Many of you may remember the classic store-bought strawberries in yours lunch box at school. With all that added sugar and food coloring though it's not what I would consider a healthy snack. This homemade strawberry fruit leather is an easy (and tastier!) way to spruce up your fruit pile!
Our family is really enjoying it all seasonal products available now, especially berries. I always gather berries when I can find them from a fresh, local and organic source and freeze and store them for the whole year. Blueberries and raspberries are some of our favorites, but strawberries are especially good!
Last week, a pint of delicious strawberries hid in the back of the fridge. By the time I found them, they were slightly frozen and very ripe. They weren't the best for eating plain, but they were still very good. These berries were made strawberry vinaigrette dressing and my strawberry fruit skin with (optional) hidden beetroot.
How to make fruit leather
Fruit leather is a naturally sweet snack made by pureeing and dehydrating fresh fruit. They're like homemade patties, but without the artificial everything (plus, they taste better!).
These are a favorite with the kids in our house and a perfect summer treat. I love that I can pack them up for a snack that can be kept at room temperature for a few hours. You can make fruit leather with just fruit, but I like to sneak in beets. Hidden vegetables provide a stronger texture and additional nutrients.
Beets also intensify the bright red color. Plus, beets have properties that make them great for detoxification and fighting inflammation.
You can prepare this easy and natural snack in an oven or food dehydrator in just a few hours. The recipe is so simple that kids of any age can help make (and enjoy) their own fruit leather.
Homemade Strawberry Fruit Leather (with Beetroot)
Simple and nutrient-rich natural fruit skin snacks. They are made with fresh strawberries, optional honey and extra nutrients from beetroot.
- 2 medium beet (peeled and steamed until soft)
- 4 CUPS fresh or frozen strawberries (Defrost if using frozen fruit)
- ½ CUP honey (optional or ½ cup seedless dates or maple syrup)
- 2 TBSP fresh lemon juice (or lime or orange juice)
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Preheat oven to 170 degrees F or use a dehydrator.
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Puree the cooled boiled beets, strawberries, sweetener and citrus juice in a blender or food processor until completely smooth.
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Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats (safe at low temperatures).
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Spread the fruit mixture evenly on the lined baking sheets.
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Place the fruit puree in the oven and cook until firm and no longer sticky to the touch, about 6 hours. However, you don't want it to cook too long and become crunchy.
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Remove the homemade strawberry fruit skin from the oven and let it cool.
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Cut into strips and wrap in parchment paper.
Nutrition facts
Homemade Strawberry Fruit Leather (with Beetroot)
Amount per serving (1 serving)
Calories 49
Calories from fat 1
% Daily Value*
Fat 0.1 g0%
Saturated fat 0.01 g0%
Unsaturated fat 0.1 g
Monounsaturated fat 0.02 g
Sodium 9 mg0%
potassium 96 mg3%
Carbohydrates 13 g4%
Fiber 1 g4%
Sugar 11 gr12%
Protein 0.4 g1%
Vitamin A 8 IU0%
Vitamin C 22 mg27%
Calcium 8 mg1%
Iron 0.3 mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
- It can be stored in the fridge or freezer in an airtight container for up to a week (refrigerator) or two months (refrigerator).
- Use ½ cup extra strawberries if not using beets.
Homemade Fruit Skin Remedies
This recipe is quite simple, but requires a little patience. Since oven temperatures vary, yours may take longer or less time than mine. Adding honey or maple syrup intensifies the sweetness, but the skin of the fruit takes longer to dehydrate than if it is not removed.
If you use frozen frozen berries, the juice will be thinner. If using fresh berries, you may need to add a few teaspoons of water to make the mixture smooth enough to spread. The mixture should be pourable but not so thin as to flow Cooking sheet.
Have you made your own fruit peel before? What are your favorite fruits to use? Leave a comment and let us know!
