foods you can freeze dry – Backyard Homestead HQ

Freeze drying foods can be a lot of fun - but it's also totally normal to wonder if what you're hoping will freeze-dry will actually do so. Which foods can you freeze dry - and which won't? The foods that will freeze-dry best and store for years are those which are not too high in fat or sugar content. Foods that are too high in fat or sugar content are more difficult or impossible to store freeze-dry for long term storage. Here is a guide to what will work - and what will fail. Ready to see what works - what doesn't - and what might work if you learn the right tricks? Here's everything I've learned by trial and error and loads of research. 77 Foods You Can Freeze Dry (with Ease) We've had our freeze dryer (click here to see which we recommend) for several years now, and we've found that it's possible to freeze-dry a ton of foods for storage. And it's fun to try new things - and see how they turn out. Even so, I've also found that it's a lot of fun to see what other freeze dryer owners are trying - and to see how they're loving what comes out of their freeze dryers. So, without further ado, here are 77 foods you can freeze-dry with ease - many of which we've done successfully ourselves. There are a few that we haven't tried - but our research and chatting with other freeze-drying fans show that it works well. Want to get the complete guide in an easy-to-download PDF? You can get this guide (and other cool exclusive subscriber goodies) when you subscribe to my free newsletter. Click here to open a new window to do that now. Fruits Fruits are, by far, one of the most popular things to freeze dry. Why? Fruits are tasty - and they don't lose any taste, deliciousness, or nutrition when freeze-dried. So once they've been processed, they're essentially candy - only it's the kind of candy that you won't get in trouble for eating... unless you don't drink enough water. Then you'll have some digestive troubles, but it's a self-correcting behavior. #FruitNotes1ApplesApplies are best freeze-dried in slices or small pieces. They can be plain or coated with something like cinnamon or caramel.3BananasBananas are a popular freeze-dried option in slices.4BlackberriesThese are great for adding to shakes or eating as is.5BlueberriesBlueberries freeze-dry better if properly prepared first.6CherriesThese will need to be prepped first, too. Delicious!7CitrusCitrus can freeze dry, but it takes extra effort to do so simply due to the sugar content and the design of the fruit and rind.8GrapesFreeze-dried grapes are better than candy!9Mandarin orangesThese deserve a special mention because they're the easiest type of citrus to freeze-dry.10MelonsSome melons freeze-dry better and easier than others - but all are delicious!11PeachesSliced peaches are amazing. You don't even have to blanch them - just slice, freeze-dry, and enjoy. I love these on cereal - I'll use milk or water to hydrate them, depending on how quickly I want to eat my breakfast.12RaspberriesMore fruit candy! I love using these in shakes or on cereal. I just add extra milk to hydrate them.13StrawberriesThese freeze-dry especially well when sliced or topped. This is another personal favorite for a topping on cold (or hot) cereals with milk.14PassionfruitSliced fruit candy!15PearsFreeze-dried pears are delicious treats.16PineappleCut pineapple into small pieces for best freeze-drying - then enjoy! Just remember to drink a lot of water with that freeze-dried fruit! Otherwise, calling it a "tummy ache" won't be an adequate description. Seriously. Drink plenty of water! Oh, and most fruit reconstitutes decently well, although it can all be eaten as is. In fact, for some fruits (I'm looking at you, watermelon!) it's just better to eat them as still freeze-dried. I haven't had much luck reconstituting that without turning it into a melon soup. Others have had luck with that, though. Patience and a humid environment seem to be the key factors. Vegetables I love freeze drying vegetables. They're easy, they work well, and most reconstitute just fine. There are a few that don't reconstitute as well, but that's okay. Those can be powdered to add as a not-so-sneaky source of nutrition (and fiber) or added to a soup or stew. Or chili! Chili is a fantastic option and one of my favorite freeze dryer-based meals. In any case, here are how the various vegetables do - along with some notes. #VegetableNotes17AsparagusPer my research, this freeze-dries great. Just be sure to reconstitute it slowly and via humidity or it will get super soggy.18BeetsAnother veggie I haven't tried, but gets rave reviews in my research.19BroccoliCut up the florets into small pieces for optimal freeze-drying. If you're impatiently reconstituting them as I do, just add them directly to a soup.20CarrotsSliced carrots work best, though sticks would probably work, too.21CauliflowerSome people say it's like keto popcorn!22CeleryA few people can reconstitute celery with success, but the rest of us just cut it into small