Aronia shrubs, also known as chokeberries, are absolute rockstars in the fall garden. You can usually expect a pretty massive harvest—anywhere from six to eleven pounds of berries per bush! If you find yourself with a bumper crop, drying them is one of the easiest ways to preserve that goodness for the long haul.
So many ways to use dried Aronia berries
Dried chokeberries are a total treat and incredibly versatile. You can snack on them raw just like raisins, or toss a handful into your favorite cake batter or morning oatmeal. If you’re into deep, dark smoothies, these berries add a fantastic nutritional punch. They also pair beautifully with sweeter fruits like pears, bananas, or apples to balance out their natural tartness.
Drying your berries in the oven
Since Aronia berries are on the smaller side, you can dry them in your oven without much fuss. If you have a convection setting (fan-forced), definitely use it. If not, standard top-and-bottom heat works just fine—just keep the oven door propped open a tiny bit to let moisture escape. Set your oven to about 120°F to 140°F (50-60°C) and spread the berries out in a single layer across a few baking sheets. They should be perfectly dried out in just one to two hours.
Sun-drying: The low-energy approach
If you’d rather skip the oven or dehydrator, you can let Mother Nature do the work. This energy-saving method works best if you have a stretch of warm, dry weather ahead. Here’s how to do it right:
- Make sure the temperature is between 75°F and 85°F with low humidity.
- Find a large, flat surface where you can spread the berries out.
- Let them sit outside for several days.
- Cover them with a fine mesh or bird netting so local wildlife doesn’t treat itself to your harvest!
- Give them a little toss or turn every now and then so they dry evenly.
Shelf life and storage
Once they’re fully dried, Aronia berries will stay good for about a year. The key is making sure they are completely dry—they should feel hard and look shriveled. Store your finished berries in airtight containers or glass jars, and you’re all set!