A freeze drying system (200) having a nozzle (30) operated at a setpoint pressure to generate fluid product drops (242) for freezing in a freezing chamber (244) of a freezing vessel (228). The freezing chamber includes an inner wall (250) that defines a cavity (254) and an outer wall (252) having an inlet (260) that extends from a location on the outer wall that is lower than an outlet (262). A cooling fluid flows through the inlet, cavity and outlet to form a freezing zone (280). A drying chamber (304) having sloped shelves (352) receives frozen particles (282) from the freezing chamber. A heating element (418) is associated with each shelf that heats the frozen particles to promote sublimation. Vibration elements (396, 398, 400, 402) located outside the drying chamber vibrate the shelves causing the frozen particles to move from shelf to shelf to form freeze dried product (284).