Homemade Blackberry Powder (Using Leftover Blackberry Pulp or Fresh Berries)
Get the most from your blackberries by turning them into blackberry powder! This recipe uses leftover blackberry pulp from other recipes (like blackberry simple syrup), dried in the oven, and ground into a versatile powder.
vegan • low waste • easy • food scrap recipe
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Jump to:
- 📝 quick recipe overview
- ❤️ what you'll love
- 🥣 ingredient notes
- 🔪 equipment notes
- 💡 oven vs dehydrator
- Recipe
- 🧑🏽🍳 how to dehydrate blackberries and blackberry pulp
- 🍽️ how to use homemade blackberry powder
- 🧊 storage
- ✅ acceptable substitutions and variations
- ☀️ benefits of blackberry powder
- ♻️ sustainability profile
- ❓ frequently asked questions
- 💜 more blackberry recipes
- ✨ more food scrap recipes
- 🕰️ the latest
That blackberry pulp you have leftover from making blackberry simple syrup? Don't throw it away! Instead, turn it into a beautiful and delicious blackberry powder. The pulp dries faster than fresh blackberries, but I'll show you how to make this delicious powder from mashed or fresh berries.
Blackberry powder captures the sweet-tart, fruity essence of summer, and is a wonderful way to preserve an abundance of blackberries.
📝 quick recipe overview
- Skill level: Easy
- Taste: Sweet, tart, and more subtle than a fresh blackberry
- Waste: Low
- Sustainability: High
- Cleanup: Easy
- Ingredients: Common, easy to source
- Equipment: Common, easy to source
- Time: Dehydration process takes a few hours
- Consistency: Powder
- Kid-friendly: Yes
- Best for: Using leftover blackberry pulp from syrups, juices, and sauces
❤️ what you'll love
Blackberry flavor with a smoother texture. Through drying and grinding, the seeds are broken down into a more uniform consistency. Blackberry color and flavor with a more uniform texture makes this a great option for icings, baked goods, and more.
Get the most from your leftover berries. Use pulp from blackberry simple syrup or berries starting to lose their freshness so you get the most you can out of them.
Versatile ingredient with lots of uses. Whether you want to use it as a color and flavor booster for baked goods, turn it into a blackberry icing, or infuse sauces and syrups with it, your imagination is your only limit!
Extends the shelf life of your berries. Berries are sensitive, so it's always nice to extend their life a bit. Instead of a week in the fridge, you create a blackberry treat that lasts months, or longer.
Ready the same day. The oven method will dehydrate the berries faster than a dedicated dehydrator.
🥣 ingredient notes
Blackberry pulp. If you mashed blackberries for syrups and juices, don't throw away the leftover pulp! This is my preferred method to make blackberry powder because it uses a food scrap that would otherwise go to waste. As I mentioned earlier, it also dries faster and creates a smoother texture.
Fresh blackberries (alternative option). Whole blackberries will take longer to dry, but are a perfectly fine option if you don't have blackberry pulp on hand.
🔪 equipment notes
- Oven.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
- Baking sheet.
- Spoon or spatula. You need a tool to help spread out the pulp into a thin layer.
- Spice grinder. Best for getting a fine grind.
💡 oven vs dehydrator
I use the oven method for drying the blackberries in this recipe. Ovens are more universal in home kitchens and a handy option to dehydrate fruit, herbs, and more. However, using a dehydrator is generally considered more efficient for energy output. While it may reduce energy, be prepared for a longer dry time.
Recipe
Blackberry Powder
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 170 degrees Fahrenheit or the lowest temperature.⅔ cup blackberry pulp
- On a parchment-lined baking sheet, use a spoon or spatula to spread the blackberry pulp into a thin layer.
- Place on the center rack of the oven to start drying. After 2 hours, check the pulp and carefully break it apart/flip until it's in smaller pieces.
- Dry for another 2 hours, checking periodically to make sure no pieces are burning. During the last hour, crack the door to the oven (if safe to do so) and ensure moisture is escaping. If drying whole blackberries, prepare to leave in the oven for about 6 hours. They take longer to dry than blackberry pulp.
- Once dry, add the pieces to your spice grinder and grind for about 30 seconds or until the pieces turn into a powder.
