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15 Creative Freeze Dried Fruit Uses

15 creative freeze dried fruit uses

Freeze dried fruit uses in dietary plans range from a simple, on the go snack to making delicious desserts. They come in a variety of forms such as whole fruits, halves, chunks, slices and powders. And thanks to the hard work of freeze dried suppliers, they are now offered on every city corner. 

Here we have listed the 15 most common ways to include freeze dried fruits in your diet. For example, you can create a delightful taste or color in cake and desserts using dried fruit powders. But the possibilities are actually endless. Are you ready to learn more about these freeze dried fruit buddies?  

Keep reading.


1-Freeze dried fruit uses in baking (cakes and breads) 

Usually, freeze dried fruits are ground into a powder when used in baking. You can turn freeze dried fruits into super-fine powders by crushing them in a food processor or a spice grinder. You can also use a simple pestle and mortar to create a coarse powder. 

There are nearly endless ways to use freeze dried powder in baking. Mix them in batters, icings, or doughs. Or in chocolate truffles, buttercream frosting, and butter shortbread. The possibilities are endless!

Do you want to add a tanginess and punch to your desserts to make them ideal rich treats? No problem. The amount you add is up to you. It depends on how much flavor you want to create in your dessert.

2-Freeze dried fruit uses for drinks and beverages

Freeze dried fruit uses in drinks: You can also flavor your drinks with freeze dried fruits. Add a fruity burst to your milkshakes or other drinks with any of the freeze dried fruit flavors and colors. All you have to do is place the freeze dried fruit in the glass, add your drink, add the ice, and then mix. By the time you are ready to drink, your fruits will have released their incredible flavors and turn from dull to delightful.

You can also fun-dip by dipping a shot glass rim in water, then dipping it in freeze dried fruit powder. The freeze dried fruit powder creates a sweet-tart appeal on the glass rim. It tastes much better than using salt or sugar.

Freeze dried fruits uses in water: You can add freeze dried fruits to your water. It takes about five minutes before the fruit rehydrates and infuses the water with delicious fruit flavor.

3-Freeze dried fruit uses in smoothies 

Did you know that you can use freeze dried fruits in smoothies and drinks? Next time you prepare smoothies, consider using freeze-dried fruits instead of fresh ones. A pinch of freeze dried powder or a small handful of freeze dried fruit pieces is enough to boost the flavor of your smoothie. 

For example, freeze dried strawberries can boost the overall nutritional value of your smoothies.

4-Freeze dried fruit uses in chocolates and confectionery

When it comes to eating chocolates, most people prefer a treat that does not create feelings of guilt afterward. Of course, that does not mean we want to compromise on taste and texture. We would rather have something with ‘healthy’ ingredients and nutritional benefits. 

Chocolate-coated freeze-dried fruits contain natural ingredients, and as such, they can meet the demand. Consider these delicious chocolate bites (fig 1) with freeze dried fruits. They are made from high-quality, 99% dark chocolate (unsweetened), coconut sugar, other ingredients, and freeze dried strawberries slices.

A chocolate cupcake decorated with freeze dried strawberries
the use of freeze dried strawberries for decorating cakes

Freeze dried strawberries are not just lovely red decorations; they are very delicious too. They create the taste of fresh fruits as they dissolve in your mouth. 

Combinations of more than one fruit per application are also becoming a trend. There are freeze dried fruit mixes that can meet the consumers’ demand for chocolate recipes. The mixes are offered in either multiple mono-fruit pieces or a combination of fruits in one granulate.

5-Freeze dried fruit uses in Cereals

The use of dried fruits in cereals.
Freeze dried strawberry halves, fresh strawberries and grains on a tray next to a bowl of cereal.

The use of freeze dried fruits in breakfast cereals is growing in popularity. Freeze-dried berries in cereals include freeze dried strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and exotic fruits like apricot, bananas, mango, and pineapple.

Freeze dried fruits contain healthy ingredients, but they also add taste, flavor, texture, and visual appeal to various cereals and porridges. More people are deciding to eat more healthily. And they are increasingly looking for food and drink options that support their vision. They also want foods with natural ingredients that fit into their busy lifestyles. 

