Freeze-Drying Candy: Air Fryer Magic?

Freeze-dried candy is a fun and innovative way to enjoy sweets with an extended shelf life and a novel, crunchy texture. The process involves freezing candy and then reducing the surrounding pressure to allow the frozen water in the candy to change from a solid to a gas, skipping the liquid phase. This can be done using a specialised freeze-drying machine, or through DIY methods using a deep freezer or dry ice. However, can this process be replicated using an air fryer?

The short answer is no. Air fryers operate by blowing extremely hot air at food, mimicking frying, which is the complete opposite of the freezing process required for freeze-drying. At such high temperatures, candy will typically melt or deform, resulting in an unpleasant final product. Therefore, air fryers are not suitable for freeze-drying candy and should not be used as a substitute for freeze-dryers.

Why freezing candy is important

Freezing candy is important for several reasons. Firstly, it can extend the shelf life of the candy, keeping it fresh and edible for longer. This is especially useful for candies that have a short shelf life at room temperature or in the refrigerator. For example, homemade candies like fudge, divinity, brittle, taffy, creams, and caramels can be frozen to prolong their freshness.

Secondly, freezing candy can be a convenient way to stock up on treats for special occasions or holidays. By buying candy on sale after holidays like Halloween or Valentine's Day and freezing it, you can save money and have a ready supply of candy for baking or treats during the holidays. This also allows you to start your holiday baking earlier, as you already have the necessary candy on hand.

Additionally, freezing candy can help with portion control and reduce the temptation to eat it all at once. If you have a large amount of candy, you can freeze some of it for later instead of feeling pressured to consume it all before it expires.

Freezing candy is also important for those who live in warm climates. Chocolate, for example, can melt in hot temperatures, so storing it in the freezer can help maintain its shape and texture. Dark chocolate can last up to two years in the freezer, while milk and white chocolate can last up to 10 months.

Lastly, freezing candy can be a fun and novel way to experience your favorite treats. Freeze-dried candy, in particular, transforms the candy's size, shape, and texture, resulting in a crunchy and airy delight with an intensified flavor. It can be a unique gift idea or even a side business venture.

The science behind freeze drying

Freeze drying, also known as lyophilization or cryodesiccation, is a dehydration process that involves freezing a product and subjecting it to low pressure to remove the ice by sublimation. This is in contrast to conventional dehydration methods, which use heat to evaporate water.

The fundamental principle behind freeze drying is sublimation, which is the transition of a substance from a solid directly into a gas. In the case of water, this occurs when water molecules gain enough energy to break free from the molecules around them, but the conditions are not right for a liquid to form. This can be achieved by lowering the temperature and pressure.

Freeze drying typically involves four stages: pretreatment, freezing, primary drying, and secondary drying. During the freezing stage, the material is cooled below its triple point, the temperature at which solid, liquid, and gas phases can coexist. This ensures that sublimation rather than melting will occur in the following steps.

The primary drying phase involves lowering the pressure and applying a small amount of heat so that the ice sublimates. In this phase, about 95-98% of the water in the material is removed. The secondary drying phase aims to remove any remaining unfrozen water molecules, as the ice was removed in the previous phase.

Freeze drying is often used for food preservation as it helps to extend the shelf life of the food while maintaining its quality. It is also commonly used in pharmaceuticals to increase the shelf life of products and make them more stable and easier to ship.

The best candies for freeze drying

Freeze-dried candy is a fun and exciting way to enjoy your favourite treats. The process of freeze-drying removes moisture from the candy, intensifies its flavours, and gives it a unique, crunchy texture.

When choosing the best candy to freeze-dry, opt for those with a high moisture content. This is because the freeze-drying process removes about 98% to 99% of the water content in the candy, so candies with low moisture content may not yield the best results.

Skittles

Skittles are a great choice for freeze-drying. They have a satisfying crunch and intensified fruit flavours. The freeze-drying process transforms Skittles, making for a fun presentation and a novel tasting experience.

Starburst

Freeze-dried Starbursts offer an intense fruit flavour and a satisfying crunch that melts in your mouth.

Airheads

Airheads have the same great taste as their traditional counterparts, but with an intensified flavour and a unique, crunchy texture.