- Sift if you need a finer powder, and store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!🧑🏽🍳 how to dehydrate blackberries and blackberry pulp
Spread blackberry pulp (or whole berries) onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Try to make the pulp as even as possible. Gaps between sections of pulp are "ok."
Dry. The pulp will dry faster than whole berries. I dry for a few hours on the lowest heat setting and use a spatula to "turn" and break up the pulp as it starts to become brittle.
Grind into a powder. Take the dried blackberry and add it to a high-speed blender or (my favorite) spice grinder. I find the spice grinder works best to create an even texture. Grind for about 30 seconds. If desired, sift to create an even finer powder (optional).
If using whole berries, the powder will be a little darker and slightly more coarse (though, you can grind longer or sift for a more even texture). See the whole berries before and after grinding below:
🍽️ how to use homemade blackberry powder
The possibilities are almost endless! Here's a list of options, if you need a creative spark:
- Icing or frosting
- Syrups
- Smoothies
- Sauces (bbq, marinades)
- Dressings
- Vegan butter
- Ice cream topping
- Oatmeal
- Granola
- Baked goods
- Vegan pudding
- Vegan whipped cream
Use blackberry powder anywhere you want subtle blackberry flavor or naturally-colored baked goods.
🧊 storage
Store the blackberry powder in an airtight container and cool, dark place for several months. The key to long-term storage is removing as much moisture as possible to prevent clumping and discoloration.
✅ acceptable substitutions and variations
Dehydrator instead of oven. If you have a dehydrator, you can use it to dry the blackberries instead of the oven. If you do, The Purposeful Pantry has a helpful article about the process in a dehydrator. She suggests drying at 135 degrees Fahrenheit for 18-30 hours.
☀️ benefits of blackberry powder
While this recipe isn't intended as nutrition advice, blackberry powder is made from whole blackberries and offers another delicious way to enjoy the fruit in everyday recipes. Blackberries naturally contain vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, antioxidants, and anthocyanins.
Blackberry powder extends the shelf life of berries, provides a more versatile ingredient to add to your home recipes, and is a great way to reduce food waste.
♻️ sustainability profile
sourcing
Choose organic or grow your own. Fresh berries are often exposed to pesticides. To mitigate exposure, purchase organic. In many areas, blackberries also grow readily in landscapes. That's where we've gotten most of our berries...actually, thanks to our neighbor's green thumb. 😆
waste
No waste. This recipe uses food scrap blackberries, making this a no-waste option. The only waste created is from oven use, which can be reduced if using a dehydrator.
❓ frequently asked questions
Can I make blackberry powder from frozen blackberries?
Yes, blackberry powder can be made from frozen blackberries. Thaw the berries and drain any excess liquid. Please note the drying time may increase due to additional moisture release as they warm, so check them periodically to assess texture. I have not tested this with frozen blackberries.
Do I need freeze dried blackberries to make powder?
No, you can absolutely make blackberry powder in an oven or dehydrator. The blackberries don't need to go through the freeze dried process to achieve a consistent powdery texture. Freeze drying can create a more uniform consistency and vibrant color, but only by small degrees.
Why is my blackberry powder clumping?
If your powder is clumping, too much moisture has been exposed to the powder. Either the blackberries weren't dry enough to begin with or moisture has been introduced to your storage container. See if the clump easily breaks apart with a utensil. If not, you may need to re-dry the powder. Always discard if you find mold. Some clumping, like the packed powder at the bottom of a jar, may be due to pressure. According to the Purposeful Pantry, you need to make sure the powder is in an airtight container, condition the powder before long-term storage, consider adding arrowroot powder as an anti-caking agent, and be prepared to re-dry, if necessary.
Do I need to remove blackberry seeds before making powder?
No, you don't need to remove the seeds before making blackberry powder. After drying, the seeds will grind into a uniform texture with the rest of the fruit and won't be noticeable.
💜 more blackberry recipes
- Blackberry Simple Syrup
- Blackberry Lemon Bread
- Blackberry Strawberry Banana Smoothie
- Banana Blackberry Oatmeal Muffins
✨ more food scrap recipes
- Avocado Seed Powder (for the garden!)
- Strawberry Top Simple Syrup
- Savory Collard Green Stems
- Popcorn Pancakes
