Homemade Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups
These Homemade Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups are so easy and simple to make. Made with just 3 ingredients; sweet strawberries, fresh lemon juice and honey. Much healthier alternative to store-bought fruit roll-ups. You can make these right in your oven!
Homemade Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups
If you were a kid who grew up eating fruit roll-ups then you remember just how fun they were. As adults, we know these candies don’t have the best ingredients and are just loaded with sugars, additives and dyes. This doesn’t mean you can’t still experience how fun it is to snack on some fruit roll-ups.
Make my homemade strawberry fruit roll-ups for a healthier alternative to store-bought ones. Bring back those memories of indulging in this fun candy by making them yourself. These are made with just 3 simple ingredients; sweet strawberries, fresh lemon juice and honey. You can easily make these right in your oven. They are so much fun to make. Especially if you have kids.
Ingredients needed to make Homemade Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups:
- Fresh Strawberries– Use fresh ripe strawberries. I wouldn’t recommend using frozen strawberries as they will create too much moisture.
- Lemon Juice– To balance flavors.
- Honey– Adds a touch of sweetness.
Equipment needed to make Homemade Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups:
- 13×18 baking sheet pan– You need this specific sized baking sheet pan to fit in a half sized silpat baking mat.
- Silpat baking mat– A half sized silpat is the perfect size to make these strawberry fruit roll-ups.
- Food processor– To puree strawberries. You can also use a blender if you don’t have a food processor.
- Strainer and medium bowl– To strain strawberry puree to remove most of the seeds. This results in a smoother fruit roll-up.
- Parchment paper– For serving the fruit roll-up like the store-bought kind.
- Sharp knife or kitchen spears– To cut strawberry fruit roll-up into ling strips.
- Kitchen twine– If you want to tie your fruit roll-ups.
How to make Homemade Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups:
- Step 1– Preheat oven at 170 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Step 2– Measure out 3 cups of whole strawberries. Remove the stem from each strawberry and slice them into small pieces. I usually slice the bigger strawberries into fourths and the smaller ones into halves.
- Step 3– Transfer sliced strawberries into a food processor bowl. Drizzle with lemon juice and honey. Pulse strawberries for 30-40 seconds or until pureed.
- Step 4– Place a strainer over a medium sized mixing bowl. Pour strawberry puree into strainer to strain to get rid of most seeds. Use a spatula to move pulp around making sure most of the puree runs through the strainer. Use the spatula to remove any puree that is on the bottom of the strainer.
- Step 5– Line a 13×18 baking sheet pan with a half sized silpat baking mat. Pour strained strawberry puree over the center of the mat. Use a spatula to evenly spread out puree over the mat.
- Step 6– Transfer baking sheet pan into preheated oven. Bake strawberry puree for 3-4 hours or until fruit roll-up is not sticky. Press fruit roll-up with the tip of your finger to make sure it is not sticky. Roll out a piece of parchment paper.
- Step 7– Let the strawberry fruit roll-up set for a few minutes until it can be handled. Once it has cooled-down, carefully remove it from the baking mat and transfer to to a flat surface such as a cutting board.
- Step 8– Use a sharp knife or kitchen spears to cut down long strips of the fruit roll-up. Use a ruler if you want to have more evenly shaped strips. Set your strips flat on kitchen counter and begin to roll them. Tie with kitchen twine if desired. Enjoy!
Tips and Substitutions:
- Use strawberries that are ripe– Ripe strawberries are sweeter which will also make your fruit roll-ups sweeter.
- Strain your strawberry puree– You can skip this step if you desire. However, straining your puree will get rid of most of the strawberry seeds making the fruit roll-ups smoother.
- Use the right size baking sheet pan– This will allow for the puree to be spread out evenly and for the fruit roll-ups to bake evenly.
- Use parchment paper if you don’t have silpat– However, parchment paper wrinkles as it soaks moisture so your strawberry fruit roll-ups won’t be flat and smooth.
- Spread strawberry puree evenly throughout silpat– As the puree bakes in the oven, the edges will start to bake first then the middle. If the strawberry puree is not spread-out evenly, the edges will burn and the middle will end up under-baked.
- Watch for the color of your fruit roll-ups– As the fruit roll-ups bake in the oven, the color will change and get darker. It will go from a bright red to a darker red hue. If the middle of the fruit roll-up seems lighter and brighter than the edges, this means the middle still needs more time to bake.
- If the edges seem to be really dry and brittle– Just use a pastry brush and brush them with some water to re-hydrate.
- Transfer strawberry fruit roll-ups to parchment paper– If you want your fruit roll-ups to resemble more of the store-bought ones; cut a piece of parchment paper that is the same size as the fruit leather. Then cut the strips and roll them up.
- Substitute for honey– You can use maple syrup or omit a sweetener all together.
How to serve Homemade Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups:
I like prepping and serving my homemade strawberry fruit roll-ups just like the classic store-bought candy. Cut into long strips and rolled-up with some parchment paper. I even like to tie them with some kitchen twine to make them look even cuter. Of course you don’t have to serve or store them this way. You can cut them not strips, squares, rectangles, etc. and serve them that way.
Variations:
- Add other berries– Try using a combination of strawberries and other berries such as blueberries, raspberries or blackberries for a wild-berry flavor.
- Use other fruit– Try using other fruit such as peaches, cherries, mangoes, pears or apples. These kind of stone and pome fruit however will have to be boiled or cooked down into a sauce before dehydrating.
- Add some cinnamon– Add cinnamon to your puree for some added spice!
Homemade Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups FAQ’s:
Are Fruit Roll-Ups healthy?
