Dehydrated watermelon jerky is an easy sweet and fruity treat that you don't have to feel bad about eating! This dried watermelon jerky is a bit less chewy than taffy and comes out sweet, almost like watermelon jolly ranchers (but better)! If you don't have a dehydrator, don't worry, you can also make them in the oven!
Easy Dried Watermelon Jerky
Since purchasing a dehydrator, I've been having tons of fun tossing in different things and seeing how they turn out. This dehydrated watermelon jerky turned out to be a favorite, by far!
It's sweet, it's chewy, it's fruity, it's all the things! Plus, you can eat as much as you want and it's fine because it's fruit, right?
🥘 Ingredients
If you have a watermelon, you have all you need! Big or small, you can use any watermelon so long as it is ripe.
- Watermelon - 1 ripe watermelon (*see note below on choosing the perfect watermelon!)
*Be sure to see the recipe card below for ingredients, amounts & instructions!*
🔪 How To Make Dehydrated Watermelon Jerky
After slicing your watermelon this recipe is basically hands-off! You will need a sharp knife, cutting board, and preferably a dehydrator but you can also use the oven (*see note).
- Prep. Line your dehydrator with parchment paper or fruit leather sheets. Then, slice 1 watermelon into large wedges. Slice along the rind to remove it and repeat with each wedge.
- Slice. Now that you have large wedges, you need to slice them into smaller strips or pieces. The thinner, the better!
- Place in the dehydrator. Put all the watermelon strips into your lined dehydrator (do not overlap them) and close the door.
- Dehydrate. If your dehydrator has options, set it to 'fruit'. If not, set it to 135°F (57°C). Then set your timer to 12 hours and go about your day!
- Check your jerky. It can take anywhere from 12-24 hours for the watermelon to sufficiently dry. At the 12 hour mark, check your jerky. If it is completely dry and breaks when you bend it, it's done! If not, leave it be and check on it every hour or so until it is ready.
Once you get the dehydrating process down, switch it up by adding some lime zest and chipotle powder or Tajin! Watermelons are available year-round so you can make dehydrated watermelon jerky whenever you like! Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- When looking for a ripe watermelon, you want it to have a creamy yellow underbelly. This means the fruit sat in the field long enough to ripen in the sun. It should feel heavy for its size (when watermelon is at its peak it is 92% water). Avoid any melons with blemishes, dents, or bruises.
- If possible, grab a seedless watermelon. You will have to pick out the black seeds because they are hard, but the white seeds are fine.
- My miniature watermelon (sugar baby variety) filled 3 Excalibur dehydrator sheets, or 4 of the rings in my countertop vertical flow dehydrator.
- If you want watermelon jerky but don't have a dehydrator, you can make it in the oven. Set your oven to the lowest temperature (200°F or lower). Place the watermelon pieces on a wire cooling rack that is set on top of a rimmed baking sheet and pop it in the oven. Depending on the temperature, this could take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours, so after the 12 hour mark check it every hour or so.
- Keep in mind that the dehydrating time is relative and depends on many factors like temperature, the size of your watermelon pieces, and your dehydrator. Check frequently and use your best judgment.
- To store: Keep watermelon jerky in an airtight container for up to 3 months. *I store mine in jars if I know that I'll be eating or using the watermelon soon, or vacuum sealed into mylar bags for longer storing.
❓ What Does Watermelon Jerky Taste Like?
The natural sweetness of the watermelon is concentrated when it is dehydrated, but there is no added sugar. Think sweet like a perfectly ripe watermelon, then maybe just a tad sweeter.
It has a consistency that is similar to jerky (duh) while also being a bit chewy like taffy (but not so much it sticks to your teeth). All I can say is it is easy to snack on and downright addicting!
❓ How Long Does Watermelon Jerky Last?
The consensus on this varies anywhere from 1-6 months. I find 3 months is pretty accurate. The great thing about dehydrated foods is that you can easily see when it has been compromised.
If it isn't mushy, off-colored, or moldy, it's good to eat!
❓ Is Watermelon Jerky Healthy?
Yes! Particularly when compared to other candies and sweets. A single serving of watermelon jerky has almost an entire day's recommended amount of vitamins A and C!
🍉 More Delicious Fruity Treats!
- Candied Orange Slices
- Candied Lemon Slices
- Kool-Aid Grapes
- Tanghulu
- Crack Grapes
- Mandarin Orange Jello Salad
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📖 Recipe Card
Dehydrated Watermelon Jerky
Ingredients
- 1 watermelon (ripe- *see note)
- salt or sugar (optional- *see note)
- mint (optional, freshly chopped- *see note)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- First, line your dehydrator with parchment paper or fruit leather sheets. Then, slice your watermelon into large wedges and remove the rind with your knife.
- Now, slice the wedges of watermelon into smaller strips or pieces. The thinner, the better.
- Add the watermelon pieces to your prepared dehydrator and close the door. *You can sprinkle optional salt, sugar, Tajin, or fresh chopped mint after arranging the watermelon on your trays or rings.
- If your dehydrator has settings, set it to 'fruit' or about 135°F (57°C). Set your timer for 12 hours and let the dehydrator do its thing.
- This could take up to 24 hours, so check your jerky at the 12 hour mark and pop it back in if it needs to go longer. Your watermelon jerky is done when it is completely dry and breaks if you bend it. Enjoy!
Notes
- When looking for a ripe watermelon, you want it to have a creamy yellow underbelly. This means the fruit sat in the field long enough to ripen in the sun. It should feel heavy for its size (when watermelon is at its peak it is 92% water). Avoid any melons with blemishes, dents, or bruises.
- If possible, grab a seedless watermelon. You will have to pick out the black seeds because they are hard, but the white seeds are fine.
- My miniature watermelon (sugar baby variety) filled 3 Excalibur dehydrator sheets, or 4 of the rings in my countertop vertical flow dehydrator.
- If you want watermelon jerky but don't have a dehydrator, you can make it in the oven. Set your oven to the lowest temperature (200°F or lower). Place the watermelon pieces on a wire cooling rack that is set on top of a rimmed baking sheet and pop it in the oven. Depending on the temperature, this could take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours, so after the 12 hour mark check it every hour or so.
- Keep in mind that the dehydrating time is relative and depends on many factors like temperature, the size of your watermelon pieces, and your dehydrator. Check frequently and use your best judgment.
- To store: Keep watermelon jerky in an airtight container for up to 3 months. *I store mine in jars if I know that I'll be eating or using the watermelon soon, or vacuum sealed into mylar bags for longer storing.
Bob Keough says
Thanks for the input. My first batch came out great. We used lime juice, a little sea salt, paprika and cracked black pepper. The black pepper actually gives it some nice flavor and a slight kick.
Thanks again