15 Ways to Use Dried Fruit in Your Kitchen
Using dried fruit is not only delicious, but can also help you reduce food waste
There’s more to the world of dried fruit than those little boxes of raisins from elementary school lunches. Currently in my kitchen, I have stashes of dried mangos, cranberries, apples, and dates, but there are so many other kinds of delicious fruits to explore like dried mandarin oranges, banana chips, and dried papaya spears.
It is estimated that 80% of food waste comes from perishable foods, which includes fruits and vegetables, and while you do not want to hold onto a bag of dried apples for years, it is definitely going to last longer than fresh fruit and can help you waste less produce. You can also dry your own fruit at home — even without a dehydrator — so that you do not let extra produce end up in the trash.
Historically, dried fruits were always dried in the sun, but now many different methods are used and you can find candied fruit, dehydrated fruit, and freeze-dried fruit right alongside the traditional dried fruit at the grocery store. These different shelf-stable fruit options provide even more creative ways you can incorporate dried fruit into your breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and desserts.
- Cranberry orange scones are often made with fresh or…
