How to Use Dried Blueberries

Dehydrating blueberries helps prolong the abundant blueberry season.

During the blueberry season, it is easy to find good deals at farms or in the supermarkets. This lets you to stock up on berries and avoid high prices during the offseason. Dehydrating blueberries is a common method of preservation by simply removing the water content to allow for longer shelf life. Fortunately, dried blueberries are as versatile as fresh ones.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic bags
• Nuts
• Sugar
• Milk
• Food processor
• Wax paper or candy wrappers

Instructions

1. Put dried blueberries in a plastic bag and carry them with you throughout the day. Dried blueberries are a great, portable snack because of their light weight and richness in calories. Try eating them with nuts, such as almonds or cashews, to give your snack more of a crunch.

2. Rehydrate the blueberries by letting them soak in cool water. Add 1/2 cup water for every 1 cup of berries. Mix well, cover and let it sit overnight in the refrigerator. Use the rehydrated blueberries wherever a recipe calls for fresh blueberries, such as smoothies, oatmeal, cereal and pancake batter, or simply eat as is. Try putting 1/2 cup of rehydrated blueberries in a bowl with 1 tsp. of sugar and 1/4 cup of milk for a treat.

3. Use dried blueberries as toppings. Put on cereal or oatmeal, where you desire a more chewy instead of juicy topping. Put on top of a green salad or chicken salad for an extra kick of flavor and sweetness. Mix dried blueberries in with trail mix, or try putting them into a peanut butter sandwich to make it a peanut butter and blueberry sandwich.

4. Try making snack cakes or bars by putting 1 cup of nuts into a food processor. Turn on the processor, and let the nuts grind to a fine mixture. Slowly begin adding blueberries until the mixture begins to bind and forms into a ball or multiple balls. Incorporate raisins as well, if you do not have enough blueberries. Take the mixture out, and form it into balls, cakes, or bars. Wrap in wax paper or candy wrapping and place in the refrigerator or freezer to harden.

References

• "Sunset"; Dried Fruit Put to Good Use; June 1986
• US Highbush Blueberry Council: Homestyle Recipes
• Melissa's: Products