How to Make your Own Freeze-Dried Candy (2024)

How to Make your Own Freeze-Dried Candy (1)

Here at That Sweet Lyfe, we love freeze-dried candy so much we're more than happy to help you make your own! Many people opt for basic freezing or dehydrating treats at home because they are easier processes than freeze-drying, but with our step-by-step instructions, we should have you freeze-drying in no time!

3 Unique Things About Freeze-Drying

If you've never heard about freeze-drying before or want to know more about how it works, here are three interesting facts to know about the process:


Fact #1

Freeze-drying creates a new texture experience. No candy is ever the same. Because we freeze our candy at such extreme temperatures, every ingredient is preserved, resulting in the highest possible flavour retention. This also means that all the nutrition is retained when freeze-drying other foods, such as fruits and vegetables.


Fact #2

Freeze-dried food is beyond international - it's intergalactic! Astronauts have been taking freeze-dried food to space since the 1960s. It is so lightweight and portable that it is the best way to supply many people with sustenance for prolonged periods of time. Plus, unlike regular frozen food, no moisture is added in the process, so it retains all of its flavour and nutritional value.


Fact #3

Freeze-dried food typically lasts at least five years, but depending on the product you freeze, it can last for as long as 25 years! No other method of preserving foods lasts as long while preserving all of a food's nutrients and flavour.


What Candies Can be Freeze-Dried

So many types of candy can be freeze-dried it would be easier to tell you what can't be done. Any candy considered to be an oily product won't freeze dry. Chocolate chips, for instance, can't be freeze-dried. Because the process removes all the moisture from a product, in the case of chocolate chips, you'd have an oily mess once the moisture is removed.


Most other candies work out great. Skittles, Starburst and Laffy Taffy, are among some of our favourites. One exception to the no-chocolate rule is milk duds, which make a surprisingly great freeze-dried treat. Another sweet treat we love is freeze-dried ice cream.


We'll tell you, though, not all the candy we try turns out to be a winner. Some varieties definitely turn out better than others, but just like favourite ordinary candy, choosing a favourite freeze-dried candy is all about personal preference. We say, try it and see!


Dry Ice vs. Freeze Drying Machine

The easiest and most effective way to freeze-dry candy is with a freeze-dryer. Simply follow the instructions that come with your machine. If you don't have a fancy machine as we do, all is not lost. You can still freeze-dry from home using dry ice and a bit of careful patience. We'll be honest with you, dry ice is not the same process as our machine, but we think it's still your best option over other methods of preserving foods, such as dehydrating or straightforward freezing.


If you don't have a drying machine, grab some dry ice and follow these easy steps:

  1. Make sure the candy is in bite-size pieces
  2. Put the candy in a freezer bag
  3. Completely freeze the candy
  4. Put the freezer bag in a cooler with dry ice
  5. Do not close the cooler completely
  6. Remove after 48 hours, and enjoy!

Freeze-Dried Candy at Home or to Order

Making your own freeze-dried candy is a great way to experiment with different candies and decide which ones you like best. Check out our most common FAQs here and start freezing! If you don’t have the time or energy to make your own freeze-dried candy, you can browse our selection instead!

How to Make your Own Freeze-Dried Candy (2024)

FAQs

How to Make your Own Freeze-Dried Candy? ›

Put the candy in a small cooler and cover it with dry ice. Freeze the cooler and wait 2 days for the candy to freeze dry. Alternatively, set your candy out on a lined baking sheet and leave it in the freezer for at least 2 weeks.

Can you freeze dry candy without a machine? ›

Put the candy in a small cooler and cover it with dry ice. Freeze the cooler and wait 2 days for the candy to freeze dry. Alternatively, set your candy out on a lined baking sheet and leave it in the freezer for at least 2 weeks.

How do they make freeze-dried candy? ›

The process includes a few steps.
  1. Freezing. When the sweets are placed on the trays of the freeze-drying machine, the machine will start lowering the temperature inside the chamber. ...
  2. Pressure reduction. Once these low temperatures are achieved, the machine will start creating a vacuum inside the chamber.
  3. Dehydration.

Can you make freeze dried candy with a normal freezer? ›

Alternatively, candy can be freeze-dried using a traditional freezer: Spread the candy pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Ensure that the pieces are spaced out to avoid sticking. The process will take longer than commercial freeze-drying, often several days for complete drying.

What candy Cannot be freeze dried? ›

However, candies with high sugar content and low water content may not freeze dry well (nor will chocolate-based candies – see below).

Is selling freeze dried candy legal? ›

While there's no legal risk in creating freeze-dried candy similar to Skittles or Milk duds labeling your candy “skittles” or “milk duds” can pose legal risks. “Skittles”, “Milk duds” and other names used by brands selling candy are trademarked, and by using these names you are infringing on their trademark rights.

Do you use a dehydrator to make freeze dried candy? ›

What about a dehydrator? No, you can't freeze dry candy with a dehydrator. Freeze drying is a different process that does more than simply dry the candy; it places the candy under a vacuum, which cause the candy to expand, creating the “puffed-up” texture that customers are seeking.

How do you freeze dry candy in an air fryer? ›

The properties of an air fryer make it impossible to use to make freeze dried foods. Air fryers use superheated air for cooking food; they are incapable of freezing anything. Dehydrators may seem like a viable substitute for freeze-dryers, but this isn't correct.

Why is freeze-dried candy so expensive? ›

1. Equipment Costs. One of the primary reasons for the high cost of freeze-dried candy is the expensive equipment required for the freeze-drying process. Freeze-drying machines can be large and complex, requiring precise temperature control and vacuum systems.

What machine do you need to make freeze-dried candy? ›

The best way to freeze dry candy is to use a freeze dryer, but they aren't the most common household appliance, so if you want to do it yourself, it's better to get creative and try this DIY solution.

How to freeze-dry candy at home without a machine? ›

How to freeze-dry candy without a machine
  1. Take your favorite moisture-filled candy and place it on a baking tray lined with a sheet of parchment paper to avoid sticking.
  2. Place the tray into the freezer for 2-3 weeks to ensure the candy is fully frozen. ...
  3. Remove the candy and store it in freezer bags in a cool dry place.
Jun 28, 2023

Can you freeze-dry without a machine? ›

Yes, it is possible to freeze-dry your food without a machine using methods such as a home freezer, dry ice, or a vacuum chamber. However, results may vary, and these methods may not produce the same quality and efficiency as a dedicated home freeze-dryer.

Can you make freeze dried candy in an air fryer? ›

The properties of an air fryer make it impossible to use to make freeze dried foods. Air fryers use superheated air for cooking food; they are incapable of freezing anything. Dehydrators may seem like a viable substitute for freeze-dryers, but this isn't correct.

Can you make freeze-dried candy in a clothes dryer? ›

How To Freeze Dry Candy At Home No Machine | TikTok. According to this TikTok, you can make freeze dried Skittles. by putting Skittles into a sock. into the freezer for a few hours, and then throwing them in the dryer.

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