Learn how to freeze dry strawberries with Harvest Right freeze dryer for home use. Freeze drying lets you preserve food for later, and it can last up to 25 years on the shelf! Freeze drying is the best way to preserve food for long term storage.
We grow a lot of food on our 12 acnes. We live in a rural area, so what we don't grow, we can buy from other farmers.
Strawberries is one crop that we don't grow ourselves. I tried to grow strawberries, but the chickens got to the fruit before I could.
We tried nets to deter the birds, but I finally gave up. We have some wild berries growing, but they give very small berries that aren't worth doing anything with.
So now I go to the strawberry patch or to Amish country and get my fresh strawberries. Maybe I'll try growing berries again in a few years, but for now I don't mind supporting the other farmers.
How to Freeze Dry Strawberries
So how do you freeze dry strawberries? Currently, the Harvest Right freeze dryer is the only model available for home use.
Buying a freeze dryer is an investment for your homestead, but I believe that it's a worthwhile investment.
I can a lot of food, but it only lasts 1-2 years. I only have so much freezer space, and our power goes out when the wind shifts the wrong away.
Freeze dried strawberries and other freeze dried fruits can last up to 25 years on the shelf. This means you can freeze dry every year or even every five years.
Learn how to freeze dry apples at home for more fruits to have on the shelf. Learn more about how to make freeze dried fruits to dry other fruits at home.
You can also make freeze dried eggs to preserve them for later. Learn the best way to freeze dry blueberries to preserve them.
If you grow your own food, you can always freeze dry leftover food so it doesn't go to waste. If you buy it, you can usually save money by buying in bulk. Then you can learn how to make freeze dried strawberries recipe to preserve them for years.
Are Freeze Dried Strawberries The Same As Dried Strawberries?
No, freeze dried strawberries are not the same as dried strawberries. Dried strawberries can refer to dehydrated strawberries which are different than freeze dried strawberries. A freeze dried strawberries recipe has less water giving them longer shelf lives.
Typically, the flavor is more noticeable in freeze dried strawberries, and they are easier to reconstitute than are dried strawberries.
Are Dried Strawberries Healthy?
Freeze dried strawberries carry all of the benefits of regular strawberries including dietary fiber and vitamin-c. Freeze dried strawberries are great for digestive health, regulating blood sugar, and can boost your immune system.
Its no wonder why so many people are interested in how to freeze dry strawberries. They are easy to make, delicious, and full of nutrients.
Is Freeze Dried Fruit Better Than Dehydrated?
Typically, freeze dried fruit offers a few advantages over dehydrated fruit including lower weight, less water content, longer shelf lives, and a crisp texture. However, a freeze drier is more expensive than a dehydrator.
Are Freeze Dried Strawberries Crunchy?
When a freeze dried strawberries recipe is done properly, you will be left with a crisp strawberry that is crunchy and delicious.
Are Dehydrated Strawberries The Same As Freeze Dried Strawberries
In short, no, dehydrated strawberries are not the same as freeze dried. A freeze dried strawberries recipe have lower water contents and are crispy as opposed to dehydrated fruits which are chewy.
Is Freeze Dried Lighter Than Dehydrated?
As freeze dried fruit has less water content than dehydrated fruit, it will be lighter. This makes it more preferable for travel and long term storage as its reduced weight means you can pack and store more of it.
Can You Freeze Dry Frozen Strawberries?
Yes, you can freeze dry frozen strawberries. This is very helpful when you have a lot of fruit to dehydrate or you can't get to it while the fruit is in season.
Just be sure to use the frozen option on your freeze drier rather than the not frozen option. Learning how to make freeze dried strawberries can be a bit complex at first. Thankfully, however, your machine is super simple to use.
Can You Freeze Dry Dehydrated Fruits
It is not recommended to freeze dry dehydrated fruits as this could impact the flavor, shelf life, and texture of the strawberries. Instead, I recommend sticking to one method or the other to be safe.
It can be important to try new things when you learn how to make freeze dried strawberries, but in this case its best to stick to the basics.
Can You Freeze Dry Without A Machine?
When you first learn how to freeze dry strawberries, you may wonder if the machine is absolutely necessary. Learning how to make freeze dried strawberries without the machine is a bit different.
One of the most effective methods to freeze dry without use of a machine is using dry ice. To start, place your strawberries into a freezer bag and lay them at the bottom of a cooler that is twice as big as it needs to be.
From there, place your dry ice in a one to one ratio pound for pound with the strawberries. Allow the dry ice to sit for twenty four hours until it has completely dissolved. Immediately move the strawberries from the cooler into sealed containers for storage.
Make sure you ventilate the cooler by drilling holes or otherwise allowing air to enter the cooler. The dry ice process will build up pressure inside the cooler, causing it to explode without proper ventilation.
In addition, be careful and use gloves and any other recommended safety gear while freezing drying fruits using dry ice.
How Do You Freeze Dry Strawberries Without Dry Ice?
Some might ask how exactly do you freeze dry strawberries without the use of dry ice.
While it is not as effective as using a machine or dry ice, you can in fact use other methods to freeze dry fruits. The simplest way is to place your clean and sliced strawberries on a baking tray and store in the freezer for about two weeks.
After the two weeks are up, remove them from the freezer and place into sealed containers for storage. Using alternative methods will not produce the same quality of freeze dried fruits, and they will not last as long as using the Harvest Right Freeze Dryer.
Can You Substitute Frozen Strawberries For Freeze Dried?
Frozen strawberries are not an adequate substitute for freeze dried. Frozen strawberries will thaw out eventually. This will leave behind a constituted strawberry whereas freeze dried strawberries have to be purposefully rehydrated.
Can You Rehydrate Freeze Dried Food With Cold Water?
Yes, you can rehydrate freeze dried fruit with cold water. Simply spray the fruit with water or let it soak in a bowl until it has returned to normal before enjoying.
They would be great in this homemade strawberry applesauce recipe.
What Can You Do With Freeze Dried Strawberries?
There are all sorts of recipes that you can use freeze dried strawberries in to spice them up and add some delicious flavor. Following are some ideas of how to best use freeze dried strawberries.
Freeze dried strawberries work great as a topping for oatmeal or cereal. They are also a tasty ingredient that can be used in cookies and other baking recipes.
You can use them in smoothies or yogurts, and even jams and jellies. There are all sorts of ways to use freeze dried strawberries in other recipes.
You can also grind the freeze dried strawberries into a powder. Then you can use them to make DIY beauty recipes like this strawberry and clay face mask recipe.
How Long Do Freeze Dried Strawberries Last?
Freeze dried strawberries can last several decades when stored properly. This is why so many people are learning how to freeze dry strawberries. Learning how to make freeze dried strawberries, or any fruit is a great skill to have.
To store freeze dried food, place the food in a sealed container up off of the ground in a cool and dry place. I like to use mylar bags to store my freeze dried food. Ideally, the temperature it is stored in should be in between thirty and sixty degrees Fahrenheit.
However, depending on your climate and home this may not be an option. The colder the environment you store your freeze dried food in the longer it will last. As such, try to keep it as cool as possible.
At the same time, make sure your food remains dry as too much moisture could reconstitute it, causing it to spoil in storage. This is why it is very important to store your freeze dried fruits in a sealed container.
It might also be worth it to invest in a dehumidifier to run in your food storage area. This will help prevent moisture from getting near your freeze dried foods should something go wrong during the storage process.
Freeze Dried Strawberry Recipe Ingredients
If you are wondering just how do you freeze dry strawberries, then look no further. Following is an easy freeze dried strawberry recipe. This freeze dried strawberry recipe is guaranteed to get you delicious and crisp strawberries with ease.
To make freeze dried strawberries, you will need:
How to Make Freeze Dried Strawberries
Step #1
Wash well and pat dry your strawberries.
Step #2
Slice thinly, but not too thin. I find that I can get about 5 slices out of each regular sized strawberry.
Step #3
Place on to the freeze dryer sheets. Repeat until you have all the trays covered. I personally like to just line them up, but you can fill the trays overlapping with strawberries. I just find that they dry better when they are in a single layer.
Step #4
Place into the freeze dryer and start your machine.
Step #5
Press “Not Frozen” and let the machine do the rest! I like to add two extra drying hours.
Once your freeze dried strawberries are done, remove from the Harvest Right freeze dryer right away and place in a mylar bag with an oxygen absorber.
Keep track of your batch times, maintenance log, and more with a printable freeze dryer log book.
How to Make Freeze Dried Strawberries was originally published at Homesteading in Ohio.
How to Make Freeze Dried Strawberries
Ingredients
- 1 quart strawberries
Instructions
- Wash well and pat dry your strawberries.
- Slice thinly, but not too thin. I find that I can get about 5 slices out of each regular sized strawberry.
- Place on to the freeze dryer sheets. Repeat until you have all the trays covered. I personally like to just line them up, but you can fill the trays overlapping with strawberries. I just find that they dry better when they are in a single layer.
- Place into the freeze dryer and start your machine
- Press “Not Frozen” and let the machine do the rest! I like to add two extra drying hours.
- Once your freeze dried strawberries are done, remove from the Harvest Right freeze dryer right away and place in a mylar bag with an oxygen absorber.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
44.67Fat (grams)
0.42Sat. Fat (grams)
0.02Carbs (grams)
10.72Fiber (grams)
2.79Net carbs
7.93Sugar (grams)
6.83Protein (grams)
0.94Sodium (milligrams)
1.40Cholesterol (grams)
0.00
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