Growing up I looked forward to opening my lunch bag and snacking on fruit roll-ups. I remember peeling the fruit leather off the plastic wrap, twirling the fruit leather around my finger and eating it one sticky bite at a time. Making fruit leather is so easy, as a mom, I no longer have to spend money on unhealthy snacks for the kids.
It’s so easy to make…simply combine whatever fruit you have on hand and puree before spreading on a pan to bake. Super, Duper, Easy and Kid Friendly!! Besides the benefit of mommy-child bonding time, the nutritional benefits of home made fruit leather far surpass the store bought chemical ridden packaged options. Homemade fruit leather offers real nutrients without dyes and preservatives for your child’s growing body.
Taking the time to make this melt-in-your-mouth snack with your off spring is a great way to sow love into your little one’s soul, and feed the growing child with natural vitamins and minerals that will ward off the common cold. After you and your child have made the fruit leather together, then have fun cutting it into shapes such as: hearts, stars, squares or better yet…spell out words. Be creative and have fun! Your child is learning how to cook AND spell!
Photo Courtesy of: weelicious.com
The directions below worked best for our family- the drying stage may vary depending on your oven. Use the lowest temperature possible and allow 6-8 hours for the fruit mixture to stay in the oven to dry into delicious fruit leather!
What you need:
3 cups ripe chopped fruit (Strawberries, Bananas, Raspberries, & Peaches work great).
Sweetener, to taste (Whatever you prefer. Honey, Agave, Stevia, Powdered Sugar or Granulated Sugar is fine too)
*** NOTE: If your following the Trim Healthy Mama plan just use plan approved sweetener! Peaches=’E’ Territory & Berries=FP!
Making your Fruit Leather:
Preheat oven to 115 degrees F or lowest temperature possible.
Line a large baking sheet with a silpat mat* and then set aside.
Wash, Rinse, and Dry your fruit.
Then roughly chop your fruit. Using a blender or food processor blend your fruit with your choice of sweetener (to taste) until smooth.
Pour fruit mixture onto prepared baking sheet and spread to about a 1/8″ thick (not to thin, a little thicker is better than thin). It helps to pound the baking sheet on the counter a few times to make sure the fruit mixture is evenly distributed in the pan.
Then put the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 6-8 hours, until pan is set and the center is not tacky.
After the mixture has set, remove from oven and allow your fruit leather to cool to room temperature before you peel it off.
Gently remove the fruit leather from the baking sheet by peel off the fruit leather from one corner to the other without tearing it apart.
Cut into squares or strips using a pizza cutter, knife, or scissors.
To have your fruit leather ready for your child’s lunch or snacks cut strips of parchment paper the same shape/length of your fruit leather and then roll the strips in parchment paper to make roll-ups. Use a twist tie or twine to keep the leather rolled up. Store in an air-tight container 2-3 weeks.
*if you don’t have a Silpat baking mat, you can line the baking sheet with plastic wrap or parchment paper. The plastic wrap will not melt in the oven because the temperature is so low. Silpat mats do work the best.
Laundry Mom~Naomi♥
Recipe Inspiration:
www.SayYestoHoboken.com
www.TwoPeasandTheirPod.com
Disclaimer:
