How to Make Freeze-Dried Candy

People with a sweet tooth are always looking for new and unique ways to indulge in sweet candies. The practice of freeze-drying sweets is one approach that has grown in favor recently and has caught the attention of many sweets-eaters. By removing the majority of moisture, the freeze-dried candy can be uniquely preserved in texture and taste. 

If you’re also craving something sweet, we have the easy and sweetest guide on how to make freeze-dried candy!

Process of Making Freeze-Dried Candy

While the ingredients for freeze-dried candies seem like regular candy at first glance, the finished product is much healthier.

1. Prepare Candy

The first step is similar to making regular candies. You need to prepare your candy mixture and set it aside in molds. 

1. Freezing

The next step is to get the candy to a low enough temperature to freeze it, transforming whatever liquid or moisture it contains into solid ice. To prevent crystal formation, this step is performed before allowing the candy liquid to cool to room temperature. 

1. Sublimation

Next, immediately move the frozen candy to a vacuum to transform them into vapors. Thanks to this transaction, the candy will remain solid after being frozen. This process is known as sublimation, and it is made possible by a low-pressure vacuum. Sublimation is considered a crucial stage in the process of creating freeze-dried sweets since it keeps the flavors unchanged. 

1. Drying

The final thing to do is dry. This is only a safety measure to take before storing the candy to make sure it is completely dry. The final product also has a crunchy candy feel after it's dried. Candies have a longer shelf life and are protected from microbes when all water and vapor are eliminated after sublimation and drying. 

You should note that this process is only possible with commercial machinery. At the same time, not all can afford expensive machinery for candy making. This is why other alternative methods also exist that let people enjoy this sweet treat at home without spending a fortune.

Home-made Freeze-Dried Candy

Don’t worry if you don’t have machines to make freeze-dried candy. Here’s a step-by-step procedure you can follow to attend to your sweet cravings at home:

Things You Need

• Candies
• Cooling tray
• Dry ice
• Insulated container or Styrofoam cooler
• Parchment paper
• Molds

Directions

1. As the first step, choose any candy you like. You can take hard or soft candies and then put them on a cooling tray after spreading the parchment paper under it. 
2. Set the tray aside and get ready to crush some ice. Using a mallet or something similar, crush the dry ice into small pieces to fit your container and evenly put them inside it. 
3. Now, carefully put your tray with candy like peelable candies mango inside the container so the candy does not touch the ice but the tray does. Make sure to keep some space between the candy pieces. 
4. Seal the container and leave it for a few hours or overnight. Note that you need to leave a small hole in the container so the air can ventilate. 
5. Check it after a few hours. If this method is working for you, the candy should be porous and light in color.
6. After you are done, remove the container’s lid and pull out the tray carefully. Make sure to wear mittens or gloves while doing it. 
7. And it’s done! Store your crisp and flavorful freeze-dried candy in an airtight container, and enjoy!

Try Freeze-Dried Candy Today!

Dry freezing candy making is a fruitful process and a healthier alternative to those sweet and sour candies filled with chemical preservatives. With the right method and equipment, you can make sweet snacks for yourself and your family to enjoy at any time of the day. Moreover, the freeze-drying process also allows the candy to retain more flavor and have an extended shelf life. 

If you store your candies properly and keep them at optimal temperature, you can make big batches and store them for extended periods of time without having to worry about them going stale. If making freeze-dried candy yourself is a difficult task for you, you can always run to a grocery store nearby or search online for premium freeze-dried candy packs and savor the sweetness!