4 Freeze-Dried Treats to Make for Valentine's Day

Homemade almost always beats store-bought, and Valentine's Day is a good excuse to prove it. These four freeze-dried treats are simple enough to make together and special enough to feel like a real gift.

Freeze-Dried Ice Cream Sandwich Bites

The most popular treat among Harvest Right owners, by a wide margin. Cut ice cream sandwiches into cubes, arrange them in a single layer on freeze-drying trays, run them through a cycle, and store in an airtight container. For a lighter option, lower-calorie ice cream sandwich brands work just as well, and dairy-free or gluten-free sandwiches make this easy to adapt for different diets. For more on the technique, it's never too late to celebrate National Ice Cream Sandwich Day goes deeper.

Freeze-Dried Yogurt Drops

A close second in popularity. Spoon flavored yogurt into teaspoon-sized dollops directly on the trays before processing — they come out as light, crunchy, candy-like bites that tend to disappear from the jar fast. Delicious freeze-dried yogurt drops has more detail on getting the size and consistency right.

Freeze-Dried Cookies

Almost any cookie can be freeze-dried once it's fully cooled, and the result is a genuinely different eating experience — a sharper crunch and more concentrated flavor than the cookie had fresh out of the oven.

Freeze-Dried Fruit

For a lighter option, combine ripe mango, berries, and banana, optionally mixed with nuts, whole wheat pretzels, or puffed rice for some crunch. For something a little more indulgent, dip the finished fruit in chocolate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the most popular freeze-dried Valentine's Day treat to make?
Freeze-dried ice cream sandwich bites, by a wide margin among Harvest Right owners — cut into cubes, freeze-dried in a single layer, and stored airtight.

How do you make freeze-dried yogurt drops?
Spoon flavored yogurt into teaspoon-sized dollops directly onto freeze-drying trays before running a cycle — they come out light and crunchy, closer to candy than yogurt.

Is there a lighter, healthier freeze-dried Valentine's treat option?
Freeze-dried fruit — mango, berries, and banana, optionally with nuts or puffed rice for crunch — is a good lower-calorie option, with a chocolate-dipped version for something more indulgent.