Learn how to make freeze dried Skittles at home with these easy steps. I'll walk you through how to freeze dry Skittles that are perfectly crunchy.
I've made freeze dried Skittles countless times and it is the easiest candy to freeze dry! Freeze drying Skittles at home for the first time will be a breeze if you follow my steps below.
If you love freeze dried candy, you'll love learning about how to freeze dry Jolly Ranchers!
What Are Freeze Dried Skittles
Freeze dried candy Skittles are regular Skittles that have gone through the freeze drying process. That removes almost all the moisture and makes the Skittles puff up. They become light, airy, and crunchy.
Why You'll Love Freeze Drying Skittles at Home
- DIY freeze dried Skittles have a unique texture with no chewy centers.
- They are the perfect freeze-dried candy for movie night.
- It's a new way to enjoy your favorite treats.
Once you try freeze dried skittles, they'll become one of your favorite candies.
Supplies Needed
A Home Freeze Dryer like the Stay Fresh Freeze Dryer.
Mylar Bags or Mason Jars to store the Skittles.
A Vacuum Sealer for the mason jar is a great way to keep them crunchy longer.
Recipe Ingredients
You'll need the following ingredients to make freeze-dried Skittles.
Skittles of any variety will work.
Prep Your Freeze Dryer
Before you freeze dry Skittles at home, make sure you freeze dryer is ready.
- Ensure that the drain valve and vacuum valve are closed.
- Make sure there isn't any ice or water in the chamber.
How to Make Freeze-Dried Skittles
Have you ever wondered, how do you freeze dry Skittles? Here are some quick visual instructions. The full printable freeze dried skittles recipe card is below!
Spread the Skittles in a single layer on the freeze dryer trays, leaving a little space between the skittles. You do not need parchment paper on the trays.
Select the candy mode setting for your freeze dryer, follow the instructions for your model of freeze dryer and click start. Although some candy does require you to warm trays, Skittles do fine without it.
If you are able to manually select the drying temperature, change it to 145 degrees Fahrenheit and freeze dry them for 3 hours.
The machine will run through the drying cycle and the Skittles will pop open a little and they will be crunchy.
Once, the freeze dryer has finished, open the vacuum valve and pull out a freeze dryer tray to check if the Skittles are done.
How to Check if Freeze Dried Skittles are Done Drying
You may be wondering how long to freeze dry Skittles. Usually it takes about 3 hours of drying time.
After the cycle completes, open the vacuum valve and remove a Skittle from tray. Properly dried Skittles should have a crunchy texture.
There shouldn't be any cold spots or chewy texture. If you notice any chewiness, add extra drying time.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Use a single layer for even dry time.
- You can freeze dry Skittles with other candies that have the same settings (don't need to be preheated).
- Do not try to freeze dry regular foods (fruits, vegetables etc.) that need to go through the normal freeze drying process at the same time as Skittles.
- You can expect similar run time with most Skittle varieties.
Specific Instructions for Stay Fresh Freeze Dryers
You can also watch this video on How to Freeze Dry Skittles with the Stay Fresh Freeze Dryer.
How to Store Freeze Dried Skittles
- Long Term Storage: Store in mylar bags with an oxygen absorber and seal them with an impulse sealer for extended shelf life. Store them in a cool dark place for best results.
- Shorter Storage: Store the skittles in mason jars and use a vacuum sealer to remove air.
- On the Go Snacks: These little mylar bags are a great way to bring candy to party or pack as a treat to go.
Ways to Use Freeze Dried Skittles
Making freeze dried Skittles at home is a great treat that can be used in many ways.
- A treat for movie nights
- On top of ice cream or cupcakes
- Add to candy boards (charcuterie board covered in different candies)
- Gift for kids' birthdays or holidays
They are a big hit with kids and adults!
Flavor Variations
Definitely try freeze drying different Skittle flavors for a unique way of enjoying your favorite candy!
- Sour Skittles are so fun. They are sweet and tart!
- Wild Berry Skittles in the purple package include fruity flavors like melon berry and blueberry.
- Tropical Skittles can be hard to find, but their unique flavors like pineapple and passion fruit are so good.
Frequently Asked Questions
They taste just like the normal Skittles flavors, but the have a crunchy texture.
Using a home freeze dryer it usually only takes about 3 hours to freeze dry Skittles.
You will need a freeze dryer to make freeze dried Skittles. The vacuum chamber will remove the moisture from the candy and make it crunchy. There is not a way to make freeze dried Skittles without a freeze dryer.
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Check out some other freeze-drying tutorials like How to Freeze Dry Apples. Freeze-dried food fruits make awesome snacks!
📖 Recipe
How to Make Freeze Dried Skittles
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Skittles (approximate- depends on your model of freeze dryer)
Instructions
- Spread the skittles in a single layer on the trays leaving a little room between the skittles to expand. You do not need parchment paper.
- Close the drain valve, vacuum valve, and demister.
- Place the trays into the freeze dryer. Select candy mode and or set the manual settings to 145℉ for 3 hours.
- Allow the freeze dryer to run to completion. The Skittles should be puffed up and crunchy. If they are chewy, add more time to the freeze dryer.
- Immediately transfer the Skittles to mylar bags with oxygen absorbers or mason jars. If using a mason jar, seal it with a vacuum sealer for extended shelf life.
Jason says
The Skittles turned out great.