Homemade Fruit Leather

Conventional fruit roll ups are full of added sugar and preservatives and are pretty much nutritionally void. Organic store-bough roll ups while made with less ingredients are made with fruit juice concentrates and are usually fairly high-priced. Making your own roll ups are an easy and fun activity to do with your children.  By making your own fruit leather at home you can control the ingredients and be sure that you are feeding your children a snack with actual vitamins and nutrients.

Recipe

3 cups fruit

2-3 teaspoons sweetener (if needed – sugar or honey)

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
• Wash and cup your fruit and then measure out 3 cups.
• Once measured add to your blender or food processor. Add sweetener if using and pulse until smooth.
• Line baking sheet with silicone baking mat (or parchment paper) and spread the fruit evenly while trying to avoid the corners.
• Cook for approximately four hours or until dry (mine took an additional hour).
• Remove from the oven and let cool.
• If using a baking mat, press a piece of parchment paper to the top and press down into the fruit. Turn over and remove baking mat.
• Cut into strips and roll up with the parchment paper.
• Store in an airtight container.

The combinations are endless. You can make one-ingredient roll-ups (strawberry, kiwi, mango, blueberry, peach, raspberry) or combine two or more fruits for a fun and tasty treat (strawberry-kiwi, blueberry-raspberry, peach-strawberry, mango-watermelon). Remember to use organic fruit when possible and control the added sugar. Only add if needed.