Air Fryer Dried Cranberries: A Quick, Easy Treat

Making dried cranberries in an air fryer is a simple process. First, check that your air fryer has a dehydrator setting or can go as low as 135°F/55°C. Rinse your cranberries, then boil them in a pot of water for around 5-7 minutes, or until they start to pop open. Drain the water, then return the pot to the stove and add sugar or a sugar substitute, stirring until dissolved. Place the cranberries in the air fryer basket in a single layer, then press the dehydrate button and leave for around 6-7 hours, or until dry.

Rinse the cranberries

Rinsing the cranberries is the first step in making dried cranberries in an air fryer. This step is important as it removes any residue that may be on the cranberries. After rinsing, you will then want to boil a pot of water and add the cranberries. They will need to boil for around 5-7 minutes, or until they start to pop open. Once they have popped open, you can then remove them from the heat, drain the water, and return the cranberries to the pot.

Boil the cranberries

To make dried cranberries in an air fryer, you'll first need to boil the cranberries. To do this, start by rinsing your cranberries to remove any residue. Next, fill a pot with water and place it on your stove top. Bring the water to a boil, and then carefully add your cranberries. It should take around 5-7 minutes for the cranberries to start popping open.

Once all the cranberries have popped, remove the pot from the heat and drain the water. Return the pot to the still-warm stove top and add your chosen sweetener. Stir the cranberries until the sweetener has dissolved. If your sweetener is not melting, you can add a few drops of warm water to soften it. Don't worry if some of the sweetener is still visible on the cranberries.

Add sugar or a sugar substitute

Dried cranberries you buy at the store are packed with sugar, and without it, they will be very tangy and sour. You can use granulated sugar or a sugar-free substitute like allulose or monk fruit sweetener.

If you are using sugar, boil a pot of water on the stove and add the cranberries. After about 5 minutes, they will begin to pop open. Remove the pot from the heat and drain the water out. Return the pot to the stove and add the sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves. If it’s not melting, you can add a few drops of warm water to soften it. It’s fine if some of the sugar is still visible on the surface of the cranberries.

If you are using a sugar substitute, you can follow the same process but be aware that some substitutes will crystallize and leave a gritty texture. You can also spritz the cranberries with oil and toss them with the sweetener.

How Much Sugar or Sugar Substitute to Use

The amount of sugar or sugar substitute you use will depend on your taste preferences. If you prefer your dried cranberries to be very sweet, you can use up to 1/2 cup of sugar or sugar substitute for 6 ounces of cranberries. If you want them to be less sweet, you can use less. You can also adjust the sweetness by adding more sweetener after the cranberries have dried.

Why You Should Add Sugar or a Sugar Substitute

Adding sugar or a sugar substitute to dried cranberries not only improves the taste but also acts as a natural preservative, making them last longer. Sugar-free dried cranberries will only last for a few weeks on the counter, while those with sugar can be stored for up to a month.

Place the cranberries in the air fryer basket

Once you've boiled your cranberries, drained the water, and returned them to the pot to add sugar, you can place them in the air fryer basket. It's important to try and spread the cranberries out as much as possible in the basket. This is so they have enough space to dry. It's okay if some of them overlap, as they will shrink as they dry.

If you're using an air fryer oven, you can spread the cranberries out on the racks in a single layer, leaving some space for airflow. You may need to do this in batches, depending on how many racks your air fryer has.

Set the air fryer to dehydrate

To dehydrate cranberries in an air fryer, you'll first need to prepare the cranberries by rinsing them and boiling them in a pot of water for around 5-7 minutes. Once they've started to pop open, remove them from the heat, drain the water, and return the pot to the stove. Add sugar and stir until it dissolves.

Now you're ready to place the cranberries in the air fryer. Spread them out in the air fryer basket or tray, ensuring they aren't crowded, as they need space to dry.

When it comes to setting the air fryer, you'll want to look for a dehydrate setting or a low-heat setting. Aim for a temperature of around 125-135°F (55°C). The time required for dehydration will depend on your air fryer model, but it can take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours for the cranberries to fully dry.

During the dehydration process, the air fryer's fan will circulate hot air around the cranberries, slowly removing the moisture. This method is an effective way to make your own dried cranberries, and you can adjust the sweetness and tartness to your preference.

Once the cranberries are done, they will be shiny and shrivelled. Spread them out on a sheet of parchment paper and let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.

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