How to Make Prunes

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Prunes can be a healthy, nutritious snack to add to any meal. However, making prunes at home can take some time. You can either use a dehydrator or oven to make prunes. From there, store the prunes properly. When you want to use prunes, you can use them in a variety of dishes to add additional flavor.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using an Oven

PDF download Download Article
  1. Slice the plums in half around the pit, working with a small, sharp knife. Pull the halves apart, remove the pit, and discard the pit. [1]
    • Make sure you work with a knife small enough to handle. A large knife is not appropriate for cutting plums.
  2. Do not use a baking pan to make prunes in the oven. A lot of juices will leak from the plums during the drying process. If plums are on a baking pan, they will stick to this surface. Instead, use an oven rack. Make sure to space the plums evenly on the oven rack. If the plums are touching, this may affect the dehydration process. [2]
    • As the process can make a mess on the bottom of your oven, consider setting something down to catch the drippings. Some people find success laying a single sheet of foil on the bottom of the oven. However, the foil may melt and it does not work for gas ovens. [3] You could try lining a baking tray with foil and setting that under the plums.
    Advertisement
  3. You should set the oven as low as possible. For most ovens, that is 200 degrees Fahrenheit. If your oven is different, simply set the oven to the lowest possible temperature.
    • Make sure to place the oven rack in the oven slowly. You do not want to knock the plums around. [4]
  4. You should flip the plums every few hours so they dry out evenly. You should also check on how the dehydration process is coming along. You want your prunes to be slightly soft and juicy, while also being dry to the point of having a wrinkled, dark appearance. [5]
    • This also depends on personal preference. Some people prefer prunes slightly dryer while some prefer them juicier. Do not remove the prunes until they're at your desired state.
  5. While most prunes will be ready at this point, vigilant checking is important. Some prunes will be ready sooner than 8 hours, and some will need a little more time. [6]
    • The prunes will probably be ready at slightly different rates. Remove them as needed.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using a Dehydrator

PDF download Download Article
  1. Remove the stem. Then, cut the plum in half around the pit using a sharp pairing knife. [7] [8]
    • Pull the two halves of the plums apart. Remove the pit and discard.
    • If you don't have a pairing knife, you can use another sharp knife. However, be sure to avoid a large knife. Plums are small, and you want to make sure you maintain control of your knife as you cut around the pit.
  2. It's a good idea to push the plums close together, as this will eliminate the need to do two batches. [9] However, make sure the plums are not touching. This is important for air circulation, which allows the plums to dry properly. [10]
  3. You should dehydrate your foods at 115 °F (46.1 °C) when working with a conventional dehydrator. However, if you have an excalibur dehydrator, start out at 145 degrees. [11] [12]
    • Make sure the dehydrator is at the right temperature before placing the plums in the oven.
    • Place the tray in the dehydrator slowly to avoid knocking the plums together.
  4. You want to turn the plums at some point to complete the dehydration process. Check every 4 to 6 hours to see if the plums are ready to turn. [13]
    • When plums are ready to turn, the upside should be very dry. The plums should release easily from the tray.
    • If the upside of the plum is still moist, and the plum does not come off easily, leave the plums for a bit longer before turning them.
  5. The plums will turn into prunes at different rates. When you notice some plums completely lack moisture, they've completed the pruning process. These should be removed from the dehydrator. After this, start checking on the plums ever 2 hours, as they're getting close to being done. [14]
  6. Plums will take roughly 14 hours to fully dehydrate. However, they may take longer or shorter depending on the quality of the plums. This is why it's important to check your plums regularly during the dehydrating process. When fully dehydrated, you will have black, wrinkled, raisin-like prunes. [15]
    7. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Storing and Eating Your Prunes

