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Here’s a complete guide on how to freeze dry peaches like a pro. Use a freeze dryer, freezer, or dry ice to make sweet, crisp, freeze-dried peaches at home!

Can you learn how to freeze dry peaches at home? Well, here’s the complete guide you’re looking for to enjoy summer’s delicious fruits for years to come. You read that right: years!

Freeze-dried peaches not only have an impressive shelf life, but they’re super versatile too!

Use them as toppings, garnish, or add-ins on your favorite treats and goodies for a boost of peachy goodness. 

You can also just snack on freeze-dried peaches because, unlike other preservation methods, freeze drying maintains the luscious, sweet flavor of the fresh, ripe peaches! 

And while freeze-dried peaches are addictively crisp, they can be as soft as fresh peaches after a quick soak. No need to spend the rest of the year missing summer’s harvest! 🍑

how to freeze dry peaches
PHOTO CREDIT: DEPOSIT PHOTOS

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What Are Freeze Dried Peaches?

So what are freeze dried peaches, and why should you go through all the trouble (don’t worry because freeze drying peaches at home is actually quite simple! 😅) to freeze dry them?

Well, freeze drying peaches will help you enjoy them longer! Compared to other preservation methods, the freeze-drying process will give you crisp freeze-dried peach slices with their natural flavor and beneficial nutrients still intact. 

Without getting too scientific, freeze drying easily achieves this by freezing the peaches and then drying them before storing them in a vacuum.

The peaches will still taste as good since freeze drying is a simple process that only removes their water content!

What Are Freeze Dried Peaches

Do peaches freeze dry well?

Yep, peaches freeze dry well! So if the typical 3 to 5-day shelf life isn’t long enough for you to enjoy those fuzzy rounds of sweetness, you can freeze dry the fruits at home. 

Just make sure to select fresh, ripe peaches for freeze drying. 

How To Freeze Dry Peaches 

The freeze dried peaches available commercially are typically made with a vacuum chamber. But what if you want to freeze dry peaches at home?

Well, you can also purchase a freeze-drying machine!

However, expect that it won’t be cheap and expect to shell out thousands of dollars. 💸

Is it a worthwhile investment? If you see yourself freeze drying food often and considering how freeze dried food can last for years, it’s definitely something to consider.

How To Freeze Dry Peaches Like A Pro

Method 1. How to freeze dry peaches with a freeze-drying machine

  1. Before anything else, read your freeze-drying machine’s manual to be familiar with its accessories and features.
  2. Wash and dry the peaches.
  3. Slice the peaches evenly, then arrange them onto the trays of your freeze-drying machine. They should not go over the height of the trays.
  4. Load the trays into the machine and close the door. Refer to your model’s manual to know if there are additional steps to do before starting the freeze dryer. 
  5. Once the process is complete, take out the freezing trays. The duration and temperature will depend on your freeze dryer and the size and thickness of the peach slices.
  6. Cool the freeze-dried peaches to room temperature before transferring them into airtight containers. For more extended storage, vacuum seal the peaches. 

How To Freeze Dry Peaches Without A Machine

Do you need a machine to freeze-dry peaches?

A freeze dryer can be pretty expensive, but this doesn’t mean you can forget about your freeze drying dreams completely.

You can freeze dry peaches using…of course, your home freezer!

However, if you don’t live alone, I suggest leaving a note on the freezer door so people won’t constantly open it and cause temperature fluctuations.

Method 2. How to freeze dry peaches at home using a regular freezer

  1.  Wash and dry the peaches.
  2. Cut the clean peaches into equal slices. Arrange the slices on a baking sheet, spacing them evenly. 
  3. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for a couple of days to dehydrate them at the lowest temperature. 
  4. Your peaches are fully dehydrated if you thaw a piece and it doesn’t darken. 
  5. Transfer the dehydrated peaches to an airtight container.

Method 3. How to freeze dry peaches with dry ice

Can you use dry ice to freeze-dry peaches? Yep!

This is another way to consider if you want to freeze dry at home without a machine. 

Do this process somewhere ventilated, and don’t forget to wear cryogenic gloves!

  1. Wash and dry the peaches.
  2. Slice the peaches evenly.
  3. Prepare the same weight of dry ice as your peaches. 
  4. Transfer the sliced peaches into freezer bags, squeezing out any air. 
  5. Seal the freezer bags and put them on the bottom of a cooler. 
  6. Cover the bags of peaches with dry ice, making sure it’s distributed evenly. This is why it’s helpful to arrange the freezer bags as flat as possible on the bottom of the cooler.
  7. Lower the cooler’s lid, but leave a gap so the gases from the dry ice can still escape.
  8. Dehydrating the peaches this way can take a day or two, depending on the amount of fruits. The process is done once all the dry ice is gone. 
How to freeze dry peaches with dry ice

How Do You Know When Freeze Dried Peaches Are Done?

