I am introducing you to our easy to make homemade Craisins Recipe, aka Dry Cranberries, that only needs three ingredients. Make your craisins by dehydrating cranberries until they become delightfully tart, chewy gems like a raisin. These dry cranberries add lots of flavor to salads, adding a unique twist to your favorite greens. Make your own craisins snack in your dehydrator with no added sugar.
Those craisins are better than anything in the whole world. I have made it with added sweetener as well as plain. Unsweetened dried cranberries are as yummy as craisins.
Serve with your green goddess salad to add sweetness, or top your yogurt. You can also pair it with a homemade granola or trail mix.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
These little gems are not just a snack but a versatile ingredient that adds flavor to sweet and savory dishes. Here are some reasons why you will love these cranberry raisins.
- Sweet and tangy – craisins are the perfect blend of sweet and tart, adding flavor to both sweet and savory dishes.
- Pantry-friendly – no need to worry about cranberries going bad in your fridge. Craisins have a longer shelf life, making them a handy pantry item.
- Convenient snack – whether on the go or need a quick pick-me-up, craisins are a tasty and convenient snack.
Unsweetened Berry Recipes From The Dehydrator
One of the good ways to preserve your low-carb fruits, especially berries, is to dehydrate them. Here, I have made a few dried berries in addition to my sugar free recipes.
These dried raspberries are a great snack or could be your favorite ice cream toppings. Dehydrating blueberries is also an excellent recipe for replacing regular store-bought candies, and of course, dried strawberries are one of the best berries to dry. Dried fruit’s natural sweetness and flavor are heaven in the taste buds guarantee.
Start creating sugar-free, easy recipes like a fruity chia pudding with these dried berries. Explore making desserts for the Holidays and top them with your favorite berries fresh from the dehydrator.
Dried Cranberries In Sugar Syrup
Choosing the flavor for your craisin depends on you, and for this recipe, I made sweetened dried cranberries using my homemade brown sweetener and water mixture as the sugar syrup to coat the cranberries.
Further down is the step-by-step process of how to do this simple recipe that will entirely change your way.
Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce
Creating a sugar-free cranberry sauce is one of the best recipes you can make out of cranberries. This recipe could be the star of your table by the next Thanksgiving. Apart from being diabetic-friendly, it is entirely gluten-free and perfect for your pancakes, crepes, waffles, cheesecakes, and even steamed bread.
My homemade brown sugar substitute was handy for this Thanksgiving recipe since I always have it on hand. If you do not have it in your pantry, use stevia, allulose, or swerve as a replacement.
How To Make Dried Cranberry Recipe aka Homemade Craisins
Super simple recipe with all the steps are here for you to enjoy. Making my own dried cranberries has never been easier, and I am here to share that with you.
Kitchen Gadgets Needed:
- Dehydrator
- Saucepan
- Sieve
- Bowl
Ingredients Needed:
- Fresh Cranberries – choose high-quality, unsweetened cranberries. Look for ones that are fresh and have a vibrant red color.
- Water – use fresh water for the base of the syrup mixture that will coat the cranberries before hydrating.
- Brown Sugar Sweetener – if you prefer a sweeter version, choose a low-carb and homemade one to coat your crasins before using them.
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE YOUR CRAISINS
First Step: Prepare Ingredients
Gather all of the ingredients. It is easier to assemble if you prepare them all in advance.
Wash the cranberries first and drain using a sieve.
Second Step: Sweeten Your Cranberries
For these sweetened dehydrated cranberries, combine a cup of water and brown sweetener in a saucepan and let it cook.
Once the sugar dissolves, add your cranberries to the pan and bring to a boil. Stir until they soften and start popping.
Blanching the cranberries before dehydrating will help them soften and pop. It also adds sweet flavor and texture to the craisins.
Third Step: Drain And Assemble
After bringing your cranberries to a boil, drain them using a sieve and cool them in a cooling rack. At this stage, pop the remaining berries with a sharp knife. From my experience, the skin is so thick that even after three days of dehydrating, whole cranberries will not fully dry.
Spread them onto the dehydrator tray. As you see, I use sheets for smaller items, but parchment paper will also work.
Fourth Step: Dehydrate
Pat dry all the berries using a kitchen tissue. Dry them gently until there is no more moisture from the berries, and close the lid.
