How To Freeze Dry Apple Pie Filling

Freeze Dried Meals

Want to make apple pie in an instant, but don’t have apples? Or do you have a bunch pie filling left over and don’t know what to do with them? Then here’s how to freeze-dry apple pie filling it ready in minutes whenever you want it.

How To Make Apple Pie Filling

What makes the best apple pie for you? Is it the filling or the crust? Whichever you’re partial to, we can all agree on one thing. A good apple pie needs a good filling. If you haven’t perfected your recipe yet, or want to try other versions, here are some that we recommend.

The Spruce Eats (by Diana Rattray)

Simplest is often the best, especially when you’re starting out with apple pie. This recipe by Diana Rattray is as simple as it can get. If you can’t get your hands on fresh apples, there’s a recommendation on how much canned apples to use. You can also replace the apples with pears.

Jessica Gavin Culinary Scientist

This is a very beginner-friendly recipe, with tips on how to choose apples for the best flavor. There’s also very little moisture added, so you won’t overcook the apples.

What’s more, this apple pie filling can be used for oatmeal, parfait, ice cream, waffles, or pancakes!

Allrecipes (by Terri)

If you want an apple pie filling that’s oozing with apple goodness, try this one from Terri. What’s good about this is that the apples aren’t cooked down to mush. There’s enough sweet sauce to enhance the flavor of the apples.

A Word on The Slices

The slices should be at have a maximum of 3/4 inch in length and thickness. This is to help the apples rehydrate well after freeze-drying.

Also, don’t expect that crisp bite you normally get with freshly made filling. Crunchy fruits and vegetables lose their crunch when frozen. This is because the ice crystals damage the cell walls of the fruit, altering the structure.

Still, you will have that comforting flavor of apples and spices after baking.

Should I Pre-Freeze Apple Pie Filling?

Once you made your apple pie filling, you can pre-freeze it before freeze-drying. This step is not necessary but can help reduce the freeze-drying time. It will also help lessen the cost of electricity and lessen the wear and tear of the machine.

To pre-freeze, use a tray or container that’s the exact width of your freeze dryer trays. You can use the trays if you have extra, which is even better. This way, your trays are frozen, so there’s less condensation.

Just remember to take out the trays only when the freeze dryer’s ready. Act fast because you don’t want the food and trays to get condensation.

How To Freeze Dry Apple Pie Filling

Once you got your apple pie filling ready, it’s time to start freeze drying. We’ll talk about two versions since there are still some who operate on v5.0 below.

For Lower Versions

1. Turn on your machine and press “START > NON-LIQUID”
2. If you pre-froze your food, choose “PRE-FROZEN”. If not, choose “NOT FROZEN.” Only freeze dry one state of food at a time. Never mix frozen and non-frozen food.
3. Give the machine 15-30 minutes to cool down.
4. When the machine tells you to, close the drain valve and load the trays. This will start building up a vacuum inside the chamber.
5. Seal the freeze dryer door and press “CONTINUE”.
6. Let the machine do its work.

If you want to adjust the cycle times, click “CUSTOMIZE > ADJUST CYCLE TIMES” and set your final dry time.

For Higher Versions v5.x.24

1. Turn on the machine and “START”.
2. Let the machine pre-freeze for 15-30 minutes or until it reaches your initial freeze temperature.
3. When the machine is ready, it will tell you to load the trays and close the drain valve.
4. Close the chamber door, ensuring that there’s a tight seal around the ring.
5. Press “CONTINUE” and wait for the machine to finish its work.

How Do I Rehydrate Freeze Dried Pie Filling?

Since you’re going to cook the freeze dried apple pie filling you should use cold water. The recommended ratio is 2 parts water to 1 part pie filling. Or you could start with a 1:1 ratio and see how thick it would be.

It’s always good practice to use less water than more for reconstitution. You can easily add more when needed. Fixing a drowning pie filling is harder than saving a dry one.

Once you added the cold water, let the freeze-dried apple pie filling sit in the fridge for 30 minutes to one hour. Use a Ziplock bag for better results. This way, every bit of the filling touches moisture and evenly rehydrates.

How Do I Use Freeze Dried Apple Pie Filling?

After rehydrating, you can use it like a freshly made one. Freeze-dried apple pie filling can be used for turnovers, tarts, and even ice cream and yogurt toppers.

How Long Does it Last?

Stored properly, your freeze dried apple pie filling can last 25-30 years.

How Do I Store It?

There’s one good thing about working with a recipe when it comes to freeze-drying. You can portion the trays according to how much filling you’ll need for a specific pie size. Then put it in a Mason jar or Mylar bag with a label with the date and portion size.

Add in 1-2 of the 300cc oxygen absorber packets to help extend the shelf life. After sealing, store in a room that has a temperature lower than 72°F (22 °C). Maintain the relative humidity should at15% or less.

Conclusion

Freeze drying apple pie filling is the best way to use and preserve great-tasting apples. Take advantage of an excellent harvest or deals from the grocery store without wasting precious food. Rehydration also takes minutes, just enough for you to get your pie crust and oven ready for baking.

How would you use your freeze-dried apple pie filling? Let us know in the comment section.

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