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My fruit leather recipe is a new family staple. It’s super healthy, easy to customize, and needs only 2 ingredients!
Need more healthy sweet snacks? Try my flapjacks, healthy cookie dough, or larabars next.
This might be surprising, but it isn’t always easy to get my family to eat their fruit, especially the younger members of the household. Thankfully, no one can resist homemade fruit roll ups.
To make them, I start with a handful of fruit, then add lime juice for color and tart flavor. Once the fruit is pureed, it’s baked until it’s firm, chewy, and soft. Ever since I started making these, even the carnivores of the house have been requesting them!
What is fruit leather?
Also known as fruit roll ups, it’s essentially made by drying sheets of fruit puree to make a soft, malleable snack.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Perfect for kids. They’re made solely of real fruit, yet they taste like dessert (trust me on this).
- Healthy. They’re low in calories, fat-free, and naturally sweetened.
- Endless ways to customize. Like tanghulu, you can use ANY fruit you want.
- So much better than store-bought. They’re made with NO artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Plus, they’re cheaper, they store just as well, and frankly, they taste better.
Key ingredients
- Fruit. Strawberries and mangos are what’s pictured, but any fruit works. Stick to one type of fruit or combine two flavors.
- Lime juice. Prevents the roll-ups from darkening. Lemon juice also works.
- Honey. Optional, but it gives leather a sweet flavor without adding sugar. Only add this if you want them to be sweeter. Maple syrup or agave also works.
How to make fruit leather
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Preheat the oven and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2- Blend the fruit in a blender until smooth. Pour into bowls.
Step 3- Spread the fruit mixture in an even layer onto the baking tray. Bake until dry.
Step 4- Cut the leather into strips using a pizza cutter or scissors.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Choose ripe fruit. The riper the fruit, the sweeter and chewier the results.
- Use frozen fruit. I like using frozen fruit because it’s frozen at peak ripeness, so you know you’re getting the best quality. If you go this route, let the fruit thaw completely and drain the excess juice before blending.
- Blend VERY well. You don’t want clumps in your leather, or it won’t set all the way.
- Add spices. Add cinnamon, ground cloves, nutmeg, or a dash of chili powder for a spicy-sweet flavor.
Variations
Nearly any fruit or combination of fruits can be turned into fruit roll ups. Here are some of my favorite fruits to use:
- Stonefruit. Plums, apricots, or peaches.
- Berries. Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, or raspberries.
- Tropical. Pineapple, mangoes, papaya.
- Other fruits. Apples, pears, kiwi, grapes.
The only fruit I suggest avoiding is watermelon, which contains a lot of water, and the high sugar content can cause the leather to taste like burnt sugar.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 week. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to 6 months. Wrap the leather between sheets of parchment to prevent sticking.
To freeze: Wrap the leather in parchment paper, place it in a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 6 months.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can dehydrate the fruit roll ups instead of baking them. Simply puree the fruit as instructed, then spread it into an even layer on silicone mats, place them on the dehydrator trays, and dehydrate at 140F/60C for 6-12 hours or until firm and dry.
Since they’re naturally high in fiber and made with no added sugar, fruit roll ups can be a healthy (and delicious) snack for the whole family!
Any citrus-based fruit or fruit with a low water content is best to use.
Fruit Leather
Video
Ingredients
- 3 cups frozen strawberries I also like to use mango
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 175F/80C.
- Blend the strawberries in a food processor until smooth.
- Spread the mixtures onto individual lined baking sheets and spread them out using a rubber spatula until completely flat.
- Bake the fruit roll-ups for two hours, or until it is dry enough to touch.
- Use a pizza cutter to cut long strips, then roll them up.
Notes
Nutrition
More kid-friendly snacks
Originally published January 2023, updated and republished December 2024
Well this mind of dessert I never heard of! It seems very interesting. Which fruits suit the best here?
Wow I never heard or read that you make make fruits like this. Must be so different.
Can these be made with fresh fruit?
Wow, i wanna make this one. Go 2 the fruit store now. Thanks Arman
Hmm I used frozen strawberries and it came out crispy. Should I let the berries defrost?
Yes, need to be defrosted.
great idea for a snack I would otherwise have no idea how to make! Thank you, love being able to know and even to control what goes into these too