Freeze-Dried Desserts: Crispy, Sweet, and Yummy

You know that moment when you bite into dessert and think, ‘Wow, that’s really crunchy, different, and super yummy!’ Were you referring to the freeze-dried version? Otherwise, you’re just yet to live. But seriously, why are they special?

The Freeze-Drying Process

What is freeze-drying?

Think about getting into a swimming pool on a warm summer day – refreshing! Now, think of removing the water in the same pool – that’s freeze-drying in a nutshell. It removes the moisture from food to make it lightweight, crispy and long-lasting. The food is frozen, we put it in a vacuum so that the ice sublimates directly from ice to vapour without passing through the liquid stage.

Benefits of freeze-drying

It’s like packing a week’s worth of meals into a pouch, or making your favourite dessert last. Freeze-drying does that, and then some.

Extended shelf-life: Perfect for space missions, military, or your next backpacking trip.

Weight reduction: Makes transportation and storage easier.

Retains nutrition: Most vitamins and minerals remain intact.

Why Freeze-Dried Desserts?

Unique texture: crunchy and delightful

Can you ever recall biting into a crisp chip, or really digging into a meaty steak? Well, in freeze-dried desserts, that is precisely the experience you get, a crunchy dessert with its airy texture allowing you to consume more than what you would otherwise. Perhaps this explains why this substance/food is so popular amongst dessert enthusiasts.

Extended shelf life without preservatives

A good deal, to be sure: eating your cake and having it, too – months after it was made, and without the aid of chemical preservatives.

Maintaining the nutritional value

Like dessert but a little concerned about the nutritional content of your cake? Not to worry, the freeze-drying process ensures you get all of the good stuff and none of the bad.

Popular Freeze-Dried Desserts

Freeze-dried ice cream

Want ice-cream in space? This is known as astronaut ice-cream. It is lightweight, unable to melt, and as delicious and creamy as its frozen counterpart.

Freeze-dried fruits

These can be eaten in their own right or incorporated in other desserts. Think of a crisp strawberry, or a brittle apple slice. Food heaven, I’d say.

Freeze-dried cheesecakes

Indeed, creamy, tart cheesecake… yet also crunchy. A textural pleasure-paradox!

DIY Freeze-Dried Desserts at Home

Necessary equipment

Want to make these at home? You’ll need a freeze dryer – though they can be a costly investment, so better consider what else you can make. This space cookies recipe is out of this world! 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) butter1/2 cup (2.25 ounces) caster (superfine) sugar, divided1 cup mini marshmallows3 tablespoons all-purpose flour1 cup white chocolate chunks (not chips; you can cut a regular white chocolate bar into chunks
Divide marshmallows and white chocolate chunks between the newspaper in the vegetable rack and vegetable tray. Turn on the dryer with a temperature of -40°C. (You’ll want to dry this at a cooler temperature to preserve the colour of the chocolate.) After 48 hours, dump out the contents of the two newspaper packages. Any remaining chunks stick together as one, and all the crystals of melted marshmallow fall into a pile. Store the dried mashmallows and chocolate inside an airtight container.

Simple steps to follow

Prepare your dessert.

Place it in the freeze dryer.

Let the machine work its magic.

Store in airtight containers.

Easy as pie, or should we say, crispy pie?

Storing and Enjoying Your Desserts

Tips for storage

Keep them sealed: Oxygen and moisture are enemies of freeze-dried foods.

Store in the cooler: They’re heat-resistant, but would last far longer in the chiller.

Serving ideas

Hi, Ever tried a freeze-dried fruit salad? Me neither, but I’m looking forward to it. Ever topped your morning cereal with a shot of freeze-dried ice cream bits? Well, now you can – and you should.

Conclusion

But freeze-dried desserts are a different beast altogether. Each with a fun story behind them, tons of benefits and an irresistible crunchy texture, they should be a staple in the pantry of every sweet tooth. Excited about sweet (and crunchy) adventures?

FAQs

Are freeze-dried desserts healthy?

While retaining many of their nutritional benefits, they should be eaten in limited supply, just like other desserts.

How long do freeze-dried desserts last?

With proper storage, they can last for months, sometimes even years!

Can all desserts be freeze-dried?

Most can, but the results can vary. It's best to experiment and find out!

Where can I buy freeze-dried desserts?

Many outdoor stores, online retailers, and specialty food stores stock them.

Why are they called astronaut ice creams?

After all, freeze-dried ice cream was created for eating in space without the hassle of it puddling up.