How to Freeze Dry Sweets – The Complete Guide
Freeze drying sweets has taken the snacking world by storm. From crunchy marshmallows to airy gummy bears, the process transforms ordinary treats into light, flavour-packed bites with an incredible melt in your mouth sensation. At Freezologie in Wellingborough, we’ve mastered this craft to bring you the very best freeze dried candy – but if you’re curious about how it’s done, or even how to freeze dry candy at home, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
What is Freeze Dried Candy?
Freeze dried candy is exactly what it sounds like – your favourite sweets that have gone through a specialist drying process to remove almost all of their moisture. By reducing the water content, we change both the texture and shelf life of the sweets. What starts out as chewy, soft or sticky turns into something crunchy, light and bursting with flavour.
The process was originally developed for preserving food for astronauts. Today, it’s used for everything from camping meals to preserving fruit – and, of course, creating the irresistible freeze dried sweets you see in our Freezologie range.
Why Freeze Dry Sweets?
Freeze drying changes sweets in three main ways:
1. Texture – Chewy or gummy candies become airy, crispy and often puff up in size. Marshmallows get lighter, almost meringue-like, and chocolate-covered treats gain a delicate crunch.
2. Flavour – Without water to dilute the taste, the flavours become more concentrated, giving you an intense, sweet hit in every bite.
3. Shelf life – With moisture removed, sweets last far longer. Properly stored in airtight packaging, freeze dried candy can keep for months or even years without losing quality.
Popular Sweets to Freeze Dry
Some sweets work especially well with freeze drying because of their original texture and sugar content. At Freezologie, we’ve experimented with many types, but here are the favourites:
• Gummy candies – Bears, worms and fruit shapes puff up dramatically and take on a crisp crunch.
• Candies with marshmallows – Cereal marshmallows or chocolate-coated mallows become feather-light and almost dissolve on your tongue.
• Chewy sweets – Fruit chews and taffy turn brittle and shatter into flavour bursts.
• Hard sweets with a chewy centre – The contrast of textures becomes even more exciting after freeze drying.
The Science Behind the Drying Process
Freeze drying works by removing water through a process called sublimation. This is when ice turns directly into vapour without becoming liquid first. Here’s what happens step by step:
1. Freezing – The sweets are frozen at a very low temperature so the water inside becomes solid ice.
2. Vacuum drying – The frozen sweets go into a vacuum chamber. The pressure is lowered, and gentle heat is applied. This causes the ice to turn directly into vapour.
3. Final drying stage – Any remaining moisture is removed, ensuring a crisp, stable texture and extended shelf life.
Because the sweets never go through a liquid stage, they keep their shape, colour and flavour far better than with traditional drying methods.
How to Freeze Dry Candy at Home
While we use professional equipment at Freezologie, it is possible to try freeze drying sweets yourself – if you have the right tools.
1. Invest in a Freeze Dryer
A home-scale freeze dryer is the only reliable way to replicate professional results. Dehydrators and ovens can dry food, but they work with heat and airflow, not the sublimation process. That means they won’t create the same airy, crunchy texture that true freeze drying produces.
2. Prepare Your Sweets
Choose sweets with a higher water content for the most dramatic results. Gummy candies and candies with marshmallows work especially well. Spread them out in a single layer on the trays of your freeze dryer.
3. Start the Freezing Cycle
Your freeze dryer will first lower the temperature to freeze the sweets solid. This can take several hours depending on the model and the type of sweet.
4. Begin the Drying Process
Once frozen, the machine will create a vacuum and gently warm the trays. The ice inside the sweets will turn into vapour and be removed, leaving a crisp structure behind.
5. Cool Down and Store
When the cycle is complete, remove the sweets and allow them to cool to room temperature before sealing them in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags. This prevents moisture from creeping back in and keeps that perfect crunchy texture.
Tips for Best Results at Home
• Do not overload trays – Air needs to circulate freely around each sweet.
• Be patient – Freeze drying can take 20–40 hours depending on the batch size and water content.
• Store correctly – Even the smallest amount of moisture can make dried sweets sticky again.
• Experiment – Different brands and types of sweets react differently to the process, so try a few and see which you like best.
The Melt in Your Mouth Magic
One of the most exciting parts of freeze dried candy is the melt in your mouth experience. Because the sweets are now full of tiny air pockets, they break apart easily on the tongue and dissolve more quickly than their original versions. This creates a fun sensory contrast – crunchy at first, then instantly soft and flavourful.
Shelf Life of Freeze Dried Sweets
Properly sealed freeze dried candy can last a long time – anywhere from 12 months to several years. The key is keeping them away from moisture and light. At Freezologie, we use high-quality packaging that locks in freshness and ensures our sweets taste just as good months later as they did the day they were made.
For home storage, vacuum-sealing is best. If you don’t have a vacuum sealer, use airtight containers with silica gel packets to absorb any stray moisture.
Why Buy Instead of DIY?
While making dried sweets at home can be fun, there are reasons people love buying them ready-made from Freezologie:
- Consistency – Professional machines control temperature, pressure and time perfectly for the best results.
- Variety – We can offer a huge range of sweets that have already been tested for freeze drying.
- Convenience – No waiting 30 hours for a batch or investing in costly equipment.
The Freezologie Difference
Here at Freezologie, we take pride in producing freeze dried sweets that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Every batch is carefully monitored to ensure the perfect texture and flavour. We source popular sweets, treat them with care, and package them in fun, eye-catching designs that make them great for gifting or enjoying yourself.
Our customers love the surprise of seeing their favourite sweets transformed into something totally new – from puffed-up gummy bears to pastel-coloured marshmallow clouds. And because we remove the water content, our sweets have a fantastic shelf life without any need for refrigeration.
Final Thoughts
Freeze drying sweets is a fascinating blend of science and fun. Whether you’re curious about how to freeze dry candy at home or you just love the unique texture of professionally made freeze dried candy, it’s clear why this trend has taken off. The crunchy texture, the concentrated flavour, the melt in your mouth finish – it all adds up to a snacking experience like no other.
If you want to skip the long process and go straight to the fun part – tasting – you can explore Freezologie’s full range of freeze dried sweets online or at our Wellingborough base. We’ve done all the work to bring you perfectly dried sweets, ready to enjoy straight from the bag. One bite and you’ll see why they’ve become the snack everyone is talking about.
