Why Blanch Blueberries?

Why should we blanch blueberries? Blueberries have a waxy film on their skin, which impedes heat penetrating their interiors for efficient and even drying. Blanching them causes cracks in the waxy surfaces as the berry swells, which allow the dehydrator’s heat into them more readily.

This step is an important one because unblanched dried blueberries have very little flavor, are overly dry, and bland. They are not tasty or enjoyable at all. Blanched blueberries are vibrant in color, full of flavor, and contain more nutrients. 

How to Prepare Blueberries for Drying

• Wash fresh blueberries with water in a colander. Pick out stems and bad berries to compost.
• Put blueberries in boiling water for 30 seconds.  The skins will start to crack.  Remove them with a slotted spoon or spider strainer.
• Put the blueberries in ice water for 30 seconds.
• Remove the berries and let dry.

Once the berries are blanched and dry, you can dehydrate them in a dehydrator, air fryer or oven. Once they’re dehydrated, there is no limit to what you can do with them. Check out my favorite blueberry recipes below!

Blueberry Recipes

I love to make my own fruit jams, and homemade blueberry jam is no exception. You can also check out the Cooking Channel for their favorite blueberry jam recipes.

Blueberry Breakfast Casserole

I’ve recently found a simple breakfast casserole that is both yummy and filling called Dark Chocolate Berry Baked Oatmeal. It’s sweetened naturally with banana and maple syrup and truly tastes like dessert for breakfast! I can cook it on the weekend and have leftovers all through the week. They use blackberries and raspberries, but blueberries are a must when they’re in season.

Mini Tart Recipe with Blueberry Filling

Mini tarts are little pies without a top crust. They are a great way to serve individual desserts or make something REALLY special for mom on mother’s day or for any special occasion.

Lemon Tart with Blueberries

This simple lemon curd tart with blueberries on top is sweet, and tangy with a buttery crust. It’s a great spring or summer dessert that’s special enough for Father’s day, Mother’s day, Easter, Memorial day or whatever day you feel like feeling extra fancy.

Healthy Toddler Friendly Blueberry Muffins

These healthy toddler blueberry muffins are made with healthier ingredients and lightly sweetened to help develop your little foodie’s taste buds. Not just for toddlers, everyone’s going to love them. But they are great for picky toddlers!

Healthy Blueberry Peach Smoothie Recipe

Smoothies are a great place to hide add fruits and veggies to kids diet. This peach blueberry smoothie is yummy and fun for kids to make.

Blueberry Lemon Blondies

Blueberry Blondies filled with tangy lemon flavor will be a winner with any fan of lemon desserts. The ultimate healthy lemon and blueberry blondies are the combination that everyone is going to be obsessed with. And they’re not just amazing, they are a healthy lemon dessert too!

Blueberry Cobbler Recipe Easy

This Blueberry Crumble recipe is super quick easy, making it perfect for any summer gathering or potluck.

Other Ways to Preserve Blueberries

Dehydrating Blueberries

Have you every had dried blueberries? They make awesome snacks in mixes, on top of ice cream or just by themselves. Check out these tips on dehydrating blueberries.

Dehydrating blueberries is really simple. You’ll need to check your specific dehydrator for instructions, but you can also continue to check on them and dry them to the texture you like. Check out this COSORI Food Dehydrator if you don’t currently have a dehydrator.

Freeze Blueberries

You can take advantage of numerous benefits and freeze blueberries during their peak season. They’re one of the easiest fruits to freeze, but if not done properly, they could freeze in one big clump. Check out these tips on how to freeze blueberries.

How to Grow Blueberries

If you want your own source of fresh blueberries, consider growing your own. Check out these tips on how to grow your own blueberries. The OSU Extension has a great fact sheet about Blueberries, including the varieties that do well in Oklahoma and the conditions they need to thrive.

Related Life Skills for Good Living

Are you interested in other content related to fresh blueberries? Check out What to Do with Fresh Blueberries and Seasonal Eating Guide with Blueberry Crumble recipe.

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