bits and then powder it to add to our meals. I've heard it does better as part of a meal, like a tuna salad (made with a mayo replacement) than alone.23CornRemember to remove the corn from the cob - and those delicious pieces of corn should freeze-dry all right.24Leafy GreensLeafy greens freeze-dry fine - but do become majorly brittle and powdery once removed from the trays. So if you're wanting them for a salad? It won't end well. But if you're okay with greens that are kinda powdered, then they're a great option.25MushroomsMushrooms are one of my favorite things to freeze-dry. Just slice them, freeze-dry them, and go. They are extremely versatile and can handle being reconstituted in a variety of ways - or being turned into powder.26OkraPer my research, sliced okra does best.27OnionsOnions can be plain, diced, chopped, sliced, caramelized, or in a dish. Just know that the smell and flavor may affect any other food that's in the freeze dryer - and for several loads after.28PeasPeas freeze-dry fantastically - and you don't even have to do much with them.29PeppersSlice, dice, or chop them up. They work great!30PotatoesI've heard that thinly sliced potatoes make a great option for homemade, freeze-dried potato chips!31Sweet PotatoesThese are fantastic once freeze-dried, whether alone or added to a dish. Just remember that each of these does reconstitute differently - some will need to be put in a bowl of water while others will need to be put in a humid environment and given plenty of time. Speeding those veggies' reconstitution up will result in soggy vegetables that may have an off-putting crunch in the center. Dairy Dairy can freeze-dry amazingly well, which is great - because it's the only long-term storage option for dairy unless you want to get a milk cow (or goat). But by freeze-drying your dairy products, you don't have to worry about remembering to feed and milk it. So here's how some common dairies work in the freeze dryer. #DairyNotes32CheeseCheeses turn into chips - and can be delicious as-is or reconstituted slowly in a humid baggy.33Cream CheesePer my research, this freeze-dries well in slices and is a fantastic substitute for mayonnaise in your food storage plans.34EggsEggs freeze-dry amazingly - and can be freeze-dried raw, cooked, sliced, chopped, or in any way you want to do it. We keep several Mylar bags of raw, scrambled eggs on hand for cooking and general food storage. We're also experimenting with separated yolks and egg whites for long-term, fancy baking food storage.35Heavy CreamThis can be a lot harder to freeze dry, but it is possible. You may want to water it down to help it freeze-dry better. Once dried, it'll be a powder that sticks - but can be scraped off of the trays for storage.36MilkMilk freeze-dries great - even whole milk. Whole milk won't keep as long as skim milk will, but it's nice to finally have a viable, long-term option for storing whole milk!37Yogurt/KefirYogurt and kefir freeze-dry great. In fact, if you do little droplets of yogurt (or freeze them into small amounts in silicone mold), they're like melts - and candy. My kids love freeze-dried yogurt drops! Freeze-dried dairy products are amazing. We love freeze-drying our chicken's fresh eggs (if we have any extras) for long-term storage. If the idea of freeze-drying fresh eggs doesn't appeal to you, and you want to read about more ways to store your fresh eggs safely, read my article on it here. The freeze-dried yogurt is another favorite. In my research, I've found several examples and stories of people who were able to reconstitute the freeze-dried yogurt well enough that they could use it to make more yogurt. I haven't personally tried it, but it was cool to read about as an option! Meats Being able to freeze-dry meat for food storage has been one of my favorite things. It's a great way to save leftovers, plan for that zombie apocalypse, or just be prepared in case of a dinner where you thought you had that cut of meat on hand - only to realize you were mistaken. Here are some of the meats we've freeze-dried, reconstituted, and the meats that I've found others have freeze-dried successfully in my research. #MeatNotes38BaconThis one did shock me - bacon is so fatty I wouldn't have thought it would work. However, multiple people have said that they're able to successfully freeze-dry bacon, though they don't let it sit long before eating it because of the fat content and risk of it going rancid.39BeefBeef can be freeze-dried in many forms. Full steaks don't do as well unless cut up or given plenty of time to reconstitute, though. 