It’s been a cold winter, and how many of us have been craving some fresh fruit? If you are looking for the great way to satisfy your sweet tooth while still living in a chilly environment, try dehydrating cranberries. Dehydrating fruits is an excellent way to preserve them so they can be enjoyed all year round. In this blog post guide, we will discuss how to dehydrate cranberries and how long it takes to dry completely.
What Are Cranberries
Cranberries are a very tart, red berry commonly used in jams, juice, and other desserts. They grow on vines during the summer months throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. They can be eaten fresh or dried.
Why Dehydrate Them?
Dehydrating fruits like raw cranberries instead of canning them provides you with a healthy snack that’s perfect for the winter months. Additionally, dried cranberries are perfect for baking and cooking because they’re less expensive than buying them in the store.
Dehydrating them is also an excellent way to preserve the fruit for future use, whether you want to enjoy them in your salad or add some flavor and color to muffins.
Ingredients and Equipment
- Fresh cranberries
- Food dehydrator
- Airtight container
- Large bowl
- Piece of parchment paper
- Sugar
- Sharp knife
How to Make Dried Cranberries:
- First, you need to wash the organic cranberries. Please put them in a pot or large bowl and pour boiling water over the fruit. Leave them to soak for ten minutes.
- Put the cranberries in a colander, then gently cover them in dish towels to remove any excess water on the fruit.
- Next, make the syrup by using two parts water and 1 part sugar. Stir 1/4 cup of syrup with cranberries in the large bowl. A sweet scent will fill your home with autumn flavors!
- Before dehydrating your produce, cover the bottom of the dehydrator ( under the lowest tray) with a sheet of parchment paper to catch any food drips (Look for a food dehydrator that can use drip trays for a better experience).
- Spread out your blanched, sugared cranberries on the trays. If any of the fruit are still whole, they’ll need a little help with piercing by using a paring knife before being placed in the dehydrator.
- Make sure not to overlap your fruit on the trays. You want each piece to have 1/2 inch space for maximum dehydration.
- Put the trays in your food dehydrator, set the temperature to 150 Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, and then decrease the temperature to 135 Fahrenheit.
- Drying time will vary from how wet your fruit is to how long it takes to dry, but generally around 8-10 hours or longer. Check at the 8-hour mark to see how they look.
- Make sure the cranberries have completely cooled before testing for doneness. Turn off the food dehydrator and open it to let it cool for 20-30 minutes.
- When cooled, break the fruit in half; it should not have any moisture when broken.
How to Condition Cranberries
- Add the dehydrated, cool berries into a glass jar. Make sure to fill in only 2/3 of the container. Shake the jar a couple of times daily for a week. If there’s moisture on the side of the jar, your fruit is not thoroughly dried, and you need to dehydrate them longer until they’re dehydrated.
- Once they are fully conditioned, place the dehydrated cranberries in an airtight container. Keep the fruit away from direct sunlight or heat.
Dehydrated Cranberry Recipes To Make
Some great recipes to make with dehydrated cranberries are granola, trail mix, fruit leather, cranberry sauce, homemade cookies, bread, and cakes. These ideas will help you how to use dried berries in your cooking or baking.
What Do Dried Cranberries Taste Like?
They have a very tart flavor.
Some Health Benefits of Dried Cranberries
Dried cranberries make for a tasty snack, either on their own or mixed with other dried fruits like raisins. They are also helpful to have around when you want some fruit but don’t have any fresh ones on hand.
Even though they’re not typically eaten as part of a healthy diet, dried cranberries still have many health benefits. Here are some of them:
- They might help prevent urinary tract infections.
- They boost the immune system.
- They’re low in calories.
FAQs about Drying Cranberries in Dehydrator
- How long does it take to dry cranberries?
It can take up to 10-18 hours or longer to dry cranberries; this depends on the dehydrator appliance you have, humidity, and the fruit’s water contents.
- How many pounds of cranberries can be dried at one time?
You can dry up to two pounds of cranberries at once, but it depends on how many trays your dehydrator has.
- What is the best dehydrator for drying fruits, especially cranberries?
Magic Mill Food Dehydrator is the best dehydrator for drying fruits because of its adjustable thermostat, timer, and seven stainless steel dehydrator trays.
Conclusion:
Dehydrating cranberries is a great way to enjoy this delicious fruit all year round. They also make for perfect additions to your favorite baked goods, breakfast cereals, or yogurt toppings! So give dehydrated cranberries a try, and you won’t be disappointed. Don’t stop to reach out if you have any questions about how to get started with dehydrating your cranberries or you want advice on which recipe would best serve their purpose in cooking. We’re always happy to help!
