Homemade fruit leather is a healthy snack, very easy to make and customizable! It's simply made by dehydrating applesauce, whether store-bought or made at home.
I somehow end up with large boxes of soft apples now and again that seem to come out of nowhere. Usually, it's my grandma who gives me extra apples because she has way too many for herself.
There have also been times when I've been on a walk with my husband, and we pass by a yard with a tree that's just overflowing with beautiful apples. We look at each other, walk up to the front door and ask if we may pick some apples. Usually, the response is something like, "Yes, take them all! We don't use them."
We get home with a ridiculous amount of apples and have to decide what to do with them. The options are to make apple pie filling, dehydrated apple slices (apple chips), applesauce or dehydrating that applesauce to make homemade fruit leather! We put on a podcast and get to work. It takes a while, but it's a lot of fun and we feel very accomplished afterwards!
In my opinion, homemade fruit roll-ups are probably the best way to use fresh apples when you have a lot of them to process. It's an easy snack that is delicious, lasts quite a while and you can make a big batch to snack on for weeks!
Dehydrating Applesauce FAQ
What is Fruit Leather Made From?
You guessed it: FRUIT (doesn't have to be just apples, but they are definitely a great base fruit to start with)! There are many variations with other ingredients as well. Many include a sweetener such as honey, maple syrup or white sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, etc.
Is Fruit Leather Healthy?
Making your own fruit leather is WAY healthier than eating storebought. With homemade fruit leather (especially with homemade applesauce), you have complete control over the quality of ingredients and can use much less sugar (if any!), so it's bound to be better than anything at the store. Many store-bought fruit roll ups contain artificial additives and a ton of added sugar. Plus, it's just the easiest snack to make at home.
Most of us know that fruit is good for us. It contains many vitamins and minerals. There is naturally occurring sugar in it, but if most of the fruit is consumed (aka the pulp AND the juice), it won't spike your blood sugar like fruit juice alone would. Blood sugar spikes can cause tiredness, hunger and over time lead to type 2 diabetes. The sugar in this fruit leather won't do this to you!
Is Fruit Leather Vegan?
Absolutely. My apple fruit leather recipe only contains two ingredients: apples and water (with option of adding lemon juice, sweetener and spices). No animal products here. For a sweetened vegan fruit leather, use maple syrup, date syrup or coconut sugar instead of honey.
Is Fruit Leather Keto?
The ketogenic diet, put simply, is a low-carb, high-fat diet. There aren't really any fruits that are high in fat (except for avocados... I personally wouldn't try making fruit leather with those). Since apples are higher in carbs, they are not ideal for a keto diet. However, fruit leather made from low-carb fruit such as strawberries, blueberries or peaches would be keto friendly.
Can You Dehydrate Applesauce in the Oven?
You can! For the oven method, line baking sheets with parchment paper (NOT wax paper... Yes, I confused the two once!) and spread out a layer of applesauce/fruit puree to near the edge of the cookie sheet. Heat your oven to a very low temperature (between 140°F and 200°F). Cook for 6-8 hours, depending on the oven temperature and thickness of your applesauce layer. It can be taken out when it's dry to the touch and pliable.
Why Is My Fruit Leather Cracking?
It could be that you spread the applesauce too thin or too thick or that it was dehydrated for too long. Spread the applesauce between ⅛ inch and ¼ inch thick. Once it is no longer sticky or soft in any areas, the fruit leather is done and should be taken out. If it dries for longer and becomes so dry that it's brittle and cracks, it's still perfectly edible! Just a little crunchy and not so rollable.
Variations of Fruit Leather Recipe
I usually use apples to make fruit leather because that's what I get a lot of, but you can really use most kinds of fresh fruit (if you use frozen fruit, just thaw before following the recipe) and any combination of fruits. Think plums, peaches, apricots, nectarines, berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, etc), pears, even pumpkin and sweet potato! Get creative and use whatever you have on hand. The combination will most likely taste great!
You can also add spices and extracts. Some examples: Add some cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg to your applesauce before dehydrating, pumpkin pie spice to a pumpkin/apple combo or a splash of vanilla extract to your pear puree before making into leather. Lemon juice also goes great with most fruits and helps to brighten the flavors.
