Many of you may remember the classic store-bought strawberry fruit roll-up in your school lunchbox. Even with the added sugar and food coloring, it’s not what I would consider a healthy breakfast. This homemade strawberry fruit leather is an easy (and tasty!) way to fix up your fruit roll-ups!
Our family is really enjoying the seasonal produce available right now, especially berries. I always stock up on berries when I can find them from fresh, local and organic sources, and can freeze and store them for the whole year. Blueberries and raspberries are some of our favorites, but strawberries are especially good!
Last week, a quart of delicious strawberries was hidden in the back of the fridge. By the time I found them, they were slightly frozen and very firm. They were no longer great for eating plain but were still very good. These berries became the strawberry vinaigrette dressing and my strawberry fruit skin with (optional) hidden beets.
How to make fruit leather
Fruit leather is a naturally sweet snack made by pureeing and dehydrating fresh fruit. They’re like homemade fruit roll-ups, but without the artificial everything (plus, they taste better!).
They are a kid’s favorite in our house and a great treat for summer. I love that I can pack them up for a quick snack that can be kept at room temperature for a few hours. You can make fruit leather with just the fruit, but I like to stick in the beet. Sauteed vegetables provide a firm texture and extra nutrition.
Beets also intensify the bright red color. Plus beets have properties that make them great for detoxification and fighting inflammation.
You can make this easy and natural breakfast in the oven or in a food dehydrator in just a few hours. The recipe is so simple that kids of any age can help (and enjoy) making their own fruit leather.
Homemade Strawberry Fruit Leather (with Bat)
Simple and nutrient-dense natural fruit skin snack. They are made with fresh strawberries, optional honey, and extra nutrients stolen from beets.
- 2 medium beet (boiled and steamed until soft)
- 4 bowl Fresh or frozen strawberries (if using frozen fruit)
- ½ bowl honey (optional or ½ cup chopped dates or maple syrup)
- 2 TBSP Fresh lemon juice (or lime or orange juice)
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Preheat the oven to 170 degrees F or use a dehydrator.
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Purée the cooled baked beets, strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a blender or food processor until completely smooth.
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Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (safe at low temperature).
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Spread the fruit mixture evenly on the lined baking sheet.
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Place the fruit puree in the oven and cook until firm and no longer pliable, about 6 hours. You don’t want it to wear too long and even get damaged.
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Remove the homemade strawberry fruit skin from the oven and let it cool.
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Cut into strips and roll with parchment paper.
Nutrition facts
Homemade Strawberry Fruit Leather (with Bat)
Amount per serving (1 serving)
calories 49
Calories from fat 1
%Daily Value*
fat 0.1 g0%
Saturated fat 0.01 grams0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.02g
sodium 9 mg0%
potassium 96 mg3 percent
carbohydrates 13 J4 percent
Fiber 1 gram4 percent
Sugar 11 grams12 percent
protein 0.4 g1%
Vitamin E 8 IU0%
Vitamin C 22 mg27 percent
calcium 8 mg1%
iron 0.3 mg2 percent
* Percent daily values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
- Can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer for up to a week (freezer) or up to two months (freezer).
- Use ½ cup extra strawberries if you don’t use beets.
Disturbing the skin of the house fruit
This method is very easy, but it takes a little patience. Since oven temperatures vary, your time may take more or less than mine. Adding honey or maple syrup intensifies the sweetness, but it takes longer for the skin of the fruit to dehydrate than if it were removed.
If using frozen berries, the liquid will be thinner. If using fresh berries, you may need to add a few tablespoons of water to make the mixture easy enough to dissolve. The mixture should be watery but not so thin that it clogs Baking sheet.
Have you ever made your own fruit leather? What are your favorite fruits to use? Leave a comment and let us know!
