Easy Homemade Strawberry Fruit Leather
ShareEasy homemade strawberry fruit leather, requiring only a few simple ingredients and an oven! Tastes just like your favorite fruit roll-up, only better.Â
This past weekend was tax free weekend in MA and since I had been wanting to go to Ikea for a while, I made a date with my mom to go shopping. It sounds funny to think about having to plan a trip to Ikea but it’s an hour away so I don’t exactly get there often, especially since I truly loathe weekend shopping. I was way too organized. I even printed a list so I wouldn’t forget anything and I didn’t. But I’m kind of bummed that now my search for a buffet continues because they’re super lame and don’t carry the one I want in store anymore AND they want to charge a seriously insane amount to ship it to me. It’s cute but whatever, not worth that price. I did, however, get a bunch of other fun stuff and then did even more shopping on Sunday.
Wait, let’s back up a minute… If you follow me on Instagram, maybe you’ve noticed how I’m working on a dresser for my girls’ room? (More pics coming!) I went furniture shopping with my mom too, searching for a really cute white metal bed. I know, super specific and apparently hard to find. The place we went to had some but didn’t entirely pull me in. I kept going back and fourth between them so clearly it wasn’t meant to be, at least that day because I’m still on a mission. But while we were there and still debating, I kept thinking about how kids would probably at some point have a strange urge to stick their heads through the bars on the footboard and would totally get stuck and omg the drama. Right? So my mom asked if my head would fit and then we’d know if it was safe or not. Oooh my head fit all right but I bashed my teeth on one of the bars because I wasn’t paying attention and was goofing off. Thankfully no damage but jeez, can you imagine?! Can’t take me anywhere…
Since we’re headed back to school in a few weeks here and lots of other kids are either already in school (crazy!) or soon will be, I figured now would be the absolute perfect time to share a super easy and delicious snack that every kid (and adult!) will totally love! I grew up devouring fruit roll-ups but let me tell you something… homemade is worlds better and super easy too! You don’t need a dehydrator, just some standard kitchen items – oven, jelly roll pan (which is basically a cookie sheet with sides), parchment paper or a silicone mat and a blender.
I’ve made fruit leather before and it’s always been a hit here. It’s practically impossible to get pictures of it though because my entire family (myself included) wants to dig in immediately. Being in the family of a food blogger has it’s downsides… waiting for the food!
Forget buying a box of factory made snacks that have too many ingredients to name and some that you may not even be able to pronounce. These are super basic and completely pronounceable – a huge plus! Your kids will love them and ask you to make them over and over again!
Be sure to check out the other back to school snack recipes, listed below!
Easy back to school snacks:
Cinnamon apple chips
Apple cinnamon pop tarts with caramel icing
Apple cinnamon fruit leather
White cheddar cheese crackers
Soft pretzel bites
Cranberry chocolate chip granola bars
Bagel chips
Cherry fruit leather
Maple apple chips
Strawberry banana fruit leather
Strawberry Fruit Leather
Ingredients
- 4 - 4 1/2 C strawberries hulled
- 1/2 C granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 170°F degrees. Line two 12x17-inch rimmed baking sheets with silicone baking mats. Blend ingredients together until smooth. If desired, strain to remove seeds. Divide mixture between pans, spread with an offset spatula to create an even layer. Bake for 3 hours or until leather is no longer sticky. Rotate pans 180 degrees and swapping levels half way through. Transfer leather to a cutting board to slice into desired sizes. Wrap with parchment or wax paper. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
Items used in this recipe:
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You were brave to tackle Ikea on tax-free weekend!! It must have been a zoo! This fruit leather seriously looks even better than the stuff you can buy at the store – it’s picture perfect :)
I know… it was scary for sure but a fun adventure too. Thanks! :)
We start school Monday. My guy wold LOVE these! Going to try fruit leather this year for sure. I loved seeing your haul on IG- you got a lot of really fun things!
Uhm you totally have to make some then :)
These are so cute, Rachel! I have been wanting to do fruit leather for ever, but your look better than mine ever could! Gorgeous photos girl!
Thanks :) You should really make some. It’s shockingly easy.
These are just so pretty – my kids would totally love these!
Thanks Kristen! I’m positive your kids would love it :)
I am so NOT ready for school and all of its routine to be back. We start the day after Labor Day, I’m already missing our kiddos and the fun relaxed days of summer. This fruit leather looks like a wonderful treat to tuck in their bag, pretty and fun!
