How to Dry Raspberries

Oh, I love raspberries. And let me tell you, dried raspberries are JUST as good!

They can be a little pricey in the store, so I want to show you how to dehydrate raspberries at home, so you can enjoy an endless supply (without busting your budget).

First, Prep Them Properly

To get the best finished product possible – and one that will last on the shelf a long time – 

Step 1: Use the right kind of raspberries. Not all raspberries are ideal for dehydrating. You’d want to avoid those that are overripe because they’ll likely break apart and crush during the process. The best ones for drying are those that are still firm to the touch and bright red in color. 

Step 2: Wash them thoroughly. 

Step 3: Remove excess water as the dehydration process would take longer if the berries are not completely dried. You can do this by lining the raspberries on paper towels and gently blotting them out until they’re thoroughly dried. 

Step 4: Slice each raspberry in two so they dry faster.

Step 5: Spritz the berries lightly with lemon juice to prevent them from turning brown. 

Once prep is done, you’re ready to dehydrate. There are a few different methods you can use, which we’ll discuss below. 

Using a Dehydrator

The first method you can try, and probably the most effective, is slowly drying the raspberries inside a dehydrator. To start, arrange the raspberries on the dehydrator trays with about an inch of space in between each piece for proper air circulation. 

Dehydrate the raspberries by setting the heat temperature to around 135 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The process should take around 10 to 15 hours or more. But be sure to check the raspberries at the 10th hour. 

You’ll know they’re totally dried when they’re light and crunchy and there’s no hint of moisture or softness on the surface. 

Using an Air Fryer

Some manufacturers these days have found an ingenious way to come up with a combination of air fryer and dehydrator in one so it’s really possible to use this device in drying out your fruits and veggies. 

But the question is, can you dry your raspberries using a standard air fryer? It’s possible. The trick to dehydrate raspberries or any kind of fruit in an air fryer without burning them is to set the air fryer in its lowest heat setting. 

This could be somewhere between 150 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Again, place the raspberries on the racks with enough room in between the pieces for proper air circulation. 

Set the air fryer timer for 15 minutes but be sure to check every five minutes to avoid burning any piece. Repeat step as needed. 

Using an Oven

The oven is a very versatile kitchen tool. Aside from baking, you can use it for dehydrating fruits, and you might be wondering right now how to dehydrate raspberries in the oven. 

To try this, the first step would be placing a parchment paper on the baking sheet. Arrange the berries on it with an inch of space in between them for warm air to circulate properly. Set the temperature at about 150 degrees Fahrenheit. 

For better air circulation, you can partially open the oven door. Set your timer to around six hours. At the 6-hour point, check the raspberries. 

They should have a soft and bendable texture which is ideal if you want to use them as toppings for your cakes and other pastry goodies. 

On the other hand, if you want them simply as snacks to bring on the road, working from home or just about any time, you’d probably prefer a crispier texture. If that’s the case, leave them in the oven for eight hours instead. 

Drying Them in the Sun

If you want to go the more traditional, natural route, you can try solar drying your raspberries. This is ideal in the summer or especially if you live in an area that receives a generous amount of sunshine around the year. 

You’ll need to choose a very good outdoor spot to lay the raspberries out in the sun. This can be your concrete front yard, back yard or roof deck. 

Just opt for the best place with good air circulation, direct sunlight, and of course, away from pesky bugs and insects that the berries might attract. 

Ideally, the minimum outdoor temperature should be around 85 degrees Fahrenheit with less than 60% humidity. Higher temperature is desirable. 

You can make a drying rack using aluminum or tin. But baking sheets will do if you have them. Once you’ve arranged the raspberries on the drying rack, cover them with cheesecloth to prevent dust and other pollutants from getting into the fruits. 

I also like this hang dryer as another alternative to drying racks:

While it could take several days before you could enjoy your dried raspberries, solar drying is a great option because it’s the eco-friendliest method around. 