40ChickenSliced chicken (cooked or raw) freeze-dries well. I like to keep several bags of cooked, freeze-dried chicken on hand in case of a meal that needs protein fast. Some of the meat does powder, but then it's great in soups or stews.41Deli MeatI've not tried deli meats, but my research says it's possible - though quite hard. The trick seems to be putting several slices together and using a tray liner.42Game MeatGame meat does great whether it's sliced, diced, chopped, or in chunks.43Ground MeatsGround meats are fantastic freeze-dried food! We prefer to cook it first, remove excess fat for better storage potential, and then seal it up. It's great for last-minute chilis, soups, stews, or as loose ground meats for meals like a shepherd's pie.44JerkiesJerkies can be stored longer if freeze-dried, but if you made them properly beforehand, freeze-drying them too is almost an overkill.45PorkKalua pork is supposed to be especially tasty once freeze-dried, as are any other pork cuts or products. The sad truth: I'm allergic to pork, so this is all research-based.46PoultryPoultry and fowl in general also freeze-dry well. We've freeze-dried turkey, chicken, and my research shows that pretty much any other poultry does great, too.47SausageWe haven't tried sausage, but my research indicates it does well in patties, separated like ground meats, or in links. A quick note about making jerky - you can't really make jerky in a freeze dryer, but you can freeze dry already-made jerky. However, there's some nuance to it. For more details on making jerky in a freeze dryer, read my article on it here. My favorite things to do with freeze-dried meats are to use them in soups, stews, casseroles, or chili. Other people have had great luck reconstituting steaks and then grilling them. In any case, freeze-drying doesn't limit you much when it comes to your meats and proteins. Full meals Whether your'e camping or just storing some meals for a busy day, full meals can be put into the freeze dryer and come out fantastic. Here are a few that I've tried or found in my research. #MealNotes48BrothMany people make their own broths and then freeze-dry them into a powder. Essentially, they're making their own bouillon. Pretty cool, huh?49Buah MerahIn my research, several people said they'd successfully freeze-dried a meal they called Buah Merah - they didn't provide any links, descriptions or pictures, though, so I'm not sure how it would be different from the Indonesian fruit.50ChiliYou can freeze-dry chili ingredients separately or together - just add water and enjoy some fantastic homemade chili.51GuacamoleAs long as you're adding some lemon or citric acid to your guacamole, it'll freeze-dry and reconstitute great without turning odd shades of gray. Don't forget the chips, though! You could use freeze-dried pieces of cheese as your chips.52Hamburger pattiesIn my research, several people noted they had freeze-dried hamburger patties. Some did so with cooked patties and others used raw. 53Keto mealsThere are a ton of keto meals that freeze-dry really well - and reconstitute easily, too.54KimchiMy research shows that kimchi is a popular option for freeze-drying. I wouldn't have guessed that!55LeftoversOkay, so "leftovers" isn't a dedicated meal, but it can be a great way to make sure you aren't wasting any food. And if you've got enough for a full (or several) meals? Package them separately for easier reconstitution and use.56Macaroni and CheesePer my research, homemade macaroni and cheese does better than boxed stuff, although that works okay, too.57PastaPasta alone is possible to freeze-dry, though it generally does better in a casserole or dish.58RigatoniAnother pasta dish that freeze-dries and reconstitutes well - and is super tasty!59SalsaOkay, so salsa isn't a whole meal - but it's great to know that you don't have to give it up in an emergency. It freeze-dries and reconstitutes well. In my opinion, it would also do fine if powdered then reconstituted. But my family disapproves of my chunky salsa, so there's that.60SoupSoups of all kinds can be freeze-dried for storage. Just add water to reconstitute, heat, and enjoy!61SpaghettiSpaghetti works well, though it works better if it's a fully prepared dish or casserole, kind of like baked spaghetti. style62StewStews also freeze-dry and reconstitute well. They are a personal favorite for camping!63Tuna (or chicken) saladMy research says these can be a great freeze-drying option if you use a mayonnaise substitute - like cream cheese. It won't work well if you use the mayo. Then, when you're ready for dinner, just grab your Mylar bag (or bags) of food, prep it for reconstitution, and go. It's a great way to make sure you've got ultralight meals for backpacking, too! Candy and Treats It's totally possible to freeze-dry various candies and treats. Here are some of the most popular options - along with a few important notes from my experience and research. #TreatNotes64CaramelsThese can be tricky to freeze-dry, but my research shows it's possible if it's cut into small bits.65CheesecakeCut the cheesecake into small pieces to be able to freeze-dry it. You can eat it that way or reconstitute it slowly in a humid area (like a Ziploc baggie).66Gummy bearsMy research says it works - but we haven't tried it because we aren't a gummy bear family.67Ice creamUse small scoops - and make sure you've got your freeze-dryer set up to go from a cold state or it'll melt. Once freeze-dried, it's