How to Make Fruit Leather
Easy tips to turning simple pureed fruit into an amazing snack.
Fruit leather can be a fantastic snack for both kids and grown-ups. The store-bought stuff sometimes contains artificial colors, flavors or chemicals that don’t always jive with what you may want to be putting into your body. Making your own fruit leather is as simple as turning on your oven and blending fruit, creating the ultimate simple, healthy snack.
1 Select your fruit
The initial step in creating great fruit leather is to select fruit to puree. There are many options, including but not limited to apples, mangoes, peaches, watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries or a combination of any of these. Additionally, you can blend in vegetables to add extra nutrients, texture, color and flavor. To puree fruit, simply place in a blender or food processor, and blend until smooth.
The fruit shown in the photos is natural applesauce. About 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon has been added for flavor. For this process you’ll need approximately 2-1/2 cups of fruit puree.
2 Pour fruit puree on baking sheet
Using a large baking sheet fitted with a silicone baking mat, pour the pureed fruit on to the mat.
Using a rubber scraper or spatula, spread the puree evenly over the baking mat, covering nearly the entire surface. Leave about a 1/2-inch border near the edge of the pan.
3 Process in Oven
Place the baking sheet on the center rack of the oven that has been preheated to 170 degrees. The fruit will need to process or dehydrate for approximately six to eight hours.
4 Remove from Baking Mat
Once the fruit is done processing (it will become darker in color, and be in a more solid state) remove from the oven. While the fruit leather is still warm on the pan, place a sheet of waxed paper directly on the surface. Turn the baking pan over and remove the pan so the silicone mat is right side up.
Slowly peel back the baking mat so the fruit leather is now sticking to the waxed paper. Let the fruit leather come to room temperature.
5 Trim and Slice
Using sharp cooking shears or scissors, trim off any uneven edges.
Slice leather into long strips and roll, or cut into any other shape you prefer. Store the fruit leather strips, rolls or pieces in an airtight container to prevent the leather from getting hard and dry. Enjoy right away.