How to Powder Dried Raspberries

You can use either a blender or coffee grinder to powder dried raspberries. To do this, place the raspberries in either of these kitchen devices and pulse until completely powdered. 

It really is that simple! And you end up with a beautiful powder:

When transferring the powdered raspberries into another container, run it through a strainer to remove seeds. 

How to Use Raspberry Powder

Raspberry powder makes a versatile ingredient for a wide range of culinary uses. It lasts up to two years when stored properly so you can definitely play around with it in your kitchen. 

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Be inventive in your salad dressings by adding raspberry powder as an interesting ingredient. 
• Make breakfasts exciting by adding it into your oatmeal, yogurt or smoothie. 
• Add it into your milkshake as a healthier alternative to chocolate. 
• Surprise kids with raspberry-flavored pink muffins and cupcakes. 
• Use it as a flavoring for your granola bars, cookies and puddings
• Use it as a pork rub to add a hint of sweetness to a savory dish. 

Other Methods to Preserve Raspberries

Aside from dehydrating, you can preserve raspberries through freeze drying and canning methods. You can also make jams for sandwich spread and dessert filling. 

Freeze Drying

So there’s freezing and then there’s freeze drying. To freeze raspberries, place the prepped raspberries on cookie sheets or metal trays. Then, flash freeze them for around five to six hours. After that, place them into freezer-grade zip lock bags. 

To freeze dry raspberries at home, you’ll need a freeze dryer. They aren’t cheap but incredibly useful to preserving food for not just years but decades, yet still taste as fresh as the day they were dried.

How to Store Dehydrated Raspberries

Before packing and storing dehydrated raspberries, make sure, they’ve completely cooled. Then condition them for around 7 to 10 days. 

To do this, fill clean, dry jars with the raspberries. Shake the jars once a day for the entire period mentioned. If you notice some moisture condensing in the jars, you will need to repeat the dehydration process as needed. 

Once you’re through with the conditioning period, store the dried raspberries inside air-tight jars or freezer-grade bags. 

You can either store them at room temperature of no more than 60 degrees Fahrenheit or keep them inside the freezer. Never put them near direct light as this can diminish the quality of the berries. 

It’s also important to label each jar or bag properly, indicating when it was processed and stored. 

How to Use Dried Raspberries

You can use dried raspberries for baking cakes, cupcakes, cookies, puddings, muffins, and granola bars. 

If you’re wondering how to use freeze dried raspberries, you can add them into your breakfast cereals like oatmeal, make raspberry sauce or add them into your salads and smoothies.

You can also dry raspberries for tea to make the most of their antioxidant benefits. 

Common Questions People Have When Trying to Dry Raspberries

Can I dehydrate frozen raspberries?

Yes. But thaw them out first. Also, put protective liners on each dehydrator tray.

How long do dried raspberries last?

Dried raspberries can last up to one year. 

How do you dry raspberries in the oven?

Please see section “Using an Oven” above. 

How do you dry raspberries quickly?

Since using a dehydrator is a slow method, you can use other ways such as the oven or air fryer. To speed up the process, the raspberries should be prepped properly, removing as much excess moisture as possible. Another trick, as mentioned in this article, is by slicing each piece in half. 

If some raspberries in the batch are bad, are all of them bad?

No, just segregate the bad ones. You can tell them apart by the appearance, texture and smell. 

How do you dry raspberries without a dehydrator?

You can use other methods such as solar drying, freeze drying, drying in the oven or dehydrating in the air fryer. 

How long does it take to dehydrate raspberries?

This would depend on the drying method used. For example, drying raspberries using a dehydrator could take up to 12 to 15 hours, whereas solar drying can take several days.

How do you rehydrate raspberries?

You can rehydrate dried raspberries by soaking it in hot liquid such as water or fruit juice for 10 to 15 minutes. Once done, you can pour them into a strainer to remove excess moisture.