delicious!68Ice cream sandwichesMake sure they're cut into small pieces or they won't freeze dry as well. Also, a small bite goes a long way!69JelloAnother option based purely on research, as we haven't tried it. Use small jello cubes for the best results.70MarshmallowsYou thought marshmallows were good before? Try freeze-drying them.71SkittlesYup - skittles. These are amazing once freeze-dried. If you do freeze-dry a lot of candy, a word of warning: make sure you only eat them in small amounts. And, drink plenty of water. The sugar influx will cause huge digestive issues if you don't do both of these things! Other Finally, let's talk about a few other items and foods that can be freeze-dried successfully. #OtherNotes72BreadBread is easy to freeze-dry in small slices but can be hard to reconstitute if you're wanting a sandwich or toast. It works great as croutons or for stuffing, though.73CoffeeThis is a very popular freeze-drying option! Based on my research, it's great to freeze-dry leftover coffee for camping or days when you realize that you're out of grounds.74CondimentsKetchup, BBQ sauces, and mustards can be freeze-dried - just water them down and mix really well first so it'll work properly.75Dog treatsMy research shows that people love freeze-drying various things as treats for pets - bits of meats, homemade dog treats, and more.76Sourdough StarterIn all of my research, I was shocked to learn that people like to create sourdough starts - and then freeze-dry them. Apparently it's a great way to keep and store starts - and they reconstitute well enough to be viable as starts.77Spices and HerbsAny spices and herbs can be freeze-dried. From there, most will work best as powders. That's because most herbs and spices are pretty fragile to begin with - so it's easier to powder them than stress about getting little leaves off of the trays. Oh - but an important note about spices, herbs, and condiments - they're pretty fragrant and potent. So if you are freeze-drying them, make sure you're freeze-drying them with other foods that you don't mind any cross-sharing or cross-contamination of smells and tastes. For example, we once freeze-dried some garlic and onion - and it was great. Except that then the raspberries we processed at the same time had an odd taste - and so did the next couple of batches that came out of the freeze dryer. So if you are going to do spices and herbs, make sure you're sticking to savory foods - until you've been able to clean out the smell or for a couple more batches, anyway. 6 Foods that Can Freeze Dry - but Don't Reconstitute As Well (unless you know these tips) Okay, so there is some definite opinion in each of these foods and cases. But in my opinion, these foods are harder to reconstitute and/or don't reconstitute as well. Even so, here are some notes on each to help your experience go better than mine did. FoodNotesTips for Better ReconstitutionBreadTo me, freeze-dried bread (even reconstituted well) has an odd texture to it.Reconstitute slowly and with humidity, not soaking.BroccoliSmall pieces of broccoli will do better when reconstituting, but it will still fall apart pretty easily.Use it in a soup.CeleryCelery is hard to reconstitute. Those who have done it successfully say that time, humidity, and lots of patience are key. That or having it as an ingredient in the dish already.Powder it and use it for its flavor.Green beansGreen beans, due to their shell, need to be cut up small or shelled to freeze dry and reconstitute without being a soggy mess. I think it's better to dry them.Great for soups or powdered.PastaDon't freeze-dry plain pasta. Freeze-dry it in a casserole or meal instead.Reconstitute slowly.RiceParboiled rice will do better than fully-cooked rice once freeze-dried and reconstituted. Reconstitute and cook. In any case, knowing about these foods should save you some time and heartache - and a few oddly-textured meal experiments. What Foods Can't Be Freeze Dried? Ready to see which foods can't be freeze-dried? Here they are - along with some notes I've learned by experience and research. #Freeze-Drying FailureNotes1Oily and fatty foodsDue to the nature of fat, it doesn't freeze-dry well. It just goes rancid over time. Foods with fats in them can still be freeze-dried, but it's smart to expect those foods to have a shorter shelf-life.2Super sugary foodsDue to the structure and nature of sugar, it's harder for them to freeze-dry. Always test super sugary foods for moisture before storing them in mylar bags.3Alcohol (wines, spirits)From what I've read and been told, alcohol doesn't freeze-dry at all. Attempts end in huge messes. However, if a dish has a small amount of cooking alcohol in it, it should be okay.4Bones (like for broths)Bones don't freeze-dry. I haven't tried them in our freeze dryer - apparently, I'm not as adventurous as other homesteaders because this idea/info came from someone else.5ButterButter won't freeze dry on its own. If it's an ingredient in something, it can work for short-term storage via