Freeze-dried skittles have exploded in popularity in recent years among candy lovers, foodies, survivalists, and anyone looking for a fun, tasty snack. As their name suggests, freeze-dried skittles are created by freeze-drying regular skittles candy to remove almost all moisture. This transforms them into light, crispy green, airy pieces bursting with concentrated sweet and fruity flavor.
In this extensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about freeze-dried skittles. We will look at how they are made, how to store and serve them, their nutrition and health impacts, their history and cultural significance, the different types and flavors available, creative ways to eat and use them, customer reviews and expert opinions, and answer some common questions people have about them. By the end, you’ll be a freeze-dried Skittles expert!
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Big Skit Bundle | The Ultimate Freeze-Dried Skittles Bundle featuring both classic and sour Skittles in a crunchy, freeze-dried form. | $32.07 (Bundle Price) |
| Original Details | – Brand: Freeze Dried USA – Flavor: Sour Fruit – Unit Count: 16.0 Ounce | $33.76 |
| Contents | 1. Freeze-Dried Classic Skittles: The original rainbow flavors in a freeze-dried, crunchy format. 2. Freeze-Dried Sour Skittles: Tart and intense sour Skittles with a unique texture for an adventurous snacking experience. | Save $1.69 (5%) |
| Usage | Ideal for on-the-go snacking, trail mixes, or sharing with friends. | – |
How Freeze-Dried Skittles Are Made
The process of making freeze-dried Skittles relies on a technique called lyophilization, which means “solvent removal by freezing.” It uses a specialized machine called a freeze dryer, into which the skittles are loaded. The freeze dryer then reduces temperature and pressure to extremely low levels, causing the moisture inside the skittles to turn from solid ice straight into water vapor, missing the liquid stage entirely. This sublimation of water happens because of the low pressure – liquids need higher pressure to exist.
Once almost all shea moisture has been removed this way, you are left with freeze-dried Skittles – lightweight, airy pieces with a concentrated sweet flavor. Their texture becomes crunchy, crisp, and easy to bite into. Their vibrant colors also remain unchanged thanks to the lack of water to cause dissolution.
The exact equipment and complete process for making frozen Skittles at home are as follows:
Necessary Equipment
- An industrial or commercial-grade freeze dryer
- Skittles candy in any flavor(s)
- Vacuum sealable bags
- Vacuum sealer
Step-By-Step Process
- Preheat freeze dryer to -40°F
- Line Skittles in a single layer on the drying tray
- Load tray into freeze dryer & close door
- Set temperature to -40°F and time to 24 hours
- Start the drying process and wait
- Remove the tray once the process finishes
- Transfer freeze Skittles into the vacuum bag
- Seal the bag carefully with a vacuum sealer
- Label bag with flavor(s) and date
- Store sealed bag in a cool, dry location
Extra Tips
- Crush skittles pre-freeze drying for faster results
- Separate colors pre-freeze drying for flavor batches
- Add liquid to Skittles pre-freeze drying for bursts of flavor
- Grind freeze-dried skittles into powder for baking
Proper Storage and Serving
Like many freeze-dried foods, freeze-dried skittles are highly hygroscopic – they will readily absorb ambient moisture from the air. So, storage is critical to preserve their signature crunch and vivid colors.
The best storage practices are:
- Store in airtight vacuum-sealed bags with all air pressed out
- Use containers capable of maintaining a vacuum seal
- Store bags in a cool, dry location away from light and heat
- Refrigerator or freezer storage is optional for even longer lifespans
When ready to enjoy your freeze-dried Skittles, open the vacuum-sealed bag, pour some into a bowlerx, and start snacking!
There are also many creative ways to eat freeze-dried Skittles beyond snacking on them plain. You can:
- Mix them into trail mixes
- Add them as crunchy toppings into ice cream or yogurt
- Bake them into sweet breads, cookies, or desserts
- Melt them into syrup for fruit dips or salad dressings
- Blend them into tropical cocktail mixes
- Crush them finely for vibrant cake decorations or coatings
Let your imagination run wild with all the possibilities!
Nutritional Value and Health Impacts
How do freeze-dried skittles compare health-wise to regular non-freeze-dried skittles? Let’s analyze some key core nutritionals values.
Regular skittles (1 oz / 28 g) contain about:
- 113 calories
- 27 g carbohydrates (21 g sugar)
- 0 g fat, 0 g protein
- 1 mg sodium
Freeze-dried skittles (1 oz / 28 g) contain about:
- 113 calories
- 27 g carbohydrates (21 g sugar)
- 0 g fat, 0 g protein
- 1 mg sodium
So nutritionally, freeze-dried skittles are almost identical to regular skittles. They are still high in sugar and low in overall nutrients.
