Go Back
–+ servings
Drying Peaches
Drying peaches is a traditional method of preserving summer’s harvest for year-round enjoyment. Before refrigeration became common, home cooks relied on careful preparation, steaming, and sulfur treatments to prevent spoilage and discoloration. This recipe outlines a classic technique: washing, peeling, removing the red centers, treating with ascorbic acid to control darkening, steaming briefly, then sulfuring outdoors before placing fruit on drying racks. The result is chewy, sweet dried peaches that retain their bright color and rich flavor, perfect for baking, snacking, or adding to cereals and desserts.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Drying Time 1 day
Total Time 1 day 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine Southern
Servings 4 lbs
Calories 190 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 10 to 12 lbs fresh ripe peaches
  • 2 tbsp ascorbic acid mixture (or 2 tbsp lemon juice mixed with 2 cups water)
  • 10 to 12 tsp sulfur powder (1 tsp per lb of fruit)

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Peaches

  • Wash the peaches thoroughly.
  • Peel the peaches.
  • Scoop out the red flesh from the hollow center.

Step 2: Prevent Darkening

  • Sprinkle peaches with ascorbic acid mixture in a colander to control darkening.

Step 3: Steam the Fruit

  • Steam peaches for 15–20 minutes.

Step 4: Arrange for Sulfuring

  • Place peaches on drying racks.
  • Stack up to 6 racks with 3-inch spacing between them.

Step 5: Prepare Sulfur Box

  • Measure 1 tsp sulfur per pound of fruit into a small foil box.
  • Cover the box with foil.
  • Poke a small hole in the covering and slit for air.

Step 6: Sulfur Outdoors

  • Place setup outdoors (avoid enclosed spaces).
  • Light the brown sulfur.
  • Allow fruit to remain as usual after sulfuring.

Step 7: Dry the Peaches

  • Dry peaches on racks until leathery and pliable, turning occasionally for even drying.

Tips

  • Use a dehydrator instead of open-air racks for more consistent drying.
  • Skip sulfur and use only lemon juice if you prefer a natural approach.
  • Slice peaches instead of halving for faster drying.
  • Turn fruit occasionally for even dehydration.
  • Store dried peaches in airtight jars.
  • Freeze dried peaches for long-term storage.
  • Add cinnamon before drying for warm spice flavor.
  • Choose firm-ripe peaches to prevent mushy texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 2gFat: 0.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 750mgFiber: 7gSugar: 43gVitamin A: 2100IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1.2mg
Keyword heritage recipes, homemade, Peaches, preserving, seasonal cooking, summer recipes, traditional recipes, vintage recipes
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!