Dehydrate Pumpkin and Make Pumpkin Powder

Dehydrate pumpkin and make pumpkin powder to use in baked goods, pies, smoothies, dog treats. Enjoy fall all year long with this easy way to preserve pumpkins.

Pumpkin is my favorite fall flavor when altered with a little spice and creams in soups, or in every form of baked good.

It's even my favorite fall drink in pumpkin juice!

Yes, Harry Potter fans, you can make pumpkin juice at home if you can't be in the Wizarding World enjoying it!

But let's get back to dehydrating pumpkin, shall we?!

This easy process takes a little time, but it's worth it when you can grab so many of those orange orbs of autumnal goodness and save them for the whole year.

And you'll never have to worry about those pesky, fake canned pumpkin shortages, either! This way, you can have pumpkin powder stored on the shelf and make your own pumpkin puree anytime you feel the need for fall and pumpkin spice!

Learn more: How to Dehydrate Pumpkin Leaves

How to Dehydrate Pumpkin

There are numerous ways to dehydrate pumpkin. We're going to focus on the drying a puree to make pumpkin powder to store.

How to Roast Pumpkin

Instructions:

1. Wash pumpkins. It's important. You're cutting into the skin and flesh and pumpkins can be very dirty.
2. Cut the pumpkin into segments of your choice, and clean out the 'guts'.
3. A great tip for cleaning is to use an old canning jar lid to scrape your pumpkin clean - it works wonders!!! It's in the video at the 2:14 mark
4. (Set aside the seeds to roast later.)
5. Place pumpkin segments on oven-safe lined baking sheets and bake at 350°F / 175°C for 45-50 minutes until just fork tender
6. Remove skins and allow puree to cool

Dehydrate Pumpkin Puree

1. Spread pumpkin puree onto fruit leather sheet line dehydrator trays and dry at 135°F / 57°C for 10-12 hours until brittle.
2. Condition
3. Store in an airtight container for up to a year

I happen to use an Excalibur Dehydrator, but any dehydrator will work!

How to Powder Dehydrated Pumpkin

1. Place pumpkin puree shards into the bullet blender, blender or coffee grinder of your choice. I have some suggestions in my essential dehydrating tools list if you need one.
2. Blend until smooth
3. Place on cookie sheet in an oven that has been warmed, but not on, and allow to dry for 15-20 minutes.
4. Store in an airtight container with a desiccant pack for six to twelve months.

How to Rehydrate Pumpkin Powder

Pumpkin puree is a mainstay in our home. From breads to smoothies to soups to pie, it's something I keep stocked all year long.

However, Idon't have space to keep as many jars as I might use in a year, so I dehydrate my pumpkin (I even dehydrate canned pumpkin!) to save space in my pantry.

Whenever I want to make something, I can either use the powder to flavor, or I can reconstitute the dehydrated pumpkin powder back into puree!

Ingredients

• 2 cups of hot water
• ½ cup pumpkin powder

Directions:

1. Mix 2 cups of hot water with ½ Cup Pumpkin Powder
2. Allow the mixture to sit for 10-15 minutes!
3. Use in any recipe that calls for pumpkin puree.

Pumpkin Spice Coffee Mix

• 6 tablespoons pumpkin powder (adjust to your taste)
• 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• Shake a little into your coffee for a pumpkin spice flavor!
• (reminder, this will not dissolve the way drink mixes do, so expect a little fiber left at the bottom of your coffee cup)

Dehydrate Pumpkin Cubes

Instead of using a puree, winter squash can be diced and used in soups, stews, and other dishes throughout year!

Instructions:

1. Cut and remove seeds and strings
2. Dice into ½" or smaller cubes
3. Blanch cubes for 4 minutes
4. Dehydrate at 125F/35C for 8-15+ hours
5. Condition
6. Store in an airtight container for up to two years

Dryness test: When cubes are slightly translucent, plink when dropped, leathery and hard. Don't assume a slight color change and hardness on the outside to be fully dry, the insides should be dry as well.