by: Susan Gast / Author, Blogger at Beesville Books, Bored Boomers, and a Food Dehydrating Fanatic!
So you want to know how to dehydrate mango? Here you go!
I'll walk you through how to properly dehydrate mango slices at home for satisfying dried mango pieces that make healthy snacks any time - whether you're at home or backpacking.
I'll cover
One of the easiest and cheapest methods of food preservation is dehydration.
It's a fun activity you can share with the kids too (especially the food vacuum-sealing process!) It's fun to watch the air being drawn out!
Dried mango in dehydrator is the top question, along with drying mangoes in dehydrator.
The full answer to how to make dried mango in a dehydrator is further down this page!
Dehydrated mango nutrition?
Check out the "Vitamins" and "Minerals" area directly below this FAQ section!
How to dehydrate mango?
This is the third most-asked question; read the page you're on now to learn how!
How can you tell when a mango is ripe?
You can tell when a mango is ripe by gently squeezing it and pressing it with your thumb. There should be some "give" in it. It will give off a fruity aroma.
Also, the skin will be reddish-orange and may have small white specks on it. Don't pick green mangoes that are hard and have no aroma.
What's the best way to cut a mango?
Slice off the sides close to the long flat seed (see the prep stage further down the page).. Score the mango flesh in a checkerboard pattern - but don't cut through the skin.
Turn the mango "inside out" (as shown in the the image at the bottom of the page), and the cubes will pop up for easy removal (and eating!)
How do you stop a mango from becoming stringy?
As mangoes ripen, they develop more fibers, i.e. stringiness. You can choose varieties such as Tommy Atkins, or Keitt, which are known to be less fibrous.
Regarding the over-ripening of mangoes: put them in the refrigerator to slow down the fiber growth!
How to dry mango in food dehydrator, and drying mango in a dehydrator?
It's easy to dehydrate mango, just follow the instructions coming up!
VITAMINS: Vitamin A (beta carotene hence their orange color!), Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K.
MINERALS: Copper and Magnesium.
Mangoes are a good source of dietary fiber, too.
People ask me, "Is dehydrated mango good for you?" As you can see above with the number of vitamins and minerals mango contains, well yes - mango is good for you!
Check out this great chef's knife with a full tang that means the handle and blade "are one" so they can't come apart when we're slicin' and a dicin'.
I know these Cutluxe Chef knives may be a little expensive, but they do last pretty much a lifetime when you maintain their cutting edges.
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For those of us who hate tossing spoiled fresh fruits or vegetables, get busy dehydrating your fresh mango before it goes off! Don't forget that dehydrated apples, bananas, and pineapples are just a few other fruits that are excellent for dehydration.
Be self-sufficient: get those fruits and veggies socked away for that rainy day - and keep your pantry full - whatever the reason or the season!
Drying mangoes in a food dehydrator is easy:
Use our Fahrenheit to Celsius converter here on our site!
Arrange your mango slices on your dehydrator trays making sure the pieces don't overlap. We need proper air circulation to make sure they dry at the same time.
If you have big and small pieces on the same tray, the smaller ones will dry faster and will end up being too dry if you wait for the larger pieces to "catch up." Conversely, the larger pieces will be too damp if you go by how dry the smaller pieces are, does that make sense?
If you're using canned mango, pour the opened canned contents into a sieve over your kitchen sink to let excess juicy syrup drain out. Give the pieces a quick rinse to remove any remaining sugar, and pat them dry.
When using frozen mangoes, all you have to do is let them thaw. Yes, a strainer in the kitchen sink works well. Chop up the mango in evenly-sized pieces, whether it's a fresh, canned, or frozen mango. Having the pieces the same size makes them dry at a uniform rate.
After dehydrating, allow your mango slices to cool before storing them. One step I include is called "conditioning," so please click the link to read more about that step. I do consider conditioning to be an optional step, by the way.
What we don't want to do is store 'slightly warm food' in plastic vacuum-sealer bags because you may end up with condensation inside the bags. That can cause the risk of bacterial mold growing - and that's why we add an oxygen absorber into the vacuum-sealer bag, before drawing out the air.
As he was reading this page he asked, "Susan, why can't you put small pieces on one tray, and larger pieces on another tray? And when the smaller pieces are done, you just take them off that tray?"
I tried to come back with a cutesy response, but hey, he is right. You can do that and it's a great idea! (Why didn't I think of it? Grr.)