freeze-drying.6ChocolatePure chocolate won't freeze-dry. If it's smaller pieces that aren't 100% cacao, then it may freeze-dry as an ingredient in something else.7Chai teaI haven't tried this, but others (who have tried it) assure me it doesn't work - all it does is create a huge mess.8Heavy CreamHeavy cream, due to its high-fat content, won't freeze-dry well unless watered down and/or first being frozen in an ice cube tray. Even then, it's a shorter-term storage food.9HoneyHoney is too sugary and viscous to freeze-dry. Even crystallized honey won't freeze-dry. However, honey lasts well for months or longer on its own, so attempts at freeze-drying it is probably going overboard anyway.10MayonnaiseProper mayonnaise is too fatty to freeze-dry and it becomes a greasy, nasty mess inside the freeze dryer chamber. If you want to store a mayo substitute, freeze-dry cream cheese instead.11NutsWhole nuts don't freeze dry well, though freeze drying them can freshen stale nuts. If you want to freeze dry a baked goods that has chopped nuts in it, though, it should be just fine.12NutellaNutella doesn't freeze-dry well because it's made of nuts, sugar, and fat - the three things that don't freeze-dry! It may freeze-dry okay as an ingredient in something, though.13Peanut ButterPeanut butter doesn't freeze-dry well due to its sugar and fat content. It may freeze-dry all right as an ingredient of something, though.14Jams, Jellies, and PreservesThe sugar content of these foods makes them impossible to freeze dry. It's better to freeze-dry the fruits in their original, sliced-up form - and then reconstitute those and make the jams/jellies/preserves when needed.15SodaSoda is too sugary to freeze-dry well. You might be able to freeze-dry soda to some degree if it's frozen first in an ice cube tray - but then you'd lose all of the carbonation. In any case, it would no longer be soda.16SyrupSyrups are too sugary and viscous to freeze-dry. However, they do generally last a long time on their own, so freeze-drying is probably an overkill.17WaterReally. People have tried this. During the freeze-drying process, all the water gets removed, so really... why bother? Okay, so in their pure forms these foods won't be able to be freeze-dried. But as ingredients? They may work just fine. Want to get the complete guide in an easy-to-download PDF? You can get this guide (and other cool exclusive subscriber goodies) when you subscribe to my free newsletter. Click here to open a new window to do that now. Freeze Drying FAQs Now, let’s make sure that you’ve got all of your freeze drying foods related questions answered - beyond the tips I've included in this post (make sure you check that section, too!). Here are some of the most commonly-asked questions I’ve asked, researched, or been asked by someone like you. Oh, and if you don’t see your specific question (or answer) here or in the tips section below, feel free to shoot me an email. I’ll try to respond to as many emails as I can – and I’ll get your question added to this post. To find out how to email or contact me, click here. How Do You Know that a Food is Properly Freeze-Dried? Foods that are adequately freeze-dried are totally dry. We always test several pieces of whatever we were freeze drying. We feel it and try to snap it in two. If it snaps easily, has no visible or tactile moisture, and tastes dry (yeah, we taste it), then we'll move it from the trays directly to a large ziploc bag. Then, we store the freeze-dried food in a closed Ziploc baggie of an appropriate size (and we remove all the air humanly possible) for a couple of days on our counter. We do make sure we keep the food out of the sun, though. Why leave it on the counter for a few days? We're testing it for moisture content. If our freeze-dried food stays dry in the closed Ziploc baggie for a couple of days, it's good and freeze-dried. We'll then move it to a Mylar bag for long-term storage. However, if we can see moisture in the bag, we know that the food wasn't adequately freeze-dried for long-term storage and we don't waste an expensive Mylar bag or food that spoiled unawares. But it will still be safe for immediate consumption - and we add it to our meal plan. This way, we're freeze-drying foods for long-term storage, making sure foods are properly freeze-dried, and not having any waste. It adds a step now, but it prevents a lot of future problems. Can You Freeze Dry Fat? Pure fat doesn't freeze-dry well, no. Due to the structure of fat and the freeze-drying process, it just doesn't mesh well. Foods that are pure fat (check two sections down on butter for an example) will not freeze-dry well at all. However, foods that have some fat can freeze dry - and they freeze-dry fairly well. These foods may only be shelf-stable for a few years, though, depending on the fat content. Here's a good rule of thumb for freeze drying foods with fat: The more fat a food has, the shorter the shelf-life it will have once freeze-dried. This is because fat does go rancid - even if it's