Homemade Fruit Leather is a delightful snack that combines the sweetness of fresh fruit with a chewy, portable texture. This on the go snack makes a great lunchbox treat or after-school snack. Kids and adults alike will love this fruity delight!
Creating your own homemade fruit roll ups is simpler than you might think. With just a few basic ingredients you can craft a tasty and nutritious snack. Making this fruit leather recipe at home allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavors to suit your family’s preferences!
A Labor of Fruity Love
I’ve actually made homemade fruit roll ups several times but didn’t care for the results. The fruit either took waaay too long to dry out, or the consistency was wrong. So I scoured the internet for a new recipe, read comments from those that made it, and decided to create my own recipe. I am pleased to announce that it turned out beautifully!
This recipe is versatile, allowing you to experiment with different fruit combinations and flavors. Whether you choose classic strawberries or venture into more exotic fruit options, homemade fruit leather is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike. Get ready to embark on a fun and rewarding culinary adventure in your own kitchen!
Why you’ll Love The Recipe
- It yields a lot! In my opinion, if you’re going to run the oven for several hours, you might as well make the most of it and make a large batch.
- Healthier option. Homemade fruit leather is a healthier alternative to store-bought fruit snacks. It retains much of the fruit’s natural nutrients and fiber.
- Versatile recipe. The fruit leather recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to use a wide variety of fruits based on personal preferences or seasonal availability. You can experiment with different fruit combinations to create unique flavors. It’s also a great way to use up excess fruit that might otherwise go to waste!
DIY Fruit Leather Ingredients
Fresh fruit: You will need 3 pounds of fresh fruit that has been washed, hulled, or pitted as needed. I usually use strawberries, but you can use any type of fruit you and your family enjoy.
Fruit juice: Use 1 cup of 100% fruit juice (pick a flavor that pairs well with your fruit choice). You will need roughly ⅓ cup of juice per 1 pound of fruit.
Sugar: To cut down on any tartness of the fruit, add 1-2 tablespoons of granulated sugar.
How to make Homemade Fruit Leather
Cook fruit
Begin by washing the fruit and remove the hull/pit/stems/etc. Slice each berry in half and place in a medium size saucepan on the stove.
Then add the fruit juice and cook over medium heat until the fruit is soft. Next add the sugar (or you can omit it). I’ve made it with and without sugar, we loved it both ways, so I opted to leave it out. However, if your fruit is tart, adding a tablespoon or two might be good.
Blend fruit
The next step is to blend/puree the fruit until it’s super smooth. You can do this in a variety of ways, depending on what kitchen gadgets you have.
- I love my immersion blender, and it works great for this- stick it in the berries and blend. It took about 10 seconds to make a smooth puree. I blended it for about a minute to make sure I got all the chunks.
- You can also transfer the fruit mixture to a blender and puree it that way.
Proceed to pour the puree onto 2 jelly roll pans lined with parchment paper.
You might want to trim the paper down a bit so that the side doesn’t fall into the puree. Mine did once, and that fruit never dried out.
Bake
Get the oven preheating to 170 degrees F, once at temperature, place the pans in the oven to bake. Use a wooden spoon and prop the oven door open to act as a vent during the baking process. After many tries, many recipes for fruit leather, this is the step that I believe makes the most difference.
As the fruit is drying, the moisture needs somewhere to escape. Just be sure to keep any toddlers out of the kitchen or block it off with a baby gate.
Bake/dry the fruit in the oven for 6-7 hours. Check it at 6 hours and see if you can peel it from the parchment paper, the fruit will still be slightly sticky.
You don’t want to make it crispy by cooking it too long. If it all peels up, it’s done! If you still have portions that aren’t cooked, put them back in the oven for another hour.
Serve
Once the fruit is done, proceed to cut it into strips before removing it from the parchment paper. Then peel the paper off. There is no need to take time to roll it with plastic wrap or wax paper or anything, just store it in an airtight container.
Snack and enjoy!
What fruits can be made into leather?
Berries: Berries like raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries also make excellent fruit leather. Their intense flavors and deep colors create a visually appealing end product.
Tropical fruits: Mangoes, pineapples, and papayas can be turned into exotic fruit leather varieties. Their natural sweetness often requires little to no added sugar.
Stone fruits: Plums, nectarines, and cherries work wonderfully too. Their natural tartness balances nicely with a touch of added sweetness.
Combination: For a twist, try mixing fruits. Combining apples with berries or peaches with mangoes can create interesting flavor profiles. Experimenting with different fruit combinations can lead to delightful discoveries.
Homemade Fruit Leather
Ingredients
- 3 lbs fresh fruit (strawberries) washed and hulled/pitted, etc.
- 1 cup 100% fruit juice use ⅓ cup per pound of fruit
- 1-2 TBSP sugar optional
Instructions
- Cook fruit: Wash the fruit and remove the hull/pit/stems/etc. Slice each berry in half and place in a medium size saucepan on the stove. Add the fruit juice and cook over medium heat until the fruit is soft. Add the sugar (optional). If your fruit is tart, adding a tablespoon or two might be good.
- Blend fruit: Blend/puree the fruit until it's super smooth. You can do this in a variety of ways, depending on what kitchen gadgets you have.*I love my immersion blender, and it works great for this- stick it in the berries and blend. It took about 10 seconds to make a smooth puree. I blended it for about a minute to make sure I got all the chunks. *You can also transfer the fruit mixture to a blender and puree it that way.
- Pour the puree onto 2 jelly roll pans lined with parchment paper. Trim the paper down a bit so that the side doesn't fall into the puree.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 170 degrees F and once at temperature, place the pans in the oven to bake. Use a wooden spoon and prop the oven door open to act as a vent during the baking process. After many tries many recipes for fruit leather, this is the step that I believe makes the most difference.
- Bake/dry the fruit in the oven for 6-7 hours. Check it at 6 hours and see if you can peel it from the parchment paper, the fruit will still be slightly sticky. You don't want to make it crispy by cooking it too long. If it all peels up, it's done! If you still have portions that aren't cooked, put them back in the oven for another hour.
- Serve: Cut it into strips before removing it from the parchment paper. Then peel the paper off. There is no need to take time to roll it with plastic wrap or wax paper or anything, just store it in an airtight container. Snack and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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How long is fruit leather good for?
Homemade fruit leather can last up to 1 week at room temperature if stored properly. Keep it in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 6 months or freeze for up to 1 year.
Can you create fruit leather with no added sugar?
Yes, fruit leather can be made without added sugar. Naturally sweet fruits like ripe bananas, mangoes, or peaches work well. For tart fruits, consider adding a small amount of honey or fruit juice concentrate instead of sugar.
Can I use frozen fruit for making fruit leather?
Frozen fruit can be used to make fruit leather. It often results in a slightly softer texture compared to fresh fruit. Thaw and drain the fruit before pureeing to remove excess liquid. Frozen fruit is convenient and allows for year-round fruit leather making.
What can be used to thicken the puree when making fruit leather?
Several methods can thicken fruit puree for leather. Adding chia seeds or ground flaxseed absorbs excess moisture. Cooking the puree briefly reduces liquid content. Mixing in pectin or cornstarch also helps achieve the desired consistency.
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Homemade fruit leather a delicious and healthy alternative to a fruit-roll up! This fruit leather recipe is made with fruit and a some patience, the results are delicious strips of your favorite fruits.
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