I’d give anything to start after Labor Day! That’s what I grew up with but my kids start the week before ugh. School is such a bummer huh? ;)
Can you use thawed (frozen) berries?
I don’t see why not! Just be sure they’re fully thawed first.
Ikea is ridiculous with it’s shipping fees and other random charges. When I was looking for a couch last year with them, they wanted to charge $100 more for the same couch in any color other than white! Drove me insane…could a different color slip cover seriously be $100 more?! No freakin’ way. That store is a necessary evil. I’d liken it to Walmart but at least they have $1 ice cream.
Right?! I mean they want to charge me $200 for shipping to my house or $100 to ship to my parents house plus tax. Uhm no deal. I’ll find something else.
Homemade fruit leather!! You’re like super mom!
Ha! Thanks Steph :)
I miss no-tax weekend! I don’t think they do it here – or if they do, no one’s told me about it!
I am probably too lazy to make these but they look amazing! I kind of want some for my non-existent lunch box.
I was so sure every state did it these days but maybe not?
Geez, it’s like buying a car – you have the first fee, but any other options like shipping the dang thing automatically jacks up the price!! redic! On a tastier note – Fruit leather basically sustained me through my childhood, I just love that stuff!! This makes me so happy :)
I used to devour that stuff growing up… still do when I make it!
They are so beautiful! In the past two days I have tried different fruits three different times and I’m officially blaming my crappy oven for the half undried and half burnt fruit roll ups. :D Oh well. I digress. Yours look amazing Rachel!
Oh man! Maybe it’s time to invest in a dehydrator then? lol
We start school tomorrow and I have a feeling my kids would give me extra hugs if I made them some of these gorgeous fruit leathers. I have bags of frozen blueberries…would those work if I thaw them? And yay for shopping at IKEA…I need to head there soon for some more fun stuff!
Oh they absolutely would give you extra hugs for this in their lunches! I haven’t tried blueberries but you could certainly try it and see, just be sure they’re thawed first.
Ikea on the weekends is a mad house. Your a brave woman. These fruit leathers look like a heathy snack to enjoy!
I could’ve used some of these during my shopping excursion to power through ;)
These look amazing! Do you think they would work with peaches?
These are beautiful and I like how easy they are to make. No kids but will make these for myself ;)
You’ll love em! No kids needed to enjoy this one :)
I used to love eating fruit rollups as a kid. BUT! This homemade version looks wayyyyyy better. Definitely can’t wait to try.
Worlds better than the version we ate growing up :)
I love homemade fruit leather, the taste can’t be beat. Yum!
Truly! :)
This sounds insane, but I never even realized that you could actually make fruit leather at home! Yours looks amazing though – I have to try this sometime!
It’s so easy too! :)
Oh my goodness! I gotta try this sometime, Rachel! Such a tasty healthy snack to enjoy.
You really do! YOu’ll love it.
They look delicious my son will love them. I hope you don’t mind my linking to it through my blog for my readers. Thank you
I hope you don’t have to be a kiddo to enjoy this! I would eat all of this up!
Tax free weekend includes furniture? In Texas, it doesn’t. And each item can’t be over $100. I’m going to MA next time! :)
I’m not sure the trip to MA would be worth the savings ;)
I’m impressed that you were brave enough to go to Ikea on a Saturday! It’s a mob scene but still totally worth it. And in terms of this fruit leather, yum! I’ve been dying to make some and this is def. the inspiration I need. :)
I NEED to make this when I’m back home. Your leathers are PERFECT! Rachel I am drooling at the thought of all those berries and how good this must be! Pinned!
Thanks so much Averie! I’m positive you’d love them :)
I love making fruit leather like this! So yummy!
These look so good! How long do you think they will last for? Do I have to eat them right away or refrigerate them?
They’ve never lasted too long in my house to go bad because they’re too good to resist. However, from what I’ve read, they should be fine at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a month.
Wow, your fruit leather looks perfect, but without all the stuff we don’t need in it. Great for school lunches and snacks.
Exactly!! Easy, normal ingredients :)
Hi Rachel,
These are perfect for a snack to take to work but at the moment I’m trying to cut down on sugar, would you know a substitute I can use?
Thanks!
Preeti
You could try substituting with honey instead, as I’ve seen that done before.
gahhhh i have YET to try fruit leather. i ate these like crazy when i was younger! this is definitely one of the most perfect things to put in a child’s lunchbox for the upcoming school year!
i’m special, i get texts from you that show the final product of the dresser :)
I wish my fruit leather looked this perfect and beautiful! Your pics are gorgeous too. And I’m with you… I have to plan my trips to Ikea carefully or I end up spending way too much time and money!
