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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.

A jar of dried cranberries.

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

Fresh cranberries in a red fruit box by a bowl of sugar with a spoon.

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.

Dissolved sugar and water in a pot.

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.

A metal bowl filled with cranberries and water.
As soon as the sugar water starts to boil, r

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.

Cranberries with splits in them floating in water in a metal bowl.

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.

Whole cranberries soaked in sugar water on a baking sheet.

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.

Make sure not to overcrowd the food dehydrator tray.

Dried cranberries on a baking rack.

Storage

Once your cranberries are completely dried the best way to store your dehydrated cranberries is to transfer them to an airtight container. Make sure the container is dry and clean for optimal storage.

You can also store cranberries in zip-lock bags and vacuum seal them or store in a mason jar if desired for long-term storage in a dark place away from direct sunlight.

Cranberries will keep well stored at room temperature for several months to a year depending on your method of storing them.

Can you freeze homemade dried cranberries? 

Yes, you can freeze homemade dried cranberries. Cranberries are a winter fruit, so they'll last well in the freezer.

To freeze your cranberries, make sure to store them in an airtight container or zip-lock bag.

Make sure to remove excess air when storing in a freezer safe bag. Dried cranberries can stay good in the freezer for up to 8 months.

Recipe Tips

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Jar of dehydrated cranberries with jute string tied around it.

How to Dry Cranberries

How to make sweetened dried cranberries using fresh, whole cranberries.
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: dried cranberries, how to dry cranberries
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Dehydrating TIme: 10 hours
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 51kcal
Author: Erin
Cost: $1.90

Equipment

  • Oven or Food Dehydrator
  • parchment paper
  • Sauce pan or microwave safe bowl

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces whole cranberries
  • 1 cup sugar (note, you will be draining most of this off)
  • 2 cups water

Instructions

  • Combine the water and sugar in a sauce pan and heat on medium high heat until almost simmering, stirring occasionally.
    A copper sauce pan with sugar and water in it.
  • Pour over rinsed, dry cranberries in a heat safe bowl, stir.
    Stainless steel bowl filled with cranberries and water.
  • Allow cranberries to steep for 10-20 minutes until sides split. Pierce any unsplit cranberries with a sharp knife.
    Cranberries with splits in them floating in water in a metal bowl.
  • Drain, or remove steeped cranberries with a slotted spoon and arrange on prepared baking tray lined with parchment paper and cooling rack, or food dehydrator tray.
    Whole cranberries soaked in sugar water on an oven baking sheet.
  • Dehydrate in oven or food dehydrator at 135 degrees for 8-10 hours, or lowest setting of oven with door cracked (if over 150 degrees).
    Dried cranberries on brown parchment paper.
  • Cranberries are done when no moisture remains when they are pulled apart.
  • Store covered in the pantry or fridge in a tightly sealed glass jar, shaking twice a day for one week to "condition" the cranberries. If condensation or moisture appears on the sides of the container, they aren't full dry and need to be dried further.
  • Store in pantry or fridge for up to 1 year.

Notes

  • Sugar amount can be adjusted up or down to taste. 
  • If using the oven method, and the oven doesn't go below 150 degrees, crack the oven door. 
  • Condition the cranberries when done, by storing in a tightly sealed jar, shaking twice a day for a week. If condensation or moisture appears on the sides of the container, they are not dry, and the must be removed and let to dehydrate for another hour or two until fully dehydrated. 
  • Once dry, store in the pantry for up to one year, or the fridge for 18 months. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 51kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 46mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheFrozenBiscuit or tag #thefrozenbiscuit!
Recipe Rating




Raeanne

Sunday 30th of October 2022

Thank you for your simple recipe with ingredients that I have. Sugar-free would be nice, but I do not have all those odd ingredients. I have sugar - so, I will try!

Himanshu

Saturday 14th of May 2022

I love eating berries & had tried many organic brands but was not satisfied with their quality. However a few months back I came across Satopradhan Vision & ordered their cranberries. They have the best quality. I highly recommend you to try them once. You can get them here - https://satopradhan.com/collections/natural-sweeteners/products/dried-cranberries?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Organic&utm_campaign=Comments