How to Freeze Dry Raspberries

Freeze-dried raspberries in a jar next to a bucket of fresh raspberries.

Freeze-Drying raspberries to create shelf-stable summer goodness all year long! Use them just as you would use fresh without having to take up valuable freezer space!

Prep Time1 10

Freeze Dry Time1 2

Total Time1 2 10

Course: Preserved Food

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Servings: person

Calories: 62kcal

Author: Darcy Baldwin

Equipment

Freeze Dryer

Ingredients

Raspberries

Instructions

Wash and gently dry your raspberries. I find an OXO salad spinner works wonders at gently removing excess moisture without damaging the raspberries. Just do a gentle spin.
Place onto a baking sheet or your freeze-drying trays and flash-freeze for at least 24 hours. This is to allow the raspberries to freeze individually, and to make the freeze-drying process more efficient.
Follow your machine's recommendations for freeze-drying. I set mine for a longer drying cycle of at least 24 hours. Your machine will guide you to the next steps.
Raspberries are done when they shatter easily in your hands. If there is any gumminess or sticking, extend your drying time.
Store in an airtight container of your choice such as a mason jar or mylar bag.

Video

Notes

Harvest your raspberry bushes throughout the season and flash-freeze raspberries until you get enough for a full freeze-dryer load. I just place the frozen berries into a suitable freezer bag ( I use these silicone freezer storage bags from Amazon) until I have enough to do a full load.

Take advantage of a great raspberry sale by visiting a few times during the sales week and stocking up. I use the flash-freeze method for those we wish to store before putting them into the bags for longer-term storage.

You can weigh an individual tray of fresh raspberries before you freeze them to record your starting weight. Once you're done freeze drying, record the weight after. This will indicate how much moisture is lost and how much you have to put back in to rehydrate fully. I don't find this necessary with individual fruit and vegetable ingredients. However, if you set aside one serving, that may be more helpful to you in the long run.

If your final intention is simply raspberry powder, it will be easier to puree raspberries, strain the seeds, and dry the liquid. You'll get more onto the trays.

Rehydrating

A simple water soak is enough to rehydrate raspberries for use as if they were fresh. They don't become exactly like fresh, but they do come close. Then use in any recipe!

Storage:

Freeze-dried fruits are best stored in airtight containers immediately in a cool, dark, dry place for long-term storage. Your raspberries should last at least ten years if properly stored.

You can use:

Canning jars that are vacuum sealed (I use this hand-held vacuum sealer because I love how easy it is to use, how long it lasts, and it's so handy!)

Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers that are heat-sealed.

Zippered mylar bags (good for short-term gift-giving or selling only).

Yields

4.5 oz fresh = .5 oz freeze-dried

1 C fresh = 1 Cup freeze dried = 2.5 Tablespoons (scant 1/4 cup)

Nutrition