How To Freeze-Dry Peaches – 3 Best Ways

Who doesn’t like fresh peaches? Perfectly ripe, juicy, aromatic, and packed with loads of essential nutrients. The one huge drawback though is that they, just like all fresh produce, are perishable and start to spoil after a certain amount of time.

Depending on the peach’s ripeness level and how well they have been stored, fresh peaches may last anywhere between 1 day to 2 weeks. 

But what if you wanted to prolong their shelf life? There are several ways to preserve fresh peaches to make them last a considerably long time.

These methods may be useful when you have a surplus of fresh produce or you wish to preserve them for off-season months.

One of the most popular methods to preserve fresh peaches is to freeze-dry them, which refers to a process in which moisture is removed from the fruit after it is frozen and placed in a vacuum.

The result is a very light and dry peach with a crispy texture and concentrated peachy flavor.

So, how do you freeze-dry peaches? The best way to freeze-dry peaches is by using a home freeze-drying machine, but it can be rather expensive. Luckily, you can get the same results using a freezer or a couple of blocks of dry ice.

Read on for more information on freeze-drying peaches and a step-by-step guide to get the best results!

What Are Freeze-Dried Peaches?

Freeze-drying is a process used to preserve fresh fruit such as peaches, strawberries, pineapples, bananas, grapes, apples, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and dragon fruit.

The goal of this process is to not only prolong the fruit’s shelf life but also preserve its nutritional profile.

It preserves the fruit as it is and simply removes its water content, meanwhile retaining most of its sugars so that the fruit tastes just as it did in its original form.

Unopened freeze-dried peaches can last as long as 25-30 years if stored under ideal conditions and can be used in many of the same ways you would use sun-dried and dehydrated peaches.

Commercially freeze-drying fruit involves the use of a vacuum chamber with a below-freezing temperature, where the fruit’s solid water molecules turn into gas, leaving the fruit and much of its nutrition intact.

You can also freeze-dry peaches, and a whole bunch of other fresh fruit, at home using the proper equipment, aka a freeze-dryer, although the machine and its accessories can cost you thousands of dollars.

Luckily, there are much more economical ways to freeze-dry peaches at home using your freezer or a few blocks of dry ice.

How To Freeze Dry Peaches

Before freeze-drying your peaches, you need to prepare them and make sure you pick the freshest option. A perfectly ripe, sweet-tasting peach will give you the best results as compared to one that is under or overripe.

Wash the peaches properly to remove any dust, dirt, and contaminants, and make sure to dry them properly as starting with wet fruit will increase the amount of moisture that has to evaporate, causing the freeze-drying process to take longer.

Next, cut the peaches into small slices to eliminate moisture. You may slice them in large cobbler slices or even dice them if you like. Regardless of the way you cut the peaches, make sure they are cut into evenly sized portions.

Once the peaches are ready, you can begin the freeze-drying process using one of the most popular methods listed below:

1. Use The Freezer

• Properly wash the peaches, making an effort to remove as much dirt, debris, and contaminants as possible.
• Dry them using folded paper towels or a clean, dry cloth to get rid of any excess moisture.
• Slice them and place them on a big baking sheet, making sure to leave a little bit of room in between each piece. It’s okay if the edges of the peach slices are touching, but avoid overcrowding as it may lead to sticking. Space out peach slices equal better airflow, and a better airflow equals a quicker freeze-drying process.
• Place the fruit tray in the freezer for a few days, where the water in the peaches will turn to vapor and dissipate.
• You can test whether the peaches are fully dehydrated or not is by grabbing a piece and allowing it to thaw. If it starts to blacken as it warms up, it indicates the presence of moisture and requires to be left in the freezer for a while longer.
• Avoid checking the peaches and opening the freezer door unnecessarily for the first few days since it can lead to temperature changes and add to the overall processing time.
• Once the peaches are ready, remove them from the baking tray and, using a spoon or spatula, transfer them into resealable plastic bags or an airtight container.
• Store them in the refrigerator or freezer or put them away in your pantry where, if stored in ideal conditions, they can last for decades!
• Avoid putting the freeze-dried peaches on the kitchen countertop as the fluctuating temperatures in the kitchen and the high humidity could cause them to go bad much quicker.

2. Use Dry Ice

• Start with weighing out the total amount of peaches you want to freeze dry as this will tell you how much dry ice you will need. 
• Transfer the peaches into a lightweight container and use a digital kitchen scale or a standard bathroom scale to weigh them and write it down.
• Don’t forget to properly wash, dry, and evenly slice them prior to freeze-drying them.
• Next, get an equal amount of dry ice as your peaches. For instance, if you have 2 pounds of peaches to freeze dry, you will need exactly 2 pounds of dry ice.
• Portion the sliced peaches into resealable freezer-safe bags and press out as much air as possible before sealing them, since too much oxygen will increase the chances of the peaches spoiling prematurely.
• Place the freezer-safe bags on the bottom of an insulated cooler, spreading them out so that they lie flat on the surface. In case of more than one bag, stack them on top of one another to make better use of the available space.
• You may also use a Styrofoam cooler instead of a pricier insulated cooler as it will get the job done just as well.
• Once the bags of fruit are properly set inside the cooler, cover them with dry ice doing your best to distribute it in an even layer where the fruit is barely visible underneath. Make sure to wear gloves when working with dry ice and set it up in a well-ventilated space.
• Lower the lid of the cooler but don’t close it since the gases released by the dry ice could build up in a sealed box and cause it to explode.
• Dry ice evaporates moisture from foods at a much faster rate than an ordinary freezer, which means that 1-3 pounds of peaches should be ready within a day. Larger batches of around 5 pounds may take around 36-48 hours to fully dehydrate.
• A simple way to test whether the peaches are ready or not is to see if all the dry ice has disappeared. If it has, they are ready.
• Once done, carefully remove the bags from the cooler and store them on a shelf in your pantry. You may also keep them in the refrigerator or freezer making sure they stay below 68-70°F, which is the optimal temperature for storing freeze-dried foods.

