Top 10 BEST Candy You Need to Freeze Dry!

[@carole6779]

Haha, I thought, "Hey, that candy-cutting tool reminds me of my pipe-cutting tool!" And sure enough, there it is on Amazon. I wonder if that's how kitchen scissors got their start...? 🤣😂 At any rate, when I first became aware of home freeze-drying, it seemed like everybody and their cousin was doing candy. Candy and eggs, lol. That didn't seem like a good enough reason for me to invest in the equipment. I already can and dehydrate, with good results. Then as I started cooking with freeze-dried food and noticing the potential cost savings for FD proteins and leftovers, plus the longer shelf life (when stored properly), it started to make more sense. NOW, I have my own freeze dryer and am ready to experiment with candy... mostly because my sisters and their families are making their request lists. 😂 Thanks so much for all you do. Your enthusiasm is a breath of fresh air! 😄👍

[@trisheasterday3781]

Love all your videos about freeze drying. Your videos have helped me so and learned so much. The only videos in their entirety that actually work

[@DIYfreezedry]

You’re so kind thank you!! So glad you’ve enjoyed them 😄😄

[@eugenerobinson7465]

I love your channel. Because of you and Retired at 40, I got a freeze dryer and love playing with it. I need to copy your orange juice method and candies you did in this video!

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@eugenerobinson7465 that makes me happy! I’m glad you’ve enjoyed my videos. Thanks for watching l!

[@laurawelch4316]

Ahhhh, my very first batch of candy just went in!!!!! You are so helpful! I appreciate your videos so much!! Thank you!

[@DIYfreezedry]

I'm so glad! Let me know how it turns out!

[@laurawelch4316]

@DIYfreezedry i will, they are about done! About 10 more minutes 😀

[@laurawelch4316]

@DIYfreezedry everything turned out amazing!!! Except-- the peach rings, i may need to warm them first?? But i did regular jolly ranchers-- i got my cutter today, good thing, even in half, they turned out huge!! Skittles were great!! The nerd candies you recommended, great!! And then the fruit roll ups--again-- great!!! How encouraging! Thank you again!!

[@DIYfreezedry]

@ yay so happy to hear!! I have struggled with peach rings too - one tip I’ve heard is stretch them out a bit before putting on the tray

[@Cchi4321]

Loved your video, with so much stressful issues going on it's nice to watch a fun and instrumental video

[@DIYfreezedry]

I appreciate that, thank you 🥰

[@parkersburgtransplant8642]

We got freeze dried candy corn locally. Definitely better than expected.

[@tegg1345]

Laffy taffy is one of my favorite candies freeze dried all flavors love it when I get the small ones. I cut them in small pieces though to freeze dry that way you just have a little popables

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@tegg1345 oh I loooove Larry taffy’s but haven’t freeze dried them! I’ll definitely try that thx!

[@DIYfreezedry]

laffy ** haha

[@deucedeuce1572]

Charleston Chews are a good chocolate one too. I really liked them.

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@deucedeuce1572 oh yes I forget how good those were when I tried them! I heard the strawberry ones are amazing too I have been looking for them

[@carebear8146]

Love the idea of a variety bag of the candy, So fun. Wesley is adorable. :)

[@martharayon7194]

Thank you for another great video and a touch of Alaska!! Saltwater taffy freeze dries beautifully! I warm the saltwater taffy in the microwave for 7-10 seconds and then cut into fourths with scissors and freeze dry. I have tried to freeze dry regular taffy and didn't get as good of results as I did with saltwater taffy. Milk Duds are awesome too!

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@martharayon7194 thanks So much! And that’s a great tip for the salt water taffy! Yum so good

[@tom_greenery]

Tip with the pvc cutter and Holly ranchers. Leave the wrapper on and they come out easy

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@tom_greenery good idea!

[@MadameOvaries-c2m]

I honestly watched this to see what a reason would be for someone to freeze dry candy, as I am new to the process. I was actually looking for ways to make my dog’s homemade food prep more healthy,with the organ meat and was reading about freeze drying. I found your video very informative, especially how you were able to cut down your kid’s sugar intake, without them even knowing, because it was bigger. I watch a lot of videos, where people will tear someone down for every little thing they notice, so in the back of my mind, a little checklist was going off of what I know most people go for… washing hands, check. She wore gloves. Volume good. Check. She isn’t yelling in the camera, or playing some annoying background music that is too loud for the video. Hair… they always go for the hair. Nope. Check. It is pulled back in a nice braid, so people can’t complain that it will fall into the candy. Then I thought, no cat on counter, no dog that she pet in the middle of the video, then went back to food, she’s safe. Lol. Then I saw bare feet. That might get a few haters, and quite honestly, a few more of some other kind of unwanted attention. I have to say, I really did enjoy your video though. It was so nicely done, and whereas a lot of people promise to add things to their link, you actually did, and made me want to go out and buy this freeze dryer!😄

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@MadameOvaries-c2m thank you!!! Haha definitely won’t ever be perfect but it’s fun showing what the freeze dryer can do 😄😄😄

[@ValStilwell]

As long as her bare feet don’t get near the candy, why would anyone be concerned? I’m astounded that it would even be an issue? What’s the difference between bare feet and shoes? At least with bare feet you know if you stepped in something.

