Sunday, August 8, 2021

How to Make Freeze Dried Strawberries Recipe

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.


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.


Check out these 27 recipes using freeze dried fruit for recipe ideas.  You can also learn how to make fruit powder from your freeze dried strawberries.


Also learn how to freeze dry tomatoes to make tomato powder and how to make freeze dried marshmallows and how to freeze dry cheese.


Learn about freeze dry vs dehydrated and the benefits of each method.  Here is my list of favorite freeze dryer accessories that I used to make the process easier.


Keep track of your freeze dried inventory and batch information with a printable freeze dryer log book.




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?


No, you will need a freeze dryer to freeze dry food.  Other methods do not work because they do not have the vacuum.


You can also buy freeze dried strawberries from 4Patriots or buy smaller quantities on Etsy.


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.


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 or this strawberry smoothie foaming salt scrub 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.




How to Make Freeze Dried Strawberries

How to Make Freeze Dried Strawberries

Yield
5
Author
Cari @ Homesteading in Ohio
Prep time
15 Min
Inactive time
10 Hour
Total time
10 H & 15 M
How to make freeze dried strawberries at home with Harvest Right.

Ingredients

  • 1 quart strawberries

Instructions

  1. Wash well and pat dry your strawberries.
  2. Slice thinly, but not too thin. I find that I can get about 5 slices out of each regular sized strawberry.
  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.
  4. Place into the freeze dryer and start your machine
  5. Press “Not Frozen” and let the machine do the rest! I like to add two extra drying hours.
  6. 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

44.67

Fat (grams)

0.42

Sat. Fat (grams)

0.02

Carbs (grams)

10.72

Fiber (grams)

2.79

Net carbs

7.93

Sugar (grams)

6.83

Protein (grams)

0.94

Sodium (milligrams)

1.40

Cholesterol (grams)

0.00
freeze drying, strawberry, strawberries
preserving
American

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