Freeze dried eggs are starting to become a shelf stable pantry staple. Wow, that was a mouthful, wasn't it? I'll show how to freeze dry eggs in just three easy steps! We will wrap this up by learning how to package eggs for long term storage and then use and reconstitute our egg powder! Yay! Let's do it!
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If you have backyard chickens, you've probably noticed that there is always an abundance of eggs during the warm summer months and then the egg production slows wayyy down in the winter. This is totally normal. The shorter days signal the chickens to rest and save their energy during the winter.
Our challenge as a backyard chicken parent is to strategically preserve eggs so. that we can avoid store-bought eggs during the winter months!
Jump to:
- Methods for preserving eggs
- Ingredients for making freeze dried eggs
- How many eggs fit on a freeze dryer tray
- Instructions for how to freeze dry eggs
- Helpful tips
- Troubleshooting
- How to rehydrate freeze dried eggs
- How to store/refrigerate/freeze/thaw
- Helpful tools for freeze drying eggs
- How to store freeze dried eggs
- Top tip
- FAQ
- More ideas for preserving food
- Recipes with eggs
- Comments
Methods for preserving eggs
Have you ever wondered how to preserve your farm-fresh eggs? Whether they are chicken eggs, duck eggs, or quail eggs, it's easy to save them for long term.
This is exactly what I do on our homestead. I save at least 6-8 dozen eggs in the refrigerator, unwashed. They will last for about 3 months before they lose freshness. This will get us from about October through December, depending on how much baking I do.
While we are getting several eggs each day, I begin waterglassing the eggs in a big glass jar.
I love water glassing eggs, but the eggs are only shelf stable (aka 'good') for about 8 months. This is perfect for getting us through the winter, but doesn't help me out for longterm food storage. However, I still think it's worth it to keep a few jars of water glass eggs in the pantry.
If you freeze eggs cracked and stirred in ice cube trays they only last about 2-4 months. I also don't love how they thaw... I know many people do this, but it is my least favorite method.
But—if you freeze-dry eggs, they are extremely shelf-stable if stored properly and can last for more than 20+ years with their long shelf life!
The freeze drying process simply requires whole eggs and a freeze dryer. I have a harvest right home freeze dryer. Keep reading to learn how I do it!
Ingredients for making freeze dried eggs
- Eggs | The eggs can be store-bought, farm-fresh or refrigerated, washed or unwashed. I generally try to preserve eggs that are as fresh as possible.
How many eggs fit on a freeze dryer tray
The quantity of eggs will vary depending on the amount of trays your freeze dryer has and the size of your eggs. For example, I can fit 18 large eggs on one tray in my Harvest Right freeze dryer, and 24 small pullet eggs. The source of the eggs doesn't matter, they can be fresh, washed or unwashed, store-bought or farm-raised. As a general rule, I try to use the freshest farm eggs I have.
Instructions for how to freeze dry eggs
Crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk them well so that the egg whites and the egg yolk are completely mixed. I use my stand mixer for this.
If the egg whites and yolks are not well mixed, it can throw the process of freeze drying off. The egg whites and egg yolks have different fat content, causing their densities to be different. This can cause uneven freeze drying if not mixed well.
Turn your freeze dryer on before you start cracking the eggs to let get cold.
Once the eggs are well mixed, pour them onto a freeze-dryer trays. If you have space in your freezer, place the trays into the freezer until frozen.
Letting the eggs freeze in the freezer first, shortens the amount of time they are in the freeze dryer, which in turn saves electricity.
If you don't have room in your freezer to pre-freeze (like me!), go ahead and pour the eggs into the trays while the trays are inside the freeze dryer. This prevents accidental spilling.
The actual freeze drying process will vary in the amount of time. It will generally take between 24 and 36 hours of freeze dryer time to fully dry the raw scrambled eggs.
The freeze dryer has sensors and will adjust the freeze time as needed, so you don't have to worry about setting the time.
However, I still find that my eggs need to be dried for an additional few hours. Feel your eggs in the middle of the tray. Crumble a bit between your fingers. If it feels even slightly damp, select the 'extend dry time' option. Repeat this process until the eggs are dry.
Store the eggs in mylar bags or mason jars with oxygen absorbers. I use a plastic dough scraper to break up the eggs and easily transfer them to the containers.
Helpful tips
The eggs easily break apart and can be powdered either with a wooden or plastic tamper. Another option is putting them into a food processor to make them into a freeze-dried egg powder. You can then place them directly into a mylar bags or mason jars for storage. Add the appropriate sized oxygen absorber for you container.
