Just about every kid (adults too) I know loves fruit leather!

It’s sweet, chewy, and fun to eat. Fruit leather is a favorite snack at our house.

But let’s get something straight — I’m not talking about the store bought kind! Nope, definitely not the kind that has tons of sugar, hydrogenated oil, preservatives, and chemicals like “natural flavors” and artificial colors.

I’m a big fan of seasonal fruit!

And from late spring to early fall there is so much delicious produce to enjoy, especially if you visit the farmer’s market, are lucky enough to have generous gardening neighbors, or even your own little garden or fruit trees.

Fresh seasonal fruit is delightful, but you can only eat so much, and sometimes it seems to ripen faster than you can eat it. Fruit leather is a great way to make sure fresh fruit doesn’t go to waste!

Fortunately, making fruit leather is easier than you might think! This recipe is made with just four whole food ingredients and a quick spin in a food processor or blender!

Ignore it for a few hours as it dehydrates, then enjoy your homemade fruit roll-ups for days to come without added sugars or artificial ingredients you’ll find in those store-bought roll-ups.

Follow the simple instructions below and dehydrate in the oven or a food dryer. I have the Excalibur Food Dehydrator and love it.

HEALTHY HOMEMADE FRUIT ROLL-UPS RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

• 3 c fruit- apricots, strawberries, peaches, etc.
• 1 T raw honey, optional
• 1 T fresh lemon juice
• 2 T unsweetened applesauce

DIRECTIONS

1. In a food processor or high-powered blender, add all the ingredients.
2. Process until mixture is smooth and pourable. If you need to, you can add some water 1 tsp. at a time, don’t let the mixture get too thin.
3. Follow the instructions below for oven drying or using a dehydrator.

OVEN DRYING DIRECTIONS

1. Prepare one or two rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to the lowest setting, usually 170 degrees.
2. Spread pureed mixture evenly onto prepared baking sheets, making sure mixture isn’t too thick.
3. Place in the oven and cook until no longer liquidy or sticky. This usually takes 3-5 hours depending on your oven and thickness of puree. Because oven temps and drying times can vary, you may even want to keep your oven door open slightly open.
4. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
5. Remove fruit leather along with parchment paper from baking sheet and cut leather and parchment paper with kitchen shears into individual serving sizes, I like to make 2″x6″ strips.
6. Roll up leather and parchment paper together. Use a small piece of tape to keep them rolled.
7. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Refrigerate or freeze for longer storage times.

DEHYDRATOR DIRECTIONS

1. Line dehydrator trays with parchment paper or ParaFlexx sheets.
2. Spread pureed mixture evenly onto prepared trays.
3. Place trays in the dehydrator and set the temperature to 130-150 degrees for about 3 hours. Time will vary depending on thickness.
4. Once the puree is dry enough to peel off the sheet, peel it off and replace on the porous dehydrator tray for about another 2-3 hours.
5. Remove from dehydrator place on a piece of parchment paper and cut leather and parchment paper with kitchen shears into individual serving sizes, I like to make 2”x6″ strips.
6. Roll up leather and parchment paper together. Use a small piece of tape to keep them rolled.
7. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Refrigerate or freeze for longer storage times.

TIPS/SUBSTITUTIONS

• Choose seasonal fruit for best flavor.
• Always pick organic produce.
• Experiment with different fruit combinations.
• Use your favorite green smoothie recipe; just follow the ratios in this recipe.
• Add some blood sugar-stabilizing ingredients:
  • Hemp seeds
  • Chia seeds
  • Coconut cream instead of water
  • Tahini
  • Almond or any other nut butter

IN CONCLUSION

Have you tried making homemade fruit roll-ups before? I know you’re going to love it!

Hungry for more? Head here to snag another tasty fruit recipe, Watermelon Blizzard Recipe!

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