Learn how to dehydrate grapes into raisins and transform an abundance of grapes into a healthy snack that can be used in cookies, salads or sides!
Just a few short weeks ago, the kids and I managed to haul home a whopping 17 pounds of grapes.
The kitchen was full — of grapes, for what seemed like days! It took several hours to pull the stems off. Then we gave them a quick rinse in the sink and started planning on all the fun ways to use them (aside from sharing with neighbors).
After giving a few pounds to the neighbors, we made a double batch of grape jam. We then set some up in a gallon glass jar with an airlock to make grape wine vinegar.
We also threw some in FoodSaver bags to freeze for later on.
The grapes that were remaining went on the dehydrator tray to make raisins. Raisins made from your very own grapes taste so incredibly amazing.. and even better when they are wrapped up in oatmeal raisin cookies.
Yum and yum!
The process of making raisins is not difficult at all. It does require a few simple steps before you throw them down dehydrator trays.
How to Dehydrate Grapes
First things first, you’ll want to prepare the grapes. Place your grapes in a colander and give them a quick rinse with cool water.
Check them out and pick out any grapes that are spoiled or have bad stems.
Fill a 4 quart pot with water on the stovetop and bring to a boil. Once boiling, place the grapes in water for 30-45 seconds.
Doing this will crack the skins which will in turn help them dry much more easily on the dehydrator tray.
Then, fill a large pot with 2 quarts of ice water and 2 tsp of citric acid. Stir well until the citric acid is dissolved. Then plunge the grapes from the boiling water into the ice bath and allow them to sit for 10 minutes.
Drain the raisins. I like to drain them in a colander and then spread them out on a thick flour sack towel on the kitchen counter to pat dry even further.
Place them in a single layer on your dehydrator trays, taking care to leave some space between the grapes. Stack up your dehydrator trays and set the temperature for 130-135.
Set the grapes to dehydrate for 24 hours, at minimum. Check after that.
If they still look moist, then continue to dehydrate them for an additional hour at a time until they look completely shriveled and all moisture has left the grape.
Remove your raisins from the dehydrator and let them cool for 30 minutes. Then transfer to the plastic container, taking care to seal them securely.
The raisins will keep indefinitely at room temperature.
Have you ever dehydrated grapes?
Do you have any tips for those who are doing it for the first time?
If you dehydrate your own grapes using this tutorial, please leave a comment, and be sure to tag me on Instagram!
I have trouble knowing when the grapes are dry enough. Some I have dryed untl they’re pretty hard. I don’t want them to spoil after going to all this work.