How Long Does Freeze-Dried Food Last?

Freeze-dried food makes our lives healthier and more convenient. For many consumers who have purchased home freeze dryers, understanding how to freeze-dry different foods is an important topic. Today, let’s discuss the required time to freeze-dry various foods.

Freeze-Dried Fruits

Common freeze-dried fruits include strawberries, bananas, apples, blueberries, and mangoes. These fruits are nutritious and can be stored at room temperature for a long time after freeze-drying. So, how long does it take to freeze-dry these fruits?

Strawberries: Due to their high water content, strawberries typically require 15 to 25 hours.
Bananas: Need to be sliced thin beforehand. Since bananas have less moisture, they might need between 8 to 16 hours.
Apples: Also need to be sliced in advance, and the freeze-drying time for sliced apples is usually around 12 to 20 hours.
Blueberries: Due to the skin’s good water retention function, the freeze-drying time can be 20 to 30 hours.
Mangoes: Sliced mangoes, due to their thick flesh, may need about 20 to 30 hours.

Freeze-Dried Vegetables

The time it takes to freeze-dry vegetables using a home freeze dryer depends on the type of vegetable, the moisture content, and the size of the cuts. Here are some approximate times for commonly freeze-dried vegetables:

Carrots: Sliced or diced carrots typically need about 10 to 20 hours.
Peas: Since peas are small and have relatively less moisture, the freeze-drying time might be between 10 to 24 hours.
Corn: The freeze-drying time for corn kernels is roughly 12 to 24 hours.
Spinach: Spinach leaves are thin, so their freeze-drying time is shorter, around 10 to 15 hours.
Bell Peppers: Sliced bell peppers require about 10 to 20 hours.
Broccoli: Due to its dense floral structure, broccoli may need 15 to 30 hours.

Freeze-Dried Meats

It’s worth noting that for tastier freeze-dried meats, they can be marinated or cooked before freeze-drying, so they can be enjoyed directly after rehydration. The freeze-drying time for meats using a home freeze dryer varies depending on the type, size, and thickness of the cuts:

Beef: Sliced or diced beef generally needs about 20 to 30 hours.
Chicken: Sliced or diced chicken may need 15 to 20 hours.
Pork: Sliced or diced pork usually requires 15 to 30 hours.
Turkey: Similar to chicken, the freeze-drying time for turkey is about 15 to 20 hours.
Fish: Freeze-drying time for fish fillets might be between 10 to 15 hours, depending on the type of fish and the thickness of the slices.
Shrimp: Shrimp have a relatively short freeze-drying time, approximately 15 to 25 hours.

Freeze-Dried Candy

For those who enjoy snacks, freeze-dried candy offers a unique experience. With the popularity of freeze-dried candies, we have also tested the time required to produce them:

Gummy Candies: Gummies have a high water content and may need about 15 to 20 hours.
Cream Candies: These small, less moist candies might need between 10 to 15 hours.
Freeze-Dried Chocolate: The freeze-drying time for chocolate is relatively short, typically between 10 to 20 hours, as chocolate has a relatively low moisture content.
Freeze-Dried Ice Cream: Since chocolate contains more water, freeze-drying it usually takes about 20 to 30 hours.
Freeze-Dried Juice Candies: Depending on the initial moisture content of the juice, the freeze-drying time generally ranges from 20 to 30 hours.