Set your dehydrator to 70 Celsius or 160 Fahrenheit and dehydrate the cranberries for approximately 7-8 hours maximum.
Fifth Step: Serve Cranberries Dry
To ensure that your craisins turn out perfect, check the dryness level. Some like them chewier, while others prefer a drier texture.
Serve and enjoy your homemade sugar free dried cranberries or craisins.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Popping – manually pop all the cranberries that have not popped while cooking.
- Oven drying – indeed, you can use an oven to dry cranberries and make homemade dried cranberries. The drying time can vary from the dehydrator, but it typically takes 6-12 hours.
- Add flavors – experiment with additional flavorings like citrus zest, cinnamon, or vanilla extract for a unique twist.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Can I use Dried Cranberries To Make Cranberry Powder?
Yes, you can make fine cranberry powder from dried cranberries. Powdered cranberries can be used for making natural cranberry juice tea or simply sprinkling it into your favorite simple rose water and berry smoothie.
It is also an excellent way to preserve your cranberries and their flavor so that you can incorporate them into your different dishes in the future.
Are Frozen Cranberries Also Good For Dehydrating?
You can also use frozen berries for making craisins. Making craisins using frozen cranberries is similar to drying fresh cranberries, but you must allow them to thaw completely before the whole process. Because they will already be soft, you might not need to cook them if you prefer plain unsweetened. To sweeten, toss to coat them with sugar while they are still moist.
How Do I Dehydrate Cranberries In The Oven?
Same as using a dehydrator, just spread the cranberries on the lined baking sheet with parchment paper and bake at the lowest temperature your oven allows.
While making craisins in the oven is possible, food dehydrators are more efficient, resulting in a better texture and brighter color.
How Do I Store Craisins?
Transfer the craisins into airtight containers, such as glass jars or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. It helps prevent moisture and air from affecting the texture and flavor.
If you made a large batch of craisins or plan to store them for an extended period, you can refrigerate them to prolong their shelf life. Just use a sealed plastic bag or airtight container.
Yes, freezing is a great option when preserving your craisins at home for an extended period. It helps prevent moisture and oxidation, keeping the flavor and texture of the dried fruit. That way, your dried cranberries can last a few weeks or months.
More Cranberry Recipes
For extra recipes to warm you up, our instant pot mulled wine is perfect. It is enriched with berries and is entirely sugar-free, allowing you to enjoy a cold-weather cocktail without worrying about sugar consumption. Or opt for pure cranberry juice as a daily morning boost.
Take advantage of the best cranberry sauce recipe for your holiday table. Make your next Thanksgiving or Christmas day more exciting with these sugar-free recipes.
Not letting me forget a delicious fruit leather, and juice you can make in no time as a great addition.
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Craisins Recipe aka Dry Cranberries
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Fresh Cranberries
- 1 Cup Water
- 1/2 Cup Brown Sweetener
Video
Instructions
- Gather all of the ingredients. It is easier to assemble if you prepare them all in advance. Wash the cranberries first and drain using a sieve.
- Combine a cup of water and brown sweetener in a saucepan and let it cook. Once the sugar dissolves, add your cranberries to the pan and bring to a boil. Stir until they soften and start popping.
- Drain them using a sieve and cool them in a cooling rack. At this stage, pop the remaining berries with a sharp knife. Spread them onto the dehydrator tray. As you see, I use sheets for smaller items, but parchment paper will also work.
- Pat dry all the berries using a kitchen tissue. Dry them gently until there is no more moisture from the berries, and close the lid. Set your dehydrator to 70 Celsius or 160 Fahrenheit and dehydrate the cranberries for approximately 7-8 hours maximum.
- To ensure that your craisins turn out perfect, check the dryness level. Some like them chewier, while others prefer a drier texture. Serve and enjoy your homemade sugar free dried cranberries or craisins.
Notes
- Popping – manually pop all the cranberries that have not popped while cooking.
- Oven drying – indeed, you can use an oven to dry cranberries and make homemade dried cranberries. The drying time can vary from the dehydrator, but it typically takes 6-12 hours.
- Add flavors – experiment with additional flavorings like citrus zest, cinnamon, or vanilla extract for a unique twist.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
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Keto Snacks
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