On-the-go breakfast items, such as cereal-based snack bars and porridge pots with a variety of freeze-dried fruits, and natural goodness, are a good choice for them.

Now see if you can give these simple recipes a try.

Oatmeal, Cereal and Overnight Oats: Add freeze dried strawberry to your overnight or warm oats. The fruit creates a hint of flavor in your oatmeal without the bulk. 

Place freeze dried fruit on top of the oats for a nice crunch! Top your cold cereal with freeze dried fruits for a delightful crunch and sweetness.

To create an infused taste in your oats: Grind freeze dried fruits down to a powder to infuse your oats with flavor.

6-Freeze dried fruit uses in meals

Add freeze dried fruits to your favorite meals to increase nutrition. For example, why not add freeze-dried cauliflower or winter squash powder to macaroni and cheese. Or sprinkle freeze dried fruit powder inside a peanut butter sandwich. Freeze dried fruit powders can serve as an excellent replacement for high sugar preserves.

7-Freeze dried fruit uses in baby foods

Freeze-dried foods are the perfect solutions for delicious, nutritious infant meals and a great alternative to puffs. They have their water removed but retain their nutrition. They have a dry, almost powdery texture that will melt in your baby’s mouth. 

You can safely keep freeze dried fruits in your diaper bag for days or weeks without requiring refrigeration. Freeze dried fruits may get squished to the bottom of your bag. And you may not know how long it’s been there, but you’re almost always certain you can still feed them to the baby.

Why is freeze-dried fruit the ideal baby food? 

  • It requires absolutely no preservatives.
  • It preserves up to 98 percent of the original nutrition.
  • It allows you to have shelf-stable, light-weight foods that you can take anywhere.
  • It enables you to control the consistency and quantity of food with little or no waste.
  • It saves time and energy in food preparation.
  • It is a viable option for new and busy parents who want to establish a healthy routine for their child.

8-Freeze dried fruit uses in superfoods and nutraceuticals

Various types of freeze dried fruits used in superfoods and nutraceutical capsules.
Freeze dried fruit uses in superfoods and nutraceuticals

Nutraceutical is a hybrid of nutrition and pharmaceuticals. It includes food, or parts of food, that provide medical or health benefits. For example, they can tackle different ailments, from weight loss to cancer prevention. 

Superfood is a food that is rich in compounds (such as antioxidants, fiber, or fatty acids) that are considered beneficial to a person’s health. Other names for superfoods are “superfruit” and “super grain.”

Fruits contain various beneficial compounds that possess biological activities. They are used in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products. Nutraceutical producers are looking for food supplements that won’t deteriorate over a long period. Freeze drying offers that promise. Examples of superfruits include broccoli and blueberries. 

Freeze drying removes the water content from products over the course of up to 72 hours. Most nutraceutical ingredients are retained during the process. Freeze drying also retains the original fruits’ shape, dimension, appearance, flavor, color, and texture.

Berries top the list of superfoods with applications in nutraceuticals. Berries are high in fiber with a natural, sweet taste. Their rich colors mean they are high in antioxidants and disease-fighting nutrients.

More recently, elderberry juices have been included in flu prevention products. 

Some of the other most common berries include:

  • Raspberries
  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Blackberries
  • Cranberries

How to include them in your diet: Buy freeze dried berries if berries are not in season. Add them to yogurt, cereals, and smoothies, or eat plain for a snack.

9-Freeze dried fruits use in emergency foods

Preparing is essential

Preparing for emergencies is very important. Yet it is a very challenging task, especially when it comes to storing foods. Most foods have a short shelf life and won’t last long even in good conditions. The food weight is another problem. We need durable and easy-to-handle food options that are also lightweight and do not take up space. And that is when freeze dried food comes in.

Storing freeze dried foods is the easiest way to prepare for an emergency or a disaster. You can easily stock them anywhere in your home. If you already have a pantry with non-perishable foods, you are already doing it in your own way. 

Caution Monotony

However, it’s easy to face monotony when storing emergency foods. Having too much of something and not enough of others creates a nutrition imbalance. Vitamins and minerals are in danger of monotony the most.

