. 

Don’t let that intimidate you though, it is pretty simple to whip up in an afternoon! 

2. Dehydrated potato chips

The classic potato chip is a cultural staple for a reason. If you want to have full control over what your salty snack is made out of, make your chips at home! 

Then all you need is potatoes (whichever type of potato you prefer) and some sea salt! 

3. Kale chips

Kale got SO popular for a while but it still deserves all the fame. 

This leafy green is packed with nutrients and once you pop it in your air fryer or dehydrator it will taste a bit less earthy. 

To really mask that earthy flavor, consider sprinkling your favorite seasonings on top. 

Here are a few seasonings you can add to your homemade kale chips: 

• Curry powder
• Everything bagel seasoning 
• Garlic salt 

{RECOMMENDED POST: The Best Vegan Protein Bars You Need to Stash in Your Gym Bag}

4. Mushroom “beef” jerky

Yes, you read that right, mushroom “beef” jerky. This is a plant-based blog so there isn’t any meat but it still has that chewy, smoky texture. 

This is a great dehydrated snack if you are over the sweet stuff and are looking for a healthy snack that’s a bit more savory! 

5. Tropical fruits to dehydrate as snacks

If you are wanting something a bit more unique, opt for dehydrating tropical fruits to add to your collection of dehydrated snacks! 

Here are some yummy tropical fruits to try dehydrating:

• Mango
• Pineapple
• Coconut 

These all make great additions to trail mix or can just be eaten plain. 

6. Kid-friendly dehydrated fruit snacks

Anyone can of course eat these fruity dehydrated snacks but if you have kids or picky eaters, these are the fruits I suggest you start with: 

• Strawberries
• Blueberries 
• Apple chips
• Banana chips

Be sure to spritz your sliced apples and bananas with lemon juice to help them preserve their color and not brown as much before dehydrating them. 

These dry fruits can be eaten alone or added to coconut yogurt or trail mix as well. 

They also pair nicely with a scoop of peanut butter for a little extra protein. 

With a little creativity you can really elevate this snack and make the most of your produce!   

7. Dried fruit as dessert

So hear me out, I’m not saying to skip chocolate cake for dried fruit but if you want something just a little sweet to add to your work lunch or picnic, consider adding a bit of fun to the dehydrated fruits we mentioned above. 

If you are sharing this snack at a party, it will be a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! 

All you have to do is dip your dehydrated fruit in a bit of melted chocolate. But before the chocolate dries, you can sprinkle it with sea salt, caramel, white chocolate, or whatever you like! 

Just a fun way to amp up your dehydrated fruit! 

{RECOMMENDED POST: 13 Kind of Healthy Store Bought Vegan Kid Snacks They Will Actually Eat}

8. Veggie chips

Veggie straws are surprisingly popular with kids! They are the perfect blend of crunchy and salty. 

If you want to save some money and make your own version, consider using the veggies listed below to make dehydrated veggie snacks. 

The best vegetables to dehydrate for snacks: 

• Zucchini chips
• Carrot chips 
• Sweet potato chips
• Green beans 

9. Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits may not be the best for snacks but they do work well for party decoration surrounding food and snacks. 

Here are a few ways you can use dehydrated citrus fruits: 

• mocktails/cocktails
• sustainable home decoration
• grazing table decor
• holiday table decor
• charcuterie boards 

How to make dehydrated snacks without a dehydrator

Using a dehydrator to make these snacks will be the easiest method and will ensure that your snacks are perfectly dry. 

If you don’t already have a dehydrator, consider buying one from a yard sale or thrift store. As long as you clean it out diligently, you should be good to go. 

If you aren’t able to find a dehydrator secondhand, this is the one I recommend purchasing. 

Here are some alternative methods if you don’t have a dehydrator: 

• Air fryer (that has a dehydrator feature!)
• Sun drying 
• Oven drying

Again, these drying methods work ok for things like herbs or leaves, but I suggest using an electric dehydrator for the best results. 

What snacks can you not dehydrate?

So I shared my favorite foods to dehydrate but what foods should you not dehydrate? 

These foods either take way too long to dehydrate, don’t dehydrate well, or there are food safety concerns when it comes to the dehydration process.

I am not a food scientist but these are the foods that homesteaders tend to skip over when making dehydrated snacks at home:

• Milk
• Avocados
• Butter
• Eggs

I suggest not dehydrating these items at home but there are store-bought dehydrated versions of some of these items if you prefer. 

The best way to store dehydrated snacks

The best way to store dehydrated food is in airtight containers in a cool, dark, dry place like a pantry or cupboard. 

You want to keep your dehydrated snacks away from humidity as much as possible. You don’t want them to accidentally rehydrate (: 

Your local thrift store will be the best place to source air-tight containers or you can find them here. 

If you want to bring your dehydrated snack on the go and don’t want to carry around heavy glass mason jars, I suggest buying stasher bags. The seal is pretty tight! 

Benefits of making dehydrated snacks

• It’s an easy, nutritious, and portable snack for picnics, hiking, camping, beach days etc. 
• Cuts down on food waste since dehydrated snacks have a long shelf life which helps you save money
• You can dehydrate foods to add to soups such as sun-dried tomatoes, peppers, garlic, onions, pumpkins etc. 
• Great way to get in extra nutrients and diversify your diet 
• If you don’t like the mushy texture of fruit and vegetables, the crisp crunch of a dehydrated fruit or vegetable will be perfect for you
• They can be crushed and sprinkled into other healthy dishes: smoothie bowls, salads, desserts etc. 

What dehydrated snack are you the most excited to make? Do you have any other fun healthy dehydrated snack ideas? Let us know in the comments below! 

Be sure to sign up for the newsletter if you would like sustainability and wellness tips sent directly to your inbox!

Stay well, 

Maggie 

This post was all about the best foods to dehydrate for snacks. 

Other posts you may like: 

6 Easy Tips To Go Vegan On A Budget | Sustainable Frugal Living Hacks

A Soda Lover’s Guide To The Best Soda Alternatives

7 Store Bought Non Alcoholic Drinks for Summer You Can Pick Up at Most Grocery Stores

If you would like to save this post for later-Pin it!