What Is the Percentage of Sugar in Dried Fruits?

Dried fruits provide essential nutrients including fiber, potassium, folate and vitamins A and C. They are also good sources of a type of antioxidant called polyphenols. Some people may worry about the high sugar content of dried fruit, however, which may keep them from including these nutritious fruits in their diet.

A large jar of dried apricots. (Image: Voyagerix/iStock/Getty Images)

Sugar Amounts

Most dried fruits are more than 50 percent sugar. The exceptions are prunes, which are about 38 percent sugar, and dried figs, which are about 48 percent sugar. Among the dried fruits with the highest sugar content are currants and sweetened dried cherries, with 67 percent, and sweetened dried cranberries, with 65 percent.

Compared to Fresh by Weight

When comparing the sugar content of dried fruits and fresh fruits by weight, dried fruits are much higher in sugar because they have had much of their water content removed. Fresh apricots contain about 9 percent sugar, while fresh plums and apples have about 10 percent sugar, which is much lower than the 53 percent sugar in dried apricots, 38 percent sugar in dried plums, or prunes, and 57 percent sugar in dried apples.

Compared to Fresh by Serving Size

The difference between the amount of sugar in fresh and dried fruit isn't as extreme when you consider the amount of sugar in a typical serving. The recommended serving size for chopped fruit is 1/2 cup. Because dried fruit is a more concentrated source of calories and nutrients, the recommended serving size is half that of fresh fruit. For example, a 1/4-cup serving of dried apricots has 17.4 grams of sugar, and a 1/2-cup serving of fresh apricots has 7.2 grams of sugar. A 1/4-cup serving of prunes has 16.6 grams of sugar, compared to 8.2 grams in 1/2 cup of fresh plums.

Fitting Dried Fruit Into a Healthy Diet

Watch your portion size to keep from eating too many calories or too much sugar from dried fruit. If you are just going to eat a snack of fruit, fresh fruit may be a better option since it is less energy-dense, meaning you can eat more for the same number of calories. Sprinkle a little dried fruit on a salad or in your cereal to add a touch of sweetness, or add a small amount of dried fruit to baked goods, such as pancakes or breads. You can also make a nutritious trail mix using a low-sugar, high-fiber cereal along with a small amount of dried fruit and nuts.