freeze-dried. So if you are wanting to freeze-dry fatty foods, that's fine. You can do so. We do it. Just don't expect those fatty, freeze-dried foods to be a main staple in your decades-long food storage plan. In fact, it would be better if you rotate them far more regularly than that - no more than a couple of months or years in storage, depending on the dish and overall fat content. Then, always be sure to check the foods when you're going to use them for general safety with a sniff test. If it smells rancid or inedible, toss it. Can You Freeze Sugary Foods? Sugary foods are harder to freeze-dry, but not always impossible (with a few exceptions, as noted earlier in this article). The trick is going to be in both sugar content and how small the pieces of the sugary foods are. The smaller they are - and the more surface area that's exposed for freeze-drying, the better it will work. Oh, and the hardest part about freeze-drying sugary foods? It's the mess. Sugary foods bubble up like crazy during the freeze-drying process. So expect to clean your trays, liners, or even the inside chamber of the freeze dryer, depending on what you're preparing for long-term storage. Can You Freeze Dry Butter? Butter alone will not freeze-dry no matter what you do to it, no. However, butter does freeze pretty well. So if you need to store butter for a while, stick it in your fridge or freezer. If your food or meal has butter as an ingredient, though, it should be able to freeze-dry. Just remember that, depending on the overall fat (and butter content), to adjust your expected shelf-life of the food to the shorter end of the spectrum. It probably won't be good after more than a few years - I'd sure not expect it to last the 25+ years of other foods. Freeze Drying Tips for All Foods All right - now let's go over a few tips I've learned (both the hard way of experiencing it myself and the easier way of reading about others' experiences with freeze drying). That way, you can save yourself the hours of time that I've spent figuring this all out. The #1 Tip for Freeze Drying Food Whatever you're freeze drying, do it in small pieces. That might mean you need to cut up foods small. Small things freeze-dry better, faster, and easier than big servings of food. For example, you could freeze dry a whole ice cream sandwich. It would take several cycles, though - and even then it may not be completely freeze-dried. That would mean the center of your ice cream sandwich might be melted and gross - and all that work was for nothing (because a melty, not fully freeze dried ice cream sandwich will need to be thrown out). However, if you cut that ice cream sandwich into 1-inch squares, it's going to do amazingly well in the freeze dryer. And then you've got lots of bite-sized treats to share - without having to worry about a mouthful of freeze-dried foods leaving you with a too-dry mouth. This tip isn't just for ice cream, though. It's the best tip for all foods that you want to freeze dry. Keep the food pieces small. The #1 Trick to Freeze-Drying Liquids (and the #2 Hack for all other foods) Whether you're trying to freeze-dry a liquid-based food or solid food, this hack will save you a ton of time and heartache. Here's the tip: freeze it first. For liquids, make use of an ice cube tray (or a silicone mold) and pour your liquid into that. Then, stick it in the freezer and wait. Either a plastic ice cube tray or a silicone mold are fantastic options, though the silicone mold is usually easier for removing your little iced cubes of whatever. You'll freeze the liquid into small portions, which will freeze-dry better, faster, and easier - and you won't be putting a tray full of liquid into your freeze dryer. I mean, you can do that - but it takes amazing skill to avoid spilling that all over the inside of your freeze dryer (trust me, I know!). For solids, cut your foods into small bits, line a tray, and spread the food out. Then, stick it in the freezer. This tip works great for solid foods, too, for a couple of reasons. First, it lets you shave some time off of your freeze drying process. Second, it lets you process food for second, third, and umpteenth batches of freeze-drying in the future.Third, freezing fresh foods is a good way to keep them safe and fresh for freeze-drying if they can't wait - and you can't freeze dry them right now. So go ahead and get all that food cut up, frozen, and store it in a freezer-safe plastic bag until you can put it in the freeze dryer. Personally, this is why I like having a second tray of Harvest Right freeze-dryer trays - that way, I can use one set for prepping the next set of foods to be freeze-dried while the other set is in the freeze dryer. That way, I'm not guessing at how much food fits on a tray - I already know. The #1 Tip for Reconstituting Freeze-Dried Foods When you're ready to reconstitute freeze-dried foods, make a test batch first. Hydrate it in various ways - and go slowly. Some foods, like mushrooms, will reconstitute just fine by being dumped in a bowl