Add diversity

Adding freeze dried fruits will help with the monotony. Storing freeze-dried fruits is a simple way to get vitamins and nutrients you won’t get from dehydrated meals or meats. Freeze dried fruits lose some nutritional content but preserve most of their nutrients. 

Freeze dried fruits have up to 25 years of shelf life. With them, you’ll get vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. You also get the delicious sweet taste of your favorite fruits without worrying about spoiling.

Easy consumptions

In addition to variety, freeze dried fruits are easy to consume. The freeze drying makes it easy to eat fruits straight from the bag. Also, they can be soaked in water for a few minutes. 

Freeze dried fruits’ nutritional profile

here are just a few examples of vitamins and nutrients you receive from freeze dried fruits.

  • Freeze dried pineapple loaded with vitamin C to boost your family’s immune system
  • Sweet strawberries provide your family with potassium and antioxidants
  • Apples contain the fiber and iron your family needs in their diet
  • Bananas are high in potassium, healthy carbohydrates, and iron to help sustain your family’s energy, and 
  • Freeze dried blueberries are a superfruit with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

10-Freeze dried fruit uses in salads

Use in salads

Freeze-dried fruits help you create a variety of fruit salads that you and your family may enjoy any time of the day. Just as you use freeze-dried strawberries or freeze-dried raspberries to make fruity breakfast cereals, swap fresh vegetables for freeze dried fruit salads.

A bowl of salad made with freeze dried strawberry, banana and mango pieces.
A bowl of salad made with freeze dried fruits.

Add or sprinkle freeze-dried fruits like strawberries or pineapples to your sprout salad. What do you think?

Adding the benefits of freeze-dried fruits to salads will help you store energy for the rest of the day. You can also have it as a lunch or a side dish with any meal. You experience healthy eating without spending any time.

Use in salad dressings

Freeze dried fruits are nice to have when you aren’t looking to buy certain fruits out of season (like raspberries). Freeze dried fruits powder allows you to customize flavors exactly to your preferences. They allow you to make your own salad dressing with freeze-dried fruit powder.

11-Freeze dried fruit uses in ice creams

Use as a stabilizer

freeze-dried can be ground into a fine, dry powder. Freeze-dried berry powder, especially freeze dried strawberry powder, can stabilize ice cream and other frozen dairy desserts. It will improve the stability and texture of the ice cream base by absorbing water. Because it contains no water or added sugar, it won’t destroy the consistency or sweetness of your ice cream or frozen desserts. So, ice creams and frozen desserts can maintain their shape even at room temperature. You can use freeze dried berry powders to substitute standard stabilizers such as sodium alginate, guar gum, iota carrageenan, xanthan gum, and carboxymethyl cellulose

Use as a flavoring

Why not flavor ice cream with freeze dried fruits? Freeze dried fruit powders are soluble. You can also use whole, sliced, or chunks of fruits. They can intensify flavor without adding additional water, and there is no need to cook the fruit. Here I give you instructions for making delicious freeze dried strawberry ice cream.

Freeze Dried Strawberry Ice Cream

Use freeze dried fruits (strawberry) and buttermilk to flavor the base. The strawberry flavor is vivid. The buttermilk is clean and tangy. Adding guar gum will thicken the base and give it a slightly chewy texture without adding egg yolks.  

Ingredients

  • 56 grams freeze dried strawberries
  • 965 grams buttermilk
  • 180 grams sugar
  • 4.5 grams fine sea salt
  • 1.4 grams guar gum
  • 300 grams heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Put the freeze dried strawberries, buttermilk, sugar, and salt into a blender. 
  2. Turn the blender on low and then increase the speed to high. 
  3. Mix the ingredients to get a smooth puree (about 1 minute). 
  4. Reduce the speed to low and sprinkle in the guar gum.
  5. Puree the mixture at high speed for 30 seconds. 
  6. Turn the blender off and add the cream. 
  7. Puree for 10 seconds at high speed to blend in the cream.
  8. Strain the base and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. 
  9. Freeze the base in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s directions.

 (https://blog.ideasinfood.com/)

12-Freeze dried fruit for soups and sauces

Freeze dried fruits can be used to enhance the flavor of soups. For example, companies use them as an essential ingredient in instant soups and sauces. The solubility of freeze dried fruits is also a great advantage here. Freeze dried fruits are ground into a fine powder for this purpose.

