Learn how to freeze dry strawberries with these proven tips! Let me show you how to make freeze dried strawberries at home!
You bought pounds of strawberries at peak season, and now they're threatening to go mushy on you. The problem isn't the berries. Is that fresh produce waits for no one, and freezing them into icy breakfast isn't always the answer.
Freeze-drying locks in that just-picked sweetness, keeps the color bright, and gives you something snackable that lasts months or years without refrigeration.
I've spent countless hours testing freeze-drying recipes to learn what actually works. If you've ever wondered, "how do you freeze dry strawberries," follow along for practical tips for freeze drying strawberries that I use in my own kitchen!
I can also show you how to freeze dry apples! We also love to freeze dry peaches!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons to love, freeze-dried fruit, especially strawberries.
- They have intense natural flavors without added sugar.
- Freeze-dried strawberries are great in cereal, yogurt, ice cream, smoothies, and more!
- It's a great way to preserve pounds of fresh fruit during peak strawberry season and reduce food waste.
- Freeze drying strawberries at home saves you money at the grocery store!
Learning how to freeze-dry strawberries is easier than you think. Just follow a few simple steps!
Supplies Needed
A home Freeze Dryer like the Stay Fresh Freeze Dryer that I use. It works great!
Parchment paper or silicone mats prevent the strawberries from sticking to the freeze-dryer trays.
A knife to slice the strawberries into pieces.
Mason Jars or Mylar Bags: Mason jars are great if you want to snack on the strawberries and reseal the jars. Mylar bags are perfect for long-term storage or to take them on the go.
An Electronic Mason Jar Sealer does an awesome job at keeping my freeze-dried foods from absorbing moisture!
Oxygen absorbers for long term storage.
A scale to weigh the trays after they are finished drying to check for doneness.
Recipe Ingredients
For this simple recipe, you only need one ingredient: fresh or frozen strawberries.
If using fresh strawberries, try to choose strawberries that are very red and ripe. If the strawberries aren't super ripe, then they may not be very sweet after freeze drying them.
If you're using frozen strawberries, try to find ones that are cut into slices because they will freeze dry faster. However, you can use whole frozen strawberries.
Prep Your Freeze Dryer
Make sure that your freeze drying machine is dry and clean. Make sure all the valves are closed and that there is oil in the pump.
How to Make Freeze Dried Strawberries
Let me show you how to freeze dry fresh strawberries, and how to freeze dry frozen strawberries. Find the printable recipe card with ingredient measurements below!
The first step is to put parchment paper or silicone mats on your freeze drying tray.
If using fresh berries, rinse the ripe strawberries under cold water and pat them dry with a clean towel. Any surface moisture adds time to the freeze-drying process so try your best to dry them.
Remove the green stems and hull.
Pro Tip: A metal measuring spoon like the ¼ or ½ teaspoon works great to remove the strawberry hull or you can use a strawberry huller.
Slice the berries into uniform pieces about ⅛th of an inch thick. Thin slices will crumble really easily once they're dry.
Add the fresh strawberries in a single layer to the lined freeze dryer trays. You can add a second layer if you put another piece of parchment paper down and a layer of strawberries on top.
Note: The more fruit you add to the trays, the longer it will take to dry.
If using frozen strawberry slices, just add them to the parchment paper. You can use frozen whole strawberries, but it will take longer to freeze dry them.
Put the trays in the freezer dryer, close the chamber door, and make sure the vacuum valve and drain valve are closed. Also check that the vacuum pump is switched on.
Begin the freeze drying cycle according to your freeze dryer model. For specific instructions for the Stay Fresh Freeze Dryer check below.
Sliced strawberries typically take about 24-36 hours. Whole berries may take even longer. It is important to run them for a long time because the little seeds can hold onto moisture.
How to Check if Strawberries are Done Drying
Freeze-dried strawberries should break cleanly when you bend them. If you pick up a piece and it bends or feels leathery, it needs more time.
The best way to check if the strawberries are fully dry is to take each tray out and weigh each tray individually, record the weight and then put them back in the freeze dryer for an additional 3 hours.
Then you weigh the trays again and check for the difference in weight. If the weight did not change, the strawberries should be fully dry, but if the weight did change, you'll want to repeat that and put it back in the freeze dryer and check again in 3 hours.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- As soon as the strawberries cool, immediately add them to Mylar bags or mason jars to prevent them from absorbing any moisture from the air.
- Using strawberries that are at the peak of ripeness will result in sweeter freeze-dried strawberries.
Specific Instructions for Stay Fresh Freeze Dryers
Let me visually show you how freeze-drying strawberries in your Stay Fresh Freeze Dryer is really easy!
How to Store Freeze Dried Strawberries
Typical airtight containers won't keep freeze-dried food from slowly absorbing moisture. Try these storage options instead!
