Freeze-Dried Caramel Apples: A Crisp and Sweet Holiday Treat

Freeze-dried caramel apples are a delightful treat that are not only easy to make but also incredibly delicious. With their sweet, crunchy texture and a hint of tartness, they perfectly capture the essence of fall and winter. Since they are freeze-dried, these treats can last for a long time, but they are so tasty that you won’t be able to keep them around for long!

They also make great gifts for friends, family, and co-workers—though be warned, they’ll likely be asking for more!

I made these treats in two variations: apple slices with caramel and caramel apple sandwiches I pair these with PackFreshUSA, small, medium, and large Stand Up Pouches. They come in a variety of colors. I like the silver/clear, white/clear, black/clear just to name a few choices. I add a cute tag to make it more festive. 

Here are the tools I used for the apple slicer, de-corer, mandolin, knife, and spoons. 

Caramel Apple Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• Large apples (I used Gala apples)
• Caramel dip
• Cinnamon (optional)

Instructions:

1. 1. Core the apples using a coring tool, then slice them thinly. You can use a mandolin slicer or simply cut them by hand into thin “O” shapes. If you prefer, you can cut the “O” shapes in half or leave them whole.
2. Spread a layer of caramel dip evenly over one apple slice, then top it with another slice to form a sandwich.
3. Place the sandwiches on the freeze-dryer tray and pre-freeze.
4. Put the tray into the freeze-dryer and run it on the normal setting. I recommend adding extra dry time (around 6 hours more than usual), especially since the caramel tends to expand quite a bit.
5. To prevent any mess from the caramel expansion, place parchment paper over the tray and tuck it underneath. This helps protect the heat element from the caramel.

These caramel apple sandwiches turned out perfectly crispy and sweet!

Apple Slices with Caramel Dollops

Instructions:

1. 1. Use an apple slicer with a built-in corer to slice the apples. If the slices are too thick, feel free to cut them in half.
2. 2. With two teaspoons, scoop small amounts of caramel sauce and place them in the center of each apple slice. Be sure to leave some space around the edges to allow the caramel to expand as it freeze-dries.
3. 3. Cover the tray with parchment paper and tuck the edges around it to protect the heat element from caramel overflow.
4. 4. Place the tray in the freeze-dryer and run it on the normal cycle. This will ensure the apple slices dry perfectly without the caramel becoming too sticky.

This method is simple and yields a tasty, snackable treat that’s sure to be a hit during the holidays.

These freeze-dried caramel apples are a sweet, crispy treat that’s perfect for gifting or enjoying yourself—just don’t expect them to last long! 

You can also make bite size apple sandwich slices, I did those and put them in the small size Stand Up Pouches. These really are such a wonderful treat, and with the holiday season in full swing, I love these simple treats to gift to my neighbors, family, and friends.

Happy holidays,

Ola D Griffin

Long-term Food Storage Expert

Customer Service, Safeguard Brands, Inc. dba PackFreshUSA

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