Dehydrating plums is a great way to get the most out of this nutrient-dense fruit. Plums have been touted to have many health benefits, including a natural vitamin C and potassium source. This recipe article will walk you through how to dehydrate plums so that they can be enjoyed all year long!
How to Dehydrate Plums in A Dehydrator
- First, you need to wash your plums thoroughly to kill any bacteria.
- Remove the pits and cut your plums into halves or quarters.
- Arrange the slices on a dehydrator tray facing the skin side down, without overlap or gaps, so there is even air circulation for all of them to dry correctly.
- Set it at 135 degrees Fahrenheit and let it run until they are completely dried out (about 6 hours). The dehydrating process could take longer depending on how many plums you are dehydrating, the size they are cut, and the room’s humidity.
- Check if they are done by taking a slice and letting it cool.
- Next, you need to condition them to make them taste good to eat.
- Finally, store the dried plums in a cool, dry place, ready to eat once cooled!
How Do I know If My Plums Have Dehydrated?
You will know when there is no visible moisture on the fruit. Once the plum is cool, you can check if it folds easily in half. Another way you can check is by squeezing it to see if it does not stick to your hands.
What to Do With Dried Plums
You can consume them right out of the dehydrator once cool. They can also be used in trail mix or granola for a more festive touch during the holidays!
You can enjoy them as an easy-to-grab last-minute breakfast in place of toast before you head out to work, pack them with lunch for a light, filling midday snack, or have them as a sweet after-dinner treat.
Plum yogurt parfait: layer your favorite variety of yogurt with dehydrated plums and granola for a satisfying breakfast.
Dried plum crumble topping: add dried plums to oatmeal, cereal, pancakes, or desserts like brownies for an extra burst.
Health Benefits of Dehydrated Plums
Not only are dehydrated plums (prunes) a delicious snack, but they’re also rich in beneficial nutrients. So whether you want to enjoy the fruit as-is or sprinkle them on salads and yogurt parfaits, there’s no denying how good these little fruits can be for us!
According to healthline.com, one ounce (28-gram) serving of prunes contains the following:
- 67 calories
- 18 grams of carbs
- 2 grams of fiber
- 11 grams of sugar
- 4% of the RDI of vitamin A
- 21% of the RDI of vitamin K
- 3% of the RDI of vitamin B2
- 3% of the RDI of vitamin b3
- 3% of the RDI of vitamin B6
- 6% of the RDI of potassium
- 4% of the RDI of copper
- 4% of the RDI of manganese
- 3% of the RDI of magnesium
- 2% of the RDI of phosphorus
Plums and prunes are also rich in antioxidants which are beneficial to how your cells function.
Where to Buy Dehydrated Fruit
You can buy dehydrated fruit at most grocery stores, but it may not be the best quality. You can always purchase dry fruits online and have them shipped to you in a few days.
Amazon has a wide variety of dehydrated fruits to choose from, including plums.
Conclusion:
Dried plums are a delicious, healthy snack that can be enjoyed whenever you want. The best part is they’re easy to make at home! If you have time on the weekend, give this recipe for dehydrated plums a try and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’m always happy to help answer any questions about dehydration using my experience with drying all sorts of foods. Send us a message if there’s anything else we can do to help – we love hearing from our readers!
