6 Best Dehydrator Accessories and Trays to Expand Drying Capacity

If you love dehydrating fruits, jerky, herbs, or snacks in bulk, you know that the trays that come with your dehydrator sometimes just aren’t enough.

Whether you’re prepping for a party, stocking up snacks for the week, or experimenting with new recipes, having the right accessories can make all the difference.

This guide focuses on universal dehydrator accessories that help you dry more food, upgrade performance, and make your dehydrator way more versatile.

From mesh inserts that stop small pieces falling through to full-size fruit leather sheets, these picks expand capacity while keeping quality top-tier.

Let’s jump in.

Table of Contents

Why Universal Dehydrator Accessories Matter

Most dehydrators come with a set number of trays — often 5 to 6. If you want to:

Dry more food at once
Keep small pieces from dropping through grates
Make fruit leather or cracker-style snacks
Improve airflow and consistency

then accessories are your best friend.

Good accessories:

Maximize usable drying surface
Reduce food waste
Make cleanup easier
Turn your dehydrator into a mini food-processing station

The right combo will turn casual dehydrating into serious food prep.

How We Picked These Accessories

We focused on products that:

Fit a wide range of dehydrators (universal or adaptable)
Are built from durable, heat-resistant materials
Help you expand drying capacity
Have strong user feedback and practical value

Below are the top accessories worth investing in for any dehydrator setup.

Our top pick for mesh tray liners — best for small foods

Cosori Premium CP267-FD Non Stick Dryer Mats

Why this set is such a standout:

High-quality non-stick surface keeps little pieces from falling through trays (great for herbs, small fruit pieces, seeds)
Works as silicone dehydrator liners to extend tray usability
Heat-resistant and reusable
Excellent value for performance

Mesh or solid mats like these drastically expand the actual usable area of your dehydrator trays, so nothing bites the dust (or the floor).

Our top pick for precision mesh inserts — fine filtering

Nesco Clean-A-Screen LM-2-6

Why this is a must-have:

Designed to fit most dehydrator trays
Keeps small bits from falling through without blocking airflow
Perfect for herbs, small fruit pieces, seeds, and fine slices
Easy to clean

If you’ve ever lost food to the bottom of the dehydrator or wished for finer filtration without losing airflow quality, this accessory fixes that. It’s super affordable yet highly effective.

Our top pick for heavy-duty mesh mats — premium airflow management

BenchFoods 8″ x 12″ Premium Silicone Non-Stick Mesh Mats

Why this upgrade matters:

Larger and thicker mesh than basic liners
Excellent airflow and non-stick performance
Ideal for jerky, fruit slices, herbs, and small veggies
Reusable and easy to wipe clean

This accessory is designed to boost your dehydrator’s versatility by making trays more functional for a wide range of food types, not just fruit or jerky.

Our top pick for fruit leather trays — max capacity for sheets

Fruit Leather Sheets for Dehydrator

Why this belongs in every serious dehydrator kit:

Specially designed for fruit leather and liquid mixtures
Expands drying capacity beyond typical trays
Heat-resistant, non-stick, and reusable
Lets you make snack bars, fruit roll-ups, flax crackers, and more

Fruit leather sheets convert your basic dehydrator into something like a low-temperature oven — but better. You can often dry thin sheets of purees or batters, which is impossible with just mesh trays.

Our top pick for fine mesh inserts — add smaller grid coverage

Excalibur Mesh Sheet

Why this simple accessory matters:

Extremely slim and lightweight
Works under or over existing trays
Great for very small or delicate items
Helps prevent droppings without trapping air

This mesh sheet is less of a liner and more of a helper surface for just about any tray you have. It’s inexpensive but super useful when drying herbs or seeds that might otherwise slip through standard trays.

How These Accessories Expand Drying Capacity

Here’s how the accessories above help you dry more and dry better:

Mesh liners & screens: These stop small pieces from falling through trays, so you can spread food evenly and use more surface area.

Fruit leather trays: These extend your dehydrator’s functionality to include liquid or puree food—which dramatically expands your menu of dehydratable snacks.

Larger silicone mats: These allow you to push more food onto a single tray without worrying about sticking or airflow blockage — perfect for batch snacks.

All of these accessories also make cleanup easier, which means less time scrubbing and more time snacking.

Accessory Buying Tips (Before You Checkout)

Size matters
Measure your dehydrator trays first. Many universal accessories fit standard tray sizes, but always double-check dimensions. A misfit means wasted space or reduced airflow.

Material performance
Look for food-grade, heat-resistant silicone or mesh. These materials handle dehydration temperatures and repeated use way better than cheap plastic or liner paper.

Maintenance ease
Reusable accessories save money. Trash filler liners might seem cheap but you’ll spend more in the long run. Reusable silicone and mesh liners are worth the upfront investment.

Airflow still matters
Accessories should enhance, not block airflow. Too much blocking can extend drying time and reduce food quality. Choose mesh and lightweight silicone sheets for best results.

Quick Comparison — Best Accessories for Specific Needs

Accessory Type	Best For	Highlights
Mesh Liners	Fine food pieces, herbs, small slices	Prevents food falling through
Premium Mesh Mats	Jerky, fruit slices, versatile drying	Larger area, better airflow
Fruit Leather Sheets	Liquid or puree foods	Expands function of dehydrator
Fine Mesh Inserts	Very small bits, seeds	Extra protection without blocking air

How to Use These Accessories Like a Pro

Instead of stacking food directly on hard trays, place your mesh or silicone liner inside the tray and spread items evenly. This:

Reduces wasted space
Improves airflow around these liners
Speeds up drying times
Keeps food from sticking or falling through

If you’re making fruit leather, position the sheet on the tray and pour your puree evenly to avoid air pockets. Rotate trays halfway through drying for consistent texture.

Also, using liners means less cleanup — just pop them off and rinse or wipe down after drying.

Sneaky Tips That Save Time and Maximize Capacity

Cut foods into similar sizes — this improves airflow and drying consistency.
Don’t overload trays — even with liners, crowding slows drying.
Use multiple accessories together — e.g., mesh + silicone sheet for extra small pieces.
Clean accessories right after use to avoid lingering odors or sticking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will universal accessories fit my dehydrator?
Yes, most universal mesh mats and sheets are sized for standard tray sizes, but always measure first to avoid misfit.

Do mesh liners change drying time?
They can slightly increase drying time because they add a barrier, but the trade-off is no food lost to the bottom tray grates.

Can I use fruit leather sheets for jerky?
Yes. They work well for flattening and drying batters or fine ingredients, though jerky typically does better on mesh mats that allow airflow underneath.

Final Thoughts

Upgrading your dehydrator with the right accessories is one of the smartest moves you can make if you enjoy making snacks, preserving foods, or prepping in bulk. These accessories don’t just expand drying capacity — they also make dehydrating more reliable, versatile, and fun.

Whether you want finer mesh liners, premium mats for everyday use, or fruit leather sheets that unlock new recipes, these picks help take your dehydrator from basic to powerful.

Upgrade now, and get more delicious dried foods out of every batch.