A new family favorite, cool neighbor gift, and let's save money!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Read full disclosure here.

If you’ve always wanted to try your hand at making something unique, why not try to freeze-dry Skittles? Not only are they a fascinating experiment, but they make a great snack with their crunchy texture! In this article, you’ll learn how to make freeze dried Skittles, see how much you can save by making them at home, and learn how to store them for years to come.

By the end of this article, you’ll be ready to whip up your own batch of freeze dried Skittles and impress your friends with this sweet treat. If this will be your first time freeze drying, welcome to the freeze drying club and be prepared to find a wonderful array of different types of food to apply this freeze drying process to. This is a great option for preserving food since the flavor of the food is intensified by removing the water content. We hope you enjoy this whole new way of experiencing Skittles and preserving food.

How To Freeze Dry Skittles

Note: These instructions assume you have a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer or similar home freeze-dryer for home use. I find the best way to freeze dry is with a freeze-drying machine.

Start your freeze-dryer’s cooling session.
Place parchment paper or silicone mats on each freeze-dryer tray (optional).
Spread the Skittles, in a single layer, on the freeze-drying trays. They can be close together. As they freeze-dry they will expand from the original size. They will expand in space above the single layer.
Carefully place trays in your freeze-dryer vacuum chamber. Follow your freeze dryer’s directions to complete the freeze-drying process. The freeze dryer will take about 6-32 hours of dry time (see note below).
When freeze-drying is complete, promptly move the candies into proper storage. (See storage instructions below) Freeze-dried candies shouldn’t be left out of airtight storage as they will begin to absorb moisture in the air.
Note: I found this good idea on orsoshesays.com. At the end of another different batch of freeze-drying food…”Click add more dry time…Skittles DO NOT need to go through an entire freeze-drying cycle, hence adding them at the end, for drying only. That is where you save yourself hours and hours of time. You get an entire batch of food AND a bonus batch of Skittles at the end of it!”

Kitchen Tools Used

Freeze Drying Tools:

Storage Tools:

Cost Savings Of Freeze Drying At Home

COST COMPARISON

(Retail vs. Harvest Right
freeze drying at home)

Skittles (5 lbs) = $23.00

ELECTRICITY = $0.48

STORAGE CONTAINERS
mylar bag* = $9.00

Retail COMPETITOR =
$96-$155 (5 lbs)
$1.20-$1.94 per oz

Home freeze dried cost =
$32.48 (5 lbs)
$0.41 PER OZ

*snack size mylar bags + 100cc oxygen absorber
tax not included

Storing Freeze Dried Candy

Short-Term Storage: After you freeze-dry food, store it in an airtight container or freezer-safe bags, like Ziplocs. When freeze-dried food is exposed to the air it starts to rehydrate. My preference is OXO containers since my family is most likely to keep this type of container closed.

Long-Term Storage: Both Mylar bags and Mason jars with oxygen absorbers will store food for a long time.

Mason jars have the benefit of pest like mice not being able to access the food. They are also nice to see the contents when you are ready to consume the candy. Be sure to choose the jar size that best suits the quantity you want to have available for consumption. The best place to store them for a longer shelf life is in a cool, dark room to lengthen their life span.

Mylar bags come in varying sizes and you can also purchase some that have clear, see-through plastic to see the contents. For long-term storage place mylar bags with candy, in a bucket to prevent mice from chewing through the package.

Shop This Post

More Freeze Dried Recipes to Explore

Favorite Freeze Dried Meals:

Individual Freeze Dried Food Items:

Freeze-Dried Candy (Jolly Ranchers, Reisen, Bit-O-Honey, gummy bears, etc)
Freeze-Dried Fruits
Freeze-Dried Strawberries
Freeze-Dried Sour Cream
Freeze-Dried Cheese
Freeze-Dried Eggs
Freeze-Dried Pulled Pork
Freeze-Dried Chicken
Freeze-Dried Ground Beef
Organic Freeze-Dried Food

FAQ

How do you make freeze-dried Skittles without a machine?

Dry ice can be used to freeze-drying candy.

1. Place the candy and dry ice in a cooler with the lid loosely placed on top. 2. Allow at least 24 hours for the candy to complete the freeze drying process. 3. Add additional dry ice as needed until the process is complete. Note: Don’t seal the cooler since the dry ice needs venting to prevent creating an explosion.