Learn how to make freeze dried avocados and freeze dried guacamole using your home freeze dryer. The flavor and texture are as fresh as the day you made it and it’s shelf-stable for years!
We’ve had our Harvest Right freeze dryer for over a year now, and actually recently purchased a second one for our family. We’ve had so much fun making freeze dried berries, freeze dried raw milk powder, freeze dried tomatoes, and even individual servings of freeze dried chicken pot pie!
If you’re not sure which foods cannot be freeze dried or about the difference between freeze dried and dehydrated food, check out that post!
Why I Love This Recipe
Here in North Idaho, we can’t grow avocados, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t love to eat them!
Every time I go to the grocery store I keep my eye on the avocados and watch for when they go on sale. But we all know what it’s like to buy too many avocados because they’re such a great deal and, inevitably, some end up getting too ripe before we can get to them.
But not anymore! A good friend told me about freeze drying avocados and guacamole, and though I was a bit skeptical, I went ahead and gave it a try. Now I’m a believer!
Not only is the taste and texture phenomenal, but to have homemade guacamole in just a few minutes without dirtying up my kitchen? Yes, please!
Harvest Right Freeze Dryer
If you missed my video where I gave my one-year review of the Harvest Right Freeze Dryer, be sure to check that out. Once you watch that video, you’ll know why our family purchased a second machine!
We continue to experiment with the freeze dryer and will keep sharing our favorite recipes, just like this one for freeze dried avocados and guacamole.
If you have questions about freeze drying or you’re curious about the Harvest Right Freeze Dryers, check them out!
How to Make Freeze Dried Avocados
To make freeze dried avocados, the method is simple. You just need two ingredients plus your freeze dryer and a bit of time.
Supplies Needed
- Freeze Dryer – To make this recipe you must have a freeze dryer. Unlike dehydrated foods, there’s no other way to obtain freeze dried foods than with a freeze dryer.
- Glass storage jars – Because we’re making big batches for our large family, we like to use half-gallon Mason jars with lids and vacuum seal the jar. If you’re making a smaller amount, you could still use a smaller Mason jar, or consider using something like a mylar bag.
Ingredients Needed
- Avocados – This recipe will work best with perfectly ripe avocados. If they’re under or overripe, that flavor and texture will carry through to your freeze dried final product.
- Lime juice – This is to add flavor and keep the avocados from browning. You can also use lemon juice or a citric acid wash to achieve the same thing, however, I love the flavor of avocado and lime.
Instructions
- Start with fully ripe (but not overripe) avocados.
- Pit and skin them, then cut them into cubes.
- Toss cubes with lime juice and spread them onto the freeze dryer trays.
- Freeze dry.
- Once avocados are completely dry, store them in a glass Mason jar or mylar bag.
How to Make Freeze Dried Guacamole
To make freeze dried guacamole, the method begins similar to making freeze dried avocados. However, from there you’re actually going to be mixing up a fresh batch of guacamole all the way to the point you would if you were going to eat it fresh. Homesteading Hack: Save time on dinner by making up extra guacamole for fresh eating and pair it with taco night at your house the day you’re freeze drying the rest.
Supplies Needed
- Freeze Dryer – To make this recipe you must have a freeze dryer. Unlike dehydrated foods, there’s no other way to obtain freeze dried foods than with a freeze dryer.
- Silicone Liner (optional) – The silicone liners that go with the freeze dryer trays are optional, but I do like using them.
- Glass storage jars – Again, since we’re making big batches of guacamole for our large family, we like to use half-gallon Mason jars with lids and vacuum seal the jar. If you’re making a smaller amount, you could still use a smaller Mason jar, or consider using something like a mylar bag.
Ingredients Needed
- Avocados – This recipe will work best with perfectly ripe avocados. If they’re under or overripe, that flavor and texture will carry through to your freeze dried final product.
- Lime juice – This is to add flavor and keep the avocados from browning. You can also use lemon juice or a citric acid wash to achieve the same thing, however, I love the flavor of avocado and lime.
- Sea Salt (optional) – I always add salt to my guacamole to help bring out the flavors of all the ingredients. If you’ve been with us for long, you know we always use our Redmond Real Salt. (Using that link for Redmond Salt will automatically give you 15% off your order!).
- Add-Ins (optional) – You have the choice of adding in your additional ingredients such as onions, tomatoes, cilantro, jalapenos… anything else you like to put in your guacamole before freeze drying. Or, you can simply mix together the mashed avocado and lime and add the additional ingredients at a later time.
Homesteading Hack: I also freeze dried a tray of chopped cilantro and a tray of lime wedges because we tend to want these items on nights we’re also eating guacamole. If you’re going to run your freeze dryer, you may as well run it with all the trays filled with food.
Instructions
- Start with fully ripe (but not overripe) avocados.
- Pit and skin them, then mash them in a bowl (leave it as chunky or make it as smooth as you like it).
- Squeeze in fresh lime juice and mix until well incorporated.
- Do a taste test and add more lime juice, if needed. You should be able to taste the avocado with a slight citrus zing. Again, this is to preference.
- If adding additional ingredients, go ahead and chop and mix them into the guacamole at this time.
- Spread guacamole onto the silicone-lined freeze dryer trays.
- Freeze dry.