PDF download Download Article
  1. Dried prunes should be placed in an airtight container. A heavy duty plastic bag is also appropriate. [16]
    • You can store prunes in a cool, dark area.
    • Prunes can be safely stored in the pantry, the refrigerator, or the freezer.
  2. The shelf life of prunes depends on where you store them. Make sure to know the shelf life of your prunes to avoid eating spoiled fruit. [17]
    • In the pantry and fridge, dried prunes will last 6 to 12 months.
    • The freezer can extend the shelf life of a dried prune. Dried prunes stored in the freezer can last 12 to 18 months.
  3. If it's around Thanksgiving, dried prunes can make a tasty addition to any stuffing. When sautéing other items for the stuffing, like onion and celery, toss in the prunes as well. Cook everything together for a few minutes, and then remove the mixture from the heat. [18]
    • Prunes can add a slightly sweet flavor to a stuffing, which can shake up a stuffing made with mostly savory ingredients.
  4. You can stuff prunes with Stilton or another type of cheese for a sweet and savory appetizer. You simply cut the prunes through the center and then fill them with cheese.
    • Stuffed prunes would make a great snack for an elegant dinner party.
  5. Prunes can compliment beef nicely. Usually, you would add the prunes, in addition to any other garnishes, about halfway through the cooking process. However, refer to your specific recipe to make sure this is safe given the type of roast you're making. [19]
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    When drying Italian plums, does one need to rub the natural powdery coating off first, or just rinse?
    Caeiia
    Top Answerer
    You can just rinse; it's not harmful.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 5
  • Question
    Those are all dried plums, not prunes. How do I make the prunes like I buy in the stores? Somewhat dried but still soft and chewy. I have dried plums, but cannot get that consistency.
    Community Answer
    You should try "sweating" them. This is how dried grapes become raisins. The grapes are gathered in boxes and packed tightly. The duration I'm not sure of, but I make my prunes "store like" by placing them in a gallon-sized plastic bag and remove most of the air by rolling and squeezing the bag, redoing it several times.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 6
  • Question
    Can I make a homemade dehydrator?
    Community Answer
    Yes. One way is to set up a pizza tray with a fly net on top and sit it in the heat when the temperature is above 30 degrees C or 80 F.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 6
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Prunes can also be used in beef stew or meat sauces and gravies. They have a wonderful dark flavor which complements beef nicely.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • If using with chicken or pork, rely on the sweet quality by combining the prunes with a reduction of apple or orange juice.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      10 Ways to Keep Sliced Bananas from Turning Brown
      How to
      Make Dried Orange Slices
      How to
      Store Pavlova
      How to
      Keep a Baguette Fresh with Proper Storage
      How to
      Stop Bananas from Turning Brown Too Quickly
      How Long Do Olives Last? (And How to Tell If They’ve Gone Bad)
      How to
      Prevent Sugar Syrup from Forming Crystals (Plus, How to Fix It)
      How to
      Seal Glass Jars
      How to
      Ferment Fruit
      How to
      Store Popcorn So It Lasts Longer
      The Right Way to Refrigerate and Freeze Fresh Green Beans
      How to
      Keep Brown Sugar Soft
      Easy and Effective Ways to Keep Cut Pears Fresh and Avoid Browning
      How to
      Keep Sandwiches Fresh
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://domesticdreamboat.com/dry-prunes-without-food-dehydrator/
      2. ↑ https://domesticdreamboat.com/dry-prunes-without-food-dehydrator/
      3. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/do-or-dont-using-foil-as-an-oven-liner-201252
      4. ↑ https://domesticdreamboat.com/dry-prunes-without-food-dehydrator/
      5. ↑ https://domesticdreamboat.com/dry-prunes-without-food-dehydrator/
      6. ↑ https://domesticdreamboat.com/dry-prunes-without-food-dehydrator/
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-YOQkKUYzI
      8. ↑ https://anoregoncottage.com/how-to-dry-plums/
      9. ↑ https://anoregoncottage.com/how-to-dry-plums/
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-YOQkKUYzI
      2. ↑ https://anoregoncottage.com/how-to-dry-plums/
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-YOQkKUYzI
      4. ↑ https://anoregoncottage.com/how-to-dry-plums/
      5. ↑ https://anoregoncottage.com/how-to-dry-plums/
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-YOQkKUYzI
      7. ↑ https://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/18840
      8. ↑ https://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/18840
      9. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/myfavouritestuffing_13964
      10. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/pot-roasted_beef_with_34529

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make prunes, start by cutting plums in half and removing the pits. Then, place the plums on an oven rack with a foil-lined tray underneath to catch the juices. Next, heat the prunes on the lowest temperature of your oven for 8 hours, but check them every few hours in case they're ready sooner. Once the skin on your prunes is dark and wrinkled, remove them from the oven and store them in a sealed container inside your pantry. For tips on how to make prunes using a dehydrator, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 148,964 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Wendy Spinos

        Jul 27, 2017

        "I thought you were supposed to dry them in the sun, I didn't know you have to put them in the oven!"
        Rated this article:
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement