Making freeze dried raspberries at home will save so much money, and provide you with a delicious nutrient dense snack.
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Every Spring, I can find the kiddos lining either side of the raspberry hedge around breakfast time. We grow both a red and golden variety of raspberry here in zone 9. They taste so much better and are much more affordable than the store-bought raspberries. Knowing that these berries have no pesticides, eases my mama heart!
If I can manage to get any after the kids have foraged…I like to make desserts like raspberry cheese cake, and raspberry shortcake. Last year we still had an abundance, and so I freeze dried them. Freeze dried raspberries are crunchy and with a light texture. Freeze drying preserves the color and shape, so they look just like a fresh raspberry, but they have all of the water removed.
They make an excellent snack, and when turned into a powder can be used to make fancy treats like raspberry whipped cream! Here’s how we make freeze dried raspberries.
Supplies you’ll need
- A home freeze dryer (This is the brand we use)
- Mylar Bags or mason jars or another airtight container
- Oxygen absorbers
Ingredients you’ll need
The only ingredient you will need is raspberries! Any variety will work well.
How to make freeze dried raspberries
- Start cooling down the freeze dryer chamber.
- Wash the raspberries, if you are using store-bought, and dry with a tea towel.
- Put the raspberries on the freeze dryer tray in an even layer.
- Load the freeze dryer (with the valve shut!).
- Press start and let the freeze dryer run for a full cycle (about 24 hours).
- Check the raspberries after the first cycle to see if they are dry. The should be crispy, and break between your fingers when squeezed. If they are not dry, or you are unsure, add a little more dry time.
- Once the raspberries are dry, pack them into an airtight container, like a mylar bag or mason jar with an oxygen absorber. (It is important to not let them set out for too long since they will start absorbing the moisture in the air and could spoil.)
Tips for making freeze dried raspberries
- Make sure the raspberries are dry before putting into the freeze dryer.
- The raspberries should be in an even layer, not stacked on top of each other.
- Make sure the raspberries are completely dry before storing in Mylar Bags or another airtight container. If you are unsure simply ad more dry time.
- If you are planning on using the raspberries with one year, they can be stored in a mason jar rather than mylar bag.
- Use oxygen absorbers, even for short term storage.
- To save space turn the raspberries into a powder. This allows you to get more raspberries per mylar bag or jar. Raspberry powder is perfect for making smoothies or desserts like raspberry whipped cream!
- Grab our FREE EBOOK: Tips and Tricks for Freeze Drying to have success every time!
Serving suggestions
- Add to the best homemade granola or trail mix.
- Eat as a snack!
- Reconstitute and add to muffins or pancakes.
- Use powdered raspberries to flavor and color icing
- Make raspberry whipped cream
- Add to oatmeal
- Yogurt
- Top your cereal with freeze dried raspberries
How to make freeze dried raspberry powder
If you want to make raspberry powder for long term food storage or to make in a recipe like raspberry whipped cream, grind the raspberries up in your food processor or even with a freezer bag and rolling pin. If you know ahead of time that you will be making raspberry powder, you can blend up the raspberries before freeze drying. This will save space on the trays and speed up the freeze drying time.
Freeze dried v. dehydrated raspberries
It is easy to get freeze dried and dehydrated foods mixed up, but they are quite different. Freeze dried raspberries take on an entirely different texture than dehydrated raspberries. Freeze dried raspberries are crisp and light, dehydrated are chewy because they typically have some moisture left in them.
This fact also contributes to why freeze dried raspberries have a longer shelf life. If you are interested in knowing more about the difference between these two machines, check out my article on freeze dryer v. dehydrator for a more in depth explanation.
Commonly asked questions
How are freeze-dried raspberries made?
The only way to make freeze dried raspberries, currently is with a home freeze dryer. This process removes all of the water from the berry while keeping the color, flavor, texture, and nutrient value.
How do you freeze dry berries at home?
Load the berries onto a freeze dryer tray, and run your home freeze dryer until the berries have no more moisture.
How do you freeze dry raspberries without a dehydrator?
To make freeze dried berries, you will need a freeze dryer. Dehydrated raspberries are an entirely different way of preserving food.
How do you make freeze-dried raspberries powder?
Simply grind up freeze dried raspberries into a powder with a food processor, coffee grinder, or rolling pin with a freezer bag.
How long do freeze dried raspberries last?
Freeze dried raspberries will last for up to 25 years if they are packaged into Mylar Bags and stored properly. If you put them in a mason jar they should last up to one year.
Should I freeze dry raspberries whole?
You can freeze dry the raspberries whole or puree them before pouring them onto the tray. Freeze drying them whole, allows you to eat them as snacks if you desire.
How long does it take to freeze dry fruit?
It depends on how much moisture is in the specific fruit you are freeze drying. Generally fruit takes anywhere between 24-36 hours to freeze dry.
Related articles:
Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Review (Extremely Honest)
How to Make Freeze Dried Lemons
How to Make Freeze Dried Breast Milk
How to Freeze Dry Eggs the Right Way
How to Grow Wolfberries, and Why you Should
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