Make fruit leather at home! This cinnamon apple fruit leather is a healthy fall treat.
I had a lot of favorite snacks growing up. As a child, I remember we always had strawberry fruit roll-ups around the house. I loved them so much it was ridiculous.
Years later, I was at the grocery store one day and decided to buy some for old times sake. I got my fruit roll-ups home and unraveled one in anticipation.
I was disappointed to find that the roll was full of punch out shapes, maybe animals or something? That wasn’t how I remembered them!
I didn’t want to eat a strawberry giraffe, I just wanted my chewy, flavor-packed fruit roll. Later I began discovering other versions of fruit leather in the store which felt less… processed (because fruit animals are processed).
But obviously they’re all processed, shapes or not! So I decided to do some research into how to make fruit leather and was surprised to learn that it’s pretty simple! Â It takes awhile but the resulting treat is very healthy.
I only added one tablespoon of sugar to this cinnamon apple fruit leather and you could probably omit it completely or substitute maple syrup or Stevia. Â It’s chewy, flavorful and I can rip the fruit from the plastic in long strips like I did as a child. Â No giraffes!
Note: if you have a large rectangular dehydrator, you can use that instead of the oven.
Cinnamon Apple Fruit Leather
Ingredients
- 8 cups sweet apples (I used gala and honey crisp)
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice (approximately 1 large lemon)
- optional: 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (see notes)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Peel, core and chop your the apples.
- Add the apples and water to a large pot or dutch oven over medium-low heat. Bring to a simmer and cover, allowing to cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes.
- Use a potato masher or blender to puree the fruit and add it back to the pot. Add the lemon juice, cinnamon and sugar. (note: I used very sweet apples for this recipe. If you use tart apples you will probably want less lemon juice and more sugar.)
- Continue to cook for another 10 minutes to allow the sugar to dissolve.
- Use a food mill or fine mesh strainer to create a very smooth puree. It's fine to leave some fibrous apple pulp behind (I lost at least 1 cup in the food mill).
- Preheat your oven to the lowest possible temperature. The original recipes states 140 degrees F. My oven only goes as low as 170 so that's the temperature I used.
- Line a baking sheet with microwave-safe plastic wrap (for reference, mine is 13x18. You can also use two smaller sheets). Pour the puree on top and use a spatula to spread the mixture as evenly as possible.
- Allow to cook in the oven for 8-12 hours until the fruit is completely dried out. Mine took approximately 9 hours, you may need more time if the temperature is lowered. I let it cook overnight.
- Allow the fruit leather to cool. I trimmed the ends with scissors (including the plastic wrap) so they look pretty and then cut into strips of your desired size. I chose to make 3 long, large strips.
- Leave the fruit leather attached to the plastic wrap until its ready to be eaten.
Notes
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
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Angie@Angie's Recipes says
wow This looks so amazing!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
Mm, I loved fruit roll-ups as a kid, though I have to say, anything berry blue is definitely processed :) this cinnamon apple version looks SO good. Bet it smelled nice, too :) I’d take this over the boxed kind anyday!
Savory Simple says
I remember the day Cap’n Crunchberries went from being reddish to multi-colored. I was so pissed because who wants green and purple berries?!?! How processed. Because when they’re red, they’re clearly natural.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
This is such a fun idea! Fruit roll-ups were never allowed in the house growing up – I liked babysitting because then I finally got to try all the snacks I had wondered about!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Oh wow, I HAVE to dust off my dehydrator and make this. The flavor sounds incredible!
Savory Simple says
I wish I could have used my dehydrator for these! Mine is smallish and round with the heating element down the center. I think that would be a great way to make them.
Choc Chip Uru says
Mmm I saw these on Facebook and was waiting for your post – does not disappoint :D
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Baker Street says
what a delicious idea! fruit roll ups are so easy and fun to make..
Ambrosiana says
What a creative idea! Beautiful!
Mad Dog says
Amazing – I’ve never seen that before.
Jenny says
Yum! I love fruit leather! what a brilliant recipe!
Carolyn Chan says
What a random recipe ! Looks amazing !
Mary Ellen @ Pâte à Chew says
This looks so yummy! And your photographs are perfect. You have really been cooking and baking up a storm lately, I’m loving all your posts!
Bailey says
This is such a great idea and so perfect for fall. I love cinnamon/apple anything. I have two younger brothers (8 and 9 years old) that would absolutely love this. I’ll definitely be trying it!
Valerie says
Fruit roll-ups take me back to childhood! Do you remember the thick versions that had cream cheese stripes? Yours look 100 times better than anything sold in a box! And who knew they were easy to make?! :)
Jill says
I’ve done this before with strawberries. It’s so good! I’ll have to try your recipe.
Grubarazzi (@Grubarazzi) says
What a COOL recipe. I love this idea. I always buy the organic ones in line at the grocery store. It’s my go to 45 calorie treat before I start cooking all night long. lol. I want a dehydrator just to make my own…because something tells me this lady isn’t going to forget them in the oven, possibly for days, and then wonder why the house is so warm :)