of water (no matter the temperature of the water). Other foods, like bread and pasta, won't reconstitute well that way. Other foods will need to be in a humid environment and given time to reconstitute. Bread, for example, does better in a humid plastic bag than in a bowl of water. In any case, test everything before you assume it'll be fine (it won't - I learned that the hard way with multiple foods!). Go slowly. Try multiple ways to add water. Then, if you don't think the food reconstituted a particular way, try something else. Or you can use the next tip to still use foods that didn't reconstitute as well. How to Use Freeze-Dried Foods that Don't Reconstitute Well In my experience, there are two ways to use freeze-dried foods that don't reconstitute well. If the food has already been partially (or fully) re-hydrated or reconstituted, use it in a soup or stew (or chili, if you can). Soups and stews are, by nature, a lot better medium for these kinds of foods.If the food is still freeze-dried and you just don't like how it reconstitutes, powder it first. Then, use it to flavor, enhance, or add nutrition to the meal without worrying about weird textures. You can use either of these tips on a one-time or regular basis. My family doesn't like the texture of mushrooms, but they love the flavor. So when I add freeze-dried mushrooms to meals, I powder it first. Then, we get all the flavor, nutrition, and taste - but none of the texture. But because I do love mushrooms (and freeze-dried mushrooms reconstitute well), I may also reconstitute a few to add to my own plate, too. How to Freeze-Dry Fruits with Peels and Rinds Freeze drying fruits with rinds or peels (like citrus) can be tricky. Generally, it's best if you remove the rinds or peels first and then slice the fruit up into thin pieces. Banana peels, for example, will not freeze dry - they just get all sorts of gross. So go ahead and peel the banana - and then slice it up first. Some types of citrus peels may kinda-sorta freeze-dry okay - if you slice the citrus into thin slices and poke some holes in the rind. Just keep in mind that citrus, due to the sugar content, will bubble up and expand in the freeze dryer. Personally, I haven't had reliable success with unpeeled citrus just yet. Fully peeled and sliced citrus does better. Watermelon rinds were another awesome failure. So go ahead and take those rinds off - and save yourself a failed load of freeze-dried fruits. How to Prep Fatty or Sugary Foods for Freeze Drying Some foods, even if they're high in fat or sugar content, can still be freeze dried. The trick is going to depend on which it is. For fatty (or oily) foods, remove as much of the grease as possible. You can do this in several ways. Select the leanest option available.Cook the food and drain as much fat off as possible. Once done cooking, pat dry with a paper towel to remove even more of the grease. This works fantastic with ground beef. We get the 90+% lean ground beef or turkey (when it's on sale) and use that. Once cooked, drained, and patted dry, it freeze dries great. And it reconstitutes great whether I want it as some sort of ground beef-based meal or in chili. All I have to do is add seasoning, water, and heat it up as needed. For sugary foods, reduce the overall sugar content as much as possible. You can do this in any of several ways. Add water to reduce the sugar content.Pat dry to remove excess sugar.Add the sugary food as an ingredient in a meal.Slice the sugary food into smaller pieces and try freeze-drying as is. For example, skittles are amazingly sugary. In fact, they're pretty much pure sugar. They'll bubble and expand some, but they'll still freeze dry. Condiments are another food that can be high in sugar. However, they can also freeze-dry well if you water them down sufficiently. Just make sure you mix it well! Finally, just because fatty and sugary foods don't freeze-dry well doesn't mean it won't work at all. They just won't be as shelf-stable as the foods that can freeze-dry and store for 25 years. They may only be good for a few months or up to a couple of years, depending on the food. So don't be afraid to experiment with fatty or sugary foods - just know that they may need to be eaten and enjoyed sooner than later. Related Questions Why Are Freeze Dryers so Expensive? Most freeze dryers are no longer prohibitively expensive but do have costs related to parts and labor. To read about making your own freeze dryer - or to find the freeze dryer that's the best deal, read this post we wrote about freeze dryer costs. Can You Store Food Outside in Winter? Long-term storage of food outside during the winter isn't advised due to temperature fluctuations and melting points. For more information on when it could be okay to store foods outside in winter for a short amount of time, read our article on it here. Want to know which freeze dryer we use? We've got the medium-sized Harvest Right home freeze dryer and highly recommend it (click here to check current pricing on their site).