[@kevinj1975]

Hey thanks ! 😊I’ll try the big hunk next time. I got away from candy for a bit to do healthy type stuff like yogurt and fruit mainly. We don’t know your name unless I missed it somewhere! LOL

[@DIYfreezedry]

Brooke :) I don't think I say it much haha! Tell me how you like the big hunks, they are my fav!

[@kevinj1975]

Ok I sure will Brooke and I’m Kevin

[@kevinj1975]

@ where do you find the big hunks ? I cannot find them at Walmart Old Seward location.

[@DIYfreezedry]

@ I order them on Amazon, I can’t find them in store either I’ll give you a link

[@DIYfreezedry]

amzn.to/4hubjfT Slim pickings - no good deals on Amazon for them right now

[@user-kp6lw1bu8r]

How long do you warm up the starburst and on what temp? I love your channel i just purchased my daughter a small one so excited to use it when it arrives

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@user-kp6lw1bu8r I warm them in the oven at 220 until they just start to get melty (not fully melted) then put it into the freezer dryer after the tray shelf has been pre warmed to 150 degrees. They turn out awesome! And such a nice gift for her ❤️

[@user-kp6lw1bu8r]

thank you

[@ketojenbreeland8783]

Thanks so much for sharing this. I would chose the chocolate bag 😀

[@trinade3732]

You can use scissors to cut your candy especially things like big hunk and taffy. Cinnamon taffy is my absolute favorite. Just melts in your mouth without gumming my teeth up.

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@trinade3732 ooo cinnamon flavor sounds super good. Yes it’s Even good for kids with braces since it doesn’t stick to teeth 🥳

[@lindashimek5043]

Do you preheat everything in the oven first

[@pogue4life1989]

Milk duds do great, and Charleston Chews 😋 You have a gorgeous view from your front porch! 😍

[@DIYfreezedry]

Thank you! It sure is pretty here. I need to do the milk duds!

[@fiftyfive70]

I've never heard of Big Hunk before. I looked it up. Looks good!

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@fiftyfive70 they freeze dry sooo well!

[@gailgale2375]

I just came across you videos this morning and have already watched several. They are great! Thank you. So full of help and knowlege. I am fairly new to freeze drying and everyone I have watched has been so helpful. I was never interested in doing candy until I watched 2 of your videos. Now you have inspired me to make things for my grandkids. I have 2 questions. 1. Do you know how long the candy will store for long term storage? 2. I love the Keebler Coconut Dreams frudge, coconut and caramel cookies. They are just like the Girls Scout ones, but less expensive. Do you think they would freeze dry okay? They don't have to much chocolate in them. Your carmel M&M's made me think of them. Thank you for all the sharing you do. I will definately be watching the rest of your videos.

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@gailgale2375 thanks for watching I’m glad my videos have been helpful! Your grandkids will be so excited 🥰 for candy - don’t use oxygen absorbers, just store them in Mylar bags heat sealed closed. They last about 6 months! Any of those cookies that have caramel in them will puff up and be fun to freeze dry! I’d try them out.

[@gailgale2375]

@@DIYfreezedry Thank you very much. I appreciate your opinion.

[@MisterEMystery]

‘SchoolReports’ puts temperature sticks on each tray of his 2017 HR as well as on the drum while freeze drying. His machine doesn’t have a “candy mode” but is able to achieve the same results with making the correct adjustments. Anyway the temperature sticks show that both the top and bottom shelves don’t achieve the temperature that is set. The bottom shelf is at least 10 degrees cooler than the middle 2 shelves, and the top shelf is several degrees lower as well. So if you experience less than optimum results on the outer shelves, move the product towards the center shelves. It’s not just the bottom shelf. You’re heat sealing your packaging but are you not putting oxygen absorbers in them? Is it because there’s so little water in the candy to begin with or because you don’t expect it to last very long before getting eaten? 🤔

[@Stacey-uh7lv]

do you do the warming process when using the mini star burst

[@ChristinaContreras-x6b]

Do your nerds clusters come out completely crispy all the way through every time or are some of them still slightly tacky in the middle? My tray seem to come out mixed and I don’t know why.

