How to Freeze Dry Eggs: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to freeze dry eggs easily with our guide for long-term storage and quick rehydration. Keeps eggs fresh for up to 25 years!

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Last year, we upped our food preservation game by investing in a freeze dryer. After comparing the Harvest Right and Blue Alpine Freezer Dryers, we ultimately chose a Blue Alpine Medium Freeze Dryer. It’s been in almost constant use ever since, handling a variety of foods, from raw milk to oatmeal, fruits, vegetables, rice, beans, and, notably, eggs. In this guide, I’m excited to show you how to freeze dry eggs, a surprisingly simple process.

Why Freeze Dry Eggs?

Freeze-drying eggs allows you to preserve them for an extended period – up to 25 years! – without losing their nutritional value or taste. It’s a fantastic way to take advantage of bulk purchases or to keep your homegrown eggs fresh throughout the year. Plus, freeze-dried eggs are incredibly versatile and easily reconstituted for cooking or baking.

Tools You Need:

• Eggs
• Freeze Dryer (Whether you’re using a Blue Alpine or Harvest Right, the fundamental freeze-drying process remains the same. However, the specific settings, capacity, and drying time will vary between models. To see how they stack up against each other, I suggest checking out our freeze-dryer comparison post, which details the specifics of both options.
• Storage Containers (Glass jars, , or are all suitable options, and they should all include for long-term storage.)

How to Freeze Dry Eggs – My Step-by-Step Process:

1. Washing the Eggs

I start by thoroughly washing my eggs to remove any dirt or debris, ensuring none of it ends up in my freeze-dried eggs. After washing, I add all the eggs to a large bowl of water to rinse them off one more time and check for floaters. Eggs that float have gone bad and should be discarded. This extra step helps ensure that only the highest quality, freshest eggs make it into the freeze-drying process.

2. Prepping the Trays

Our freeze dryer came with 9″ x 12″ trays, but we found slightly larger 9.5″ x 12″ trays (they’re listed as 10″x 12″) that easily fit in our system. So, that’s what we used for this.

Update: I used to line my trays with silicone mats, as the photo shows, but I’ve since stopped doing this. It didn’t really make a difference with cleanup, so it’s not worth the extra step.

3. Blending the Eggs

I blend the eggs in batches for each tray using my Ninja Professional series blender on the puree setting for about 10 seconds. Then, I pour the blended eggs onto the lined trays. Our five freeze-dryer trays can hold 90 eggs, so I crack 18 eggs for each tray. (However, I think we could fit even more. Next time, I’ll add 20 eggs per tray, so there will be 100 eggs in total.)

4. Pre-Freezing (Optional)

I stack the trays in a crisscross pattern in the freezer, separating them with a silicone mat to prevent sticking. Pre-freezing is optional, but it can reduce the time in the freeze dryer by up to 8-12 hours.

4. Freeze Drying

Once frozen, I transfer the trays to the freeze dryer and set the temperature to 120 degrees. The process takes about 20 hours, but this will vary based on the brand and size of your freeze-dryer and the volume of eggs you’re using.

For specific info on freeze-drying eggs with a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer, check out this post by Melissa K Norris.

5. Crumbling

Once the freeze-drying cycle completes, I start by breaking up the dried eggs with a spatula until they’re nice and crumbly. This makes them easier to measure and reconstitute later.

6. Packaging

Next, I pack the crumbled eggs into gallon-sized mylar bags with . I carefully vacuum seal each bag, ensuring it’s airtight. Finally, I label and date each one so I know exactly what I have and when I freeze-dried it. Our 90 eggs fit into two 1-gallon-sized mylar bags, each weighing just over 1 lb.

To know exactly how many oxygen absorbers you’ll need, download my free mylar bag food storage chart.

FAQs

How do you store freeze dried eggs?

To ensure your freeze-dried eggs remain fresh and ready for use, here are some effective storage methods you can choose from:

1. Mylar Bags with Oxygen Absorbers (Our preferred method): We highly recommend using mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. This combination is what we use, and it’s proven to keep eggs shelf-stable for up to 25 years. It’s the best way to prevent oxidation and significantly extend your eggs’ shelf life.
2. Vacuum Sealer Bags: These are great for keeping moisture and air at bay. For even better results, add oxygen absorbers to each bag. This method is nearly as effective as mylar bags for long-term storage.
3. Glass Mason Jars: If you’re looking for something for the shorter term or prefer to see what’s inside your storage at a glance, glass jars with tight-fitting lids are a good option. Remember to add oxygen absorbers to each jar to boost its preservation capabilities.
4. Airtight Glass Food Storage Containers: Use these if you plan to use your freeze-dried eggs within a shorter period. These containers will protect against moisture and pests, but tossing in an oxygen absorber will give you that extra security.
5. Refrigeration: Although not strictly necessary, keeping your sealed freeze-dried eggs in the fridge can protect them from humidity, which is especially handy in more humid climates.

The most crucial step in ensuring the longevity of your freeze-dried eggs is to ensure they’re completely dry before packing them away. By following these storage tips, your eggs will maintain their quality and be ready to rehydrate and use whenever you need them.

How do you rehydrate freeze dried eggs?

To reconstitute, stir together 2 tablespoons of freeze-dried eggs with 2 tablespoons of water for each egg needed. Wait a few minutes for the water to fully absorb before using.

How to use freeze dried eggs?

You can use freeze-dried eggs like fresh eggs in cooking and baking, especially during the winter when your chickens slow their laying (if you’re not using supplemental lighting). They’re perfect for making scrambled eggs and omelets or as an ingredient in recipes, offering a convenient and long-lasting option for homestead kitchens.

How much freeze-dried egg equals one egg?

Typically, 2 tablespoons of freeze-dried egg powder mixed with 2 tablespoons of water will reconstitute the equivalent of one fresh egg. This ratio is perfect for recipes or even making scrambled eggs and omelets.

Do you have to cook eggs before freeze-drying?

Not at all. You can freeze-dry raw eggs after blending them into a smooth consistency. This method preserves their nutritional value and makes them versatile for later use.

Do freeze-dried eggs taste different?

Nope! In my opinion, they taste exactly like fresh eggs. 

How long do freeze-dried raw eggs last?

It depends on how they’re stored. When stored correctly in mylar bags with oxygen absorbers, freeze-dried raw eggs can last up to 25 years. 

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Conclusion

And there you have it—I hope you found this guide helpful in maximizing your egg preservation efforts. While investing in a freeze dryer might seem substantial initially, trust me, it’s worth every penny for its long-term savings, convenience, and food security it brings.