However, because freeze-drying removes almost all water, freeze-dried Skittles are lower density and more voluminous. 28 g worth looks like a much larger portion compared to regular Skittles. This sensory effect can provide greater satisfaction and fullness despite consuming the same calories and sugar as you would with regular Skittles. Just don’t get too carried away with portion sizes!
Overall, though, freeze-dried Skittles should still be enjoyed sensibly in moderation like any other candy. Their sugar can contribute to weight gain, blood sugar spikes and crashes, and tooth decay if overconsumed frequently. But they can absolutely have a place in a balanced diet without health concerns when portions and frequency are controlled.
History and Origin
Candy-coated chocolate lentils were created in the UK under the name “Glees” in 1947. But it wasn’t until 1974 that the concepts and manufacturing processes came together to transform these lentils into the fruit-flavored, letter “S” stamped candy nation we know as Skittles today. Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, skittles rapidly grew in popularity thanks to effective marketing and ever-expanding distribution.
But who exactly invented freeze-dried Skittles, and when? It’s unclear who first had the idea to take standard Skittles and commercial freeze-drying equipment and combine them.
The earliest known published evidence of freeze-dried Skittles comes from a September 2017 YouTube video titled “Homemade Astronaut Ice Cream (Skittles).” Uploaded by user Food Skills, it shows the process of freeze-drying various candies at home, including Skittles. The video quickly went viral for showcasing this novel snack, garnering over 300k views in just a couple of months.
In 2018, numerous other foods bloggers, chefs, and everyday people started posting their experiments freeze-drying various candy creations. Skittles remained a consistent favorite due to their small, uniform size and vibrant colors. Freeze-dried Skittles garnered more and more interest and DIY enthusiasm thanks to the unique texture and concentrated flavor they developed.
Soon, many specialty e-commerce snack shops started offering custom freeze-dried candy, including Skittles. Large candy retailers like Dylan’s Candy Bar eventually joined the trend with their own premium freeze-dried Skittles gift boxes.
While its exact origins remain nebulous, its clear freeze-dried Skittles have cemented themselves as a beloved innovation both as a whimsical comfort food and a symbol of technological food progress.
Types of Freeze-Dried Skittles
There are a multitude of Skittles flavors out there, but which ones get transformed into their freeze-dried versions?
Rainbow Original These are the classics – the red, orange, yellow, green, and purple packs that so many of us know and love. Strawberry, orange, lemon, lime, and grape flavors are just as vibrant freeze-dried as they are in their original form. Rainbow packs are by far the most common variety turned into freeze-dried form.
Tropical
Tropical packs contain mango, passionfruit, pineapple, banana berry, and melon berry skittle flavors. These lush, fruity flavors become even more concentrated when freeze-dried into sweet and tangy tropical bursts. A great way to bring a vacation vibe.
Wild Berry: The quintessential berry mix pack with flavors like raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, and blackcurrant. The deep, rich sweetness and tartness of mixed wild berries reach new heights when freeze-dried.
Sour
Puckering skittle flavors like cherry la, orange, lemon, grape, and pineapple take on an astonishingly sharp and mouthwatering dimension when freeze-dried. The ultimate sweet-and-sour bomb.
Limited Edition
Seasonal and limited releases like Summer Punch or Winter Mint often get the freeze-dry treatment as well when available. White Peppermint became an especially sought-after holiday flavor once word of its freeze-dried form spread.
Free drying takes already intense fruit candy flavors and intensifies them even further. So, no matter what Skittles you choose, rest assured freeze drying will take them to the next level!
Creative Uses for Freeze-Dried Skittles
Beyond just eating freeze-dried Skittles straight from the bag, there are tons of creative and fun ways to enjoy them:
Crafts and Decorations
- Use them to add color to candle-making wax projects
- Place them creatively inside clear ornaments
- Glue them into rainbow mosaics and pictures
- Design colorful geometric art pieces and sculptures
Baking and Candy Making
- Blend them into cake batter for texture and color
- Coat truffles and chocolate bark with crushed bits
- Mix them into brightly swirled frosting
- Create vivid, no-bake cheesecake toppings
Snacks and Beverages
- Scatter them over popcorn, trail mixes, and granola
- Mix them into yogurt parfaits and fruit salads
- Add them to tropical cocktails for garnish
- Float them in lemonade, juices, and soda for a fizzy flavor
Parties and Celebrations
- Use them in piñatas surprises
- Hide them in Easter eggs for sugar-rushing hunts
- Fill holiday gift jars and baskets with them
- Use them as scavenger hunt clues and prizes
The possibilities are endless when you embrace your innersense creativity. Let freeze-dried Skittles inspire you!