Store-bought fruit roll-ups are not the healthiest as they are loaded with additives, dyes and added sugars. Homemade strawberry fruit roll-ups are much healthier as they are made with real ingredients. These are made of just strawberries, fresh lemon juice and honey if desired. They are a fun way to eat fruit and make for a healthy snack.
Can I use another fruit besides strawberry?
Yes. You can use a number if different fruits to make homemade fruit roll-ups. You can try making these with other berries like blueberries and raspberries, peaches, mangoes, apples, cherries, pears, etc.
What is the best temperature to bake homemade strawberry fruit roll-ups in?
Homemade fruit roll-ups (or fruit leather) is best when baked at a very low temperature for a long time. The best temperature to make these is 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Which is the lowest temperature most conventional ovens go down to. At this low temperature the strawberry puree will slowly bake for a long time. Evenly turning into fruit roll-ups without overcooking on the edges and undercooking in the middle.
Do I really need a silpat to make homemade strawberry fruit roll-ups?
Technically, you don’t have to use a silpat to make homemade strawberry fruit roll-ups. You can use parchment paper instead. However, parchment paper starts to wrinkle as it soaks in moisture. Making the fruit roll-ups come out with wrinkled lines as well. When you use a silpat you get fruit roll-ups that have a nice flat and smooth surface.
Why is it called “fruit leather”?
Fruit roll-ups are also known as fruit leather. They are called this because of the texture of the fruit after it has baked for a long time on a low temperature. It resembles the same texture as of leather.
Is this fruit leather recipe vegan?
This homemade strawberry fruit roll-up recipe is technically not vegan as it is made with honey. However, you can easily substitute it for maple syrup or omit an added sweetener all together. Which will make this recipe vegan friendly.
How to store Homemade Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups:
Whether you roll them with parchment paper or leave as is, you should place your fruit roll-ups in either a zipper bag or airtight container. Keep your strawberry fruit roll-ups stored in a cool place for up to 2-3 weeks. If you keep them in a hot spot or near a hot appliance, they will get start to melt and get too sticky.
Did you like this Homemade Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups recipe? You may also like these other homemade snack recipes:
- Lemon-Honey Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies
- Nut-Free Trail Mix
- Frozen Yogurt Berry Cups
- Black Bean-Tahini Brownie Bites
- Stovetop Popcorn
- Roasted Chickpeas
Homemade Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups
These Homemade Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups are so easy and simple to make. Made with just 3 ingredients; sweet strawberries, fresh lemon juice and honey. Much healthier alternative to store-bought fruit roll-ups. You can make these right in your oven!
Ingredients
- 3 cups strawberries
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp honey
Instructions
Preheat oven at 170 degrees Fahrenheit.
Measure out 3 cups of whole strawberries. Remove the stem from each strawberry and slice them into small pieces. I usually slice the bigger strawberries into fourths and the smaller ones into halves.
Transfer sliced strawberries into a food processor bowl. Drizzle with lemon juice and honey. Pulse strawberries for 30-40 seconds or until pureed.
Place a strainer over a medium sized mixing bowl. Pour strawberry puree into strainer to strain and get rid of most seeds. Use a spatula to move pulp around making sure most of the puree runs through the strainer. Use the spatula to remove any puree that is on the bottom of the strainer.
Line a 13×18 baking sheet pan with a half sized silpat baking mat. Pour strained strawberry puree over the center of the mat. Use a spatula to evenly spread out puree over the mat.
Transfer baking sheet pan into preheated oven. Bake strawberry puree for 3-4 hours or until fruit roll-up is not sticky. Press fruit roll-up with the tip of your finger to make sure it is not sticky. Roll out a piece of parchment paper.
Let the strawberry fruit roll-up set for a few minutes until it can be handled. Once it has cooled-down, carefully remove it from the baking mat and transfer to a flat surface such as a cutting board.
Use a sharp knife or kitchen spears to cut down long strips of the fruit roll-up. Use a ruler if you want to have more evenly shaped strips. Set your strips flat on kitchen counter and begin to roll. Tie with kitchen twine if desired. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Tips and Substitutions:
- Use strawberries that are ripe– Ripe strawberries are sweeter which will also make your fruit roll-ups sweeter.
- Strain your strawberry puree– You can skip this step if you desire. However, straining your puree will get rid of most of the strawberry seeds making the fruit roll-ups smoother.
- Use the right size baking sheet pan– This will allow for the puree to be spread out evenly and for the fruit roll-ups to bake evenly.
- Use parchment paper if you don’t have silpat– However, parchment paper wrinkles as it soaks moisture so your strawberry fruit roll-ups won’t be flat and smooth.
- Spread strawberry puree evenly throughout silpat– As the puree bakes in the oven, the edges will start to bake first then the middle. If the strawberry puree is not spread-out evenly, the edges will burn and the middle will end up under-baked.
- Watch for the color of your fruit roll-ups– As the fruit roll-ups bake in the oven, the color will change and get darker. It will go from a bright red to a darker red hue. If the middle of the fruit roll-up seems lighter and brighter than the edges, this means the middle still needs more time to bake.
- If the edges seem to be really dry and brittle– Just use a pastry brush and brush them with some water to re-hydrate.
- Transfer strawberry fruit roll-ups to parchment paper– If you want your fruit roll-ups to resemble more of the store-bought ones; cut a piece of parchment paper that is the same size as the fruit leather. Then cut the strips and roll them up.
- Substitute for honey– You can use maple syrup or omit a sweetener all together.
*Number of total servings in estimated. Actual number of servings may vary depending on your own personal preference in portion sizes.
**Nutritional values shown are general guidelines for 1 serving using the ingredients listed above. These numbers do not reflect and may vary depending on substitutions, additions and/or different brands and/or other ingredients that may be used.
**Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links and sponsored content. All the opinions are my own and I only recommend products I use in my own home with my own family.
