Sugar Free Cranberries Dried - How To Dehydrate Fresh Cranberries

Prep Time:30

Dehydration Time:12

Total Time:12 30

Prepare dehydrator by making sure trays are clean and lined with silicone non-stick sheets.
Set dehydrator to 135°F

Bring a medium pot of filtered water to a boil.
Add orange juice and stir to dissolve.
Remove from the burner, and add cranberries - do not boil cranberries.
Allow the cranberries to sit for approximately 10min, or until they begin to pop.
Drain water, and transfer cranberries to a large bowl of ice water to cool and preserve color.
Drain cranberries a second time, and blot off any excess water being careful not to smash or break apart the cranberries.
Place cranberries in a large bowl, and add monk fruit and a splash of avocado oil.
Gently toss to coat cranberries evenly.
Spread berries onto lined dehydrator trays.
Place trays into the dehydrator for 10-12 hours, or until thoroughly dry inside and out.
ENJOY.

Always be careful when handling the cranberries to avoid smashing and breaking them apart, otherwise you will have cranberry sauce and not dried whole fruit! ;-)
I like to use avocado oil because it is a pretty neutral oil without a lot of flavor so the taste of the cranberries comes shining through. That said, you can also use olive oil.
If you want to avoid oils all together, you can do that too. I try to use as little oil as possible - just a true pinch - like 1/4-1/2tsp.
The time on the dehydrator will depend on a number of things. How well you have dried off the cranberries after draining, how big or small your cranberries are, and how hot you put your dehydrator.
I have found the 135°F temperature works well but if you are wanting to create more of a "raw food" type cranberry, then keep your temperature at 105°F, however the drying time will then have to be extended several more hours.
Once these cranberries are fully dried and dehydrated, they are best stored in a tightly sealed glass container. They are shelf stable for 1-2 months. Store in a dark enclosed area, like your pantry cupboard.

Servings: servings

Calories: 28kcal