When it comes to fruit, pears are a great option to consider. Pears are a popular fruit that many enjoy due to their sweet and juicy taste. They are often eaten as a snack, used in baking, or added to salads. However, many people may not be aware that pears can also be freeze-dried.
Freeze-dried pears retain their natural sweetness and flavor, making them a delicious and healthy snack. They are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Whether a standalone snack or added to a favorite recipe, freeze-dried pears are versatile and tasty fruit to keep in the pantry.
Pears can be freeze-dried like other fruits, resulting in a crispy and crunchy texture that makes for a tasty snack. Freeze-dried pears are popular for preppers, backpackers, hikers, and campers due to their taste, light weight, and long shelf life. Plus, they’re just delicious. In my opinion and experience, freeze-dried pears taste like candy!
How to Freeze-Dry Pears
Freeze drying is a great way to preserve pears for long-term storage without losing their nutritional value and flavor. Here are the steps to freeze-dry pears using a Harvest Right freeze dryer:
Steps to Freeze-Dry Pears Using a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer
Here is how to freeze-dry pears using your Harvest Right freeze dryer. Please note that, depending on your exact unit and firmware version, there may be some variation in the process.
- Peel and slice the pears thinly. Put the sliced pears into a bowl of cold water with a little salt or acetic acid to prevent browning. Drain completely and pat them dry with a clean flour sack towel. Paper towels work, too, but they tend to stick more.
- Prep the Harvest Right freeze dryer. Press “START > NON-LIQUID.” Choose “NOT FROZEN” for warm pears or “FROZEN” for pre-frozen ones.
- Spread the pears on the trays in an even layer. Do not exceed the recommended weight limit for your unit. Generally, that’s about 10 pounds total (2.5 pounds per tray) per freeze-drying session.
- Close the drain valve when the unit tells you to. Load the trays when the freeze dryer is ready.
- Remove the trays from the freeze-dryer once the freeze-drying cycle is complete. Test the pears for dryness by snapping them in half to listen and look for dryness. Pro tip: end on a warm cycle – so the food doesn’t collect condensation when removed from the unit.
- Do a test storage trial. This is something we like to do. We put freeze-dried foods in a Ziploc bag and stored them in a cool, dry place for a day. If the bag collects any condensation, it wasn’t properly freeze-dried. We use that data to adjust the time for future loads – and then eat those treats sooner than later. If the bag has no condensation, we know it’s ready for long-term storage!
- Store the freeze-dried pears in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. They do best in Mylar bags or Mason jars with an oxygen absorber. They can last up to 25 years.
Freezing-drying pears is a simple and effective way to preserve them for long-term storage. With a Harvest Right freeze dryer, you can easily freeze-dry pears at home and enjoy their delicious taste and nutritional benefits for years.
How to Use Freeze-Dried Pears
Freeze-dried pears can be rehydrated by soaking them in water for a few minutes before using them in recipes. They can be used in various dishes, including smoothies, baked goods, and trail mix. Here are some of our favorite ways to use your freeze-dried pears.
In Baking
Freeze-dried pears can be used in baking to add a unique flavor and texture to your favorite recipes. They can be ground into a powder and added to cake or muffin batters or used as a topping for pies and tarts. You can also rehydrate them and use them to fill pastries or turnovers.
In Cooking
Freeze-dried pears can be used in savory dishes as well. They can be added to salads, used as a topping for oatmeal or yogurt bowls, or as a garnish for cocktails. They can also be rehydrated and used in stir-fries or as a side dish for meat or poultry.
As a Snack
Freeze-dried pears make a delicious and healthy snack from the Mylar bag. They are perfect for on-the-go snacking or as a lunchbox treat. They are also a great addition to trail mix or granola.
Nutritional Benefits
Freeze-dried pears retain most of their nutritional value, making them a great source of vitamins and minerals. They are high in fiber, which can aid in digestion and promote feelings of fullness. They also contain antioxidants, which can help protect against cell damage.
You can read more about the nutritional value of freeze-dried foods in my article here: Does Freeze-Drying Foods Kill It? (Bacteria, Virus, Nutrients, Enzymes).
Convenience Benefits
Freeze-dried pears are extremely convenient. They have a long shelf life and can be stored in airtight containers for months. They are also lightweight and easy to transport, making them a great option for camping or hiking trips. Additionally, they are already peeled and sliced, saving you time and effort in the kitchen.
Where to Buy Freeze-Dried Pears
Freeze-dried pears are a convenient and healthy snack that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere. They are nutritious and are a great alternative to junk food. If you want to buy freeze-dried pears but can’t wait for a freeze-drying batch, here are some options to consider for pears ASAP.
Online Retailers
Online retailers are a great option for buying freeze-dried pears. They offer various brands and flavors; you can compare prices and read reviews before purchasing. Some popular online retailers that sell freeze-dried pears include the following. We are not affiliated with any of these websites.
- Crispy Green: This website offers a variety of freeze-dried fruits, including pear slices.
- The Rotten Fruit Box: This website offers organic freeze-dried pear snack pouches.
- Nature’s Turn: This website offers all-natural pear crisps that are freeze-dried.
- NorthBayTrading.com: This website offers freeze-dried pear slices.
If you’d rather get freeze-dried pears (including some of the brands listed above) from Amazon, you can check out Amazon’s full selection of dried pears at this link. You’ll want to read the product description carefully, though, as Amazon tends to list the freeze-dried pears with the regular-dried pears (and they’re totally different products). I tried separating out the search for you, but Amazon’s algorithm overrode my search parameters.
Local Stores
If you prefer to buy freeze-dried pears in person, you can check your local health food, grocery, or specialty food stores. Some popular stores that may carry freeze-dried pears include these stores.
- Whole Foods Market
- Trader Joe’s
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Costco
- Walmart
It’s always a good idea to call ahead and check if the store carries freeze-dried pears before making a trip. There’s not much worse than getting to a store and finding that they’re out of stock.
Next Steps
Now that you know more about freeze-drying pears, it’s time to add them to your food storage – or at least your shopping list. They are one of my absolute favorite freeze-dried (or fresh!) fruit treats. Once you’ve tried freeze-dried fruit, you’ll get why so many of us call it candy.
Then again, freeze-dried candy is a whole other ballgame – and a fun one at that. You may want to check out my guide on How to Freeze Dry Candy and Sweets at Home next.
