Chocolate Covered Dehydrated Fruit
Preview: This recipe for chocolate covered dehydrated fruit is sure to be a winner with family and friends. Plus it makes a nice gift for loved ones too.
I first purchased some chocolate covered bananas and mango at my local Food Lion under the brand name Nature’s Intent. It was absolutely delicious.
However, it got my wheels turning. Could I make the same thing?
Could I dip some of my dehydrated organic fruits in chocolate for a fraction of the cost?
What about dehydrating the one or two bananas that we had laying around that were about to spoil? One can only eat so many loaves of banana bread!
So I decided to experiment. And this was definitely one of my tastier experiments. I kept walking by the kitchen popping one or two pieces of chocolate covered dehydrated fruit in my mouth all day. It was all I could do to keep everyone from eating them before I got them photographed!
(Please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you purchase something through a link. It will not change your cost. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, check out my disclosures page.)
These chocolate covered dehydrated fruit pieces would make a great Valentine’s Day gift. Pop the chocolates in individual mini-cupcake wrappers and place them in a nice box.
To really make this a one-of-a-kind box of chocolates, add a few homemade chocolate covered cherries. Your sweetie will think you’re the best thing ever!
How to Dehydrate Fruit
I use a Nesco snackmaster dehydrator that is quite a few years old but still works like a champ. I’ve given a quick dehydrating tutorial for several of the fruits below.
But for the best guide to dehydrating, check out The Ultimate Dehydrator Cookbook by Tammy Gangloff. Not only does this book explain all the ins and outs of dehydrating almost any food, but it also is the best book I’ve found for actually using your dehydrated produce.
How to Dehydrate Bananas
To dehydrate bananas, peel the bananas and slice them 1/4 inch thick. Place them on the dehydrator trays and dehydrate them at 125 degrees for about 12 hours.
You can spray them lightly with lemon juice before dehydrating to help prevent discoloration. I don’t usually bother since they will be covered in chocolate anyway.
How to Dehydrate Strawberries
Wash strawberries and hull. Slice the berries in half. (If you try to slice them any thinner, you won’t have much fruit to dip in chocolate.) Place on trays. Dehydrate at 125 degrees. They may take up to 18 hours to fully dry.
How to Dehydrate Mango
Peel the mango and cut the flesh away from the seed. Cut into slices about 1/4″ thick. Spread on trays and dehydrate at 125 degrees for 10 to 12 hours.
For more detailed dehydrating instructions or to try dehydrating other fruits to dip, check out The Ultimate Dehydrator Cookbook. If you plan to do much dehydrating, I highly, highly, highly recommend this book!
Chocolate Covered Dehydrated Fruit
Chocolate covered dehydrated fruit makes a wonderful dessert or a lovely gift. It is especially yummy if you grow the fruit yourself.
- 1 1/2 cups dehydrated fruit such as bananas, strawberries, mango, etc.
- 6 oz. chocolate, chopped
- 1 tsp. coconut oil
-
Melt chocolate and coconut oil together either in the microwave or in a double boiler. If using the microwave, melt in 30 second increments, stirring after each increment, just until most of the chocolate is melted. Keep stirring until fully melted. For a double boiler, place a pot on the stove with 1" water. Place a heat safe bowl in the first pot. (The bowl should not be touching the water.) Add chocolate and coconut oil to bowl. Heat water to a simmer. Stir chocolate mixture frequently until melted. Do not get water in the chocolate or it may seize up.
-
Once chocolate is melted, dip pieces of fruit in chocolate. You can coat both sides or just spread a little chocolate on top of each piece of fruit. Allow to cool on wax paper. Store fruit in the refrigerator.
Where to Purchase
If you don’t want to make them yourself, I purchased the Nature’s Intent Dark Chocolate Enrobed Bananas and Dark Chocolate Enrobed Mangoes at my local Food Lion. But you can find them on Amazon and I bet any of them would be delicious. (Amazon carries bananas, strawberries, mangoes, figs, and pineapples.)
What other fruits would you like to try? As I try others, I will update this post. I would love it if you would pin this for later.
Thanks for this. But how can you coat chocolate on coconut and still keep it crispy and crunchy?
I’m not really sure how to keep the coconut crispy. I’ve never tried making chocolate-covered coconut. (But it sounds delicious!)