How to Make Freeze Dried Candy at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide
Have you ever wondered how to make freeze dried candy at home? These sweet treats are not only delicious but also maintain their flavor, color, and nutritional value, making them a fantastic option for snacking or preserving. In this article, we’ll explore the world of freeze dried candy, learn about its benefits, and guide you through the process of creating your own tasty confections at home.
Why Choose Freeze Dried Candy?
First of all, freeze dried candy has several advantages over traditional candy. To begin with, the freeze drying process preserves the original taste, texture, and appearance of the candy, ensuring that it remains fresh and delicious for a longer period. Furthermore, freeze drying removes most of the moisture content, making the candy lightweight and easy to carry. Consequently, this makes it perfect for backpacking trips or emergency food storage.
If you’re curious about trying some delicious freeze dried candy before making your own, check out our popular Freeze Dried Skittles or Freeze Dried Gummy Bears available on our website.
Understanding the Freeze Drying Process
Before diving into how to make freeze dried candy, it’s important to understand the basics of freeze drying. The process involves three main steps:
- Freezing: The candy is first frozen at a low temperature to solidify its moisture content.
- Primary drying: Next, the frozen candy is placed in a vacuum chamber, where sublimation occurs. This means that the ice within the candy turns directly into vapor without passing through a liquid stage.
- Secondary drying: Lastly, any remaining moisture is removed from the candy at a higher temperature, leaving it completely dry and shelf-stable.
Now that we know how freeze drying works, let’s explore how to make freeze dried candy at home.
How to Make Freeze Dried Candy at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Choose your favorite candies: First, decide on the candies you want to freeze dry. Popular options include gummy bears, Skittles, and Starbursts. You can also try experimenting with other confections like marshmallows or chocolate bars to create unique freeze dried treats. For some inspiration, take a look at our Freeze Dried Original Starbursts or Freeze Dried Laffy Taffy.
- Pre-freeze your candy: After that, place the candy in a single layer on a tray or plate, ensuring that the pieces are not touching. Freeze them for several hours or overnight to prepare them for the freeze drying process.
- Place the candy in a freeze dryer: Then, transfer the frozen candy onto the trays of your freeze dryer, maintaining space between the pieces to allow for proper airflow.
- Begin the freeze drying process: Follow the instructions provided by your freeze dryer to initiate the drying process. This typically involves setting the temperature and vacuum pressure, then allowing the machine to work its magic.
- Monitor the drying time: The time it takes to freeze dry candy varies depending on the type and size of the candy, as well as the specific settings of your freeze dryer. Generally, the process can take anywhere from 12 to 48 hours. Check the progress periodically and remove the candy once it is completely dry and brittle.
- Store your freeze dried candy: Finally, transfer your finished freeze dried