How to Dry Apricots

Reviewed by Jennifer Levasseur

Last Updated: August 7, 2024 Approved

An apricot is a small, soft stone fruit. It is especially suited to drying because of its sweet flesh. Homemade dried apricots can be dehydrated in the oven or a dehydrator machine. They make excellent snacks or recipe additions.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Drying Apricots in the Oven

Download Article

^{[1]
X
Research source}Under-ripe fruit can become sour when dried. If they grow locally in your area, wait for the end of the season “canning specials” when you can get ripe fruit that you can use immediately, instead of keeping it around to eat raw.
They will be ripe in late summer, or sometime between July and September, depending upon the year.

Advertisement
If you are worried your apricots will become overripe before you have time to dry them, you can place them in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Soak them for a few minutes in water to loosen dirt and then rinse them with running water. Discard any bruised apricots.
You should cut them in half along the indentation, and then you can remove the pit.
Push the outside center up, so that there is more flesh exposed to the air. You will dry them with the flesh facing up.
If you have a large wire rack, place it above the rack to reduce drying times.
Make sure they are spaced evenly apart.
They will dry best at a warming temperature below 200 degrees (93 degrees Celsius). 175 degrees Fahrenheit (79 degrees Celsius) will work well for drying apricots.
Place the cooking sheets with racks in the oven.
11
Wait at least 10 to 12 hours for the apricots to dry. Turn them at the halfway mark to ensure even drying. They should be slightly soft but leathery when they are done.
- The cooking time will vary depending upon the size of the apricots and the temperature at which you dry them. It will take less time to dry at 175 than 150 degrees.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Drying Apricots in a Dehydrator

Download Article

Clean them with fresh water, just as you did in the oven drying method.
Slice them along the indentation with a paring knife. Remove the pit and discard.
Leave the skins on. You need to press the outside center until the flesh spreads out.
Spread the apricots onto the racks with the flesh facing up. Make sure there is space between each piece of fruit for increased airflow.
Set the dehydrator at 135 degrees Fahrenheit (57 degrees Celsius). Read your manual to determine if this is the low, medium or high setting on your dehydrator.^{[2]
X
Research source}
Larger apricot halves will take longer.
Place them in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry. They will last several months.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Can I freeze dried apricots?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Yes, you can freeze dried apricots. Just be sure to place them inside a sealed freezer-appropriate bag or container before adding to the freezer. They can be kept frozen for up to 12 months. Allow them to thaw before eating or using in cooking.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 8
Question

Are dried apricots healthy?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

In small amounts, dried apricots can add such healthy benefits as fiber and nutrients like iron. However, they are also calorie dense and high in fruit sugars, so don’t eat too many of them at any one time.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2
Question

Can I eat dried apricots on a diet?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Yes, you can enjoy dried apricots when dieting but remember to keep the amount consumed small. For example, around 4 dried apricot halves provide about 80 calories. It’s important to keep your intake of dried fruit low when dieting, as all dried fruits contain high amounts of calories and sugars when eaten in even medium amounts.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 2

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

You can rehydrate dried apricots by covering them in fruit juice for 2 to 4 hours. Then, you can use them in recipes that call for fresh fruit.^{[3]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Separate your larger apricots and smaller apricots into 2 different batches. If you dry varying sizes, some apricots will become over-dried or others will retain too much moisture and rot.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 2
Add sweetness to dried apricots by mixing a solution of 1 cup (237 ml) of water, 4 tbsp. (59 ml) lemon juice and honey to taste. Soak them in the solution for a few minutes before setting them on the drying rack.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0