Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Turn on Your Freeze-Dryer
- If you'll be freeze-drying fresh eggs, turn the freeze-dryer on so it can cool while you prep your eggs. If you'll be freezing the eggs first, wait until they're frozen to turn the freeze dryer on. Turn the power button on, then make sure the pressure valve on the side of the free-dryer is closed (perpendicular). Hit "Start" on the screen, and allow 15-20mins for cooling of the vacuum chamber before loading the trays.
Prepare Your Eggs
- Wash the eggs and then crack them and add them to a large bowl or blender and blend well. Using a blender makes pouring the eggs into freeze-drying trays much easier. I used 54 eggs, which filled 3 of my free-drying trays. Each tray holds about 18 eggs.
- *If you'll be freezing the eggs first, fill each tray, place a lid on it, and place in the freezer until frozen. Starting with frozen eggs will decrease the time your freeze dryer runs.*
Load your Freeze-Dryer
- Load the freeze-dryer trays into the freeze-dryer. Then, slightly slide one out at a time and pour your blended eggs into the tray, this way you can avoid any spills from trying to load full trays into the freeze-dryer. Fill the trays up to the top.
- Close the door of the freeze-dryer, and make sure the latch is closed all the way. Hit "Continue" on the screen. The freeze-dryer will be on freeze mode for about 9 hours before drying the eggs.
Thaw the Freeze-Dryer
- Once the freeze-drying process is complete, the freeze-dryer will beep. Remove the trays from the freeze dryer and hit "Defrost" on the screen. Open the drain valve on the side, and let the hose drain into a large pot or 5-gallon bucket. The defrosting process takes about 2 hours.
Store Your Powdered Eggs
- Break up the freeze-dried eggs in the freeze-drying trays and transfer them into a blender. Blend until you reach a fine powder consistency. Store in glass jars for short-term storage or mylar bags with oxygen absorbers for long-term storage.
Reconstitute & Use Freeze Dried Eggs
- 2 Tablespoons of egg powder + 2 Tablespoons of water = 1 egg. To make 12 eggs, mix 1.5 cups of water and 1.5 cups of eggs.
- Make freeze-dried scrambled eggs as you would with regular fresh eggs. You can also add freeze-dried egg powder into baking recipes or any other recipes calling for eggs, using the above formula.
Nutrition
Notes
- Use fresh eggs: Start with farm-fresh eggs to ensure the best flavor and quality in the final product.
- Crack and whisk thoroughly: Crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk them thoroughly to ensure even drying and texture when reconstituting.
- Spread evenly: Spread the egg mixture evenly onto freeze-drying trays or pans to ensure uniform drying.
- Pre-freeze if needed: If you're freeze-drying a liquid egg mixture, consider pre-freezing the freeze-dryer trays with lids on, before transferring to the freeze-dryer. This helps prevent spillage and ensures faster drying.
- Avoid overfilling trays: Don't overfill the trays or pans, as this can lead to uneven drying and longer processing times.
- Maintain proper temperature and humidity: Ensure that the freeze dryer is set to the appropriate temperature and humidity settings recommended for egg products.
- Monitor the process: Regularly check the progress of the freeze-drying process to ensure that the eggs are drying properly and not becoming too brittle.
Storage
- Airtight containers: Store freeze-dried eggs in airtight containers to prevent moisture absorption and maintain their freshness.
- Vacuum-sealed bags: Vacuum-sealed bags are also an excellent option for long term storage, as they help remove air and create a tight seal.
- Cool, dark place: Store freeze-dried eggs in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Excessive heat and light can degrade the quality of the eggs over time.
- Dry environment: Ensure the storage area is dry, as moisture can cause freeze-dried eggs to rehydrate and spoil.
- Avoid temperature fluctuations: Fluctuations in temperature can compromise the quality of freeze-dried eggs. Choose a storage location with stable temperatures, ideally between 50-70°F (10-21°C).
- Rotate stock: Use a first-in, first-out (FIFO) system to rotate your stock of freeze-dried eggs. This ensures that older batches are used first, maintaining freshness.
- Label containers: Clearly label containers with the contents and date of freeze-drying for easy identification and tracking of shelf life.
- Consider oxygen absorbers: Adding oxygen absorbers to the storage containers can help prolong the shelf life of freeze-dried eggs by reducing the presence of oxygen, which can cause oxidation.
- Avoid moisture exposure: Keep freeze-dried eggs away from moisture sources, such as sinks, dishwashers, or areas prone to humidity.
- Regular inspection: Periodically inspect stored freeze-dried eggs for any signs of moisture or spoilage. If you notice any issues, discard the affected portions immediately.