Freeze Dried Candy

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My son’s birthday was this week and we thought it would be fun to freeze-dry candy! I know what you are thinking this is a health and wellness blog! Well, that is true but it is also a lifestyle blog and just because I am a health coach doesn’t mean I don’t let my kids have treats sometimes! =)

I did a quick google on freeze-drying candy and there wasn’t much out there.

What did I try:

• Skittles
• Starburst
• Jolly Rancher Gummies
• M&M

I put together a fun REEL during the process check it out here.

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What do you need:

• Harvest Right Freeze Dryer – Don’t have a Freeze Dryer get all the details here!

Skittles

Skittles are super popular in the Freeze Candy World!

Skittles are a fun experiment to try with your freeze dryer. These small, chewy candies will expand to nearly triple their size. Along with this massive size change, they’ll also change textures! The Skittles will go from a chewy candy to a crunchy, lighter one! A near complete transformation. These treats also are packed full of flavor once freeze-dried

Pro Tip: To keep them from sticking to the tray is to use silicone mats or parchment paper. Then break them apart and enjoy!

What I use:

Silicone Mats

Parchment Paper

Jolly Rancher Gummies

Jolly Ranchers are a tasty treat to freeze dry. These hard candies will puff up and become something entirely new. They become slightly crunchy and airy and much easier to chew than a regular Jolly Rancher. If you leave them whole, make sure to leave plenty of space for them to expand. Many customers cut them in half using All-Purpose Utility Shears.

Gummy bears are by far one of the favorites to try. These small candies grow nearly double their size and become lightweight and crunchy. They also become sweeter and have a richer flavor, a definite must-have for a hot summer day.

Starburst

Freeze-dried Starburst is a unique twist on the classic chewy treat. They are a light, airy version of the candy that’s crisp and crunchy instead of chewy.

When you bite into freeze-dried Starburst, you’ll notice a texture that’s similar to eating a crispy, puffed-up version of the original. The flavor is often more intense and concentrated because the removal of moisture intensifies the taste. Each piece usually retains its original fruity flavor—such as strawberry, lemon, orange, or cherry—but with a satisfying crunch. It’s a fun and novel way to enjoy a classic candy with a different sensory experience!

M&M’s

M&M’s didn’t change as much as the other candies. I knew this might not work because of the hard shell. Next time I might try cutting them in half. With that said they still tasted really good, and had a crunchy, light texture.

This was a fun treat and did not last very long!