- Long Term Storage: For maximum shelf life add the strawberries to mylar bags and add an oxygen absorber packet to each bag, seal the bags with an impulse sealer. Store them in a cool dark place for a long shelf life.
- Shorter Storage: Add the freeze dried strawberries to mason jars and use the electronic mason jar sealer to take the excess air out of the jars.
- On the Go Snacks: You can purchase small mylar bags on Amazon and they are great ways to bring freeze dried strawberries on the road, but should only be used for short term storage.
How to Rehydrate Freeze Dried Strawberries
Freeze-dried strawberries, rehydrate almost instantly in liquid. Toss them in water and within 5 to 10 minutes they will be soft.
How to Use Freeze Dried Strawberries
Wondering how to use DIY freeze dried strawberries besides just eating them as a delicious snack? Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy freeze-dried strawberry treats.
Add them on top of ice cream or blend them into smoothies.
Grind it into strawberry powder and add it to frosting, muffin batter, cake, pancakes, oatmeal, or yogurt.
You can add freeze dried strawberries powder to lemonades or other drinks too!
I have a couple recipes for freeze dried strawberries. This Strawberry Shortcake Crumble is so good on ice cream. I used the crumble to make a delicious Strawberry Shortcake Cake.
Freeze Dried Strawberries vs Dehydrated Strawberries
What is the difference between freeze dried strawberries and dehydrated strawberries?
The freeze drying process pulls moisture out without cooking the fruit which is why freeze dried strawberries, keep their shape flavor, and most of their nutrients.
Traditional dehydrating uses heat which caramelizes sugars, and change the taste and creates a chewy texture. Freeze-drying skips that step entirely leaving you with berries that rehydrate almost instantly and taste really close to fresh strawberries.
Dehydrated fruit is typically chewy and less flavorful. Freeze-drying fruit helps preserve more flavor and nutrients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, there's no way to make freeze-dried strawberries without a freeze dryer. The freeze dryer uses a vacuum chamber to remove all the moisture.
Typically the dry time is about 24-36 hours, however it can vary based many factors. Whole strawberries take longer than sliced strawberries. The more strawberries that are loaded onto the trays the longer it will take. It will also vary based on your freeze dryer model.
📖 Recipe
How to Freeze Dry Strawberries at Home
Equipment
Ingredients
- 10 pounds strawberries (fresh or frozen)
Instructions
- Line your freeze dryer trays with parchment paper or silicone mats.
Fresh Strawberries
- If using fresh strawberries, rinse them under cold water and pat them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel. Removing as much surface moisture as possible helps reduce freeze drying time.
- Remove the green tops and hulls from the strawberries. A strawberry huller works well or use a ¼ or ½ teaspoon metal measuring spoon to scoop them out.
- Cut the strawberries into uniform slices about ⅛ inch thick. Even slices help the berries freeze dry at the same rate.
- Spread the strawberry slices in a single layer on the prepared trays. If desired, you can create a second layer by placing another sheet of parchment paper over the first layer of strawberries and adding more berries on top. (The more strawberries you load onto the trays the longer the drying cycle may take.)
Frozen Strawberries
- If using frozen strawberry slices, place them directly onto the lined trays. Frozen whole strawberries can also be used, but they will require a longer freeze drying time.
Freeze Drying Instructions
- Make sure the freeze dryer is dry and clean. Close the vacuum valve, drain valve and demister.
- Begin the freeze drying cycle according to your freeze-dryer manufacturer's instructions.
Stay Fresh Freeze Dryer Instructions
- In the Stay Fresh Freeze Dryer, I add the fresh strawberries to the machine, click settings to change the final dry time to 24-36 hours (depending on how loaded my trays are), and then click freeze drying and start. If using frozen strawberries, you will want to follow the instructions for frozen food and let the freeze dryer cool before adding the strawberries to the chamber.
Check for Doneness
- Strawberries take 24-36 hours to freeze dry. Whole strawberries may take longer. Strawberries contain tiny seeds that retain moisture so it's important to allow plenty of drying time to ensure the berries are fully dry throughout.
- Pause your freeze dryer when you are ready to check the strawberries. Properly freeze dried strawberries should be crisp and completely dry with no soft, cold, or chewy spots in the center.
- The best way to check for doneness is to weigh each tray and write down the weights. Then run the freeze dryer for another 3 hours and check the weight of each tray again.If the weight decreases, then the strawberries weren't finished drying, and you will want to repeat that until the weight of the trays stays the same.
Video
Notes
Learning how to freeze dried strawberries, is a fun way to preserve your favorite fruit while creating crunchy snacks with a long shelf life. Whether you use them in smoothies, desserts, or recipes with freeze dried strawberries, they're one of the best pantry staples to keep on hand year-round.
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