In a nutshell: The method to dry cranberries is oven-drying and it has seven steps: clean, blanch, preheat oven, prepare and sweeten, bake, cool, and store.
Although these berries are harvested during the Autumn months, there are many ways to preserve cranberries and use them year-round. These bright red berries are festive and loaded with flavor.
If you’ve got more fresh cranberries than you can use before they go bad, dry them to prolong their shelf-life. You can eat cranberries as a snack, and use them in healthy recipes for smoothies, baking, salads, and stuffing.
Save on food waste and money by following this guide to make your own dried cranberries at home.
Can Cranberries be Dried?
Drying cranberries is a great way to preserve them. Drying the berries naturally in the sun can be tricky due to bugs, humidity, dew, birds, and dust. The best way to dry them is using the oven method or a food dehydrator if you have one.
The better the quality of the cranberries before drying, the better they will be once dehydrated. Before starting the drying process, sort through the berries and remove any damaged ones or cranberries that are starting to go off.
Here’s how to make dried cranberries:
How to Dry Cranberries in The Oven
Step 1: Clean
Give the whole cranberries a light rinse under cold water to get any dirt off.
Step 2: Blanch
Boil the kettle or some hot water on the stove. Place the cranberries in a large bowl or saucepan and pour the boiling water over to cover them. You do not want to add the cranberries to the water while it is boiling since this will cook them instead of just blanching them.
The cranberry skins will start to crack open. Do not leave the berries in the hot water any longer than 10 minutes. As soon as the skins are burst remove them to avoid cooking them and accidentally turning them into a sauce. If there are a few berries that haven’t popped, you can attend to this in the next step.
Once most of the skins are burst, drain the berries and place them on kitchen towels or paper towels. Dry the berries from any excess moisture.
Step 3: Preheat Oven
Preheat the oven to its lowest setting around 140°F (60°C). It is necessary to use a low temperature otherwise the berries will cook instead of drying out. When cooked, they will become juicy, soft, and caramelized and won’t last more than a week. If your oven doesn’t heat to such a low heat setting, set it at its lowest temperature and keep the oven door propped open just slightly with a wooden spoon.
Step 4: Prepare and Sweeten
Pierce the skin of any berries that have not cracked with a sharp knife. If you would like sweetened dried cranberries (optional), toss them in 1 to 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar. The amount of sugar you use will depend on the quantity of berries and how sweet you want them. Alternatively, you can lightly brush them with maple syrup or corn syrup.
Leave out the sugar if you want sugar-free dried cranberries, just keep in mind they can be quite sour. It is, however, ideal if you want to use the cranberries in a sugar free recipe for baking at a later stage.
Line a baking sheet with two layers of paper towel and then a layer of parchment paper on top. You can either spread the berries out directly on the parchment paper in a single layer or place a cooling rack on the lined baking sheet and spread the berries out on the rack.
The advantage of using a cooling rack is that there is more even air ventilation around the top and bottom of the berries.
Step 5: Bake
Place the cranberries in the preheated oven for 6 to 8 hours. The time you leave them in will depend on how chewy you want them. Rotate the baking sheet every couple of hours and keep an eye on the berries to ensure they don’t burn.
Step 6: Cool
Once the berries seem dry take them out of the oven to cool for 30 minutes. You won’t be able to tell if they are completely dehydrated until they are cooled down. Tear open one of the cooled berries. They should be shriveled and dry without any juices when split open.
Step 7: Store
Pack the cooled cranberries in an airtight container or resealable bags. Homemade dried cranberries are best kept in the refrigerator or freezer.
How to Dehydrate Cranberries in a Food Dehydrator
Prepare the cranberries in the same way as you would for oven drying by cleaning, blanching, drying, and sugar-coating them. Lay them out in a single layer on the food dehydrator tray. Place a piece of parchment paper in the bottom of the dehydrator to catch any dripping juices. Set the dehydrator to the fruit setting or 130°F.
If the cranberries look dried out after eight hours remove them from the dehydrator and let them cool. Once completely cool, break open a berry and squeeze it gently. If any moisture droplets appear, place them back in the dehydrator for 2 to 3 hours. Check them again. Store dried cranberries in airtight containers or good-quality resealable plastic bags.
Note: Always check the manufacturer’s manual for specific guidelines for your device.
How to Use Dried Cranberries
Dried cranberries make a great snack on their own or mixed with nuts and dried fruit. They can have a sour punch if no sugar is added during the dehydration process. Add cranberries to baked goods including batters for cakes, muffins, cookies, or scones.
When simmered in water or juice they will plump up, making them ideal for sauces with savory dishes or to pour over ice cream, yogurt, and dessert.
Types of Cranberries
When thinking about cranberries you may picture sweet pies, juice, or sauces. Fresh cranberries are, however, hard, sour, and bitter and require some processing before they turn into the sweet pops of flavor we know. There are many types of cranberries, although the most common type is the American cranberry. The berries are red, and sometimes white in color.
Commercially prepared cranberry products include cranberry juice, compote, jelly, frozen cranberries, cranberry sauce, sweetened berries, unsweetened dried cranberries, and pie filling. The juice is also popularly used in cocktails. Store bought dried cranberries are often mixed with other dried fruits and nuts as a trail-mix type snack.
FAQ
How long do dried cranberries last?
Dried cranberries that are stored in the fridge will last 6 to 12 months. If kept in the freezer they will last 1 to 2 years.
How do you know if dried cranberries have gone off?
Cranberries will develop an off smell when they are no longer good to eat and can also develop mold, especially if they have not been properly dehydrated.
Can cranberries be dried in an air fryer?
Yes, to dry cranberries in an air fryer prepare them as you would for oven drying (step 1 to 3 above). Preheat the air fryer to 170°F. Spread the cranberries on the racks in a single layer so that they don’t touch each other. Rotate the racks every 2 hours. The cranberries should take 6 to 8 hours to dehydrate completely.
How do you make cranberry powder?
Making the berry powder is easy. Place fully dehydrated cranberries in a blender or food processor and blend until it becomes a coarse powder. Use unsweetened cranberries. If it turns to a paste rather than a powder, spread the paste out in a thin layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or on a silicone mat. Dehydrate the paste for a few minutes until dry and crisp (as you would dry berries in the oven or dehydrator). Let it cool and blend again. Store the powder in an airtight container.
Making berry powder is a great way to add a tart flavor to a variety of recipes and dishes. It can be used as a seasoning, in smoothies, to make sauces, and as a topping for ice cream and yogurt. You can also use it to make cranberry baked goods and add it to granulated sugar to make cranberry sugar.
How do you dry fresh cranberries quickly?
To quickly dry fresh cranberries, start by rinsing and patting them dry with paper towels. Then, spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and set the oven to the lowest temperature setting (around 150°F or 65°C). Leave the oven door slightly open to allow moisture to escape and dry the cranberries for 3-4 hours until they are shriveled and dried.
Conclusion
Since fresh cranberries don’t have a very long shelf-life, drying them is a great way to preserve them long-term. These dried berries can be used in a variety of delicious recipes. Make sure the cranberries are completely dry and cool before packing. Any present moisture will result in mold growing quickly and spoiling your efforts.
Add dried cranberries to lunch boxes, cookie batters, or cook them into sauces for a little taste of the holidays all year round.
As a qualified Holistic Nutritionist, Helga has also combined her passion for good food and healthy living in wellness coaching. After years practicing in the catering and hospitality industries, Helga now focuses on sharing her knowledge and experience with others through writing about food tips, cooking advice, wellness, global food trends, and travel.
