Many ask "Can you store dried fruits in mylar bags?" Yes. You can store dried fruit in Mylar bags, and it is one of the best ways to preserve it long term. When fully dried fruit is sealed in thick Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers and kept in a cool, dark place, it can stay fresh for one to five years depending on the fruit and storage conditions.

If the goal is for dried fruit to have a very long shelf life (months or even years) with no degradation of taste, consistency or nutritional value you must pay attention to how you store the items. All dried foods can be ruined over time by air, moisture, light and heat. That is why Mylar bags have become the standard for long term food storage. When properly sealed they can provide a near perfect barrier against the elements that cause spoilage.

This guide will show you how to properly store dried fruit in Mylar bags for all purposes whether they are stored as emergency supplies, excess bulk item storage, or repackaging for retail.

Why Mylar Bags Are Ideal for Dried Fruit Storage

Mylar bag construction contains an oxygen barrier, moisture barrier, principal light barrier and pest barrier. The construction of Mylar bags block air from coming in and out. Regular plastic bags allow slow air exchange which creates stale, chewy or spoiled dried fruits.

The following are some other benefits of using Mylar bags:

• Oxygen Barrier: Prevents removing all of the fruit’s taste and color via oxidation.
• Protects Moisture: Prevents humidity from being absorbed back into the fruit.
• Blocks Light: Prevents UV damage and loss of nutrients.
• Prevents Pests: Pests are not able to penetrate through Mylar.
• Extends Storage Life: Extends the storage life of dried fruits from months to years.

For businesses that sell dried fruits, Mylar bags also make their products look more appealing/sell more by providing enhanced perception of quality as well good shelf appeal; both extremely important factors to premium snack brands.

If you are preserving multiple foods, not just fruit, see our complete guide on storing dehydrated foods in Mylar bags for long-term pantry storage.

"The stability of dried fruit depends heavily on controlling both oxygen exposure and moisture migration. Even low-moisture foods can deteriorate if packaging allows oxygen ingress or humidity exchange. High-barrier flexible packaging significantly slows oxidative browning and texture changes." -Dr. Theodore P. Labuza, Food Shelf Life Researcher

Step-by-Step: How to Store Dried Fruit in Mylar Bags

1. Fill the Bag: Fill the bag leaving several inches of room from the top for sealing. 

2. Add an Oxygen Absorber: As soon as you open an oxygen absorber you need to work fast, because it starts absorbing oxygen right away.

3. Remove Excess Air: Carefully squeeze as much air from the bag as you can. 

4. Heat Seal: Use a heat sealer, iron, or hair straightener to seal the bag top.

5. Label: Label bags with what's inside and the date they were packaged for a proper rotation.

Choosing the Right Mylar Bags

There are many different types of Mylar bags; thickness, size and features will influence how long you want to keep the food you put inside.

Recommended specifications for

- Thickness: 5 mil or more for long-term storage
- Color: Opaque bags offer more protection against light damage
- Closure: Use heat seal to create a maximum seal to the bag
- Size: Use an appropriately sized bag for each portion to avoid air accumulation.

Zipper resealable bags may be useful for short-term storage, however, providing a heat seal above the zipper would provide the protection of long-term storage.

When packaging your product for sale, you can use custom printed mylar pouches as a branding resource so you can use storage as marketing. 

Preparing Dried Fruit Before Storage