How to Dry Raisins

Raisins are a natural, healthy snack.

You can enjoy a tasty, healthy snack by making your own raisins at home. All you really need are grapes and sunlight, though a few extra items will come in handy. Once dried, the grapes become just like the raisins available at grocery stores. When shopping for grapes, look for smaller ones because they will dry out faster. You need sustained high heat to completely dry the grapes, which makes summer the ideal time for the project. Making raisins is an excellent project for children. Does this Spark an idea?

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Seedless grapes
Toothpick
Cooling rack
Paper towels

Instructions

- 1
  
  Thoroughly rinse and dry all grapes. Remove grapes from their stems.
- 2
  
  Pierce the skin of each grape with a toothpick or a needle. You may also slice the grapes in half. Breaking the grape's skin beforehand will allow the moisture to evaporate faster.
- 3
  
  Cover a cooling rack with paper towels. Spread grapes in a single layer over the paper towels. Cover the grapes with another layer of paper towels. Hold the paper towels in place by setting stones around the edges. The paper towels will absorb the evaporated moisture from the grapes, preventing them from spoiling.
- 4
  
  Place grapes in direct sunlight. You can place them outside or next to a sunny window.
- 5
  
  Allow the grapes to dry until they look and taste like raisins. This will take up to one week, depending on the size of the grapes and the strength of the sunlight.
- 6
  
  Store raisins in an airtight container.