Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups
by Amanda Keefer
Running to soccer practice and need a quick snack? These make-ahead homemade fruit roll-ups are a healthy spin on the store-bought fruit roll-ups and a great grab and go option for parents.
Most store-bought fruit roll-ups are loaded with sugar and other artificial ingredients. But did you know that you can make your own healthy, delicious fruit roll-ups right at home? All you need is a few pieces of fruit, a little bit of sugar, and an oven set to its lowest setting (or a dehydrator). In just a few hours, you can enjoy homemade fruit roll-ups that are much healthier than their store-bought counterparts.
Which Fruits are Best in Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups?
There are many ways to make homemade fruit roll-ups, but which fruits are the best to use? Here are three of the fruits we love to use in this recipe!
Strawberries: They’re naturally sweet. There’s no need to add any extra sugar when using strawberries in your fruit roll-ups. They’re also packed with antioxidants. Not only do strawberries taste great, but they’re also good for you! Finally, they add a beautiful color to your fruit roll-ups. If you make them with strawberries, they will have a lovely red color, making them even more irresistible!
Pineapples: Pineapples add a delicious sweetness to fruit roll-ups. They are packed with vitamins and minerals, making them a healthy addition to any snack. Pineapples also help to make fruit roll-ups more moist and flavorful.
If that wasn’t enough, pineapples add a beautiful tropical touch to homemade fruit roll-ups.
Peaches: Peaches are the perfect fruit for homemade fruit roll-ups because they are naturally sweet and juicy. They are also packed with vitamins and minerals, making them a healthy option for a snack.
Homemade fruit roll-ups are also called fruit leather. This is because it takes on a leather-like texture when the mixture is dehydrated.
Additional Fruits to Consider Adding to Your Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups
Apples are a great choice for fruit roll-ups because they are sweet and have a firm texture.
Pears are another good option for fruit roll-ups. They are slightly sweeter than apples and have a softer texture.
Bananas are also a good option to use for homemade fruit roll-ups. They have a sweet flavor and can help you cut back on the agave nectar if you choose to.
Parenting tip: Feel free to try to sneak in some veggies too! Carrots are a great option and the kids will never taste the difference!
Why Do You Add Lemon Juice to Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups?
One of the key ingredients in these fruit roll-ups is lemon juice. Lemon juice is acidic and helps to balance out the sweetness of the fruit roll-ups.
Why We Added Agave Nectar to Our Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups Recipe
Agave nectar is a great choice for homemade fruit roll-ups because it is a natural sweetener with a low glycemic index. You can find agave nectar at most grocery stores, either in the baking aisle or in the natural foods section. And, because agave nectar is so concentrated, a little goes a long way! If you don’t have agave, you can use honey or maple syrup as a simple substitute.
How Long do these Fruit Roll-Ups Last?
They will last for about two weeks stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Key Tips for Better Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups
- Be sure to use ripe fruit for the best flavor and for them to last the longest (you can also use frozen fruit if the fruit you want is out of season!)
- Wash and chop your fruit into small pieces before getting started. This will make it easier to blend into a smooth puree. The smoother the mix, the better the end result will be.
- Don’t skip the sweetener. Adding some will just enhance the flavor and help you avoid a sour taste.
Kitchen Essentials You Need to make these healthy snacks
- Blender or food processor
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Spatula
- Oven or dehydrator
Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups
Ingredients
- 2 cups strawberries chopped
- 1 cup chopped pineapple
- 1 peach pitted, chopped
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 170°F.
- Blend strawberries, pineapple, peaches, agave nectar and lemon juice in blender until smooth.
- Spread mixture evenly, 1/8 inch thick, onto parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake 6-8 hours, or until mixture is completely solid and slightly sticky.
- Remove from oven and let cool. Cut into 8 rows and roll up.
