Freeze dried candy has been all the rage across the internet, as the freeze-drying process can completely transform the texture and taste of various sweet treats. Since this preservation method of candy is fairly new, the topic can seem like a mystery to most.
Below, we’ve provided everything you need to know about this trend to see if it’s truly worth the hype.
What is Freeze Dried Candy?
Freeze dried candy is exactly what it sounds like: candy that’s been freeze dried. Whether the candy is sour or sweet, freeze dried candy or other foods will have its flavor, color compounds, and aromas preserved, making the freeze dried items taste nearly as good as new.
Other methods of preservation to use, such as canning and dehydrating, typically incorporate high temperatures which can destroy much of the food value of freeze dried sweets. Plus, the freeze dried preservation method gives candies and other foods a faster rehydration time.
While the freeze drying process is said to enhance the flavor or crunch of candies, this method is also great for food preservation. This type of treat can last up to 25 years, which dramatically extends the normal shelf life of a few months.
How is Freeze Dried Candy Made?
Freeze drying works by freezing the candy, lowering the pressure, and then removing the ice by sublimation. This process works by transforming matter from a solid into a gas without the freeze dried product ever becoming a liquid, allowing you to get something you freeze dry moisture-free.
A common misconception about freeze dried candy is that it’s impossible to do yourself. All it takes to make freeze dried candy is to shop for your very own freeze dryer to use.
There are many freeze dryer products you can try to shop for on the market, and finding the right one to use in your search can make for a tasty, freeze dried result you’ll likely enjoy.
What is the Best Freeze Dried Candy?
There are plenty of candies that can be freeze dried, but a few of them stand out among the rest. Below are some of the top tasting freeze dried candies for you to try to get you started.
Skittles
Skittles are a popular choice when it comes to freeze dried candy, as the candies expand to nearly triple their size after the freeze drying process.
The Skittles also experience a transformation in the texture of the candy, as it goes from a chewy candy to a crunchy one after the freeze drying process.
In order to make freeze dried Skittles, simply place the Skittles in a single layer on your freeze dryer tray, add 6 hours of dry time, and enjoy something with a flavor-packed result.
Saltwater Taffy
When freeze dried, the sweet flavor of saltwater taffy is amplified, making taffy a must-try when it comes to freeze dried candies. Once freeze dried, the taffy expands in size and leaves you with a crunchy candy that melts in your mouth.
Jolly Ranchers
Freeze dried Jolly Ranchers helps eliminate the typical hard-to-chew nature of the candy by incorporating an airy texture after the freeze drying process. For best results, it’s a good idea that you try to cut the candies in half, as they will expand greatly during the freeze drying process.
If you decide to try and keep the Jolly Ranchers whole, be sure to leave just the right amount of room for their expansion to get your desired texture and look. As a result, the hard candies will have an airy texture to them that makes them easier to chew.
Gummy Bears
Freeze dried gummy bears transform the freeze dried candy from a chewy, soft texture to a light, crunchy one. As with most freeze dried candy, gummy bears nearly double their size during the freeze drying process and allow you to get something with an even sweeter flavor as an end result.
How Long Does Freeze Dried Candy Last?
As mentioned above, the freeze drying preservation process can greatly extend the shelf life of nearly any food. Typically, freeze dried candy can last up to 25 years when stored in the right way.
In order to do so, it’s a good idea to get an oxygen absorber to add to your packaged freeze dried candy in order to preserve all of the texture and flavors within them.
Are Freeze Dried Candies Healthier?
When candy is freeze dried, the only part that is altered is typically the texture and taste. That being said, there is no current evidence that freeze dried sweets are a healthier alternative overall. Freeze dried food often comes in packages of a lighter weight, meaning you may get fewer calories in the right package.
Does it Have Less Calories?
As with most freeze-dried foods, due to the lack of water, the candy becomes highly concentrated. This means that there will be more calories per candy after they have been freeze dried.
Why Freeze Dry Candy?
Once freeze dried, it’s said that sweets can look and even taste better than their original result. Compared to baking, boiling, or dehydrating foods, freeze drying often gives food a longer shelf life and a new and improved flavor or texture.
Freeze drying does not shrink or toughen sweets. In fact, an airy, easy-to-chew texture is typically added after the preservation method is applied due to the expansion of the food that happens during the process.
Overall, it’s a good idea to freeze dry candy if you’re looking for a creative way to cater to your sweet tooth.
