Freeze dry machine for candy how to#

Since the home freeze-dryer market is relatively new, not all states have a reference point for how to regulate products made through this process. You’ll want to research your state’s cottage food law on this one. Is selling freeze-dried candy legal in your state? Your state will have its own rules for home-based food businesses. Successfully finished freeze-dried candy will have a burst of intense flavor, with interesting texture, and usually a crunch.įreeze-dried candy can also be great for those who have braces or dentures – when completely dried, the light, airy texture is not sticky – even caramels and Jolly Ranchers will puff up into crispy clouds that melt in your mouth. And anything too hard will not expand as well (lollipops, peppermints), although there are some tricks that can help (like preheating in the household oven for a few minutes before adding to the freeze-dryer). Gummy candies can be tricky, depending on their ingredients. Caramels and marshmallows will overperform, and often need to be cut up into smaller pieces – otherwise, they can expand to fill your machine! Once done, the candy needs to be stored in airtight packaging, to keep the texture and prevent any reabsorption of moisture.Ĭertain candies work well for this process: Freeze-dried Skittles are probably the most well-known example, along with other chewy candies like saltwater taffy. Running a batch of candy through the machine takes a few hours, to ensure that any moisture is completely removed. So, how is freeze-dried candy made?Ĭandies are processed inside a freeze-dryer, which places them under a vacuum while applying a bit of heat to help them expand. This post may contain affiliate links for products we recommend (this means that if you make a purchase through one of our links, we will earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you). Will it be a short-lived trend? It's hard to say, but for now, it's on the rise, and definitely an interesting opportunity in states where it is allowed as a home-based food business! In any freeze-dried candy group, you'll read stories of sold-out vendor shows, freeze dryers being paid off quickly, and sellers who now have multiple machines producing and are packaging candy nonstop, who are still unable to keep up with the demand for more. It is a popular item in online videos, where TikTokkers test the crunch and flavor of their favorite candies that have now been transformed into tasty puffballs.Ĭuriosity leads to a demand for products, and many food entrepreneurs jumped on the opportunity immediately, and successfully. The internet adores anything different and good, and this phenomenon fit the bill. Add in the fact that you can generally only buy it from someone with a freeze dryer, and you have a hot product: customers are actively looking for anyone who can sell it to them. If you’ve ever had freeze-dried fruit, and noticed its enhanced sweetness, along with the puffed, crunchy texture, you’ll understand the attraction of freeze-dried candy. It's also taken off as a hot product for the small businesses and food vendors who can produce it. On today's menu? Selling freeze-dried candy.įreeze-dried candy is a modern marvel, a product of the growing home market for freeze-dryers, combined with folks who love to experiment with their machines. We'll also share links to resources and to posts about starting and running that type of business. In this “Explore” series, each post will take a look at a different home-based food business idea.

Freeze dry machine for candy