How to Freeze-Dry Ice Cream Sandwiches

Freeze-dried ice cream sandwiches are usually the first thing new Harvest Right owners want to try — and it's easy to see why. Whether you use a full-fat brand or a reduced-calorie one, freeze-drying turns a treat that normally demands a freezer into something you can carry anywhere.

How to Freeze-Dry Them

Start the freeze dryer empty and let it get fully cold, about 30 minutes, before loading anything. From there, you've got two options: cut the sandwiches into bite-sized pieces before loading the trays, or leave them in their plastic wrap and just snip one side open — both work, so it comes down to whether you want bite-sized pieces or whole sandwiches.

Once freeze-dried, store them in mylar bags with an oxygen absorber.

Take Them Anywhere

That's the real payoff here: no refrigeration means ice cream sandwiches can go hiking, camping, on road trips, to school, or to work — anywhere a freezer obviously can't.

More Treat Ideas

4 freeze-dried treats to make for Valentine's Day and delicious freeze-dried yogurt drops are both good next stops if ice cream sandwiches aren't the only treat on your list.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you freeze-dry ice cream sandwiches?
Pre-chill the empty freeze dryer for about 30 minutes, then load sandwiches either cut into bite-sized pieces or left in their wrapper with one side snipped open. Store the finished product in mylar bags with an oxygen absorber.

Do freeze-dried ice cream sandwiches need refrigeration?
No — that's the main advantage. They can go hiking, camping, on road trips, or into a school or work lunch bag without any need for a freezer.

Can you freeze-dry ice cream sandwiches without cutting them first?
Yes — leave them in their plastic wrap and snip one side open before loading the trays, which works just as well as cutting them into pieces first.