The easiest way to dry blueberries is by using a dehydrator and these dried blueberries are not only easy to make, but they are also delicious! They can be used in trail mix, granola bars, oatmeal, yogurt, muffins, and pancakes. The perfect way to preserve food, these dried blueberries last for months!
Dehydrating blueberries has never been so easy...or delicious! Similar to my dehydrated teriyaki beef jerky recipe, it does take a long time to dry blueberries in a dehydrator. But let me tell you, it's well worth the process and the wait. Plus, the majority of the work is done by the dehydrator. If you like dehydrated peaches, dried apples and dried strawberries, then you should absolutely learn how to make dried blueberries!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Drying blueberries is an easy process that results in the most delicious dry blueberry snack that the entire family can enjoy! They are super healthy and full of antioxidants!
- Dried blueberries are great in trail mix, these banana oatmeal muffins, pancakes with maple syrup, oatmeal, and yogurt!
- You'll use a dehydrator to dry this fruit, which makes your life a lot easier than drying them outside in the heat or in the oven.
- Dehydrating food is easy and takes minimal effort. And it's a great way to preserve food!
🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
- Blueberries - use fresh blueberries, not frozen. Frozen blueberries have way too much moisture in them and that makes it harder for the dehydrator to dry them evenly.
- Water - used to blanch the blueberries before starting the dehydrating process.
- Ice - used for the ice bath immediately after blanching. The ice will quickly stop the cooking process after blanching to ensure the blueberries don't become mushy.
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions!
🧊 Blanching Blueberries Before Dehydrating
You do not need to blanch every type of fruit when dehydrating, but there are certain types of fruits that need it. Blueberries happen to be one of those fruits that needs blanching. They have a waxy texture on the skin and contain some juice. When you use the technique of blanching the berry, the skin starts to swell and crack. The brief heat from blanching makes the berry bigger and more vibrant in color. The cracking of the skin allows the heat to get into the interior of the berry for a more efficient and even drying. And, dried blueberries that have been blanched are absolutely delicious!
Blanching blueberries before drying them is absolutely necessary! I've made many batches of dehydrated blueberries, both blanched and not blanched and you can clearly see the difference here below. The dried blueberries on the left are they ones that were not blanched. They ended up having very little flavor, turn out overly dry, and taste bland. They are just not tasty or enjoyable at all. The blueberries that were blanched on the right turn out vibrant in color, are full of flavor, and contain more nutrients!
🫐 Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
Step 1: Start by removing any stems left on the berries and rinsing the fruit in a colander. To blanch, place a large skillet or pan on the stovetop on medium-high heat. Bring just enough water to a boil that will slightly cover the berries.
Step 2: While you're waiting for the water to boil, prepare a large bowl with 5 cups of cold water and 2 cups of ice. Set aside.
👩🏼🍳 Chef's note: When I blanch 4 cups of berries, I use 5 cups of water to blanch.
Step 3: Place the blueberries into the boiling water and blanch for 30 seconds.
Step 4: Using a slotted spoon, remove the berries from the boiling water and place them in the bowl of ice water. Let them chill in the ice water for 30 seconds.
Step 5: Using the slotted spoon, gently remove the fruit from the water and place them on paper towels or on a dishtowel.
Step 6: Once dry, place the berries on the dehydrator racks.
👩🏼🍳 Chef's note: It's important to let them completely dry, typically at least 1-2 hours. You want as little moisture as possible when putting them in the dehydrator. Any water on the surface or in the cracks of skin will add more time to the dehydrating process.
Step 7: Dehydrate the blueberries at 125°F for 30 hours. It is important to note that if the berries you are using are small, it could take less time to dehydrate, typically around 18-20. When using large blueberries, it takes around 30 hours to fully dry.
Step 8: When done, remove the dry blueberries from the racks and enjoy!
🙋🏼♀️ Recipe FAQs
They are excellent when added to granola, trail mix, on top of oatmeal, or as a topping on yogurt or ice cream. I also love adding them on top of salads! I also love steeping them in my hot tea!
