I love blueberries, but they’re not available year-round.
One of my favorite things about them is that they actually dry really well and can be kept for up to a year in my pantry.
So I keep them handy for whenever I need a burst of flavor or sweetness 🙂
They’re also a great choice since they’re high in antioxidants and other nutrients.
I love keeping them for healthy snacking as well as using them in some of my favorite recipes using dried blueberries – which I’m going to share with you today!
If you have some dried blueberries on hand but aren’t sure how to use them, try one of these gems…
1. Dried Blueberry Bread
This recipe is one of my favorites. It’s easy to make in a pinch and uses just one cup of dried blueberries.
Unlike other blueberry breads that usually contain lemon, this one gives your taste buds a different approach by using orange flavors to offset the blueberry.
It’s great for teas, breakfast, or even a quick dessert.
2. Dried Blueberry Pie Recipe
Technically this recipe contains fresh blueberries but you can easily substitute dried blueberries in their place.
I’ve done it before, and it just takes a little time.
Keep in mind that when you use the dried berries, you’ll have to adjust your quantity as a cup of dried berries will rehydrate to about 1 1/3- 1 1/2 cup.
This recipe is one of the best out there when it comes to fresh blueberry pie!
3. Dried Blueberry Smoothie
Although most people don’t think about using dried fruit in a smoothie, it totally works!
It’s usually a good idea to soak your fruit first to soften it slightly to make sure that it blends smoothly. However, this recipe is one of my favorites.
Not only does it sooth my craving for something sweet, I can also enjoy this smoothie guilt-free as it’s full of superfoods.
4. Dried Blueberry Muffins
Although I love muffins, it’s common for me to make them and find out that I just made a cupcake – ugh.
This recipe was a great addition to my collection because the muffins are light and fluffy without being overly sweet.
Most of their sweetness comes from the fruit itself without added sugars needed! Definitely a plus in my book.
These muffins also keep well for a few days so they’re great when you have company in town or are going to a brunch and need to bring something along.
I’ve also tweaked a few recipes and created my own blueberry muffin recipe here.
5. Dried Blueberry Scones
Scones aren’t always the easiest recipe to make, but they’re one of my favorite choices for an afternoon tea.
These simple scones are easy to make but don’t fall short when it comes to flavor.
Chances are that you already have most of the ingredients handy.
You might want to make them a day ahead of time as their flavor gets better each day!
One Last Thing: How to Make Blueberry Raisins
Blueberry raisins are similar to dried blueberries but tend to be more chewy. They’re fairly simple to make.
You’ll start with fresh blueberries that are washed and cleaned.
Boil a pan of water and then dip the blueberries in the boiling water for 20-30 seconds.
This will often cause the berries to burst and expand.
You can dry the berries using a variety of methods but if you have a dehydrator handy, this may be one of the simplest options.
Place the berries on the racks and try to keep them separated so that they don’t stick together.
Set the dehydrator to 135 degrees until they are leathery but not completely dried.
The time to reach this stage will vary depending on your area and current humidity levels.
For snacking, these kinds of “raisins” are by far my favorite dehydrated blueberry recipe because they\’re a delicious way to enjoy the many benefits of blueberries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What other things can you do with dried blueberries?
Dried blueberries can be made into jellies, rehydrated, and used in most recipes. They can be made into trail mixes or added to most baked goods. You can even grind them up and make blueberry powder.
Can I substitute dried blueberries for fresh in muffins?
Yes, although you will need to rehydrate them for best results. Berries can be rehydrated by soaking in boiling water for 10 minutes and then draining excess liquid.
They will expand so be sure to measure the final volume for a perfect substitute!
These recipes using dried blueberries are a hit with my whole family. And that’s saying something because I have some picky eaters!
>>> READ NEXT: Learn how to dry your own blueberries
I have a question. When using dried blueberries to make a pie, do you drain off all the water used to rehydrate them? If so, will there be no “juice” in the pie?