How to Freeze Dry Skittles

One of the fun perks of having a freeze dryer is being able to make freeze dried candies.  And with the update on the current Harvest Right machines, they now come with a candy mode which makes freeze drying candies super fast.

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Freeze dried candies are all the rage right now.  So many people are loving these tasty treats.  Freeze dried candy is fun because the texture and flavor of each candy changes and becomes more enhanced.  

This post will be focusing on how to make freeze dried Skittles.  But you can learn all about freeze drying other foods and candies in this post.  Freeze dried Skittles just happen to be our family favorite and on of the favorites of much of the freeze dried candy community.

But what is freeze drying?  Learn all about freeze drying and how it can benefit your family.

What are freeze dried Skittles? 

Freeze dried Skittles are a candy snack made by drying out the original Skittles candy (you can also freeze dry the specialty Skittles). The freeze drying process removes moisture from the candy, resulting in crunchy bite-sized pieces with all of the flavor of regular Skittles without the chewy texture.  In fact, freeze dried Skittles are very crunchy.

Are dehydrated Skittles the same as freeze dried?

No, dehydrated Skittles are very different from freeze dried Skittles. When foods or candies are dehydrated, the product is made by using heat to dry.  The product usually has a chewy texture and some flavor loss. 

The freeze drying process removes moisture from the candy without using any heat, resulting in crunchy and flavorful pieces of candy.  Most candies will expand as the moisture is released and have kind of a puffy look.  Freeze drying also enhances the flavors of the candy.

How long does it take to make freeze dried skittles?

Usually it takes 2-4 hours using candy mode on the freeze dryer.  

If your machine does not have a candy mode, it can take a little longer.  However, you can change the settings on your machine to:  0 for initial freeze, 4 hours extended dry time, and 145°F for temperature. This process can take anywhere from 4-10 hours.  It really just depends on what candy and how your machine reacts. 

Can you freeze dry Skittles and sell them?

Yes, you can sell freeze dry Skittles and other candies.  But each state and country has different laws on producing and handling food.  In our state, we can sell freeze dried candies under cottage laws without penalty to those in our state.  But if we sell outside of the state, we are required to have health and food permits.

Make sure to check your laws for sell, distributing and labeling products and candies you sell from your freeze drier.

What supplies do you need to freeze dry Skittles?

For successful freeze drying, you'll need:

• Harvest Right Freeze Dryer
• Skittles - we usually buy ours from Costco
• Colored Mylar Bags - 5.9x8.6  or 4x6
• Impulse Sealer - or you can use a flat iron to seal as well

How to Freeze Dry Skittles Video

How do you make freeze dried Skittles?

To properly freeze dry Skittles, you'll need a freeze dryer like the Harvest Right Freeze Dryer.  You'll spread the Skittles out onto the trays of the freeze dryer and turn the machine to candy mode.  Candy mode can take between 2-4 hours to remove the moisture from the candy.

Grab a pair of gloves and remove the Skittles from the tray.  Place them right into a air tight container or into fun Mylar bags to give to friends and family or sell.

Now that you know how to make freeze dried skittles, you can make loads of them for every occasion.  We gave them as gifts to teachers, friends and family for Christmas.  It was a big hit.  What are you going to freeze dry next?

VIDEO:  How to Freeze Dry Skittles 

Freeze Dried Skittles Recipe