• Line your freeze dryer trays with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Fresh Strawberries

• If using fresh strawberries, rinse them under cold water and pat them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel. Removing as much surface moisture as possible helps reduce freeze drying time.
• Remove the green tops and hulls from the strawberries. A strawberry huller works well or use a ¼ or ½ teaspoon metal measuring spoon to scoop them out.
• Cut the strawberries into uniform slices about ⅛ inch thick. Even slices help the berries freeze dry at the same rate.
• Spread the strawberry slices in a single layer on the prepared trays. If desired, you can create a second layer by placing another sheet of parchment paper over the first layer of strawberries and adding more berries on top. (The more strawberries you load onto the trays the longer the drying cycle may take.)

Frozen Strawberries

• If using frozen strawberry slices, place them directly onto the lined trays. Frozen whole strawberries can also be used, but they will require a longer freeze drying time.

Freeze Drying Instructions

• Make sure the freeze dryer is dry and clean. Close the vacuum valve, drain valve and demister.
• Begin the freeze drying cycle according to your freeze-dryer manufacturer's instructions.

Stay Fresh Freeze Dryer Instructions

• In the Stay Fresh Freeze Dryer, I add the fresh strawberries to the machine, click settings to change the final dry time to 24-36 hours (depending on how loaded my trays are), and then click freeze drying and start. If using frozen strawberries, you will want to follow the instructions for frozen food and let the freeze dryer cool before adding the strawberries to the chamber.

Check for Doneness

• Strawberries take 24-36 hours to freeze dry. Whole strawberries may take longer. Strawberries contain tiny seeds that retain moisture so it's important to allow plenty of drying time to ensure the berries are fully dry throughout.
• Pause your freeze dryer when you are ready to check the strawberries. Properly freeze dried strawberries should be crisp and completely dry with no soft, cold, or chewy spots in the center.
• The best way to check for doneness is to weigh each tray and write down the weights. Then run the freeze dryer for another 3 hours and check the weight of each tray again.

  If the weight decreases, then the strawberries weren't finished drying, and you will want to repeat that until the weight of the trays stays the same.