How to dehydrated fresh or frozen cranberries. Just cranberries - no sugar, syrup, sweetener, juice or oil. The result are beautiful, tart and slightly crispy morsels to add to granola, trail mix or use in baking or other recipes when rehydrated.
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time10 hourshrs
Keyword: dehydrated food, dehydrating
Equipment
dehydrator
Ingredients
cranberries fresh or frozen
Instructions
If using fresh cranberries, wash and pick out any unwanted berries. Pat dry. If using frozen, let thaw on counter for 1/2 hour. The remainder of the steps are the same for fresh and frozen cranberries.
Cut all cranberries in half. This is critical to ensure air can get to the center of each cranberry. Without cutting, the berries' skin may harden and trap moisture inside which could lead to mold.
Place cranberries on mesh trays and put in dehydrator. Dry at 135°F (57°C) for 10 to 14 hours. Fresh cranberries will take longer than frozen cranberries. Time will vary greatly with each dehydrator and with temperature and humidity levels in your house.
Rotate trays and check on cranberries at 6 hour mark.
Finished cranberries will be pliable with no signs of moisture. As they cool they will become firmer and maybe even crisp. Let rest on tray until cooled, at least 2 hours.
Once cooled totally and completely, place in an airtight container (glass jar is best). To condition the cranberries and ensure they are absolutely dry throughout, watch and shake jar for next 7 days. If the cranberries soften greatly, clump together or if there is any sign of moisture on sides of jar - return to dehydrator. If all is good, store in a cool, dark place for a year or more.
Notes
approximately 1 cup of chopped cranberries = 1/4 cup dried cranberries