Step 1

Prepare your favorite recipe for homemade baby food.

Step 2

Spoon prepared food into ice cube trays or silicone molds.

Step 3

Cover trays with cling wrap and place trays in a freezer for at least 2 hours or, for best results, up to 24 hours.

Step 4

Bring your freeze dryer to the recommended temperature before removing the baby food from the freezer.

Step 5

If desired, prepare freeze-dryer trays with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Step 6

Remove trays of baby food from the freezer, discard plastic wrap, and transfer the cubes to the freeze-dryer trays.

Step 7

Load the trays in the freeze dryer, put the insulating cover in place (for older models), and shut the door.

Step 8

Set the timer for 20 hours, checking when the signal goes off, and if it’s not completely freeze-dried, return it to the freeze-dryer for 2-hour increments until done.

Step 9

Store baby food out of direct sunlight in well-labeled containers with oxygen absorbers.