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@ChristinaContreras-x6b I usually have a handful of “duds” in every run, but for the most part they’ve been coming out too big! Like too puffy and fragile to bag up. So idk what’s happening 😅

[@ChristinaContreras-x6b]

Have you ever tried the natural fruit leather?

[@ChristinaContreras-x6b]

I wonder if you could cut the big hunk with your pipe cutters?

[@SasssyPie]

Mrs. skittles! You made me grin!!!

[@KassandraTovar]

Love seeing the kids do a taste test 😂

[@HebronGrandpa]

I also do milk duds. Cut some in half.

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@HebronGrandpa yum milk duds sound so good I don’t think I’ve tried those ury

[@HebronGrandpa]

@@DIYfreezedry I cut the full size in half. Sometime there are smaller ones and I don't cut them.

[@PennieSchiermeyer]

Carmel cold brew m&ms are extremely delicious!!!

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@PennieSchiermeyer oh yum I haven’t tried those yet!

[@sterlingchuckalaska9834]

Just wanted to say "hi" from Sterling, Alaska.

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@sterlingchuckalaska9834 hello neighbor!!

[@sharonhendricks9706]

Okay, I'm very interested in that pipe cutter you have. I looked at the one you linked but it's only for PEX tubing and the like...no PVC pipe which is much harder than PEX. I'm not sure the cutter you linked would be able to cut Jolly Ranchers....they're so hard. Has anyone tested her linked cutters on hard candy?

[@hazardsmurf1230]

If you freeze the Big Hunk first, Its easier to open and break. If you want fast. Smash it on the table before you open it.

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@hazardsmurf1230 oh good idea!!

[@kimbercrewse3394]

Do you put an oxygen absorber in the bag?

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@kimbercrewse3394 not in candy bags - I just heat seal just in Mylar and they are good for up to 6 months usually 👍🏻

[@MispelledOnPurpose]

I never thought about freeze drying fruit roll ups. I hope my teenager doesn't find out about it. I have never heard of big hunk candy before. Maybe I can find it online. What does it taste like?

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@MispelledOnPurpose www.amazon.com/shop/d-i-yfreezedry?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_aipsfd-i-yfreezedry_9VJMWNWQ68ATXTH308EE I have my favorite candy to freeze dry in my Amazon store - big hunks should be listed there!

[@DIYfreezedry]

It’s like the nougat / taffy taste with peanuts in them

[@GoofyGooberBS]

Hey, do you mind telling me the price and website please of the freeze dryer?

[@trixie2568]

She has a Harvest Right freezer dryer. It's the most popular freeze dryer. They're up in the $3000-5000 depending on the size of the unit. They might be having some good Christmas sales soon.

[@krissiemiller3186]

How much does the machines cost?

[@DIYfreezedry]

They're $2200-$4000 ish depending on what size you get. I have them linked in video description if you want to see the Black Friday prices going on right now!

[@vanessasfamily]

If your called Mrs skittles maybe you should name the freeze dryer Mr skittles 😂

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@vanessasfamily hahaha I love that

[@reneebeam426]

My bottom shelf does not do well with candy at all. I just run 3 trays. And that is annoying. Ohhhh, didn't know Jollys came in tropical!! Headed to the store now! If you haven't done the blue gummy sharks with the whit bottom - DON'T. 😂 I have the small fd, and put about 6 on the tray. I happened to be in there, bcs I love to watch candy puff up. I was yelling NOOOOOOOOO. I had a solid tray of fragile fluff that went all the way to the top, and edge to edge 😂😂😂😂. That was when I learned how to clean my freeze dryer 😅

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@reneebeam426 the tropical ones are super good! I find them at Walmart

[@hectoralayon2758]

Is it pink????

[@oneofakind6313]

i like the fruity i think..

[@hectoralayon2758]

Does it squirt or cream????

[@brianschindler1511]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@Sense2024]

Marshmallows

[@ChristinaContreras-x6b]

If its a “freeze” dryer why does it get hot?

[@felixholland8095]

it freezes it and heats it so it can dry

[@InceleHubby]

Have to disagree with caramel M&Ms, half didn't burst, tray was very oily & were not all that great vs eating fresh. Hard candies like Jolly Rs foam up & make a mess. Skittles are great. Will have to do Nerds next.

[@Satirical_whit]

why did you do so much dancing around with the pre-warming? that got a bit confusing. like, why did you start the cycle and then add 20 minutes of pre-warming? why did you only prewarm one of the trays and not the others? do the trays stay heated throughout the entire process?

[@GIJeaux1]

I guess, but I didn't spend $2000 to freeze dry candy. If I have time to do that, I have time to freeze dry foods that I will need. But, hey, if that's what you want.

[@elsie9649]

She is selling candy I think. I have a friend who makes a SUV car payment with her candy.

[@ChristinaContreras-x6b]

Have you ever tried the natural fruit leather?