Freeze dried strawberry sauce

Strawberry sauce is made with only three ingredients: water, sugar, and freeze dried strawberries. It has no added colors, extra fillers, or extracts. This sauce is full of freeze dried strawberry flavor, and the color stays bright. It’s so easy to make at home and super versatile. Try it on a milkshake, ice cream, or breakfast goods!

It’s the perfect fruity addition to:

  • Topping ice Cream 
  • Stir in milkshakes 
  • A classic topping for banana splits 
  • Waffles and pancakes
  • Cheesecake
  • Angel Food cake 
  • Strawberry Shortcake
  • Strawberry buttercream

13-Freeze dried fruit uses in jams and jellies

Most jams we buy from the store are almost identical in taste. Different brands, same taste, and high price tags. So, why not give it a try yourself? Why not upgrade your jam to a whole new level using freeze-dried fruits? 

Freeze dried fruits can work in jams and jellies better than fresh or frozen fruits. Here is why;

  • Freeze dried fruits provide endless options, even in the off-season. 
  • They arrive at your doorstep half prepared, so you can use the extra time doing other things. 
  • Their concentrated flavor makes your jam taste superb.  
  • You can snack on the leftovers or put them in a Ziploc bag for later. They are shelf stable and last longer than fresh fruits. 

Freeze dried raspberry jam

Now roll up your sleeves and give this delicious raspberry jam a try.

14-Freeze dried fruit uses for flavoring and seasoning

Uses in flavoring and seasoning

The use of freeze dried fruits as flavorings and seasoning has been kept secret until recently. The idea is pretty simple:

  1. Buy freeze dried fruits from the store, and grind the freeze dried fruit chunks or pieces into powder. Use a spice grinder, a blender, or a food processor to grind the fruits into a fine powder.
  2. Use the powders to flavor anything that needs a flavor boost. These include frostings, fillings, batters, dressings, sauces, soups, etc.

Meat seasoning

Freeze-dried fruit also makes for an excellent seasoning. For example, it can be used on meat after being cooked. Cook any cut of meat as directed in your recipe. Then finish it with a flavor with freeze dried fruit powder. Just sift spoonfuls of powder in a fine-mesh sieve, then shower it over the meat.

The picture shows a freeze dried raspberry and a freeze dried raspberry powder made from it
Grind a small amount of freeze dried raspberry into a powder

Raspberry vanilla frosting

Grind a small amount of freeze dried raspberry into a powder. Mix the freeze dried powder with homemade vanilla frosting. I bet you have never tasted anything like it!

Uses in marinades

Freeze dried fruits powder is now commonly used in marinades for cuts of poultry, pork, and beef. Marinades are mixtures of oil, acid, and seasoning flavor. Marinades tenderize meat without hand involvement. Freeze dried fruit powder adds a sweet and tangy flavor to the marinade. 

Freeze dried fruit powders may not be as strong as fresh kiwi or pineapple in making the meat tender. They are strong enough to be mixed into any simple marinade without affecting the timing of the recipe. 

Remember!

You may feel nervous about using freeze dried fruit powders at first. A couple of tablespoons is an excellent place to start. For example, start with something simple such as sugar cookie dough. A few tablespoons of freeze dried food powder won’t alter it.

15-Freeze dried fruit uses in granolas 

Freeze dried fruit adds flavor and color to granola. And because there are so many freeze dried fruits, you never run out of options. Nor are you limited to a particular season.  

Making homemade granola seems like such a difficult thing to do, and it also seems very time-consuming. But you can use it as a snack or add it to yogurt as a topping. And it would be much tastier and healthier than if you bought granola from the store. 

Now, try to give this raspberry granola a go.


Conclusion

Here we describe the 15 most common ways of “freeze dried fruit uses” in dietary plans. Of course the possibilities are endless. You need to be creative in choosing the right type of freeze dried fruits for your creation. Regardless of the fruit you select, your creation will be tasty and delicious as it should be.
Now, do you have any experience with dried fruits? Please share your experience with us in the comments.

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