Can you sell dried fruit and fruit leather from home?

35 of 51 jurisdictions (50 states plus DC) allow dried fruit and fruit leather to be made in a home kitchen under cottage food rules, often with conditions, and 1 more allow it with a special home license or program. 4 require a commercial kitchen. Here's why, and where each state lands.

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The food science

Drying preserves fruit by removing the water that microorganisms need. Fruit is also naturally acidic, which adds another layer of protection. Most states allow dried fruit, though some list only certain methods or don't address home drying directly.

Where dried fruit and fruit leather can be made at home

Allowed from a home kitchenHome kitchen, with a special license or programNeeds a commercial kitchen or another agencyNot clearly addressed: ask first

Select a state to open its guide. Every state's conditions are listed below the map.

Allowed from a home kitchen (35)

Alabama. Dried fruits are allowed with water activity below 0.88.
Alaska. Eligible.
Arizona. Allowed.
Arkansas. Shelf-stable dried fruit is allowed.
California. Dried and freeze-dried fruit and fruit roll-ups are approved.
Colorado. Dried produce is a cottage food.
Connecticut. Dried fruits are allowed.
Florida. Dried fruits are allowed.
Georgia. Dried fruits are on GDA's list.
Hawaii. Allowed, except melon-family fruits.
Idaho. Allowed.
Illinois. Dried fruit is allowed, except dehydrated tomato and melon.
Iowa. Allowed.
Kansas. Dried fruit and fruit leather are allowed if not heat-treated before drying.
Kentucky. Dried and freeze-dried fruits are on the list.
Maine. Allowed.
Maryland. Fruit leathers are allowed.
Michigan. Dried fruits are allowed.
Minnesota. Dried foods with water activity of 0.85 or below are allowed.
Mississippi. Dried fruit (not melon) is allowed.
Montana. Allowed.
Nebraska. Allowed.
Nevada. Dried fruit is allowed.
New Mexico. Dehydrated fruit is allowed.
North Carolina. Freeze-dried fruits are eligible after a shelf-stability evaluation.
North Dakota. Allowed.
Oklahoma. Allowed.
South Dakota. Allowed.
Tennessee. Allowed.
Texas. Allowed.
Utah. Allowed; also on UDAF's cottage list.
Virginia. Dried fruits are on the low-risk list.
West Virginia. Allowed.
Wisconsin. Dried and dehydrated fruit can be sold without a license.
Wyoming. Allowed.

Home kitchen, with a special license or program (1)

Oregon. Foods dried at home are excluded; only repackaged commercial dried foods are allowed.

Needs a commercial kitchen (4)

Delaware. Dried fruits are excluded.
Missouri. Only dried herbs are named; dried fruit isn't.
New Hampshire. Dehydrated and freeze-dried fruits are excluded.
Vermont. Dehydrated fruits and vegetables are excluded.

Not clearly addressed: ask the agency first (11)

District of Columbia. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
Indiana. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
Louisiana. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
Massachusetts. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
New Jersey. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
New York. Repacking commercially dried fruit is allowed; drying fruit yourself isn't listed.
Ohio. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
Pennsylvania. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
Rhode Island. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
South Carolina. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
Washington. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.

Developing dried fruit and fruit leather?

Mendocino Food Consulting helps food entrepreneurs with formulation, pH, and shelf-stability questions. We are food scientists, not attorneys, and we don't provide legal advice.

Book a call Check your state on the map

Rules summarized from the sources listed in each state's guide, reviewed October 2026. Each state's conditions and exceptions are described in its guide; confirm with the agency before selling.