How to Freeze Dry Cherries

Last updated on April 7th, 2025 at 05:34 pm

If you love freeze-dried fruit, you’re going to adore freeze-dried cherries! The crunchy texture paired with their sweet and tart flavor is truly irresistible. You’ll be amazed at how simple they are to make! Whether you want to jazz up your morning oatmeal, create delightful trail mixes, or snack on something a bit more exciting, freeze-dried cherries will elevate your culinary game with their flavorful crunch.

Welcome to Hollis Homestead! I’m a busy mom and homesteader passionate about modern, sustainable living on our one-acre slice of heaven. With years of experience in gardening, canning, and food preservation, I love sharing how to make the most of seasonal harvests. Freeze-drying has become one of my favorite ways to preserve homegrown produce, from creating shelf-stable snacks to ready-to-go meals. To learn more about me and our homestead join our weekly newsletter journey & stick around for easy, real-food recipes and tips to simplify your own homestead life.

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Why Freeze Dry Cherries?

Cherries are not just a delicious treat; they’re also packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Freeze-drying preserves all of the nutritional value ensuring you maximize the health benefits of every bite. Plus, when stored properly, freeze-dried cherries can last for years, making them an excellent option for long-term food storage—far outlasting fresh or even dehydrated cherries. The convenience factor is another win; freeze-dried cherries are lightweight, easy to store, and can be quickly rehydrated for use in recipes or enjoyed as a crunchy snack straight from the package.

​Bulk Cherries For Freeze Drying

The large Harvest Right freeze dryer holds about 20 pounds of food per run. While it’s possible to dry multiple types of fruit at once, it's best to choose fruits with similar moisture content to ensure they dry evenly. I prefer to fill the freeze dryer with bulk fruit to make the most of each cycle. Some great sources for finding affordable high quality bulk fruit include U-pick orchards, end-of-season sales at local produce stands, generous neighbors with overflowing fruit trees, the farmers market, ordering bulk organic fruit from Azure Standard, or growing my own.

Equipment Needed

Harvest Right Freeze Dryer

The Harvest Right freeze dryer is a popular choice for home use. It’s efficient, user-friendly, and comes in various sizes to suit your needs. If you're a beginner, the medium-sized model is a great starting point. We opted for a large size because we knew the amount of food preservation we would do with a large garden and fruit trees.

Other Supplies

• Airtight containers (like wide-mouth mason jars) or Mylar bags
• Oxygen absorbers
• Mason Jar Vacuum sealer (optional but recommended for long-term storage)
• Parchment paper or silicone mats
• Cherry Pitter (or a homemade version like the one pictured)

Preparing the Cherries

Selection- Choose ripe, firm, fresh fruit without blemishes or bruises. The quality of the fruit will affect the quality of the freeze-dried product. You can use any variety of cherries I prefer sweet cherries like Bing or Rainere but Tart Cherries also called sour cherries also turn out great.

Cleaning-Wash the cherries thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt and the stem. Lay them out on a towel to dry.

Pitting and Cutting- Remove the pits using a cherry pitter, a homemade cherry pitting fork, or a small pairing knife. Whole cherries can be freeze-dried, but I find for snacking I prefer to cut them in half. 

The Freeze-Drying Process

Loading the Freeze Dryer: Follow the instructions to start your Harvest Right freeze dryer, allowing about 15 minutes for the chamber to cool. Once it’s ready, spread the prepared cherries in a single layer on each tray. Fill the trays as much as possible without going over the rim—no need to leave space between the cherries. This will help maximize the load and make the most of each freeze-drying session. Insert the trays into the freeze dryer close the door and the drain valve securely and follow the instructions for your machine.

Monitoring- Periodically check on the freeze dryer to ensure everything is running smoothly. The process typically takes 24–36 hours but may extend to 40 hours or more, depending on factors like the cherries’ moisture content, fruit size, and the humidity of your environment

Checking For Dryness- When the machine signals that the cycle is complete, I remove each tray, weigh it, record the current weight, and then place it back into the freeze dryer, keeping the trays in the same order. I then select “More Dry Time” on the machine and run it for an additional two hours. Afterward, I re-weigh each tray. If the weight has decreased, this indicates that moisture is still being removed, so additional drying time is needed. If the weight remains the same as the initial reading, the food is fully dry and ready for storage. While this step is optional, it’s my preferred way to ensure that all moisture is removed, preventing spoilage once the food is packaged.

Storing Freeze-Dried Cherries

Packaging Once the freeze-drying process is complete, transfer the cherries to airtight containers such as Mylar bags or mason jars. Use a vacuum sealer for best results to remove any residual air when using mason jars. Avoid storing them in a plastic bag as they will slowly rehydrate due to the moisture in the air.

Storage Conditions: Store packaged cherries in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight. Properly stored freeze-dried cherries can last for several years in Mylar bags or 12–18 months in sealed mason jars. Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers offer a much longer shelf life than mason jars, so if your goal is long-term storage, that’s the best method to choose.

Labeling- Label the containers or bags with the date of freeze-drying and any other relevant information. This will help you keep track of the age of your stored food.

Using Freeze-Dried Cherries

To rehydrate freeze-dried cherries, soak them in water for a few minutes until they return to their original texture, because there is no added sugar they can be used in recipes just like fresh cherries.

Other fun and creative ways to use freeze-dried cherries:

1. Trail Mix: Mix freeze-dried cherries with nuts, seeds, and dark chocolate for a sweet and satisfying snack.
2. Oatmeal Topper: Sprinkle them on your morning oatmeal or yogurt for a burst of flavor and crunch.
3. Baking Booster: Add to muffins, pancakes, or bread recipes for a fruity twist.
4. Smoothie Ingredient: Blend them into smoothies for added sweetness and a unique flavor profile.
5. Salad Enhancer: Toss into salads for a pop of color and a sweet-tart contrast to savory ingredients.
6. Granola Bars: Incorporate into homemade granola or energy bars for a wholesome snack.
7. Ice Cream Topping: Use as a topping for ice cream or frozen yogurt for an extra crunch and flavor.
8. Cheese Board Addition: Pair with cheeses and charcuterie for a gourmet touch on your cheese board.
9. Infused Water: Rehydrate them in water for a fruity infusion to add to your drinks.
10. Homemade Jams or Sauces: Rehydrate and use in sauces or jams to enhance flavors.
11. Chocolate-Covered Treats: Dip them in melted chocolate for a sweet and crunchy treat.
12. Decorative Garnish: Use as a colorful garnish on desserts like cakes, cupcakes, or tarts.
13. Gifts: Freeze-dried fruit makes a unique and popular gift item.

Freeze-drying cherries is a fantastic way to enjoy their sweet, tangy flavor all year long! With just a bit of prep and patience, you’ll have a shelf-stable snack that’s packed with nutrients and perfect for everything from snacking to adding a burst of flavor to recipes. Whether you’re stocking up to avoid shopping at the grocery stores, preparing for long-term storage, or just want a crunchy, convenient treat, freeze-dried cherries are sure to be a hit. Just keep in mind that freeze-drying times can vary depending on the machine model, size, and manufacturer, as well as the climate in your area. Give it a try, and bring the taste of fresh cherries to your pantry, ready to enjoy whenever you like!