Freeze Drying Peaches

Peaches are a staple in our household.  When peach season rolls around we are always happy to pick and can peaches.  However, canning peaches is time consuming and only one way to preserve and enjoy peaches all year long.

In recent years, we've found that we really enjoy freeze drying peaches not just to preserve them, but also because we can use freeze dried peaches for a variety of dishes.

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Creative Ways to Enjoy Freeze-Dried Peaches at Home

Freeze dried peaches are very versatile.  One our favorite ways to eat freeze-dried peaches is to add them to our morning smoothies, but there are lots of ways to enjoy them.

Some other ideas are:

• Add freeze dried peaches on top of cereal 
• Put peaches into trail mix or a dried fruit mix
• Incorporate freeze-dried peaches into muffins, cookies, or even homemade granola bars 
• Simply snack on freeze dried peaches
• Sprinkle peaches onto yogurt or ice cream

There are so many different ways to enjoy freeze dried peaches, but let's teach you how to make them.

Selecting the Perfect Peach

Selecting peaches for freeze drying is similar to picking them for canning.  Make sure to look for peach that are firm, plump, and ripe. Avoid those that are overly ripe or mushy.

The best peaches are those that are in season, but even peaches out of season taste yummy after freeze drying.  

Supplies Needed to Freeze Dry Peaches

Freeze Dryer Machine:  We use the large Harvest Right Freeze Dryer.  We decided to go with the large because it can hold more, which means filling less often versus running the machine more often.  But they come in small, medium and large.  And they released an Ex-Large version in 2023.

Vacuum Sealer: A vacuum sealer is a good investment if you plan to store your freeze dried goods in jars.  This eliminates the cost and need for oxygen absorbers.

Mylar Bags:  A Mylar bag is a great choice for storing freeze dried foods.  They come in many sizes and keep light from getting to foods.  They can be stored in tubs or 5 gallon buckets for easy access.  Make sure to purchase thick bags to avoid foods puncturing through and ruining your food supply.

Impulse Sealer: An Impulse Sealer is used to seal Mylar bags.  Heat is applied to the bag layers to seal them together and avoid moisture, air and light from penetrating the bags.

Oxygen Absorbers: Whether you plan to use Mylar bags or canning jars, you'll want to invest in oxygen absorbers.  These will be added to each Mylar bag and short term shortage jars.  This ensures that any oxygen in the packaging is absorbed and keeps the food from spoiling.  

You can purchase these in many places including from Harvest Right and even on Amazon.  We've had success with both, but you may need to try a few brands until you find one that works best for you.

Preparing Peaches for Freeze-Drying

Start by washing peaches thoroughly under cold running water.  This step is important to remove any dirt, debris, or pesticides that may be present on the surface of the berries. Once cleaned, it's time to remove the peels. 

Blanching is a popular method that helps loosen the skin, making it easier to peel off. Carefully place peaches in a pot of boiling water for about 30 seconds. Transfer the peaches to an ice bath to cool quickly. The blanching process will shock the peaches, causing the skins to easily slip off when gently rubbed. 

Pit the peaches. To do this, simply cut the peach in half or twist it gently to separate the two halves. Use a small spoon or your fingers to remove the pit from the center. For larger peaches, you may need to cut them into quarters before removing the pits.

Slice the peaches into halves, quarters or even into rounds.  Place them on the freeze-drying trays.  

At this point you can do one of two things.  Either place the trays in a traditional freezer for several hours to allow an initial freeze.  Or put them right into the freeze dryer to freeze.  Using a traditional freeze cuts back on the freeze drying time and can save you a little time or money down the road.

Add Peaches to Freeze Dryer

Once the peaches are frozen solid, transfer them to the freeze dryer, making sure they are evenly spaced to allow for proper air circulation. 

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific freeze dryer model regarding temperature settings and drying times. We just keep the factory settings and start our machine.  

The peaches typically take between 15-20 hours.  But that depends on moisture, temperature in the room, and even if they are freeze drying with other items at the same time.

Once the freeze-drying process is complete, carefully remove the peaches from the freeze dryer and package them.

VIDEO:  Freeze Drying Peaches

Storing Freeze-Dried Peaches

To keep your homemade freeze-dried peaches fresh and tasty, it's important to store them properly. Peaches being eaten in the next week can be stored in an airtight container, such as a mason jar, with an oxygen absorber

For long term storage, use a Mylar Bag or place peaches in a vacuum sealed mason jar.  Make sure to include oxygen absorbers in each Mylar bag.

Store peaches in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and moisture to maintain the peaches crisp texture and flavor.  Make sure they are tightly sealed to prevent any air or moisture from getting in.

Freeze drying peaches at home is super simple.  You are going to love how easy it is to preserve peaches for use all year long.

 

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