3. Use A Freeze-Drying Machine

• Wash, dry, and slice the peaches before spreading them onto the provided freezing trays that come with the machine. Make sure the slices are evenly sized and none of them are taller than the side of the trays.
• Load the freezing trays into the machine and press the start button. Depending on the model you are using, there may be a few preliminary tasks before starting the machine, such as securing a removable insulation pad and closing the built-in drain valve.
• When the peaches are ready to come out, unlock and open the freeze-drying machine and remove the freezing trays.
• Transfer the peaches into resealable plastic bags or airtight containers. You may also consider spending a few extra bucks on a vacuum-sealer in order to keep the freeze-dried peaches good for longer.
• Store the bags or containers on a shelf in your pantry or keep them in the refrigerator or freezer until you are ready to use the peaches.

How To Use Freeze-Dried Peaches

Due to their concentrated flavor, freeze-dried peaches are a great way to add an intense peachy flavor to a recipe.

Since they are incredibly crunchy, they can either be used whole, crumbled, or in powder form as a garnish to enhance the flavor, texture, and appearance of a dish.

Freeze-dried peaches are a shelf-stable food and can be used in several ways, both in baking and as a great additive to sweet and savory dishes.

For baking purposes, you may add freeze-dried peaches just as any other fruit, though you will need to add extra water to plump up the dried peaches.

You can add them to your batter when making pancakes, waffles, muffins, cookies, and delicious bread.

An incredibly easy and popular way to use freeze-dried peaches is as a topping for foods such as cereal, yogurt, mousse, panna cotta, and other dishes. They also make a great addition to granola and trail mix.

When used to top dishes, there is no need to add extra moisture. In fact, it is the airy and crunchy quality of the freeze-dried peaches that work so well in certain instances. 

They also taste great with smoothies and milkshakes. Simply add them along with the rest of the ingredients before blending.

For certain applications, freeze-dried peaches can also be pulverized into a fine powder using a blender or food processor. They can also be crushed by hand using a mortar and pestle or with a rolling pin for a coarser crumble.

The resultant powdered freeze-dried peaches can be added to frostings, fillings, and whipped cream for a delicious pop of fruity flavor.

Related Questions

Now that you know how to freeze dry peaches and how to use them, here are a few additional questions we thought you might have!

What is the difference between freeze-dried and dehydrated fruit?

Freeze drying and dehydrating both are methods of preserving foods for later use that work by removing the moisture from fruit to make them more shelf-stable and resistant to mold and rotting.

The difference lies in the process as well as the final product.

Freeze drying removes all the moisture from the fruit through sub-zero temperatures and helps retain the flavor and nutrients of the fruit. 

Freeze-dried fruit can last a considerably long time and still taste great due to its concentrated flavor. It is also light, airy, and crunchy, whereas dehydrated fruit is chewy and has a thick consistency.

Dehydrated fruit is chewy because, as compared to freeze-dried fruit that eliminates all moisture, it retains about 1/3^rd of its water content.

Since dehydrated fruit has some moisture in it, it often requires preservatives to help keep it shelf-stable for longer. At times, even with additives, dehydrated fruit doesn’t last as long as freeze-dried fruit.

Another difference between the two is that since dehydrated fruit has moisture in it, it tends to be sweeter as compared to freeze-dried fruit which showcases the fruit’s natural flavors.

What foods can be freeze-dried?

You can freeze-dry lots of foods!

This includes fruits and vegetables, raw and cooked meats, dairy (including milk, cheese, and buttermilk), raw and cooked eggs, and even full meals such as casseroles, lasagna, mashed potatoes, and pizza!

What foods do not freeze-dry well?

Foods that don’t freeze-dry well include those that have a high-fat content and leave behind a lot of oil such as butter, jam, mayonnaise, peanut butter, pure chocolate, and syrup.

Since freeze-drying works by pulling out the moisture from foods using low-temperature dehydration and them removing the ice through a process called sublimation, it doesn’t work with oil-based foods.

Some fatty foods, however, can be freeze-dried as an ingredient in other foods.

How do you freeze-dry raw meat?

To freeze-dry raw meat, cut it into large pieces making sure to remove as much fat as possible. Next, place the pieces of meat on trays and put them in the freeze-drying machine.

When the meat has freeze-dried, take one large piece of meat and break it in half to check for ice crystals. If there are ice crystals present, add more dry time until they are gone.

Alternatively, you may use your freezer or a few blocks of dry ice to achieve the same results. When ready, store it in an airtight bag or container where, if kept under optimal conditions, it should last for a good 10 to 15 years.

How do you rehydrate freeze-dried meat?

When you wish to use your freeze-dried meat, place it in a bowl of cold water and leave it overnight in the refrigerator or until it is rehydrated.

Do not worry about over-hydrating the meat since it will only take in as much water as it needs. You may use a paper towel to remove any excess water and cook it as usual.

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