Tools to Make and Dehydrate Applesauce
Food dehydrator (or oven)
Immersion blender, high speed blender or food processor (if making your own applesauce)
Plastic wrap or parchment paper
Ingredients
Apples (any variety) or jar of applesauce (preferably unsweetened)
Filtered water (We use and love the Berkey!)
Lemon juice (optional)
Honey or maple syrup (optional)
Cinnamon (optional)
How to Make Fruit Leather by Dehydrating Applesauce
Make Applesauce
Peel, core and cut apples into quarters. Cut into small pieces if you want the apples to cook faster.
Place in a large pot with ½ cup water for every 4 cups of apples. Cover with a lid and slowly simmer until apples start to fall apart. You can mash every so often with a potato masher.
Once apples are fully cooked and soft, use an immersion blender or high-speed blender to puree until very smooth. After blending, taste the fruit puree and add lemon juice (just a squirt at a time), sweetener and cinnamon, if desired. Continue to taste and adjust until you are happy with the flavor and sweetness level.
How Long to Dehydrate Applesauce
Line dehydrator trays with parchment paper or microwave-safe plastic wrap and spread out applesauce ⅛ - ¼ inch thick. If you use plastic wrap, make sure it doesn't fold over the applesauce on the edges, or the edges won't dry out. (we use a little tape to secure it to the dehydrator tray!). Dehydrate for about 18 hours at 110°F, or until applesauce is no longer sticky to the touch and there aren't any wet spots. Drying time can of course vary based on environment.
Allow to cool and use a pizza cutter or knife to cut strips. Roll up with the plastic wrap or parchment paper still attached. This way the leather won't stick to itself when rolled.
How to Store Fruit Leather
Fruit leather should be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 month at room temperature (in a cool and dark place), or 6 months in the freezer for longer storage.
More Healthy Snack Recipes
- DEHYDRATED KALE CHIPS
- HOW TO CUT CARROTS STICKS
- CINNAMON AND HONEY ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS
- HOW TO DRY PEACHES IN A DEHYDRATOR
- SPROUTED WHEAT CRACKERS SEASONED 4 WAYS
- HONEY POPCORN
If you loved this recipe, please comment and give it a 5 star rating! Thanks!
📖 Recipe
Applesauce Fruit Leather
Homemade apple fruit leather is a healthy snack, very easy to make and customizable! It's simply made by dehydrating applesauce.
Ingredients
- Apples or jar(s) of applesauce (preferably unsweetened)
- Filtered water
- Lemon juice (optional)
- Honey or maple syrup (optional)
- Cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Peel, core and cut apples into quarters. Cut into small pieces if you want the apples to cook faster.
- Place in a large pot with ½ cup water for every 4 cups of apples. Cover with a lid and slowly simmer until apples start to fall apart. You can mash every so often with a potato masher.
- Once apples are fully cooked and soft, use an immersion blender or high-speed blender to puree until very smooth. After blending, taste the fruit puree and add lemon juice (just a squirt at a time), sweetener and cinnamon, if desired. Continue to taste and adjust until you are happy with the flavor and sweetness level.
- Line dehydrator trays with parchment paper or microwave-safe plastic wrap and spread out applesauce ⅛ - ¼ inch thick. If you use plastic wrap, make sure it doesn't fold over the applesauce on the edges, or the edges won't dry out. Dehydrate for about 18 hours at 110°F, or until applesauce is no longer sticky to the touch and there aren't any wet spots.
- Allow to cool and use a pizza cutter or knife to cut strips. Roll up with the plastic wrap or parchment paper still attached. This way the leather won't stick to itself when rolled.
Notes
To dehydrate in an oven, line baking sheets with parchment paper and spread out a layer of applesauce/fruit puree to near the edge of the cookie sheet. Heat your oven to its lowest temperature (between 140°F and 200°F). Cook for 6-8 hours, depending on the oven temperature and thickness of your applesauce layer. It can be taken out when it's dry to the touch and pliable.
Fruit leather should be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 month at room temperature (in a cool and dark place), or 6 months in the freezer for longer storage.
Diane Gail
Oh this is going on my fall season to do list for sure!! What a great idea 😉