If you love the taste of sweet, tangy raspberries picked fresh from the bush as much as I do, you might be wondering how to enjoy that flavor burst all year round?
The answer is freeze-drying!
Freeze-drying raspberries is an excellent way to preserve their taste and retain their nutrient content for long-term storage. They are shelf-stable without refrigeration and will last many years if stored correctly.
So whether you plan to snack on whole, dried raspberries, add them to cereals, or powder them for use in baking, this article will show you step-by-step how to freeze-dry raspberries at home.
Why Freeze-Dry Raspberries?
In my opinion, freeze-drying is one of the best ways to extend the shelf life of foods.
Although you need electricity to freeze dry the food initially, once dried it can be stored for up to 25 years without the need for any electricity at all. This means in a grid-down situation you can be snacking on raspberries you grew years ago!
Freeze-dried raspberries also take up less storage space than frozen raspberries – especially when powdered – freeing up your freezer space for other valuable foods.
Another huge advantage is that this preservation method retains most of the vitamins and antioxidants that you will find in fresh raspberries.
Freeze-dried raspberries are also versatile, they can be used in various recipes from smoothies to cakes!
Required Materials
- Home Freeze Dryer (and trays)
- Chest Freezer (for pre-freezing) – optional
- Mylar Bags or Mason Jars
- Oxygen Absorbers
- Impulse Sealer
- Blender – optional, for making raspberry powder
- Labels and Marker – for labeling your storage containers
- Freeze dry up to 10,000 lbs of fresh food every year.
- Preserve your gardens harvest & prepare for emergencies.
- Make your own camping & hiking meals.
- Freeze dry your own pet food.
Step-by-Step Guide to Freeze-Drying Raspberries
1. Harvest or Purchase Fresh Raspberries
I grow my own raspberries – a native variety that thrives in abundance in my area – and harvest them all season. Any that is surplus to our immediate needs get frozen in bags until I have enough to make up a load for the freeze dryer.
If you are harvesting raspberries, the best time to pick is when they are at peak ripeness and easily pull away from the bush. If they’ve fallen to the ground, they’re likely overripe.
Look for berries that are fully colored and plump, slightly tender but not mushy (the mushy ones go to the chickens). Avoid any with signs of mold or spoilage.
If you don’t grow your own, fresh raspberries from the store or pre-frozen raspberries work just as well for freeze-drying.
2. Inspect/Wash the Raspberries
Raspberries are delicate, and washing them can make them soggy. Since I grow mine organically without sprays, I skip washing but carefully inspect each berry for bugs, debris, or blemishes.
For store-bought berries, opt for organic when possible as this will reduce the need for washing. If you do choose to wash them, do so gently and pat dry with a paper towel.
3. Prepare the Raspberries for Freeze-Drying
During the harvesting season, I freeze excess berries in bags until I accumulate enough to run a full load. You can also freeze-dry less by adding them to a load with foods of similar moisture content. Other berries or herbs work well.
Once I have enough, I spread the frozen berries onto my trays for freeze-drying, leaving the raspberries whole to save time and retain their structure.
4. Pre-Freeze the Raspberries
Pre-freezing the raspberries before placing them in the freeze dryer is highly recommended. It can assist in maintaining their structure and shortens the freeze-drying cycle.
Once you have the raspberries arranged on the tray, just pop them in your deep freeze overnight.
5. Run the Freeze-Dry Cycle
I have a medium Harvest Right Freeze Dryer and just run the cycle on default settings for my machine. For four full trays of raspberries, the process generally takes just over 20 hours.
I do have my machine set to a default extra dry time of 24 hours. This means I can process the raspberries at a time that works for me (and not have the cycle finish in the middle of the night – a lesson I learned the hard way)!
Process:
- Load the Trays: Pop the frozen trays of raspberries into the freeze dryer.
- Start the Cycle: Simply follow your machine’s instructions – just don’t forget to close the drain valve!
