Homemade Fruit Roll Ups

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Homemade fruit roll ups are a tasty snack that are easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. These chewy, dried fruit treats are made by pureeing fresh fruit and dehydrating it until it reaches a leathery texture. Enjoyed by both kids and adults, homemade fruit roll ups are a perfect way to use up excess fruit while providing a low-calorie, nutrient-packed snack option. Discover how to make your own delicious and nutritious fruit roll ups at home with our step-by-step guide.

Homemade fruit roll ups rolled into rolls and setting in a bowl of strawberries.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This fruit leather recipe is so fun and customizable. You're going to love it because:

It is a healthy a delicious snack.
It requires only a few ingredients, and you can control the amount of sugar.
It is free of preservatives like the store bought variety. They are also gluten free and dairy free.
Its a great way to use up fruit that is about to spoil.
Its a fun recipe to make with kids.

If you like this recipe, you'll love our peach raspberry fruit leather, apple chips, and applesauce cookies.

About The Ingredients

All of the ingredients for this fruit leather roll recipe can be purchased at your local grocery store. Here are a few items to note:

A pint of strawberries, some lemon slices, and a small bowl of honey on a marble counter.

Fruit - you can use fresh, frozen fruit, or even canned fruit to make fruit leather. I've tried them all and they all work great. Strawberries, peaches, and even applesauce are great options. I'll talk more about varieties later.
Honey - I like to add a little extra sweetness to the fruit puree before dehydrating and I've found that honey works the best. You can opt for maple syrup or sugar if you prefer, but the texture of honey seems to work great in homemade fruit leather.
Lemon juice - optional, but acts as a preservative and helps keep the fruit's color true as it dehydrates. It can also add some tartness.

Tools For Making Fruit Leather

There are two methods for making healthy homemade fruit leather:

In a dehydrator\
In the oven

If you are using a dehydrator you will need the silicone mat accessory (Fruit leather tray) to go with your dehydrator. This is my preferred method of making fruit leather. I have used the Nesco Garden Master vfor years and it has been a great machine! You can dehydrate a variety of foods using it.

If you are opting to use your oven, you will need a baking sheet, and either a silicone mat or parchment paper.

How To Make Homemade Fruit Leather

Dehydrator Method

Step 1: Wash the fruit and remove any stems, seeds, or pits. Add to a blender or food processor.

Step 2: Add in optional lemon juice, about 1 tablespoon lemon juice.

Step 3: If desired, add honey.

Step 4: Puree the fruit in a blender or food processor until smooth.

Step 5: Line your dehydrator tray with the silicone mat accessory. Pour the fruit puree onto the mat and spread it evenly with a spatula. Set dehydrator to 160 degrees Fahrenheit and dry for 6-8 hours. Check at 4 hours. Dry until the fruit leather is no longer sticky and is leathery to the touch.

Pro Tip: The cooking time may vary depending on your dehydrator and the thickness of the fruit puree.

Step 6: Carefully peel the fruit leather from the silicone mat.

Step 7: Cut it into strips using scissors, or a pizza cutter.

Step 8: Roll up the fruit leather recipe strips and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. I also like to roll them in parchment to keep them from sticking together.

Fruit roll ups on a marble counter. There is a bowl of strawberries to the side.

Oven Method

Follow the same method, but instead of using a dehydrator:

Preheat your oven to 140-170°F (60-75°C).

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Pour the fruit mixture onto the lined baking sheet and spread it evenly with a spatula or knife.
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 4-6 hours, or until the fruit leather is no longer sticky to the touch.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
Carefully peel the fruit leather from the parchment paper and cut it into strips or shapes using scissors or a cookie cutter.
Roll up the fruit leather strips and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Various fruit roll ups on a Marble counter.

Variations

You can get creative when making homemade fruit roll ups, but here are a few tried and true flavor combinations:

Strawberry Lemonade - use 2 cups of strawberries, the zest of one lemon, the juice of one lemon, and ¼ cup of honey.
Mango Lime - use 2 cups of mango, the zest of one lime, the juice of one lime, and ¼ cup of honey.
Peach Raspberry - Use 1.5 cups of peaches, ¼ cup of honey and spread. Puree .5 cups of raspberries pureed and swirl it into the peach puree.
Apple - use 3 cups of sweetened applesauce. That's it! And it turns out perfect every time!

Homemade fruit leather slightly rolled out onto a marble counter. There is a container of fruit leathers in the background.

Pro Tips

Use fresh, ripe fruit: The quality of the fruit you use will greatly affect the flavor of your fruit roll ups. Choose fresh, ripe fruit that is in season for the best results.
Puree the fruit until smooth: Make sure to puree the fruit until it is completely smooth. Any chunks or lumps will affect the texture of your fruit roll ups.
Spread the puree evenly: Make sure to spread the puree evenly on the baking sheet to ensure that the fruit leather cooks evenly.
Cook at a low temperature: Cooking the fruit roll ups at a low temperature (around 140-170°F or 60-75°C) will ensure that the fruit dries out slowly and evenly, resulting in a chewy and flexible texture.
Test for doneness: To test if the fruit roll ups are done, touch the surface with your finger. If it is no longer sticky, it is ready.

A small tin pan filled with homemade fruit rollups. There are flowers to the side.

FAQs

How long do homemade fruit rolls ups last?

Store in an airtight container: Once the fruit roll ups are done, roll them up and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should last for up to a week.

How do I adjust the sweetness of my fruit leather?

Add honey or sweetener if desired: If your fruit is not very sweet, you may want to add a tablespoon or two of honey or another sweetener to the puree. This will help balance the tartness of some fruits and enhance the natural sweetness of others.

Can I freeze fruit roll ups?

Yes, you can freeze fruit roll ups for longer storage. To freeze, wrap the rolled-up fruit leather in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

Are fruit roll ups healthy?

Homemade fruit roll ups made with fresh fruit and no added sugars or preservatives are a healthier alternative to traditional fruit snacks. They are a good source of fiber and vitamins and can be enjoyed as a part of a balanced diet.

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