The Pioneer Woman Tasty Kitchen
Profile Photo

Homemade Fruit Leather

3.25 Mitt(s) 4 Rating(s)4 votes, average: 3.25 out of 54 votes, average: 3.25 out of 54 votes, average: 3.25 out of 54 votes, average: 3.25 out of 54 votes, average: 3.25 out of 5

Prep:

Cook:

Level: Easy

System:

15
x

Print Options

Page size Letter 3x5 4x6
Text Size Small Medium Large
Content Include description
Include prep time, etc.
Show image

Description

An easy way to make dried fruit leather at home with any fresh fruit.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Strawberries Or Other Fresh Fruit, Chopped Into Small Pieces
  • ¼ cups Water
  • 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
  • ¼ cups Sugar (optional, Depending On The Sweetness Of Your Fruit)
  • 1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 150 -170 degrees F.

2. Place the fruit in a medium saucepan with the water and lemon juice. Simmer on medium heat, mostly covered, until they are very soft and mushy. Stewing the fruit helps it retain its color.

3.Transfer the fruit pulp mixture to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. If it is a fruit with seeds, a food mill will remove the seeds more easily than a food processor and strainer. Taste the fruit at this point, and add the sugar if it is not sweet enough. Keep in mind that as the fruit leather dries, it will concentrate the natural sugars in the fruit and become sweeter on its own. Add a small amount of water to the mixture if necessary so that it has a pourable consistency.

4. Cover a baking sheet with plastic or a silicon baking pad. The temperature of the oven is low enough not to affect the plastic.

5. Spray or brush your baking sheet with the vegetable oil, then spread the fruit puree onto the sheet tray with an offset spatula or knife to 1/8-1/4 inch thickness. Place it in the oven for 6-8 hours. Make sure there is air circulating to prevent scorching. Alternatively place it in the sun for 6-8 hours.

6. Invert the fruit leather onto another baking sheet that has been covered in plastic or silicon baking pad and oiled, and remove the first lining. Place in the oven or sun for another 6-8 hours. If it becomes too brittle at any point, simply brush on water with a pastry brush to rehydrate it.

7. Cool the sheet tray and cut the fruit leather into desired sizes. Dust with corn starch to prevent sticking, cover in plastic and store in a cool place in a sealed container.

2 Comments

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Profile photo of ltlbitz4

ltlbitz4 on 3.22.2011

This looks so easy. I can’t wait to try this, my kids love fruit roll ups.

Profile photo of jldincecco

jldincecco on 3.21.2011

What size pan do you use? I used a baking sheet and after trying to spread it evenly I realized it was too thin. The leather has been in the oven for only 5 hours now and it is pretty much done! I taste tested an edge and it is delicious, but I figured it would be good to know the details. I’m still a budding baker. :)

4 Reviews

You must be logged in to post a review.

Profile photo of racher

racher on 5.26.2011

I used three different fruits: strawberries, blueberries, and grapes. I made the mistake of not watching them closely enough, so the blueberry turned out crunchy, and the strawberry was crunchy on the edges. Make sure you watch these very carefully, because it is easy to let them dry out too much, but when it turns out, it is delicious!

Profile photo of sana

sana on 4.14.2011

hey! I tried these but i had the same problem as aimsman27. After only about 6-8 hours they were all crunchy and the plastic wrap totally meltedand stuck to the the fruit and my baking sheet. I also left the door open the whole time. did we spead it too thin or something?? =( Im going to try this again with my dad’s food dehydrator, hopefully itll work better!

Profile photo of Shugary Sweets

Shugary Sweets on 4.12.2011

These did not turn out well at all. What size baking sheet did you use? Mine might have been too thin, but then again, they were about1/4in thick to begin…but after 8 hours they were crispy. I even left the oven door open then entire time so they wouldn’t heat too fast. Bummer.

Profile photo of sdmom4

sdmom4 on 7.30.2010

I had to many apricots to eat and too few to can so I thought I would try this. I’m addicted now. It is so easy and my kids love these when I buy them and they love them when I make them. It much cheaper and really easy. I did the oven. It worked great. I might try a dehydrator next time just to free up my oven. But if I can’t get one this works great. Thank you so much for sharing.

Related Recipes

Summer Peach Crumble with Ginger
Profile Photo by Emily Nader in Desserts
This peach crumble is easy to make and full of flavor....
5.00 Mitt(s) 1 Rating(s)1 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 6 Level: Easy


Lemon Cream Tarts
Profile Photo by simmering essence in Desserts
These are one of my very favorite desserts. The lemon cream...
0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 12 Level: Intermediate


Brown Butter Blondies
Profile Photo by Lindsay @ My Therapist Cooks in Desserts
Super yummy and easy blondies made in one bowl with no...
4.00 Mitt(s) 1 Rating(s)1 vote, average: 4.00 out of 51 vote, average: 4.00 out of 51 vote, average: 4.00 out of 51 vote, average: 4.00 out of 51 vote, average: 4.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 16 Level: Easy


Cannoli Cupcakes
Profile Photo by Krystle in Desserts
Rich vanilla cupcakes topped with cannoli cream and chocolate coffee frosting....
0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 24 Level: Intermediate


Pumpkin Cupcakes
Profile Photo by Beth Pierce in Desserts
These scrumptious and adorable moist cinnamon pumpkin cupcakes are topped with...
0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 12 Level: Easy