Taffy

Freeze-dried taffy has a light and airy crunch that melts in your mouth, providing a satisfying experience with every bite. Saltwater taffy is a great option for chewy, fruit-flavoured candy.

Sour Patch Kids

Sour Patch Kids are a popular choice for freeze-drying, especially among candy lovers who enjoy intensified fruit flavours and a crunchy texture.

Gummy Bears

Gummy bears are another excellent option for freeze-drying, especially for those who love gummy candy. The freeze-dried version has a crunchy texture and intensified fruit flavours.

Twizzlers

Twizzlers are a great choice for those who want a light and crispy texture with intensified fruit flavours.

Smarties

Smarties have a light and crispy texture when freeze-dried, and their fruit flavours are intensified, making them a popular choice for candy lovers.

Reese's Pieces

Reese's Pieces have a satisfying crunch and intensified peanut butter and chocolate flavours, making them a unique treat for fans of the classic candy.

M&M's

M&M's take on a light and crispy texture when freeze-dried, and the chocolate and candy-coated shell flavours are enhanced.

Nerds

Nerds have a satisfying crunch and intensified fruit flavours that will surely satisfy any candy lover.

Sour Skittles

Sour Skittles have a satisfying crunch and intensified sour fruit flavours, making them a fun and tangy treat.

Butterfinger

Freeze-dried Butterfingers have a light and crispy texture, with intensified peanut butter and chocolate flavours that will delight your taste buds.

Kit Kat

Kit Kats become light and crispy when freeze-dried, with the chocolate and wafer flavours intensified, making them a unique treat.

Sour Candy

Sour candies, such as Sour Patch Kids, Warheads, Sour Skittles, Sour Punch Straws, and Sour Belts, are also excellent choices for freeze-drying. The process intensifies their sour flavours and gives them a unique, crunchy texture.

There are many other candies that can be successfully freeze-dried, such as Hershey's Chocolate Bars, Whoppers, Rolos, Jolly Ranchers, and more. The key is to choose candies with sufficient moisture content that can be manipulated during the freeze-drying process.

Happy freeze-drying!

How to prepare your air fryer

To prepare your air fryer for use, start by removing any packaging materials and giving all parts and accessories a good clean. Place the air fryer on a level, flat, and dry surface, ensuring there is enough clearance around the appliance. Refer to your owner's manual for specific setup instructions.

When preparing food for air frying, spritz or brush a light coat of oil onto proteins or vegetables, followed by your desired seasoning. If you are reheating food, you can skip the oil. Lightly coat the basket of the air fryer with an oil spray to prevent sticking, then place the food in one even layer across the bottom of the basket for an even bake.

Avoid air frying foods with wet batters, such as beer-battered fish, or delicate leafy greens, as these may swirl around the basket. Most air fryers will require you to shake the basket at least once during the cooking process to ensure even cooking, so don't stray too far from your air fryer while it's in use.

Pros and cons of freeze drying candy in an air fryer

Freeze-dried candy is a fun and innovative way to enjoy sweets with an extended shelf life and a novel texture. The process involves freezing candy and then reducing the surrounding pressure to allow the frozen water in the candy to sublimate directly from ice to vapour.

Pros of Freeze-Drying Candy in an Air Fryer

• Air fryers are a more affordable option than buying a freeze dryer, which can cost thousands of dollars.
• Air fryers can remove moisture at low temperatures, yielding a preservation effect similar to freeze-drying.
• The process does not cook out the flavours of the candy, maintaining a high level of taste intensity.
• Freeze-dried candy has a unique, crunchy texture and an intensified flavour.
• Freeze-dried candy has a longer shelf life than its non-preserved counterparts.

Cons of Freeze-Drying Candy in an Air Fryer

• Air fryers work by blowing extremely hot air at food, which will melt or deform the candy.
• Air fryers do not reach the extremely low temperatures required for freeze-drying, which is typically between -30°F and -50°F (-34°C and -45°C).
• The results will not be identical to freeze-dried candy, and the candy may be overly dense.
• Air fryers are not designed to create a vacuum, which is a crucial step in the freeze-drying process to remove moisture.
• The high temperature of air fryers can irreversibly alter the composition of food items.

Frequently asked questions