Freeze-dried peaches will feel light, and of course, they’ll be dry. The peaches will also be nice and crunchy. Yum! 

Imagine crisp, sweet peaches on this copycat Mcdonald’s yogurt parfait. 🤤

What Are The Best Peaches For Freeze Drying?

The best peaches for freeze drying should feel firm. You want them ripe but not overripe for the best texture when they are freeze-dried.

Freeze drying ripe peaches will also mean the flavor of the final product will be deliciously sweet.

You can consider picking a peach variety you like in terms of flavor.

What Are the Best Peaches for Freeze Drying

Can frozen fruit be freeze-dried?

It’s possible to freeze dry frozen fruit, but the process will take longer. 

Can you freeze dry dried fruit?

While it seems redundant, you can freeze dry dried fruit. The process will also be quicker!

How To Prepare Peaches For Freeze Drying

It’s important to wash and dry your peaches before freeze drying. Then, slice the peaches evenly so the process will be more efficient. 

Do you peel peaches to freeze dry them?

It’s up to you whether you want to peel your peaches. If you want to save on prep time, you can just freeze dry them without peeling. I mean, who has the time, right? 

Does freeze-dried peaches have chemicals?

Nope, but since peaches tend to brown easily, some people pre-treat them with an acidic solution

Do you blanch peaches before freeze drying?

It’s unnecessary, but if you want to make peeling much easier, blanch your peaches, then submerge them in an ice bath before freeze drying them.

Blanching is also a fantastic way to help the peaches retain their color

How to Prepare Peaches for Freeze Drying

What Does Freeze Drying Do?

Freeze drying is exactly what it sounds like.

You’ll freeze the food item and then dry it, hence the name freeze-dry. This process removes the moisture from fruits to extend their shelf life.

But compared to other preservation methods, your favorite fruits will still retain their flavor and nutrients. This is fantastic, so we don’t lose all those beneficial antioxidants in peaches!

What is the point of freeze drying peaches?

Learning how to freeze dry peaches at home is worth it because it’s a fantastic way to preserve peaches without losing their sweet flavor and beneficial nutrients. 

The light and crisp freeze dried peaches are also versatile and just absolutely delicious! Everything is a win-win with this method, don’t you agree?

What Does Freeze Drying Do

How Do You Store Freeze-Dried Peaches?

Store freeze-dried peaches in a cool (below 75°F), dry place to help them last as long as expected. Your cupboard makes a fantastic place for storing freeze-dried fruit since it’s out of direct sunlight. 

Do freeze dried peaches need to be refrigerated?

Unlike dehydrated and dried peaches, you don’t need to refrigerate freeze-dried peaches. 

How long do freeze-dried peaches last?

If properly processed and stored, your freeze-dried peaches can last for decades! Yup, decades! 

However, don’t forget to label the containers so you’ll know when you made them. 

Where do you keep freeze-dried peaches?

While freeze-dried food can last decades, proper packaging is crucial to achieve this impressive shelf life.

So before you dream about enjoying freeze-dried peaches several years from now, it’s important that you put them in suitable containers. 

First, you’ll need to include oxygen absorbers in the packaging.

Food storage containers and zip-top bags are the most accessible to most people, but they only work with short-term storage.

You can consider Mylar bags combined with oxygen absorbers, then seal them with heat. 

How To Use Freeze Dried Peaches

You can just eat your freeze dried peaches as crisp snacks and satisfy your sweet tooth whenever the peach cravings strike.

They’re also perfect as toppings and garnishes in just about anything from cereal, yogurt, or even good old vanilla ice cream.

Another yummy idea is to crush freeze dried peaches and stir the powdered peaches in an otherwise plain and boring frosting!

Check out these 25 peach recipes and give in to pure peach bliss.

peach recipes

But if you want the stored peaches to be as soft as fresh peaches for baking purposes, just rehydrate them in liquid.

Once you plump them up, add them to your favorite batter for pancakes, bread, or cookies. Imagine how delightfully surprised your loved ones will be once you give them peach goodies they usually only get during summer! 🤤

Whip up this easy strawberry peach cobbler instead of the usual peach cobbler, or prepare our Italian peach cookies for an impressive platter that’s just begging to be posted on social media. 

What Is The Difference Between Dried And Freeze Dried Peaches?

Freeze-dried peaches are frozen first before being dried in a vacuum chamber.

On the other hand, dried or air-dried peaches are dried either in an oven or dehydrator at 140°F.

You will also notice that freeze dried peaches taste closer, if not the same, to their original flavor when fresh compared to dried peaches.

More so, dried peaches have a chewy mouthfeel, while freeze dried peaches have a crispy texture.

You can cook dried peaches and use them as filling on our peach mango pie or make a frosting with freeze-dried peaches for our peach cupcakes.

