Looking for a tasty and nutritious snack that your kids will love? Look no further than homemade fruit leather! This chewy treat is made with real fruit, making it a healthier alternative to store-bought snacks. Not only is homemade fruit leather easy to make, but it’s also customizable. You can experiment with different fruits, flavors, and even add-ins like nuts or seeds. So, let’s get started and create a delicious and healthy snack that your kids will crave!
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Even though this recipe is super simple, there are a few tips to ensure success every time:
- Oh No, It’s Sticking! – To prevent your fruit leather from sticking to the tray, lightly coat the surface with vegetable spray or oil before adding the fruit puree. Problem solved!
- Uneven Fruit Leather – Nobody likes lumpy leather. After pouring the fruit puree, give the tray a little shake to evenly distribute it.
- Brittle Leather – If you dry your leather for too long or at too high a temperature, it can become brittle and crack. Use a timer to avoid over-drying.
With a bit of preparation and practice, you’ll create PERFECT homemade fruit leather every single time. That’s what we call being snack savvy!
CAN YOU USE A FOOD DEHYDRATOR?
Got a food dehydrator collecting dust in your kitchen cupboard? It’s time to put it to use! You can whip up delicious snacks in no time with your fancy equipment. Here are some simple tips for using a dehydrator:
- Line the trays of your food dehydrator with parchment paper.
- Pour your pureed fruit mixture directly from the blender into the trays and spread it evenly.
- Set the dehydrator temperature to 140°F and put the lid on.
- Dehydrate the leather according to your manufacturer’s instructions, typically anywhere between 4 to 12 hours.
- Your fruit leather is ready when it’s no longer sticky to the touch.
- Cut the leather into strips using kitchen shears.
Voilà! You’ve got a delicious, healthy snack to enjoy! Follow our simple recipe and adjust it for your dehydrator, and you’ll love the results. You might just find yourself addicted to these tasty snacks. Come on, you know you want to try them—they’re just so good!
FRUIT LEATHER HACKS FOR SHELF COOKING SUPERSTARS
Get ready for a game-changer! If you’re a true shelf cooking superstar (and we know you are!), here are some exciting ways to elevate your homemade fruit leather to hero status:
- Use Canned Fruit – That can of pineapple chunks sitting near its expiration date? Put it to good use! Just drain the juice, and you’re ready to go!
- Use Frozen Fruit – Yes, you can finally make use of those frozen raspberries from Grandma Sue’s backyard! Thaw them overnight, and toss them into your fruit leather mix.
Pro Tip: Did you know you can FREEZE your homemade fruit leather? This is a total game-changer! After rolling up your dried fruit in its cozy parchment wrapper, place it in a freezer bag and pop it into the freezer. It’ll stay fresh for up to a year! Just thaw it in the fridge before enjoying.
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE FRUIT LEATHER RECIPE
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups chopped fruit
- 3 tbsp white sugar
- ½ lemon (juiced)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 200°F.
- Blend the Ingredients: Combine all the ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.
- Simmer the Mixture: Pour the mixture into a medium saucepan and bring it to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir frequently until the mixture thickens, about 35-45 minutes.
- Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with non-waxed parchment paper.
- Spread the Mixture: Pour the thickened mixture onto the baking sheet and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 3 to 3½ hours, or until the fruit leather is no longer tacky to the touch.
- Cool the Fruit Leather: Once done, remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the fruit leather to cool completely.
- Check for Moisture: Peel up a corner of the fruit leather to test the underside. If it feels moist, return the baking sheet to the oven—moist side up—for an additional 20 minutes to finish drying.
- Cut and Store: Once the leather is fully dried and cooled, use kitchen shears to cut it and the parchment into strips. Roll each strip with the parchment side out and store the rolls in a Ziploc bag in the fridge for up to one week.
