Hey guys, it’s time to get our dehydrators out and start making some delicious snacks! Today, I’m going to show you how to dehydrate blueberries so that you can enjoy them on the go or at home with your favorite breakfast meals.
In this easy step-by-step guide, I’ll be showing you how to dehydrate blueberries so that you can enjoy them as a sweet and nutritious treat any time of the day.
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In this article:
How to Choose the Right Blueberries
We’re using highbush blueberries, which are a little bit bigger than the wild blueberries you might be used to. These bigger blueberries are perfect for dehydrating because they don’t turn into little rocks when they’re dried out.
We’ll be using these dried blueberries for trail mixes, cereal, and yogurt, and just snacking on them. They’re delicious! Let’s get started.
Cleaning the Blueberries
The first step is to make sure our blueberries are super clean. To do this, we’re going to give them a little vinegar bath. We’re using two tablespoons of vinegar in a big bowl.
You want to make sure that all the blueberries are covered in the vinegar. This is really important, especially if you’re buying blueberries from the grocery store. But if you’re growing them yourself and you know that there are no chemicals on them, then you can skip this step.
We’re going to let the blueberries sit in the vinegar water for about three or four minutes. We’ll move them around and make sure they’re getting nice and washed. We’re agitating them to knock anything off, like stems or tiny needles.
Drying the Blueberries
After giving the blueberries a nice wash, we’re going to strain them out and give them a good rinse with filtered water. We don’t like to use tap water because it has fluoride and chlorine in it. We’re just going to give the blueberries a really good rinse and try not to smush them up too much.
Now that our blueberries are nice and clean, we’re going to take them and lay them out on a towel. This will dry them up a little bit so they’re not wet to the touch. We’ll spread them out and roll them around a little. If you see any pieces of stem or flowers, we’ll just pop them off.
You don’t want to eat the stems because they’re not as tasty as the berries. If you see any funky berries, you can grab them out now.
We’re going to grab another towel and throw it on top of the blueberries. We’ll roll them around just to get the excess water off. We’re using a thicker towel on the bottom so that we can roll them around good and get as much water off as possible. The more water that’s on the blueberries, the longer they’ll take to dry.
Now that we’ve got most of the water off, we’re going to get the blueberries in the dehydrator. We’re going to take our towel off and fill up the trays. We don’t want the blueberries on top of each other because we want good air circulation.
You don’t want to overfill the dehydrator. Make sure the blueberries have plenty of space so they can all get dry. Just even them out the best you can and pop them in.
We’re going to finish loading up the trays now.
Dehydrating Blueberries Temperature
We’re gonna set our dehydrator to 135 degrees, which is right about in the middle. Then we’re gonna turn it on and let it run for probably 10-15 hours before we give it a good check.
After about 15 hours this time, our blueberries are done. They took a little longer to dry, but they’re crispy now, which is how I like them for granola. They’re perfect! That’s it, dehydrated blueberries. We’re gonna let these cool down to room temperature so we don’t get any condensation. Then we’ll put them in a glass jar and they’ll keep for a really, really long time.
And that’s it! We can’t wait to use these dried blueberries in our trail mixes and cereal. They’re going to be so delicious!
Step-by-step Instructions for Dehydrating Blueberries:
- Gather your ingredients and equipment: highbush blueberries, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, a big bowl, a strainer, filtered water, a towel, a dehydrator, and glass jars for storage.
- Clean the blueberries by giving them a little vinegar bath. Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar to a big bowl and make sure all the blueberries are covered. Agitate the blueberries for about 3-4 minutes to knock off any dirt or debris.
- Strain and rinse the blueberries with filtered water. Make sure to rinse them well to remove any remaining vinegar.
- Dry the blueberries by laying them out on a towel. Spread them out and roll them around a little to remove excess water. If you see any stems or flowers, pop them off. Cover the blueberries with another towel and roll them around again to remove more water.
- Prepare the dehydrator by filling the trays with the blueberries, making sure they have plenty of space and aren’t on top of each other.
- Turn the dehydrator to 135 degrees and let it run for 10-15 hours. After 15 hours, check the blueberries, they should be dry and crispy.
- Let the blueberries cool down to room temperature before storing them in glass jars.
Note: The drying time may vary depending on the type and size of the blueberries, humidity, and the dehydrator.
FAQ’s
Do you have to blanch blueberries before dehydrating?
Yes, blanching blueberries before dehydrating helps break down their skins, allowing them to dry more evenly and quickly.
How long does it take to dehydrate blueberries in a dehydrator?
It takes approximately 10-18 hours to dehydrate blueberries at 130-135°F (54-57°C) in a dehydrator.
How do you prepare blueberries for dehydration?
To prepare blueberries for dehydration, wash them, remove any stems or leaves, blanch them, and drain well before placing them on dehydrator trays.
How long do dehydrated blueberries last?
Dehydrated blueberries can last up to a year if stored in airtight containers, in a cool, dark, and dry place.
What are the disadvantages of dried blueberries?
Disadvantages of dried blueberries include altered texture, loss of some nutrients, and potential added sugar if sweetened before drying.
Are dehydrated blueberries as good as fresh?
Dehydrated blueberries have a different texture and slightly altered taste compared to fresh ones but still provide many of the same health benefits.
Can I eat dehydrated blueberries?
Yes, you can eat dehydrated blueberries as a snack or use them in recipes, like trail mix, granola, or baked goods.
How do you store dehydrated blueberries long term?
Store dehydrated blueberries in airtight containers, away from direct sunlight, in a cool, dark, and dry place.
How do I know when my blueberries are done dehydrating?
Dehydrated blueberries should be shriveled, dry, and leathery but still somewhat pliable when they are done.
Can I dehydrate blueberries in an oven?
Yes, you can dehydrate blueberries in an oven set to the lowest temperature, but it may take longer and produce less consistent results.
Are dehydrated blueberries healthy?
Dehydrated blueberries are healthy, retaining most of their nutrients and antioxidants, but may have a lower vitamin C content compared to fresh blueberries.
Can I use dehydrated blueberries in smoothies?
Yes, you can use dehydrated blueberries in smoothies, but it is recommended to rehydrate them before adding to the blender for a smoother texture.
How do I rehydrate dehydrated blueberries?
To rehydrate dehydrated blueberries, soak them in warm water for about 15-20 minutes, then drain and use as desired.
Can I freeze dehydrated blueberries?
Freezing dehydrated blueberries is unnecessary and may introduce moisture, affecting their quality and shelf life.
Are store-bought dried blueberries the same as dehydrated blueberries?
Store-bought dried blueberries may be similar to homemade dehydrated blueberries, but they may have added sugar, preservatives, or other additives.
Conclusion
Dehydrating blueberries is a simple and enjoyable process that can help you create healthy and delicious snacks for yourself and your family. By following the tips and techniques outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your blueberries are clean, dry, and perfectly dehydrated to preserve their natural sweetness and nutrients.
Whether you’re using them in trail mixes, granola, or as a standalone snack, you can enjoy these dehydrated blueberries anytime, anywhere, knowing that you’ve made them with your own hands and with love ❤️. So go ahead, try it out, and get ready to savor the delicious taste of these homemade treats!
