How to Dry Cranberries

Simple, easy instructions for how to dry cranberries in the oven or food dehydrator. Use dried cranberries in countless recipes, or enjoy plain as a snack.

You can easily dry cranberries at home in your oven on a baking sheet at very low temperature, or by using a food dehydrator.

Once you know how to dry cranberries, you will find it is a great way to utilize leftover cranberries.

They will last up to one year in the pantry once dried properly.

Dehydrated, or dried cranberries make great snacks, or for use in salads, and usually have way less sugar than store bought packaged dried cranberries.

They are also a delicious substitution for raisins in muffins and bread recipes.

Dried Cranberry Ingredients

This standard store bought bag of cranberries which is typically one half pound.

The recipe can be increased to accommodate the amount of dried cranberries you need.

You can cut the sugar down for a less sweet dried cranberry, but keep in mind that these are already much less sweet than the store bought dried cranberries.

Whether you are using the oven method or food dehydrator, the recipe is the same.

You will need parchment paper or a non stick silicone mat because they get very stick before they're fully dried.

Instructions

Rinse the cranberries just to remove any unwanted debris.

Drain them in a colander and pat them dry, or allow them to air dry.

Place them in a heat safe bowl that can tolerate boiling water.

Meanwhile, heat up the sugar solution.

This doesn't only serve to sweeten the cranberries. It also is meant to split them open, which helps them to release more moisture as they dehydrate.

In a sauce pan, combine the sugar and water on medium high heat until it comes to a boil, stirring once or twice.

The sugar will dissolve and the liquid will turn crystal clear indicating it's ready.

Pour the hot sugar water over the cranberries in a heat safe bowl. Give the cranberries a little stir to coat them with the sugar water.

Allow the cranberries to steep until the cranberries split open around one or all sides.

You may have to turn some of them over to see where they split.

If you notice any stubborn cranberries that haven't split, pierce them with a sharp knife.

Once all of the cranberries are split, use a slotted spoon to fish them out of the sweetened water, or strain them in a colander again over the sink to allow the excess to drip off.

Transfer them to the food dehydrator or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone mat to prevent sticking.

Drying Cranberries In the oven

To dehydrate the cranberries in the oven, use a baking sheet, cooling rack and a nonstick layer like parchment paper or a silicon baking mat.

Prepare a baking sheet by fixing a cooling rack on top of it followed by a piece of parchment paper.

The cooling rack elevates the cranberries to help with air flow and circulation while they dry.

Place the baking sheet and cranberries in the oven and cook on the lowest setting.

Most ovens do not go below 170 degrees Fahrenheit, this is usually about what the "keep warm" setting is set to as well.

If your oven does not go as low as 130-145 degrees Fahrenheit, keep the oven door cracked the entire time.

Check cranberries every few hours until they are completely dehydrated and devoid of moisture.

Drying Cranberries In a food dehydrator

Scatter the sweetened, split cranberries on a nonstick layer in a food dehydrator.

Set the food dehydrator to 135 degrees Fahrenheit (57 degrees Celsius) and allow the cranberries to dehydrate until all moisture is removed.

How long will it take?

This process will take 8-12 hours, until the cranberries have shriveled up and feel leathery like other dried fruit.

Remove, and let cool. You can be sure they're done when they can be pulled or cut apart and there is no wetness whatsoever.

Recipe Tips

• Don't turn up the heat in an effort to dehydrate the cranberries faster because it will toast the outsides, making them hard and brittle. Remember: they don't need to be cooked, only dehydrated.
• If you don't have a cooling rack that you can use to elevate the cranberries on, turn the baking sheet upside down and place the mat or parchment paper on the underside to eliminate the edges, and allow for maximum air flow.
• If using the food dehydrator method, refer to your owners manual for instructions on dehydrating overnight. Many offer self timers, or conditions in which it is safe to use the appliance overnight.
• You can test the dried cranberries by placing them in a tightly sealed glass jar, shaking it, and checking it after 24 hours. If you can detect moisture on the glass, you need to dehydrate them longer.

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