- Once guacamole is completely dry, crumble it up into pieces and store it in a glass Mason jar or mylar bag. For extra smooth and creamy guacamole, you could pulse the freeze dried guacamole in a food processor until it’s completely powdered.
How to Store Freeze Dried Foods
It’s best to store freeze dried foods in vacuum-sealed jars or bags and out of direct sunlight (here is our favorite vacuum sealer for Mason jars). It’s said that food will last on the shelf for up to 25 years with most of its nutritional value when stored properly. However, because avocados are such a fatty food, it’s probably best to use them up within a year.
If your home is anything like mine, these freeze dried foods won’t last much longer than a few months, so I don’t think we have to worry!
I love using my small hand-held vacuum sealer from Food Saver to seal my jars. I’ve used it for years and love it. It’s also a great way to use leftover canning jar lids.
And for those wondering, here’s a link to a jar opener like I showed in the video above!
How to Rehydrate Freeze Dried Foods
When you’re reconstituting freeze dried foods, it’s good to have an idea of how much moisture that food has in it when it’s fresh.
Avocados or Guacamole
Avocados need very little moisture added back in to reconstitute them. So if you had something like a spray bottle, you could place a handful of avocados or guacamole pieces into a bowl and spray a few spritzes of your water bottle onto them.
Let them sit for just a few minutes, and check on them to see if they’ve been given enough water. Add more water, if needed, and enjoy.
I also like to squeeze a little fresh lime juice over my freeze dried avocados so some of the moisture is actually lime juice. This makes them taste incredible and just like a fresh avocado with lime.
Cilantro and Other Herbs
Herbs will reconstitute almost immediately with just a spritz of water. But they don’t actually rehydrate in the same form as their fresh version, so when I’m using herbs, I tend to just crumble them on while still freeze dried into or onto whatever I’m eating.
If you’re baking or cooking with them, just add them to the food and they’ll be just fine.
Limes
Freeze dried limes are great when powdered and used in baking, or for sprinkling on top of food for that zesty, zippy flavor. But lime wedges also reconstitute phenomenally!
Simply take a lime wedge and dip it into a bowl of water for about five seconds, then let it rest for a couple of minutes. You may need to do two dips for it to be fully reconstituted, then you will be able to squeeze out the lime juice and use it just as you would a freshly sliced lime.
If you happen to come across a good sale on guacamole, avocados, limes or even cilantro at your local grocery store (or if you plan to grow cilantro or any of these foods yourself), consider grabbing some extras and tossing them into the freeze dryer to start lining those pantry shelves with home-preserved food.
Did you make this recipe? If so, please leave us a star rating on the recipe card below. Then snap a photo of your freeze dried avocados or guacamole and tag us on social media @homesteadingfamily so we can see!
The Abundant Pantry: Freeze Drying Masterclass
If you are ready to take your freeze drying skills to the next level, you don’t want to miss my Freeze Drying Masterclass. This class was designed to be taken independently or as a companion to my book Freeze Drying the Harvest. In this online course, you will receive:
- 70+ detailed video lessons, including step-by-step setup instructions and complete batch walkthroughs for fruit, veggies, meat, meals, liquids, living food, desserts and more!
- 24/7 Lifetime access! Watch over and over again, anytime!
- 166 Page Class workbook that includes pre-treatment instructions, rehydration charts and full recipes
- Complete the troubleshooting section to confidently navigate any errors
By the time you finish this class, you will be filling your pantry with nutrient-dense, delicious freeze dried fruit, veggies, milk, eggs, meat, meals (and more) like a pro. Enroll today and receive instant access!
More Freeze Dried Recipes You May Enjoy
- Freeze Dried Apples
- Freeze Dried Scrambled Eggs
- Freeze Dried Strawberries
- Freeze Dried Ice Cream
- Freeze Dried Corn
- Individual Freeze Dried Chicken Pot Pies
Freeze Dried Avocados (and Guacamole)
Equipment
- Freeze Dryer
Ingredients
- Avocados
- Lime juice
- Salt to taste
Additional Ingredients for Freeze Dried Guacamole
- Add-ins tomatoes, onions, cilantro, etc.
Instructions
To Freeze Dry Avocados
- Start with fully ripe (but not overripe) avocados.
- Pit and skin them, then cut them into cubes.
- Toss cubes with lime juice and spread them onto the freeze dryer trays.
- Freeze dry.
- Once avocados are completely dry, store them in a glass Mason jar or mylar bag.
To Freeze Dry Guacamole
- Start with fully ripe (but not overripe) avocados.
- Pit and skin them, then mash them in a bowl (leave it as chunky or make it as smooth as you like it).
- Squeeze in fresh lime juice and salt, then mix until well incorporated.
- Do a taste test and adjust seasonings as needed. You should be able to taste the avocado with a slight citrus zing. Again, this is to preference.
- If adding additional ingredients, go ahead and chop and mix them into the guacamole at this time.
- Taste and adjust, again to preference.
- Spread guacamole onto the silicone-lined freeze dryer trays.
- Freeze dry.
- Once guacamole is completely dry, crumble it up into pieces and store it in a glass Mason jar or mylar bag. For extra smooth and creamy guacamole, you could pulse the freeze dried guacamole in a food processor until it’s completely powdered.
Notes
- Because this recipe is dependent on how many avocados you have, there are no ingredient measurements listed. Simply chop as many avocados you want to freeze dry, or make up your guacamole however you enjoy it for fresh eating.