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When our plum tree is loaded with fruit, drying some of the plums is one of my favorite ways to preserve them. Dried plums, also known as prunes, are easy to make and keep well for enjoying later.
I usually dry plums in my dehydrator, but they can also be dried in the oven. I've included directions for both methods.
What type of plum makes a prune?
Prunes are dried plums, but Italian prune plums are particularly well suited for drying. They're also called Italian plums or European plums.
These plums are bluish-purple with an oblong shape and are about the size of an egg. They have firm flesh, a lower moisture content, and a freestone pit that's easy to remove, making them ideal for drying.
We grow another type of plum which is a red plum. It's super juicy and the seed is a cling seed, not freestone. Those plums are better for juicing rather than drying. They are delicious plums, but the flesh is very soft and with all the juice in those plums, they'd take days to dry.
How to dry plums in a dehydrator
- Wash the plums with cool water.
- Slice each plum in half lengthwise and remove the pit.
- Place the plums skin side up on the dehydrator trays. It's okay to fit them close together, but don't overlap the plums.
- Set the dehydrator to 145°F.
- Dry for 10–18 hours. Drying time will vary depending on the size and moisture content of your plums, how many you're drying, and the temperature and humidity where your dehydrator is running.
- Begin checking the plums after about 6 hours, then check them more frequently as they get closer to being done. The dried plums should be pliable with no visible moisture.
- Remove the dried plums from the dehydrator and condition them before storing.
Conditioning dried plums
Place the dried plums in a large glass jar or plastic bag. Rotate the plums around in the container to help condition them.
If moisture appears inside the jar or bag, the plums need more drying time. Return them to the dehydrator and continue drying until no moisture appears.
Dehydrating tips
- Dry as many plums as will fit in your dehydrator without overlapping. I have extra trays from an older dehydrator and sometimes stack as many as eight trays at once. A fuller dehydrator may take a little longer, but it still works.
- There's no need to spray the dehydrator trays. The plums may stick slightly, but once they're dry, they peel right off.
- Rotate the trays about halfway through the drying time. I move the trays on top to the bottom.
- Keep an eye on the plums as they dry. I usually make my first check after about 6 hours and then check more frequently as they get closer to being done.
- I often set my dehydrator outside under a covered porch. Cooler temperatures or higher humidity can increase the drying time.
How to store dried plums
Store dried plums in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one month. For longer storage, place them in vacuum-sealed bags and freeze for up to one year.
Drying in the oven
You can also dry plums in the oven if you don't have a dehydrator.
- Wash the plums, slice them in half lengthwise, and remove the pits.
- Place the plums on a parchment-lined baking sheet with the skin side down.
- Set the oven to its lowest temperature.
- Dry the plums until they are pliable with no visible moisture. The drying time will vary depending on the size and moisture content of the plums and the temperature of your oven.
- Remove the dried plums from the oven and allow them to cool completely before conditioning and storing.
Keep a close eye on the plums as they get closer to being done. An oven generally runs hotter than a dehydrator, so drying times can vary considerably.
How to Tell When Dried Plums Are Done
Dried plums should be pliable with no visible moisture when you cut or squeeze one. They shouldn't feel wet or release any moisture when pressed.
I prefer my plums fairly dry while still keeping them pliable.
More dehydrating recipes
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Be certain to check out all my recipes for preserving food!
Listen to the audio recipe on drying prunes!
How to Dry Plums
Equipment
Ingredients
- Italian prune plums (Use as many plums as you have that will fit on your dehydrator. )
Instructions
- Wash your plums with cool waterItalian prune plums
- Slice in half lengthwise and remove pit
- Place plums skin side up on dehydrator trays. It's okay to fit them close together, just don't overlap the plums
- Turn dehydrator to 145°F and let the drying begin!
- Drying will take anywhere between 10-18 hours. That's a huge range, but it really depends on the size of your plums, the moisture level in plums, the amount your are drying and weather conditions.
- Where you are drying them. I often set my dehydrator outside under a covered porch. The cooler temperature or higher humidity will increase drying time.
- Check your plums every few hours to determine if they are dry enough. The plums should be pliable with no visible moisture.
- Remove dried plums from dehydrator and place in a large glass jar or plastic bag. Rotate the plums around in the container to help condition the plums. If moisture appears on the jar or on the bag, the plums are not dried long enough. Just place back on dehydrator and dry for a bit longer.
- Store prunes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one month. For longer storage, place in vacuum seal bags and freeze for up to one year.
Notes
- Drying time will vary depending on the size and moisture content of the plums, how full the dehydrator is, and the temperature and humidity where the dehydrator is running.
- Begin checking the plums after about 6 hours and check more frequently as they get closer to being done.
- Rotate the dehydrator trays about halfway through the drying time.
- Dried plums should be pliable with no visible moisture.
- Condition the plums before storing. If moisture appears in the container during conditioning, return the plums to the dehydrator for additional drying.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Yesi says
Hello, my dehydrator didn't come with silicone mesh sheets and I was reading for lungs this is highly recommended. Also read parchment paper with holes works. What's do you suggest?
Kathy Berget says
Hi,
I use just the trays that came with my dehydrator. I don't use silicone sheets or parchment paper.
Kathy
David @ Spiced says
Interesting - I had no idea that prunes had to be a certain type of plum. Good to know! We have a large dehydrator, and I'm intrigued about how homemade prunes would taste. The store-bought ones are ok, but I get tired of them before I can get through a whole package. I bet homemade are WAY better! Thanks for sharing this one, Kathy!
Kathy says
I just don't care for the store bought ones. I think I just like them much drier.