One of the best ways to instantly make a recipe feel holiday-inspired is to add dried cranberries! They’re deliciously sweet-tart and a perfect way to dress up both sweet and savory dishes. Plus, they’re easy to store and don’t require any extra preparation!
What are dried cranberries?
Dried cranberries are fresh cranberries that have been partially dehydrated (like how raisins are made from grapes). They last longer, are easier to store, and are easier to cook with (because you don’t have to cook them at all!).
They’re often found in trail mix or snack mixes, baked goods, and salads. But, they’re even more versatile than that, as you’ll see shortly with this list of dried cranberry recipes!
Best Recipes with Dried Cranberries
Whether you prefer sweet or savory recipes, I’m sharing a variety of delicious fall and winter dried cranberry recipes below!
All of these dishes can be enjoyed year-round, but some are especially perfect for the holiday season. Enjoy!
Cranberry Chicken Salad with Walnuts
Say hello to the most delicious and flavorful chicken salad ever! It’s packed with goodness like walnuts, dried cranberries, and green onions.
Plus, it’s a lighter – but still super creamy – than traditional chicken salad, thanks to a secret ingredient: Greek yogurt!
Enjoy it on a sandwich, in a wrap, with crackers, or on its own. Perfect for meal prep lunches!
Vegan Cranberry Quinoa Salad
This is one of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes, and it’s so simple to make! Fluffy quinoa is tossed with dried cranberries, pecans, and fresh herbs – plus a simple lemon olive oil dressing.
This easy side dish is dairy free, gluten free, and vegan, so everyone can enjoy it! Perfect for your holiday table.
Fun fact: it was also served at our wedding! 🙂
Cranberry Butternut Squash Muffins
These fall-inspired muffins are nutritious and tasty at the same time, with butternut squash puree, whole wheat flour, flaxseed, banana, dried cranberries, and more! Warm spices amp up the flavor even more.
These butternut squash cranberry muffins are a satisfying make ahead breakfast, snack, or healthier dessert.
Peanut Butter Bliss Balls
I love having these no bake snack bites on hand for whenever afternoon hunger strikes! They take five minutes to throw together, and have a delicious peanut butter honey flavor. Chia seeds, oats, and dried cranberries amp up the nutrition factor.
Additionally, they are really easy to customize: you can swap out the peanut butter for your favorite nut butter, add shredded coconut, use another dried fruit, or add chocolate chips. You do you!
Turkey Meatloaf Muffins with Dijon
Dried cranberries might seem like an interesting addition to meatloaf, but the sweet-tart flavor pairs so well with the savory ground turkey mixture here.
These mini meatloaf muffins are nutritious, protein-packed, and make a perfect fall or winter dinner. Healthy comfort food for the win!
Oatmeal Banana Pumpkin Cookies
Looking for a tasty yet nutritious dessert that isn’t a total sugar bomb? You’ll love these oatmeal cookies made with wholesome ingredients like banana, pumpkin puree, dried cranberries, and oats.
They’re soft and chewy, deliciously-spiced, and sweetened with maple syrup. Plus, there are no eggs, butter, or milk – which means these cookies are dairy free and vegan, too!
Homemade Granola Bars (Vegan & Gluten Free)
I’m a huge fan of granola bars! They’re portable, satisfying, and easily customizable with different flavors and mix-ins. This particular homemade granola bar recipe is easy to make, vegan, and gluten free!
They have a wonderfully chewy texture, and are made with wholesome ingredients like oats, dried cranberries, almond butter, walnuts, and flaxseed. Make a batch ahead of time, and enjoy them all week long!
Cranberry Yogurt Scones
These soft and tender yogurt scones are studded with dried cranberries! They’re a perfect baked treat for holiday brunches or dessert. They’re also super moist and lightly sweet (without being too sweet).
Plus, while these scones may look fancy and seem complicated to make, they’re actually surprisingly easy!
Sweet Potato Cranberry Muffins
Here’s another delicious autumn breakfast muffin or snack you need to try! Sweet potato, dried cranberries, and shredded coconut make a delicious flavor combination.
Plus, there’s no butter or oil needed to make them!
How to Store Dried Cranberries
If unopened, dried cranberries should last at room temperature (in a cool, dark place like the pantry) for at least one year.
Once opened, it’s best to store them in the refrigerator (or freezer), as that will definitely prolong their shelf-life.
Whether you’re a longtime dried cranberry lover or just trying them for the first time, I hope you enjoy these recipes! And if you have some fresh cranberries leftover from the holidays, be sure to try this yummy cranberry orange bread!
