Owning a freeze dryer opens up a delightful world of dessert possibilities, letting you create your own shelf-stable treats that taste just as good months—or even years—later. Imagine opening your pantry to find rich brownies, fruity bites, or creamy cheesecake snacks, all perfectly preserved and ready to enjoy anytime. Whether you're building an emergency stash, prepping for road trips or backpacking, or simply looking to satisfy a sweet tooth without the mess or perishability, freeze-dried desserts offer unmatched convenience and creativity.
On this page, you'll find some of our favorite dessert recipes, all tested and freeze-dried using the Harvest Right Original 4-Tray Medium Freeze Dryer. As I continue to experiment with new textures and flavors, I’ll be adding more recipes here. If you try any, I’d love to hear how they turned out—and I’m always open to suggestions if there’s something sweet you’d like me to test!
Please note that drying times can vary based on temperature and humidity in your area, and some desserts with higher moisture or sugar content may require extra patience.
A note on fat and freeze-dried desserts:
Freeze-drying removes water, but not fat. Since fat can oxidize over time—especially in rich desserts like cakes, frostings, or dairy-heavy items—it may reduce shelf life compared to low-fat options. For best long-term storage, aim for recipes that minimize oils and dairy or package high-fat treats with care using Mylar, oxygen absorbers, and proper sealing.
So grab your sweet tooth and let’s explore the tasty side of freeze-drying!
I love the freeze-dryer for making shelf-stable treats!
These brownies are oil-free and surprisingly flavorful! Using applesauce instead of butter or oil makes them a lower-fat option with excellent shelf stability. Once freeze-dried, they become light, crunchy, and slightly chewy—perfect when cut into true bite-sized pieces. They’re not overly sweet or rich, which makes them an addictive, guilt-free snack. Drying at 115°F worked well to maintain texture. Great for long-term storage and a hit for anyone who prefers a lighter chocolate treat!
A seasonal twist on the fat-free version! These combine applesauce and pumpkin puree for a unique, earthy flavor that stands out once freeze-dried. They’re DENSE, but with a slightly softer crunch than the plain applesauce version. I highly recommend that these get cut into very small pieces. Think about how big of a piece you want to eat all at once in your mouth - because you won't be able easily bite off a piece. But trust me, once you chew, there is something magical about the texture. The inside feels almost soft - even though they are thoroughly dry!
The pumpkin gives it a hint of natural sweetness and color. These are perfect for fall or any time you want something just a little different. The same 115°F drying temp worked great—expect about 30 hours of total dry time.
The most decadent of the three brownie recipes! These classic brownies include butter (or butter-flavored shortening, if preferred) for a richer flavor and fudgier freeze-dried texture. Though still crunchy, they’re lighter and more indulgent. Because they contain added fat, they’ll have a shorter shelf life than a fat-free recipe—but they’re absolutely worth it for a treat that tastes like a real brownie. Perfect for shorter-term storage or for impressing your taste-testers!