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    Home » How To » How to Dry Cranberries

    Published: Sep 12, 2022 · Modified: Dec 13, 2022 by Erin · This post may contain affiliate links

    How to Dry Cranberries

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A glass jar of dried 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.

    Dried cranberries on a baking rack.

    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.

    Related recipes...

    • Cranberry Goat Cheese Salad with Walnuts
    • Strawberry Powder Recipe
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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 4 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
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Raeanne says

      October 30, 2022 at 5:59 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    2. Himanshu says

      May 14, 2022 at 2:40 am

      5 stars
      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

      Reply

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