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A bowl of muesli with berries and nuts, ideal for freeze-drying to create convenient and nutritious meals or snacks

Can All Food Be Freeze Dried? Things to Consider

Nov 29, 2023

Janette dArgy

Freeze drying is an excellent way to create an emergency food supply, make camping meals, curate healthy snacks, or stock up on your favorite treats without worrying about them going bad before enjoying them. Unlike other methods of food preservation, freeze drying doesn’t toughen the food, shrink it, or compromise flavor and nutrition.

This blog will showcase a range of foods that can be preserved by freeze drying, ranging from fruits and vegetables to snacks and drinks. The possibilities are nearly endless!

(Shop Freeze Dried Candies)

What foods can be Freeze Dried?

When contemplating foods that can be Freeze Dried, the first step is to consider the foods you actually want to eat. If you don’t like traditional jerky, it’s not the best idea to freeze-dry a bunch for a rainy day. You can eliminate food waste by selecting foods you and your family will be excited about having on hand.

Here are some of the many options for freeze drying:

  • Fruits like apples, pears, berries, melons, peaches, bananas, and passionfruit
  • Vegetables like asparagus, beets, carrots, parsnips, broccoli, corn, peas, and leafy greens
  • Dairy products
  • Herbs and spices
  • Eggs
  • Meats
  • Ready-made meals like casseroles, fajitas, etc.
  • Sourdough starter
  • Candy
  • Desserts such as pie, pudding, cheesecake, and ice cream
  • Jell-O
  • Marshmallows
  • Orange juice
  • Coffee

As you can see, there are virtually endless possibilities for your freeze drying escapades.

What foods cannot be Freeze Dried?

Some foods lack the proper fat, moisture, or sugar balance to freeze dry effectively. Knowing which foods to avoid is important before embarking on this food preservation method. 

Freeze-dried meals, jerky, and other food items displayed in bowls for preservation purposes

Here are some of the few foods that aren’t suitable for freeze drying:

  • Fatty meats
  • Meat containing bones
  • Butter
  • Pure chocolate
  • Coffee beans
  • Honey
  • Jams and jellies
  • Mayonnaise
  • Nut butter and nuts
  • Syrups

Freeze Dried beef products with a greater fat content should be eaten within a few years. Also, when preparing high-fat foods like bacon, remove extra grease before freeze drying.

Do Freeze Dried meals hold up well?

Yes! Freeze Dried meals are great for many different occasions. These meals are great for camping, emergency preparedness, and everyday life. Let’s look at how you can use Freeze Dried meals to make your life easier:

Camping

Because of its portability, nutritional value, and ease of preparation, Freeze Dried food is an obvious choice for camping. Their ease of use makes a spontaneous weekend excursion to the local state park or national forest campsite as simple as it gets. Freeze Dried pouches and kits can also be easily incorporated into camping diets.

Emergency preparedness

Freeze Dried food is essential for emergency preparedness. Everyone should keep an emergency food and water supply in case of natural catastrophes, lengthy power outages, or other disasters. A 72-hour food and water supply should be kept at your house, car, or office. Consider individual dietary demands as you prep your Freeze Dried emergency supply.

Everyday life

Aside from its advantage as emergency food, Freeze Dried food can also be used for everyday meals. Most of us don't have time to make a sophisticated meal every night, and delivery and takeout aren't necessarily good for our long-term health or wallet. Just add water preparation provides a mouthwatering taste, balanced nutrition, and unrivaled simplicity and time savings.

Can you freeze dry herbs?

Freeze drying is an excellent method for preserving herbs. Even after preservation, the flavor and scent remain robust. The texture and color are also preserved, making them easy to recognize in your kitchen. Dried herbs can be readily frozen, useful in dishes such as herbal butter.

A variety of freeze-dried spices and herbs in a circular arrangement. Perfect for making freeze-dried meals and jerky

Can you freeze dry jerky?

Jerky can be made in a freeze-dryer, but it won’t have the same texture as traditionally made jerky; however, freeze dried jerky is far more versatile. It can be rehydrated or eaten as-is, and it stores exceptionally well. It’s also possible to freeze-dry already-made jerky, though success will depend on the type of jerky and its ingredients.

The texture of freeze dried jerky differs greatly from that of ordinary jerky. Freeze dried jerky is crisp and readily turns to powder. If it's too crunchy or powdery for you, have no fear! Jerky rehydrates very well. Simply add some water and wait for it to rehydrate.

Why should I freeze dry food?

Foods that can be freeze dried have several applications, including quick meal preparation, disaster preparedness, harvest preservation, and outdoor enjoyment. The food can be consumed as-is, added to recipes, or rehydrated and utilized as fresh food.

Because freeze dried food contains very little water, it’s important to drink plenty of water while consuming it as-is. Most fruits and vegetables retain their flavor after freeze drying, making them an excellent snack, but they lack their typical water content.

By placing vegetables in a dish of hot water, they may be rehydrated and cooked. They can also be used directly in cooking, particularly when creating a soup or stew. Leafy greens should not be soaked since they will become mushy. You may rehydrate them by spraying them with water.

Are freeze dried foods nutritious?

Food goes from fresh to freeze dried in seconds, preserving all the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. This method also uses very little heat. Other methods, such as dehydrating and canning, on the other hand, employ a hefty amount of heat, destroying many vitamins and minerals from the food.

Because of the fast-freezing process, freeze drying seals in taste and nutrition. This means that your nutritious freeze dried meals are also delicious. Some people assume that freeze dried meals taste dull and like cardboard, but they are completely incorrect! These delectable bites will surprise you with packed flavor.

Dive into the wonderful world of Candy Jan’s freeze dried sweets!

Candy is one of the most unique foods that can be freeze dried, and no one does it better than Candy Jan! We invite you to explore the fascinating world of freeze dried sweets and candy with our treats and bundles. If you’re ready to try something new and take your munching to the next level, visit Candy Jan and explore our extensive collection of freeze dried delights.

Discover what makes our freeze dried goodies stand apart by indulging in distinct tastes. Questions? Contact Candy Jan right away, and we'll be happy to help!