Reviews of Freeze-Dried Skittles
Most reviews of freeze-dried Skittles are overwhelmingly positive. Fans rave about the unique flavor, texture, visual appeal, versatility, and just plain fun factor freeze-dried skittles provide.
- According to one thrilled Amazon buyer: “These freeze-dried skittles are so addicting! They are sweet, tart, perfectly crunchy, and the colors are unreal. Way better than regular skittles! So happy I bought these.”
- A kids’ birthday party host also shared: “I filled little bags with freeze-dried Skittles as part of the goodie bags, and the kids absolutely flipped out. I’ve never seen candy get devoured so fast! Huge hit and totally recommend.”
- Of course, quality and freshness can impact reviews if storage isn’t proper. As one unhappy customer laments: “I was really looking forward to these, but mine were limp and soggy just a week after getting them. They tasted stale and bland. Very disappointing.”
- Proper airtight, moisture-free storage is critical for maintaining rave-worthy texture and flavor with freeze-dried Skittles long term.
- Some health-focused reviewers also warn about excessive overconsumption, especially for children prone to sugar overdosing. As nutrition blogger Annie K says, “I gave these 5 stars for the novelty factor, but want to mention they are pure sugar overload. A cute and delicious occasional treat, but shouldn’t be an everyday snack.”
Overall, though, most agree that when consumed in moderation, these crystallized bursting bites of flavor live up to the candy-loving hype.
Expert Opinions on Freeze-Dried Skittles
Beyond excited reviewers, what do food scientists and industry insiders think about the freeze-dried Skittles trend?
- Tim Quinn, head chef at freeze-drying machine manufacturer Harvest Right, shares: “Freeze-drying candy creates texture and flavor experiences unlike anything else. It’s no surprise Skittles, with their small uniform size, iconic colors, and intense fruit flavors, have become a favorite for experimenting with this. Both kids and adult snackers light up when they crunch into these for the first time.”
- Food preservation expert Lakshmi Singh also explains: “The minimal heat and oxygen exposure makes freeze drying ideal for maintaining vibrancy and preventing spoilage even in delicate foods like candy. When stored properly, freeze-dried Skittles easily last 6-12 months, maintaining peak quality.”
- Candy historian Eliza Green also traces an interesting phenomenon: “Freeze drying allows whimsical candies like Skittles to transcend notions of ‘kid food’ when transformed into elegant gifts and cocktail toppers. It blurs age boundaries, giving nostalgic millennials and zoomers ‘permission’ to keep enjoying their favorite childhood treats.”
From chemistry principles to cultural impacts, experts affirm freeze drying unleashes candy’s hidden potential, unlike any other technique. Skittles especially tap into peoples’ primal cravings for intense sweetness, fruitiness, and unhindered fun.
FAQs
How long do freeze-dried Skittles last?
- In sealed, room-temperature storage, they last 6-12 months at peak quality. Refrigerated or frozen they can last even 1-2 years while still tasty.
Can you freeze-dried Skittles get soggy over time?
- Yes, if not stored in airtight packaging, they can start absorbing ambient humidity and get chewy or limp instead of crispy.
What happens if you eat regular Skittles vs. freeze-dried Skittles?
- Nutritionally, they are nearly identical. But texture and intensity of flavor differ dramatically thanks to lack of water and increased crunch from freeze-dried versions.
Why are freeze-dried Skittles popular?
- The transformation of a beloved candy into a novel form delights both kids and adult snackers. Whimsical flavors, vibrant colors, and ultra-crisp, concentrated texture create an unforgettable snacking experience.
Are freeze-dried Skittles safe for toddlers and kids?
- In moderation, yes, but their high sugar content still doesn’t make them an ideal everyday snack for little ones. Reserve for occasional treats.
Can pets eat freeze-dried Skittles?
- It is probably not a great idea – the sugar, citric acid, and artificial colors could cause stomach upset. As with most candy, better to keep away from furry friends.
Do freeze-dried Skittles cost more than regular ones?
Yes, generally freeze-dried Skittles run 2-3 times the price by weight compared to their non-freeze-dried equivalents. But fans say the unique texture and flavor make them worth it!
Conclusion
In closing, freeze-dried Skittles represent innovation, nostalgia, whimsy, and just pure, tasty fun colliding. Their vibrant appearance, crispy crunch, and concentrated sugary fruit explosion delight snackers of all ages.
From understanding the freeze-drying process behind their creation to the best ways to store and serve them to recipe ideas and rave reviews, freeze-dried Skittles offers no shortage of delightful surprises. Just be careful not to overindulge in these crystallized bits of candy magic!
