Watermelon candy is a delicious natural candy recipe with incredible concentrated flavor! Brightly vibrant with surprising flavor, these are the hit of summer!
recipe originally published October 26, 2011
Watermelon Candy
Watermelons always make me think of Grandpa Z. We shared a mutual love of watermelon, and I have many memories of enjoying it with him. I have photos of Grandpa Z sitting on the kitchen floor, holding our dachshund Hansel, with a huge watermelon in front of him.
We called grandpas mom - my great grandma - Watermelon Grandma. We had watermelon eating contests - to see who could "clean" their piece the fastest. We looked for the largest watermelons always, and often used the dachshund as a reference measure.
Dehydrator Recipe
I have been wanting to dehydrate watermelon for years. I tried it in the oven once, it really didn't work. Now that I have my dehydrator, I picked up a watermelon, and I made my first natural candy!
This tastes amazing - natural watermelon flavor intensified! Chewy and pliable like it should be, it is easy to bite and mmm, too easy to eat the entire tray (uh oh - I'm sensing a theme).
Do you share the love of watermelon? What should I dehydrate next (wrings hands)?
Did you make this recipe?
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Watermelon Candy
A delicious natural “candy” with incredible concentrated flavor! Brightly vibrant with surprising flavor, these are the hit of summer!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ fresh watermelon
Instructions
- Carefully cut rind from watermelon.
- Slice watermelon into uniform strips, about 6 inches long, almost 2 inches wide, ½ inch thick.
- Arrange in single layer on dehydrator sheets.
- Set dehydrator to 125 °F.
- Place dehydrator sheets inside dehydrator, close and set timer for 6-8 hours. Check after several hours.
Notes
vegan, gluten free, whole foods, dehydrator recipe
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
5 stripsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 21Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 0g
nutrition calculations results vary by calculator, are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.
about Kristina:
Kristina is spabettie! She found cooking at an early age, and created spabettie in 2010 to share vegan recipes. Kristina turned her culinary training into sharing vibrant vegan food! Read more...
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veggie wedgie says
These look so yummy 🙂
spabettie says
thank you!! 🙂 they ARE!
Caroline says
I always thought dehydrators were 1) big 2) expensive and 3) only for people who eat a lot of beef jerky. Thanks to you, I'm realizing none of those things are true, and I'm going to ask for a dehydrator for Christmas. Have you tried making dog treats with it? My dogs love sweet potato chews and dehydrated chicken strips. Those things are expensive if you buy them pre-made but would cost practically nothing to make using a dehydrator.
spabettie says
ooh, sweet potato chews! I bet Basil would be all over those! I have not tried any treats for him yet, but I will! well, dehydrators ARE kinda big... I am lucky to have enough room right now (my old kitchen? no way!). and the expense is relative, of course. again, there was a time in my life where it would be a TOO expensive luxury... then, like you said, if you really use it a lot and make things that you would normally pay a lot for, then it pays for itself pretty quickly. I love mine, I hope you get one for Christmas! 😀
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning says
Watermelon is hands down the best thing I've ever put in my food dehydrator. It is like pure candy when it comes out! I don't think I've ever made a batch of dehydrated watermelon last more than a few hours. 🙂
BTW I freaking love your recipes. I am making the spinach cakes tonight. 🙂
spabettie says
thank you, Lauren!! I hope you LOVE the spinach cakes as much as we do!! those watermelon strips are LONG GONE. and yes, that was my first immediate description... like candy!
Kris @Krazy_Kris says
what a GREAT idea! I would have never thought that those would work - so much moisture - I would think they would disappear....
and yes - thank you baby jesus for room to store the little beast!
hehehe
spabettie says
I know, I was excited when the result was exactly as I hoped - in texture and flavor - they are SO delicious!
Ann @ Running With Chopstix says
Omg. This is amaazing! I need to invest in a dehydrator! How did you select yours?
spabettie says
I researched and talked to friends who have them - I chose mine (the Excalibur) for the quality, great reviews and that it is a big flat surface (not round with a hole in the middle).
hihorosie says
Yummeee! I haven't done actual watermelon strips before, will have to try. We make fruit leather or dry actual fruit like apples and mango. I know, not as exciting but still tasty good!
spabettie says
DO try the watermelon!! so very good. I can't get enough of this - it's like a new toy!
Jeni Treehugger says
These are super awesome!! The taste of summer.
<:-)
spabettie says
taste of summer - indeed!
Lou says
I need a dehydrator.
spabettie says
😀 I have wanted one for years... this thing is SO fun!
Rivki Locker says
These look amazing. What dehydrator do you have? I have been coveting one for some time and with the holidays coming I want to be really specific with the hints I drop. 🙂
spabettie says
hi Rivki! I have the Excalibur (can't remember model # right now - I'm not at home). I love it - I researched all of them and have talked to friends who have them... this seemed like the best for many reasons - one of the big ones being the large flat surfaces, not like the round ones with a hole in the middle). 😀
Pure2raw twins says
wow those are gorgeous!! love watermelon!!! hate it when their season is over 🙁
spabettie says
I know - bad timing with my new dehydrator... something to look forward to next summer! 😀