Air Fryer Dehydrated Peaches

560 Shares

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

Keep the summer vibes going all year with these Air Fryer Dehydrated Peaches! They’re easy to make, require just 2 ingredients and they keep for up to 12 months.

This portable, refined sugar-free snack will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth!

Dehydrated peach slices in a white bowl on a white plate.

We always stock up on peaches during peach season, and dehydrating them is a great way to preserve them at their peak sweetness. It also saves money and freezer space, and you can even rehydrate them (although it takes a ton of time) to use in recipes like this southern peach cobbler or this peach almond tart.

If you don’t have fresh peaches, no worries! Frozen peaches work perfectly in this recipe. They’re usually frozen at their peak ripeness so they retain their sweet flavor and vibrant color.

If you haven’t tried dehydrating fruit in your air fryer yet, it’s definitely worth a try! The air fryer works similar to a dehydrator as it circulates warm air around the fruit to dry it out.

We also love it for this dehydrated mango or these dehydrated apricots!

You just need to use a low temperature setting on your air fryer to ensure the fruit dries out and doesn’t cook.

Why this recipe works

The recipe requires minimal prep time and just two ingredients. While the cook time is about 6 hours in the air fryer, it’s pretty hands off!
You can use fresh or frozen peaches, so enjoying this dehydrated snack year round is totally possible! Plus, they store well, so once they’re dehydrated, they can last up to a year!
Dehydrating peaches brings out their natural sweetness, so they make a delicious refined sugar-free snack or dessert. We love them in granolas and trail mixes, or even baked into cookies or as a topping for ice cream!

Overhead view of dried peach slices in a bowl on a white plate.

What is an Air Fryer?

The Air Fryer is a healthier alternative to frying foods. It's basically a small, powerful convection oven that sits on your countertop.

It circulates hot air around the food you're cooking, which is what gives it that crisp texture that mimics fried food (without all the grease).

Read more about the health benefits of using an air fryer.

I personally use this Ninja MAX XL Air Fryer because it hold 5.5 quarts, which is more than most. It has worked great so far and we just love how easy it is to use!

Other air fryer recipes to try

Ingredients

There are just two ingredients for this recipe:

You’ll need two fresh peaches, or one 10 ounce bag of frozen peaches. Since dehydration concentrates the sweetness of peaches, you’ll want to use in-season peaches that are fully ripe.

If you’re using frozen, they are usually flash frozen at their peak ripeness, so they’re a great substitute for fresh peaches in this recipe.

I like to sprinkle some flaky sea salt, such as Maldon, on the peaches to bring out the sweetness even more. It’s just ⅛ of a teaspoon, but I highly recommend it.

Peach slices on a white plate and sprinkled with sea salt.

Step by step instructions

If using fresh peaches, boil a pot of water and add the peaches. Cook for 10-30 seconds, until the skins start to split, and then use a slotted spoon to remove them from the water.

Let the peaches cool before peeling off the skins and cutting into ¼ inch slices.

If using frozen peaches, thaw them under warm water then pat them dry with a paper towel.

Sprinkle the peaches VERY lightly with the sea salt.

Arrange the peach slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook (using the dehydrate button if you have one) at 135F degrees for 5-6 hours, until the peaches are no longer tacky to the touch. They won’t be crunchy.

Peach slices arranged in a single layer in an air fryer basket.

Start checking for doneness at 5 hours. Some air fryers will dehydrate the peaches slightly faster.

Remove and let cool fully before storing in a sealable container in a cool, dry place for 6-12 months.

Learn how to re-hydrate dried fruit.

Expert tips

Make sure your air fryer can go as low as 135F degrees or has a dehydrating function. Some air fryers do not have a temperature setting low enough to dehydrate food.
For the best results, make sure your peaches are in-season and ripe. If your peaches have soft or brown spots discard them as these areas are more prone to growing bacteria.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. You want air to circulate around the peach slices evenly. If the peaches are crowded together or overlapping, some pieces may not fully dehydrate.
To make sure all the peach slices dehydrate at the same rate, cut them all the same thickness. I cut mine into ¼ inch slices. If you cut them thicker, they will take longer to dry out.
Make sure the peaches are fully dehydrated before storing them. Any moisture left may cause bacteria or mold to grow.
To maximize their shelf life, I recommend storing them in an airtight container, or even vacuum seal them.
Feel free to use the same method for other stone fruit like nectarines, apricots or plums.

Air fryer dehydrated peaches in a bowl on a large white plate.

Common questions

Do you need to cook peaches before dehydrating?

No, you don’t need to do this. I only add them to boiling water for 10-30 seconds to make it easier to peel the peaches. You can peel them with a knife if you prefer.

Do you need to peel the peaches before dehydrating them?

If you don’t want to take the steps to peel the skins, no problem! You can dry the peaches with the skins left on.

Do you need to soak the peaches in lemon juice before dehydrating them?

Some recipes call for soaking peaches in lemon juice to help prevent them from browning, which often occurs when they’re dehydrated. While you can do this, I don’t usually bother. It’s purely for aesthetics and the browning doesn’t affect the taste or texture of the peaches.

What temperature should you set your air fryer for dehydrating?

You’ll want to set your air fryer to a very low temperature. I usually set mine at 135F degrees to dehydrate fruit. This ensures that the air circulating around the fruit is warm enough to dry it out but doesn’t end up cooking the fruit. If your air fryer has a dehydrating function, I suggest using that setting.

How long does it take to dehydrate peaches in the air fryer?

It will take about 5-6 hours for peaches to dehydrate at 135F degrees. Since different brands and sizes of air fryers may vary slightly in their cooking times and temperatures, I suggest checking the peaches after 5 hours. How quickly the peach slices dehydrate also depends on how thick they were sliced and how juicy they are. If they are thicker and contain more moisture, they will take longer to dry out.

How do you store dehydrated peaches?

Let the peaches fully cool and then place them in an airtight container or sealable bag and store in a cool, dark place. If stored properly, they should last for 6-12 months. For maximum freshness, you can even vacuum seal them.

Side view of dehydrated peaches in a white bowl.

Seasoning variations

Toss the peaches with Tajin seasoning before cooking for a Mexican flair.
For a warm spice blend, I love using garam masala. I think this is a great idea if you plan to use your dried peaches in granola or trail mix.
For a sweet and spicy pairing, you can always season the peach slices with Cajun seasoning.
If you plan on rehydrating the peaches and using them in crisps or cobblers, you might want to season them with ground cinnamon.

Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it turned out!