How to Dehydrate Frozen Blueberries
Dehydrating food has quickly become a new favorite hobby of mine. There is something very satisfying with the process of preserving food, whether that’s from canning to freeze drying, or dehydrating. Knowing where your food comes from, and always having stocked shelves feels great. If you haven’t experimented with dehydrating, dried fruit is a great option to start with. I am going to show you exactly how to dehydrate frozen blueberries. The end product is a sweet and healthy fruit that can be used with so many recipes.
Ingredients Needed:
Frozen Blueberries
Substitutions:
Fresh Blueberries
Equipment Needed:
Dehydrator
Why You’ll Love to Dehydrate Frozen Blueberries
Time is always so limited, so when I begin the process of dehydrating, I want the prep to be simple and fast. Dehydrating frozen blueberries is as easy as opening the bag, and placing the berries on the trays. The hardest part is staying patient enough for the dehydrating process to finish. Part of the reason I love a food dehydrator is allowing me the option to have healthy and easy options available in the cupboard. These berries are a great choice if you are looking to stock your shelves without giving too much time to preparation.
How to Dehydrate Frozen Blueberries
The best part of this process is the lack of time spent in the kitchen. To start, place your frozen blueberries in a single layer on the dehydrator trays. Most dehydrators come with trays, with mesh screening. During this process, the blueberries will shrink in size, so it is important to use a sheet or a tray that has very small holes. Place the trays inside the dehydrator, and put the temperature to 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
Depending on the type of dehydrator you have, you can either set the timer, or you will just need to keep track of what time the process started. The drying process does take a long time, from 15-20 hours. All of this is dependent upon the size of the berries and the moisture content. When I first start the process, I will not check on the blueberries until at least 6 hours as passed. After that time, I will take a quick look, just to get a sense of how long it is taking. Lasty, for the best results, dry until the blueberries feel dry and look shriveled up like a raisin.
How to Dehydrate Fresh Blueberries
Before dehydrating fresh blueberries, the first step is to give them a quick rinse under cold water to make sure they are clean. Place blueberries on some paper towels, to help dry the moisture. Add the berries in an even layer to the dehydrator sheet or a tray with very small holes. Follow the same process as the frozen blueberries. Once the process is finished, and the skin of the blueberry feels dry and shriveled up, allow them to sit at room temperature for about an hour. This will give the berries a chance to cool down completely, before being stored.
What to do With Dehydrated Blueberries
There are so many different ways blueberries can be used for later use:
-Snacking on them at home, or throwing them in a baggie for your purse for an easy on-the-go snack
-Add them to your homemade pancakes for added sweetness and fresh taste
-If you are in the mood for blueberry bread, add them to your dough at the end of your kneading time
-Sprinkle a handful over granola. With the crunch of the granola, the blueberries will add the perfect sweetness and soft texture.
-Mixing some into a bowl of hot oatmeal
-Add blueberries to yogurt for added texture and flavor
-Make a dry trail mix with dried fruits, nuts, and seeds.
-Homemade granola bars with pieces of dry blueberries
-To rehydrate the blueberries, a very simple method is to soak them in enough water and allow them to plump back up.
How to Store Dehydrated Frozen Blueberries
The easiest way to store dehydrated fruits is in an airtight container and placed in a cool, dry place, and in a dark place. If you planning for long term storage, add an oxygen absorber and store them in glass jars, such as a mason jar. If you do not plan on storing them for a longer period, I would still recommend placing them in an airtight container and storing them in a darker place, such as a pantry.
How Long Can You Keep Dehydrated Berries
As long as the berries are stored properly, the shelf life for dehydrated berries is 6-12 months.
