27 Recipes Using Freeze Dried Fruit (2024)

FAQs

What can freeze-dried fruit be used for? ›

Though a variety of freeze-dried fruits are perfect for making homemade smoothies and juices, a handful of it can also go a really long way when it comes to adding a lovely burst of fruity flavor and a vibrant hint of color to a plethora of yummy snacks and treats.

Dried fruit can boost your fiber and nutrient intake and supply your body with large amounts of antioxidants. However, they are also high in sugar and calories, and can cause problems when eaten in excess. For this reason, dried fruit should only be eaten in small amounts, preferably along with other nutritious foods.

Make a Powder for Frosting, Whipped Cream, Cake Batter, and More. In a food processor, pulverize any freeze-dried fruit—strawberries, raspberries, mango, or apples—to make a powder that folds and dissolves effortlessly into cake batter, whipped cream, buttercream frosting, meringues, and more.

The process allows for better retention of certain vitamins, such as thiamin and vitamin C. In addition, freeze-dried fruit is rarely produced with added sugar, whereas some forms of dried fruit often have sugar added to them. Freeze-drying increases the shelf life of fruit beyond 25 years.

The optimal temperature for freeze-dried food storage is between 32°F and 75°F. Typically, room temperature is fine, but if you have space we recommend storing your FD foods in a cool dark pantry or closet for best results. Exposure to excessive heat will compromise the integrity of the food.

So back to the original question, can I just add water to reconstitute? Yes, however the final texture of the fruit will not be what it is in its fresh state, nor will nutrients magically reappear. Hydrating dried or freeze-dried fruits will also depend on your recipe use and desired result. It is also not necessary.

Sugar crash: Most dry fruits have a high glycaemic index which can quickly surge blood sugar levels and spike energy levels. Therefore, patients suffering from high pressure should strictly refrain from dry fruits.

The simplest way to use freeze-dried fruit is to eat it out of hand, alone, or as a component of snack mix or trail mix. You can also use freeze-dried fruit as a topping on cereal, yogurt, or ice cream. It's also a great option for hiking, camping, and traveling because it's so light and compact.

Some of the healthiest options with the most nutritional value include raisins, apricots, prunes and dates. But note that dried fruit may contain added sugar so opt for ones without as a healthier alternative.

The topmost ingredient used to achieve a true strawberry flavor and color, is freeze dried strawberries! Incorporating this into the cake mix was game changer. It's natural, no added sugar, has a long shelf life and can be eaten as a snack or mixed into smoothies, drinks, yogurt, and even cake batter and frosting!

Can you use freeze-dried fruit in oatmeal? ›

Overnight Oats (with Freeze-Dried Fruit!)

You can use any fruit flavor (one, or multiple) you want. The options are endless! This recipe makes 2 servings, and can easily be made dairy free and vegan.

Adding freeze-dried strawberries to your chocolate chip cookies takes them to a whole new level. The slight tartness of the strawberries ...

Storing Freeze-Dried Fruit

It estimated that unopened, freeze-dried fruit has a shelf life of up to 30 years! Once opened, they can last up to one year, if stored under proper conditions. It recommended storing them in a cool, dry place that isn't exposed to direct sunlight, such as a pantry.

To maintain the crispiness of the Crispy Fruit, keep the opened bags in an air-tight container or refrigerate unfinished bags. Refrigeration can rejuvenate the crispiness of freeze-dried fruit to a certain degree.

A person with diabetes can include dried fruit as part of a balanced, variety-filled diet. Experts advise to be mindful of portion size and pair dried fruits with an additional protein, fat and fiber source to prevent blood sugar spikes and reap the benefits that dried fruit can offer for your total health.

Freeze-dried foods are often used for hiking, camping, space exploration, emergency and survival applications, and military rations. They are preferred over regular foods due to their light weight, long shelf life, portability, and ease of preparation ( 9 ).

Most freeze-dried foods have a shelf life of 20-30 years if stored in optimal conditions. However, it's important to note that this is only an estimate and not a guarantee. The actual shelf life of a particular product may vary based on factors such as temperature, humidity, and exposure to light and air.

The best part is that the freeze dried fruit doesn't add any moisture to your pancakes while cooking and won't turn it into a soggy mess. Plus, the flavor of the fruit doesn't cook out, leaving you a perfect pancake with a super fruit taste and no sugar needed!

Unopened and stored in a cool place, it can last up to 25 years! But what about once you open that can? Once opened, most freeze-dried foods should last 6-12 months. Exposure to heat, light, oxygen, and moisture indicates how long the opened can of freeze-dried food will last.