Chew on this: The fruit roll-ups you knew and loved as a child can be made at home! While store-bought varieties are usually full of sugar and corn syrup, homemade dried fruit products need just the bare necessities. Meaning, seasonal fruits and scant amounts of sugar, or none at all, goes into each batch. Dry out the fruit using either a dehydrator or an oven. Roll up your leather, cut it into fun shapes or even use it to decorate other foods. From creative roll-ups with apples, spinach, strawberries, blueberries, apricots and more, we’ve picked out the best fruit leather recipes from some of our favorite food bloggers. We guarantee your taste buds won’t miss the fake electric blue gummies from the snack aisle!
Grown-Up Fruit Roll-Up Recipes
1. Plum Fruit Leather
Available from May through early fall, plums are chock-full of vitamin C, copper and magnesium. Plus, their juiciness and tart flavor makes them an excellent choice for making fruit leather. Just roast the plums before blending them up in a food processor. Photo and Recipe: Natasha / Natasha’s Kitchen
2. Strawberry Peach Fruit Roll-Up
If you’ve got a pound of strawberries to spare, try blending them with fresh peaches for the ultimate summery snack. Be sure to store the finished leather in an airtight container so it doesn’t dry out and become brittle. Photo and Recipe: Stephanie / Eat Drink Love
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3. Apricot Fruit Leather
We’ve got an orange crush on this recipe that’s got a smooth, tart taste. Leave the skin on the apricots, but don’t forget to add lemon juice and a bit of agave when you put the fruit in a food processor. Photo and Recipe: Sheena / In the Little Red House
4. Spicy Strawberry Fruit Leather
Ready for a snack with a serious kick? This recipe uses habanero to take things up a notch. You’ll want to simmer your fruity mixture before baking the leather in the oven so the sweet and spicy notes deepen and enhance. Photo and Recipe: Chris / Shared Appetite
5. Blueberry Chia Fruit Roll-up
Applesauce and dates sweeten the deal for this snack, no sugar required! Since chia seeds contain extra protein and fiber, this roll-up recipe will keep you fuller longer than the store-bought versions. Photo and Recipe: Ellie / Homemade Hearts
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6. Tomato Peach Strawberry Grape Fruit Roll-up
Though this sweet and savory recipe sounds sophisticated, we promise it will still appeal to picky eaters. Be sure to spread the mixture on your pan to a uniform thickness (1/8 of an inch is recommended) so the leather will cook evenly. You’ll know it’s done when you can tap the leather with a finger and not have it come away sticky. Photo and Recipe: Megan / Pip & Ebby
7. Sneaky Green Apple Fruit Leather
Think vegetables can’t be a great snack? Think again. This recipe’s blend of apples and cinnamon will wow your taste buds, and you won’t even realize that each batch of leather sneaks in a whole cup of baby spinach! Photo and Recipe: Kiersten / Oh My Veggies
8. Straw-Raspberry Basil Fruit Leather
These pretty red rolls will make your eyes and stomach happy. Fresh basil and lemon juice up the ante when paired with strawberries and raspberries. Pro tip: Bake the mixture in the oven for two to three hours, then turn off the oven but leave your pan in so the leather can dry out even more. Photo and Recipe: Julie / Willow Bird Baking
9. Sweet Potato Apple Fruit Leather
Packed with vitamins A, C and B, sweet potatoes are also a good source of iron and magnesium, which can help regulate stress levels. This inventive recipe blends the superfood with apples and a dash of cinnamon. Photo and Recipe: Katja / Savory Lotus
Originally posted on June 6, 2014.