If you store dried blueberries in an airtight container, they can last for 6-12 months.
Yes! Sometimes people rehydrate them to make them blend better in smoothies or to bake softer when making baked goods. If you need to rehydrate blueberries, just place them blueberries in a bowl. Then, pour enough warm water over the blueberries to cover them completely. Let them soak for about 15-30 minutes, depending on how soft you want them. Once they are rehydrated to your desired consistency, drain any excess water. The berries should plump back up.
Expert Tips
- When placing the berries on the trays, ensure they are not touching. The air flow needs to move around each berry while dehydrating.
- While the recipe calls for 4 cups of blueberries, you can use as little or as many as you'd like!
- When blanching blueberries, use disposable gloves. They will stain the skin and it takes 2 days for the color to fade.
- If you need to speed the dehydrating process up a bit, take a toothpick and prick each blueberry halfway through the drying process.
- You'll know the blueberries are done based on how they look and taste. They will look very similar to raisins and when you eat them, they will have a very similar texture.
🍎 More Recipes Made With Fruit!
If you tried these dried blueberries or any other recipes on my website, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below. I love hearing from you! And, please leave a 🌟 rating while you're there!
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Dried Blueberries Recipe
Equipment
- Dehydrator
Ingredients
- 4 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
- 5 cups cool water
- 2 cups ice
Instructions
Blanching Process
- Start by removing any stems left of the berries. Rinse the fruit in a colander.
- Place a pan on the stovetop on medium-high heat. Bring the water to a boil. Expert Tip: You want just enough water to slightly cover the berries. When I blanch 4 cups of blueberries, I use 5 cups of water to blanch.
- While waiting for the water to boil, prepare a large bowl with 5 cups of cold water and 2 cups of ice. Set aside.
- Put the blueberries into the boiling water and blanch for 30 seconds.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the berries from the boiling water and place them in the bowl of ice water. Let them chill in the water for 30 seconds.
- Using the slotted spoon, gently remove the blueberries from the water and place them on paper towels or on a dishtowel. Expert Tip: It's important to let them completely dry, typically at least 1-2 hours. You want as little moisture as possible when putting them in the dehydrator. Any water on the surface or in the cracks of skin will add more time to the dehydrating process.
Dehydrating Process
- Once dry, put the blueberries on the dehydrator racks.Expert Tip: Since the berries are small, I use a plastic grids on the dehydrator trays so they don't fall through the holes Or, you can use parchment paper.
- Dehydrate the blueberries at 125°F for 30 hours. It is important to note that if the blueberries you are using are small, it could take less time to dehydrate, typically around 18-20. When using large berries, it takes around 30 hours to fully dry.
- When done, remove the dry blueberries from the racks and enjoy! You'll know they are done based on how they look and taste. They will look very similar to raisins and when you eat them, they will have the same texture.
Notes
- When placing the berries on the trays, ensure they are not touching. The air flow needs to move around each berry while dehydrating.
- While the recipe calls for 4 cups of blueberries, you can use as little or as many as you'd like!
- When blanching blueberries, use disposable gloves. They will stain the skin and it takes 2 days for the color to fade.
- If you need to speed the dehydrating process up a bit, take a toothpick and prick each blueberry halfway through the drying process.
- You'll know the blueberries are done based on how they look and taste. They will look very similar to raisins and when you eat them, they will have a very similar texture.
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Mega
Silly question, but for using these in a recipe, (let's say muffins) would I just fold them in my batter, as usual? Tia!
Amanda Mason
Yep! That is exactly right! just fold them into the batter!
Behzad
I ask price for dried blueberries for buy and export
Amanda Mason
Price depends where you buy them. I can tell you it will be cheaper to make your own dehydrated blueberries than buying them.
Liz
My kids love blueberries! This would be perfect for those winter months when blueberries are minimal in groceries stores.
Amanda Mason
Hi Liz! Exactly! Dehydrating food is a great way to enjoy out of season fruit, for sure!!