- Monitor: It pays to check on your machine occasionally to make sure everything is running smoothly.
6. Packaging for Long-Term Storage
Once the cycle is complete you will need to package the raspberries as soon as possible. You have a couple of packaging options:
- Mylar Bags: These are best for long-term storage. Make sure you include a 300cc oxygen absorber and seal the bag using your impulse sealer.
- Mason Jars: These are suitable for shorter-term storage if you are planning on using the raspberries sooner. Add an oxygen absorber and ensure the lid is airtight. You can also vacuum seal your mason jar for longer-term storage.
Whichever option you choose, once packaged store the raspberries in a cool, dark location to maximize shelf life. And don’t forget to label your bags so you know what they are when you come back to them!
7. Powder the Raspberries (Optional)
I like to powder most of my raspberries as it cuts down even further on storage space.
To do this, you can just pop them straight into a blender such as a Vitamix. They powder extremely easily and the smell and color is amazing!
Tips for Best Results
- Choose raspberries that are not showing any signs of overripeness, mold, or damage.
- Make sure the raspberries are fully freeze-dried. They should be light, dry, and crisp.
- Minimize the time the freeze-dried raspberries are exposed to air and humidity before packaging.
8 Creative Ways to Use Freeze-Dried Raspberries
- Snacking: Eat them whole straight out of the jar for a healthy, crunchy snack.
- Trail Mixes: Add whole freeze-dried raspberries to mixed fruit and nut trail packs.
- Smoothies: Grind the raspberries into a powder using a blender like a Vitamix and add to smoothies for a burst of flavor and color.
- Baking: Use raspberry powder to dust chocolate cakes or desserts, adding a pop of color and tangy taste.
- Cereal and Oatmeal: Sprinkle whole or powdered raspberries over cereal or oatmeal.
- Yogurt Toppings: Mix into yogurt for added flavor and texture.
- Homemade Raspberry Ice Cream: Incorporate raspberry powder into homemade ice cream or sorbet recipes.
- Cocktail Garnish: Use whole raspberries or powder as a fancy garnish for cocktails and mocktails.
Freeze-Drying VS Dehydrating/Freezing Raspberries
I’ve tried dehydrating whole raspberries previously but didn’t enjoy them nearly as much as the freeze-dried ones. Dehydrated raspberries can be hairy, lose their color and do not retain as much flavor.
Another way to store your raspberries is by freezing them. This preserves them well but requires quite a bit of freezer space if you grow a lot like I do. They will also have a much shorter shelf life. And if the power goes out? Soggy raspberries – ew!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Freeze-Dry Fresh Raspberries?
Yes, you can freeze-dry fresh raspberries using a home freeze dryer like the Harvest Right. Pre-freezing them helps maintain their shape and speeds up the process.
Are Freeze-Dried Raspberries Good?
Absolutely! Freeze-dried raspberries retain much of their original flavor and nutrients. While they make a great snack, I personally prefer using the powdered form in smoothies and cooking for enhanced flavor integration.
How Do You Use Freeze-Dried Raspberries?
There are numerous ways to enjoy freeze-dried raspberries:
- As a Snack: Eat them whole.
- In Smoothies: Use powdered raspberries for a flavor boost.
- In Baking: Incorporate into recipes or use as a decorative dusting.
- In Trail Mixes: Combine with nuts and other dried fruits.
Raspberry Dust Your Life!
Freeze-drying raspberries is super easy and the result is a versatile and long-lasting product. Whether you grow your own raspberries or purchase them, freeze-drying means you get to enjoy their deliciousness all year round.
Happy Freeze-Drying!
Don’t have a freeze-dryer yet and wondering if this appliance is right for you? Read my two-year, hands-on, no-holds-barred review of the Harvest Right freeze dryer here.
- Freeze dry up to 10,000 lbs of fresh food every year.
- Preserve your gardens harvest & prepare for emergencies.
- Make your own camping & hiking meals.
- Freeze dry your own pet food.