Which Is Better Canning Or Freezing Peaches?

If we’re being realistic, I’m sure most people will pick freezing peaches as their method of preservation because it’s much simpler. 

You can choose between freezing the peaches in heavy syrup or sugar before packing and sealing them in freezer-safe containers. 

On the other hand, canning is cost-effective since you won’t need to purchase anything or spend on operation costs. However, the process is more meticulous.

Want another way to preserve peaches besides canning and freezing? Transform them into our peach jalapeno jam! The sweetness and heat of this unique peach jam will make it hard to share the jar with anyone else. 

FAQ About Freezing Peaches

What is the best way to freeze peaches?

The best way to freeze peaches is with sugar. For every 1 1/3 pounds of washed and peeled peaches, use 2/3 cups sugar. Then, dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of ascorbic acid in 3 tablespoons of cold water and add it to the fruits to prevent darkening. Let everything stand for 15 minutes or until the sugar is dissolved before packing in freezer containers with some headspace. 

What foods can be freeze dried?

You can freeze dry fruits, vegetables, grains, and interestingly, even spices, drinks, and meats!

What foods cannot be freeze dried?

Because of their composition, you can’t freeze dry chocolate, butter, jam, honey, and mayonnaise. The process won’t work properly because removing the moisture from these products is just impossible without ruining their quality.

How long to freeze dry peaches? 

Freeze drying peaches can take 24 hours or twice as long, depending on the method. 

freeze drying peaches
How To Freeze Dry Peaches At Home 3 Best Ways

How To Freeze Dry Peaches

Yield: 4
Cook Time: 30 seconds
Additional Time: 1 day
Total Time: 1 day 30 seconds

Here's a complete guide on how to freeze dry peaches like a pro. Use a freeze dryer, freezer, or dry ice to make sweet, crisp, freeze-dried peaches at home!

Instructions

Method 1. How to freeze dry peaches with a freeze-drying machine

  1. Before anything else, make sure to read your freeze-drying machine's manual to be familiar with its accessories and features.
  2. Wash and dry the peaches.
  3. Slice the peaches evenly, then arrange them onto the trays of your freeze-drying machine. They should not go over the height of the trays.
  4. Load the trays into the machine and close the door. Refer to your model's manual to know if there are additional steps to do before starting the freeze dryer.
  5. Once the process is complete, take out the freezing trays. The duration and temperature will depend on your freeze dryer and size and thickness of the peach slices.
  6. Cool the freeze-dried peaches to room temperature before transferring them into airtight containers. For longer storage, vacuum seal the peaches.

Method 2. How to freeze dry peaches at home using a regular freezer

  1. Wash and dry the peaches.
  2. Cut the clean peaches into equal slices. Arrange the slices on a baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
  3. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for a couple of days to dehydrate them at the lowest temperature.
  4. Your peaches are fully dehydrated if you thaw a piece and it doesn't darken.
  5. Transfer the dehydrated peaches to an airtight container.

Method 3. How to freeze dry peaches with dry ice

  1. Wash and dry the peaches.
  2. Slice the peaches evenly.
  3. Prepare the same weight of dry ice as your peaches.
  4. Transfer the sliced peaches into freezer bags, squeezing out any air.
  5. Seal the freezer bags and put them on the bottom of a cooler.
  6. Cover the bags of peaches with dry ice, making sure it's distributed evenly. This is why you should arrange the freezer bags as flat as possible on the bottom of the cooler.
  7. Lower the cooler's lid, but leave a gap so the gases from the dry ice can still escape.
  8. Dehydrating the peaches this way can take a day or two, depending on the amount of fruits. The process is done once all the dry ice is gone.

Notes

  • Select ripe peaches so they'll be nice and sweet after freeze drying them. 
  • You don't need to peel the peaches before freeze drying them. But for easier peeling, blanch them for under a minute. 
  • To restore their softness, rehydrate your freeze dried peaches by soaking them in water for about 20 minutes. Use a 1:3 peach to water ratio.  

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 17Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 0g

* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for the most accurate results.

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Conclusion

You just learned how to freeze dry peaches at home with and without fancy equipment!

It would be nice to have a freeze dryer, but for those not ready to have that kind of commitment, you can always just freeze dry your fresh, ripe peaches using the freezer or dry ice method. 

Imagine making peach delights even after the summer season!

Enjoy your freeze dried peaches in trail mixes and other snacks, or soak them in liquid for soft peaches ready to bring summer’s bright flavors to your favorite peach recipes!

freeze dried peaches

So, which one do you prefer when it comes to storing peaches? Are you team frozen peaches or team freeze dried peaches? 🥶

Freeze! Put your hands up! Don’t get caught not knowing the proper freezing and storage methods of your favorite foods. Check out these reads or browse our index of food-related questions and answers for more.

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How to freeze and preserve peaches for months.
Guide to freeze drying peaches

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