If you love fresh, healthy snacks, this homemade fruit leather recipe is a game-changer. It's a delicious way to preserve fruit you have on hand and turn it into a chewy, flavorful treat that's perfect for on-the-go snacking. You will need 3 ingredients, a food dehydrator or oven, and 4-6 hours of drying time.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Fruit leather is a great alternative to store-bought fruit roll-ups that are often loaded with preservatives and artificial sweeteners. This homemade version uses just a few simple ingredients, and it’s the perfect way to make use of seasonal fruit or preserve your extra harvest.
Whether you're working with fresh peaches from the farmer's market, or frozen fruit/overripe fruit you have on hand, you can make a batch of fruit leather that’s both tasty and healthy.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of your favorite fruit (fresh or frozen peaches work great, but you can substitute with other fruits like strawberries, mango, or mixed berries)
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (to help preserve the color)
- ¼ cup of honey, maple syrup or sugar (adjust to your taste, depending on the sweetness of the fruit)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- If you're using fresh fruit, wash and peel. Cut the fruit into chunks for easier blending. For frozen fruit, simply let it thaw slightly before blending. You can use a variety of fruits based on what’s in season or what you have in your freezer.
- Add the fruit chunks into a high-speed blender or food processor. Pour in the lemon juice and honey or sugar. Blend on high until smooth. If the mixture seems too thick, you can add a little water to help it blend more easily, but aim for a thick, puree-like consistency.
- Line your dehydrator trays with parchment paper or a silicone mat. If you have the silicone mats with raised edges, they work wonderfully to prevent the fruit from spilling over. Pour the fruit mixture evenly onto the trays, spreading it into a thin, uniform layer. The thinner you spread the fruit puree, the quicker it will dry, but don’t go too thin, or it might crack when rolling.
- Set your food dehydrator to 135°F. Let it dry for about 5 hours, or until the fruit leather feels dry to the touch but still has a bit of flexibility. See image below. The drying time will vary depending on the type of fruit and the amount of extra liquid in the fruit puree. It should be tacky but not sticky when it's ready, no wet spots!
- Once the fruit leather is completely dried, remove it from the dehydrator and let it cool. Cut the fruit leather sheet into strips with a sharp knife, pizza cutter or kitchen scissors. Roll each strip up in parchment paper, and store them in an airtight jar or container.
Top Tip:
This homemade fruit leather recipe is my go-to base for just about any fruit leather I make. It works perfectly with strawberries, mango, mixed berries, and more! Just adjust the water amount as needed to get a smooth blend.
If the fruit is especially tart, a little extra honey or lemon juice can balance the flavor. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be making homemade fruit leather in no time!
Variations to Try:
- Mixed Berry Fruit Roll-ups: Use any combination of berries like blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries. The natural tartness of berries works perfectly with the sweetener.
- Tropical Mango Fruit Leather: Use ripe mangoes for a tropical twist. The smooth texture and sweet flavor make it an instant favorite.
- Strawberry Lemonade Leather: Add a little extra lemon juice and blend in fresh strawberries for a zesty, fruity leather that tastes like summer in a bite.
Storage
Keep fruit leather in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Why This Recipe Works Every Time:
The beauty of these homemade fruit roll ups is its versatility. This recipe works with nearly any fruit you can get your hands on, and the method is simple enough that you can experiment and adapt it to your tastes. Plus, it’s a great way to preserve fruits when they're in season, saving them for the months ahead.
Fruit leather is not only a healthier snack alternative, but it’s also an eco-friendly way to use up surplus fruit. By making your own homemade fruit rolls, you’re reducing waste and packaging, all while enjoying a chewy, fruity treat made from just a few natural ingredients.
How to Make Fruit Leather in the Oven
To make fruit leather in a conventional oven, start by preheating your oven to its lowest setting, typically around 170°F (or 75°C).
Blend the fruit, lemon juice, and honey or sugar until smooth.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat, then spread the fruit puree evenly in a thin layer. Place the sheet in the oven and bake for 4-6 hours, checking occasionally. If you have a convection oven, go ahead and use that setting to get the air flowing.
The fruit leather is done when it feels dry to the touch but still a bit flexible.
Once it has cooled, cut it into strips and roll them up in parchment paper. Store the fruit leather in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
While this method takes a bit longer than a dehydrator, it’s an easy alternative that yields delicious homemade fruit leather.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to make a homemade fruit roll-up, the possibilities are endless!
You can mix and match fruits, add spices, and tweak the sweetness to create a snack that’s uniquely yours.
It’s one of those simple joys of homemade food that gets better with every batch.
FAQ
Yes! Frozen fruit works great. Just thaw it out slightly before blending for the best consistency.
It should be dry to the touch but still slightly flexible. If it’s still sticky, let it dry longer.
Roll it up in parchment paper and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze it!
Related
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Recipe
Fruit Leather
Equipment
- blender or food processor
- food dehydrator or oven
- silicon dehydrator mats or baking sheets optional
Ingredients
- 1 pound fruit fresh or frozen
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup honey or sugar or maple syrup
Instructions
- If you're using fresh fruit, wash and prep. Cut them into chunks for easier blending. For frozen fruit, simply let it thaw slightly before blending. You can use a variety of fruits based on what’s in season or what you have in your freezer.
- Add the fruit chunks into a high-speed blender. Pour in the lemon juice and honey or sugar. Blend on high until smooth. If the mixture seems too thick, you can add a little water to help it blend more easily, but aim for a thick, puree-like consistency.
- Line your dehydrator trays with parchment paper or silicone mats. If you have the silicone mats with raised edges, they work wonderfully to prevent the fruit from spilling over. Pour the fruit puree evenly onto the trays, spreading it into a thin, uniform layer. The thinner you spread it, the quicker it will dry, but don’t go too thin, or it might crack when rolling. See note below for using an oven.
- Set your dehydrator to 135°F. Let it dry for about 5 hours, or until the fruit leather feels dry to the touch but still has a bit of flexibility. It should be tacky but not sticky. Keep an eye on it towards the end to avoid over-drying.
- Once the fruit leather is completely dried, remove it from the dehydrator and let it cool. Cut it into strips with a sharp knife or kitchen scissors. Roll each strip up in parchment paper, and store them in an airtight jar or container. Keep them at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Aaron
Easy and so good. Peach is the best, strawberry pineapple was good, too.