For eggs that I plan on using within a few months, I use mason jars (plus an oxygen absorber) to store. It's not necessary to us a jar sealer to remove all of the air, but I like to do this step.
If you do not plan to use the eggs within 3 months and would like to store them in long-term storage, I would recommend using a mylar bag with oxygen absorbers or placing an oxygen absorber in the mason jar, then sealing it with a mason jar vacuum sealer.
Hint: I use my silicon dough scraper to gently scoop the freeze dried eggs off of the tray. As I am putting the freeze-dried eggs into mason jars or mylar bags, I use a tamper to gently break the eggs into a powder.
Troubleshooting
- If your freeze dried eggs have an off or unpleasant flavor after storage, it is most likely due to oxygen exposure. Make sure to use an oxygen absorber with a properly sealed mylar bag or mason jar to ensure there is no excess oxygen.
- Make sure to store your finished product in a dark, dry place. They should not be kept in direct sunlight.
How to rehydrate freeze dried eggs
When it comes time to use your freeze dried eggs, you will need to rehydrated eggs.
- For an individual serving you will have to mix two tablespoons of water and two tablespoons of egg powder together in a bowl.
- Whisk them until combined. If using them for a casserole or in a situation where you need to make more than individual servings, mix equal parts water and eggs.
- Use the eggs in a recipe as needed, or cook on the stovetop. One egg equals 2 tablespoons of egg powder combined with 2 tablespoons of water.
You can use your rehydrated eggs for plain scrambled eggs and you would never know that they were freeze dried first!
You can use your reconstituted eggs in any breakfast casserole, such as my Venison Breakfast Casserole or on a breakfast croissant sandwich.
How to store/refrigerate/freeze/thaw
- Store your freeze dried eggs in a mylar bag or vacuum sealed mason jar with an oxygen absorber. The oxygen absorber will ensure there is no oxygen absorbed by the eggs causing a tainted flavor.
- Mix equal parts egg powder and water to reconstitute. One egg is two tablespoons of powder.
Helpful tools for freeze drying eggs
Harvest Right Freeze Dryer | I have the medium with the premier pump and love it.
Mylar storage bags | I usually by my bags from Harvest Right, but these Wallaby mylar bags are great, too.
Impulse Sealer | Again, mine is from Harvest Right, but this Wallaby would be my second choice. You can also use a flat iron (for hair) to seal bags, but you might want to look up a tutorial before you try it.
Oxygen Absorbers | Choose the proper size for your container. Some mylar bags come with oxygen absorbers.
Mason Jars | I'm not linking these. They are way overpriced online. Look at garage sales, Walmart or your local hardware store.
Jar Sealer | I use this to seal my jars with dried herbs, freeze dried foods, pretty much anything that could go stale if left exposed to air.
How to store freeze dried eggs
I store my freeze dried eggs in two ways: a mason jar with tight lid and mylar bags with oxygen absorbers.
When I use mason jars, I first make sure that the freeze dried eggs are ground into a powder. I use a lid sealer to suck out any extra air in the jar to help keep the eggs fresh longer. The only time I use mason jars is when I'm planning on using the eggs within six months. They will last up to two years.
Top tip
Freeze dried eggs make the most delicious omelette! The texture is nearly completely uniform and very delicious! Just mix equal parts water and egg powder and cook as normal.
FAQ
The advantage to using a freeze dryer to preserve your eggs is that the dry raw eggs can be stored safely in long term food storage for more than 20 years.
Freeze dried eggs will retain about 90% of their nutritional value. Therefore, it is recommended that you use fresh eggs vs. store bought eggs.
Freeze dried eggs are something you might want to add to your emergency food supplies. They are a wonderful source of protein and vitamins once reconstituted and cooked and are a very easy food to keep on hand!
If you have a freeze dryer and are looking for other harvest right freeze dryer recipes, I have tried freeze drying various types of food including freeze dried ice cream sandwiches, freeze-dried milk, freeze dried strawberries, freeze dried avocados and much more!
I hope this was helpful! Ask me any questions or share your experience in the comments! Have a great day!
Meg
More ideas for preserving food
Looking for more food preservation recipes and ideas?
Recipes with eggs
If you are ready to use your freeze dried eggs, here are some recipes!
Paula
Hello! Love this! Manifesting a freeze dryer and will try this recipe!!
Question: Have you separated eggs
and freeze dried just yolks and just whites?…wondering how freeze dried yolks could be used for egg nog or mayonnaise. Please let me know if you try