Fruit Roll-Ups are one of the quintessential fruit snacks of the nineties that made every child smile when they discovered Mom had included it in their lunch box! Yet, these jewel-toned pectin-based fruit-flavored snack’s ingredients are now becoming somewhat questionable, as more and more parents seek out healthy school snacks, making healthier homemade fruit roll-ups a popular alternative.
Healthier Homemade Fruit Roll Ups
Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 cups fresh or frozen strawberries (see note about frozen fruit)
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Supplies
- baking sheet
- parchment paper or Silpat
- high-speed blender or food processor
- silicone spatula
- twine or tape
Directions
Preheat the oven to 170 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat.
Wash and dry your fresh strawberries. Next, remove the stem and the hull. Discard the scraps.
In a high-speed blender or food processor, blend the fresh trimmed strawberries until smooth, about one minute. Add the honey and lemon juice.
Using a silicone spatula, evenly spread the strawberry mixture about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick into the prepared pan.
Place the pan into the preheated oven and dehydrate for 4 to 6 hours (turning the pan halfway) until the center of the fruit roll ups are no longer soft or sticky. Be careful not to overcook, or the roll ups will become brittle.
Once the fruit roll ups are cool, cut the fruit roll ups into strips and roll onto parchment paper and secure with twine or tape. Store into an airtight container. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Do I Need To Use Lemon Juice In My Fruit Roll-Ups?
No. The lemon juice is not a requirement. But, it does capture the vibrant color of the fruit. Without it, your homemade fruit rolls will look somewhat dull.
Can I Use A Sweetener Other Than Honey?
Yes. You can naturally sweeten your homemade fruit roll-ups to your taste with various sweeteners such as maple syrup or a sugar substitute like stevia. You could also opt-out of sugar entirely if that’s your jam.
Can I Use Fruits Other Than Strawberries Using This Recipe?
Yes. However, the moisture content in different fruits can vary, which will affect dehydration times. You may find that some fruits take longer to dehydrate, while others take less time. Keep a watchful eye on your fruit roll-ups while they’re in your oven.
Can I Add Fresh Vegetables To My Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups?
Yes. Adding vegetables to your homemade fruit roll-ups is a great way to sneak in extra veggies into your child’s daily snack rotation. They also make your healthy fruit roll-ups healthier!
Soften your vegetables by steaming them before incorporating them into this fruity snack.
Do Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups Need To Be Refrigerated?
Nope! To store homemade fruit roll-ups simply place them in an airtight container that will last for about a week in the kitchen pantry or on the counter for an easy go-to healthy school snack.
Traditional Fruit Roll-Ups Vs. Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups
One peek at the variety pack’s ingredients might have you decide it’s time to make healthier homemade fruit roll-ups.
- corn syrup
- dried corn syrup
- sugar
- fruit pectin
- monoglycerides
- pear puree concentrate
- palm oil
- citric acid
- sodium citrate
- malic acid
- vitamin c
- acetylated monoglycerides
- natural flavor
- red 40, yellow 5 &6, blue 1
Although there are healthier store-bought alternatives to traditional fruit roll-ups, like the delicious Trader Joe’s Fruit Leather Wraps, they can get costly, especially if you purchase them often. Our healthier homemade fruit roll-up recipe is an affordable, tasty option that everyone will love!