These are so pretty! why on earth have I not tried fruit leather?!
I have never grown passed loving fruit leather, this looks so good! Your photos are really stunning!
These look so good, and much healthier than the processed kind!
Thanks Katie! :)
What did I do wrong?!! (Found your website on pinterest)
I have followed your recipe and it is a giant blob :( it won’t dry and I didn’t even put any water, just fresh strawberries. The pan has been on the oven since 7pm yesterday and it is almost 10 ama, it is soft and sticky.
Help!
Please reply to my email with any tricks to fix this recipe. My girls were so excited and now they will be disappointed :(
and this would be my first ever pinterest FAIL.
Unfortunately I can’t be entirely sure why it isn’t working for you without being there. Others have had success with this recipe and I’ve made several other varieties without having that kind of issue myself. But here are a few very important things to remember: always use parchment paper or a silicone mat, not wax paper. The thicker the mixture, the longer it will take to dry out. Test your oven with a stand alone oven thermometer to be sure your oven is cooking at the correct internal temperature.
I’ve tried this before and it is SO fun to make your own. It’s so easy. For people who can’t get it to work, it could just be the climate where you live. I’ve tried drying certain things and had problems and figured out that is was just where I live. I usually just blend it and don’t put anything else in the fruit. No sugar or lemon juice. It doesn’t keep as long, but maybe trying another fruit could help.
Trying this. This weekend. Can’t wait. My son will be so excited. He is always looks so longingly at the commericalized fruit thingys at the store, basically anything that has a super hero picture on the front or cars movie picture. I would skip that whole isle if i could but its next to the cereal. You might be a superhero :)
Good luck! :)
I’ve been wanting to make homemade fruit leathers for a while now. Your’s look incredible! Definitely going to have to try this!
You’ll love it!
These are wonderful :) I bet they taste so delicious too! Have to try this out!
I just laid this out on a baking sheet but wasn’t sure what thickness the layer should be? Does it spread while cooking?
The amount within the recipe should fit in 2 baking sheets. I don’t have an exact thickness for you but off hand I’d guess it was around 1/8″ give or take. It shouldn’t spread much but it will shrink down a little bit (height wise) in the oven as it dries out and forms a leather.
This looks absolutely addicting! Strawberry season is my favorite – looks like I’m going to have to stock on strawberries to make some fruit leather:)
You absolutely should!
This looks SO EASY– can’t wait to try it out!! I’ve been looking for easy but healthy things to send to school!! SCORE :-)
It really is! And your boys will love it :)
I am going to try and make these today and I was looking at the ingredient list…..did I read it right!? Four 4.5 cups of strawberries? So 18 cups of strawberries?
No, it’s 4 – (to) 4 1/2 cups. If it’s ever multiple quantities it would be listed as 4: 4 1/2 cups but then why not just say 18? :) Please don’t make it with 18 cups.
Gorgeous!! This is one of the most straightforward fruit leather recipes I’ve seen – definitely on my list of treats to try!
I hope you enjoy it when the time comes :)
I’m totally inspired!! I’m going to experiment w/ this recipe and some pears mixed w/ pumpkin spice!!
Enjoy! :)
So simple with awesome results, must try it. Thanks :)
What’s the purpose of the lemon juice? Can you omit it and then omit the sugar?
The lemon juice and sugar help with the overall flavor and sweetness. You’re welcome to try without, but I cannot promise how the results will be as I’ve only made it this way.
What size pan should I use? Is 11×13 okay?
I used two 12×17-inch jelly roll pans.
First try….had it in the oven at 170 for about 5+ hrs and still a bit squishy on top. Pealing off some from the bottom but doesn’t look like the smooth and shiney in your photo. I finally took them out bc small sections appeared to be almost burning and they are covered loosely with parchment paper for over night. Any suggestions on what may have gone wrong?
My best guess is that your mixture may have been spread too thick which would cause it to require additional time to dry out.
How long can you store these? Will they last awhile in a zip lock bag?
I don’t not have a timeline for you as we did not leave any to test for an extended time. They’ll likely disappear before they have a chance to go bad though. And yes, store them in an airtight container.
I am going to try making this fruit leather for the kiddos! Pinned
They’ll love it! :)
These looks amazing!! Gorgeous photography too (:
Thank you :)