Reminder: Always have your Nesco running/drying with a minimum of four trays.
When storing dehydrated mango, the oxygen absorber size I use the most is a 100cc size.
When you're ready to dehydrate your batch of dried mango, open up your oxygen absorber bag and follow my trick on resealing oxygen absorber bags ASAP after opening!
Many people write in to ask if they can just use a Ziploc bag: my answer is - it depends! If you're going to be eating dried mango the day after, then sure, a Ziploc bag is fine. But if your aim is to store your dehydrated mango for long-term storage, then please use a proper vacuum-sealer bag with a 100cc oxygen absorber tucked in it (again, prior to drawing out the air with the food vacuum-sealer machine).
I use a FoodSaver brand food vacuum sealer. I've had mine for years!
The FoodSaver machines remove air, one of the main causes of mold and food spoilage - and they create an airtight seal to lock in freshness.
Helps keep food fresh longer.
Comes complete with a starter kit that includes an 11" x 10' heat seal roll, (3) quart heat seal bags, (2) gallon heat seal bags, and an accessory hose, so you'll soon be on your way to keeping your food fresh, eliminating waste, and saving money.
The 2-in-1 Automatic Vacuum Sealing System helps keep
food fresh longer.
One FoodSaver 2-in-1 appliance does it all: automatic bag detection and vacuum sealing mean two quick and easy steps to seal and save, and the built-in handheld sealer eliminates the need for additional attachments when sealing zipper bags and containers.
FoodSaver 8" x 20' rolls, 6-pk
FoodSaver GameSaver 8" x 20' Vacuum Seal Long Roll with BPA-Free Multilayer Construction
FoodSaver 1-Quart Food Storage Sealer bags
FoodSaver Pint-size Food Storage Sealer bags
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Did you know, it's quite common to add chili powder and other spices to mango? Think:
How about indulging in chili mango popsicles now you know how to dehydrate mango? Simply blend the rehydrated mangoes with chili powder and lime - it makes a refreshing ice pop with a kick.
Check out this easy-release 10-Cavity Red Silicone Ice Pop mold from Amazon.com
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Mangoes with a sweet and sour mix are favorites in Mexico, India, and South Asian cuisines.
My mom used to love mango chutney! Check out this Indian Mango Chutney recipe. Share your dehydrated mango treats with friends and family, and make dried mango packets for your next hiking trip.
Mangoes have a flavor all their own - they're a cross between a pineapple, peach, and an apricot. Click on any of those links to see how to dehydrate those fruits specifically.
You can use fresh mango - even canned or frozen mango, too! If you opt for using fresh, make sure it's ripe. Pick one that is firm to the touch but does yield a little from the pressure of your thumb. (See more in the FAQs at the top of this post).
The best way to dehydrate mango is to use an electric dehydrator such as a Nesco or an Excalibur brand:
Use our Fahrenheit to Celsius converter here on our site!
Excalibur 2400 Food Dehydrator, 4-Tray Starter
This is a square-shaped food dehydrator, that boasts 4 square feet of drying space. Black textured plastic body. Remove the front panel for access to its four trays.
Excalibur 2900ECB 9-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator
This is a square-shaped food dehydrator, that boasts 15 square feet of drying space. Black textured plastic body. Remove the front panel for access to its nine trays.
Excalibur 3900B 9-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator
This is a square-shaped food dehydrator, that boasts 15 square feet of drying space. Black textured plastic body. Remove the front panel for access to its 9 trays. Has a built-in on/off switch.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. The price you pay does not increase. Read disclosure here.
Use our Fahrenheit to Celsius converter here on our site!
Nesco FD-80A Food + Jerky Dehydrator
This is a square-shaped food dehydrator, perfect for snacks, fruit, and beef jerky. White with a top black tray edge, with a white lid.
Nesco FD-61WHC Snackmaster Encore Food Dehydrator
This round Nesco Snackmaster comes with a jerky gun kit and 5 trays. It has a very light grey body with a darker grey lid.
Nesco FD-60 Snackmaster Express Food Dehydrator
This is the new version of mine as it has an updated lid. It's a light grey body with a darker grey lid.
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The best areas for growing mangoes are:
So now you know how to dehydrate mango and where they were grown before they arrived at your grocery store or roadside stand!
Don't forget to get your free "Six Simple Steps" eBook where I share how to dehydrate food safely!
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