Berry Powder & Chips

By Mario Fabbri, TV Host, Trying Vegan with Mario

Berry Chips & Powder – Sweet, Nutrient-Dense Treats for Snacks, Toppings, and Natural Food Coloring

Nothing beats fresh, in-season berries. The fruit, however, is among the fastest foods to spoil. Two of our favorite ways to preserve their farm-fresh flavor is by making berry chips and berry powder.

Berry chips’ sweetness makes them popular with children and adults. They’re a great choice for anyone with a sweet tooth who wants to avoid all the added preservatives in store-bought treats. You can eat berry chips as-is, crumble them on top of cereals for added crunch, or use them to decorate desserts.

Grinding dehydrated berries into a powder increases their versatility even further. Berry powder is nutrient-dense and has a wonderful bright red hue that can be used to naturally color foods. Sprinkle berry powder on yogurt and oats or mix it into smoothies for a pop of color and flavor.

When creating a berry powder—or any fruit powder, for that matter—we recommend cutting your dehydrated fruit into small pieces and freezing it for 10 minutes before grinding. This helps prevent it from gumming up your grinder or food processor. (The fruit sugar tends to get sticky and tacky when warmed by the blades).

Time & Temperature: Dehydrate at 47 °C for about 18 hours.
Equipment: SAHARA Folding Dehydrator.

Instructions:

Berry Chips:

• Slice strawberries thinly and evenly.
• Raspberries can be dried whole or cut in half to make a smaller chip.
• Distribute onto dehydrator racks, leaving a bit of space between slices to ensure adequate airflow.
• Dehydrate at 47 °C for about 18 hours or until crisp. Raspberries and strawberries can be dehydrated together, either on the same rack or separate racks.

Berry Powder:

• Grind fully dehydrated raspberries and strawberries into a powder using a food processor.
• Try adjusting the ratio of strawberries to raspberries to find your perfect balance between tart and sweet!