To explore the effects of different moisture content and moisture state to the thermal stability of surimi gels with high-temperature treatment.Surimi gels was prepared with different water retaining agents,then treated with high temperature.The moisture content,water activity and moisture status changes of the gel after cold-drying was tested.The gel properties were evaluated by a five-point grading system.With the cold drying time increasing,the moisture content of the surimi gels with or without water retaining agents showed the same downward trend.The water activity also decreased,but the decline rate is not the same.Immobilized water and free water content of the surimi gels changed.After high-temperature treatment,the gel properties showed an upward trend.Reducing the moisture content can effectively improve the gel properties with high-temperature treatment.Moreover,water retaining agents can change the water activity and moisture state to further improve the thermal stability of the surimi gels.