Who doesn't love fruit leather? Still, those little single packages that they sell at the grocery store are expensive. But making it at home can be expensive, too, because almost all of the recipes call for an expensive food dehydrator. There has to be a better and less expensive way, right?
Yes, in fact, there is! It is possible to make fruit leather at home without a food dehydrator. You can use your oven. You may be a little bit worried, as there are recipes out there saying it takes up 18 hours to make fruit leather in an oven, but we found that it took a little bit under 5 hours. Not too bad! Just cut the fruit leather into strips comparable in size to the kind sold in stores and you get about 16 of them – and at $4 for fruit for this recipe, that's a big savings over what you would have paid for fruit leather at the grocery store.
Ingredients
- cooking spray or oil mister
- 2 ripe peaches pitted and cut into large chunks
- 6 oz. raspberries
- 1 tbsp. agave nectar or honey more if the peaches or raspberries are on the tart side
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 175 degrees. Coat a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Add all ingredients to food processor or blender and process until smooth. For seedless fruit leather, strain mixture through sieve. (I happen to love raspberry seeds!)
- Spread fruit evenly (this is really important!) onto baking sheet. Bake until fruit leather is dry, but still flexible. This is about 5 hours in my oven, but the cook time can vary, so keep an eye on your fruit leather as it cooks. Allow to cool and cut into strips using a pizza cutter or kitchen shears. Wrap each piece in wax paper and store in an airtight container or zip-top bag.
Smedette says
Oh my goodness, that looks amazing!
Emily says
Hmm...No kidding. That really worked?! I've been wanting to try this myself. A friend of mine said she tried & after 12 hours her fruit leather still wasn't leather! Maybe I'll give it a whirl.
The Type A Housewife says
What fruit did your friend use? I noticed that some people used applesauce in their fruit leather and I think that maybe that's the reason some people are saying it took up to 18 hours in the oven--applesauce can be kind of soupy. I'm going to experiment with different fruits and see if there's any difference in cooking time...
Emily says
She may have used applesauce. I'll be passing along your recipe link to her, I'm sure she'll give it a try. Unless she's too scared from the last fiasco!
Also, I wanted to thank you for linking up with my FIRST Whip it Up Wednesday party, too. Hope to see you again next week.
The Type A Housewife says
I'm always bad at remembering when everyone's link-ups are scheduled, but I will do my best. 😉
Robyn says
Geez lady, your such a smarty pants ! I can not believe you. What a great idea. I grew up on dry fruit ! I love it to this day. I only wish I had fruit tree's galore in my yard . Thanks for sharing!
The Type A Housewife says
Oh, I want fruit trees too! I'm thinking next summer we might plant one or two. I bet you can grow some pretty exotic fruit in Hawaii--seriously, if I had a mango tree, I would be the happiest person in the world. 🙂
BKWilliams says
Thank you thank you thank you....You found another way for me to make my Grandson aka Granny's Love think I am awesome. He loves fruit leather!
The Type A Housewife says
Let me know how it turns out if you make it! I hope your grandson likes it. 😀
Kelly says
Yum, that looks so good! I'm really surprised it was so easy to do in the oven. I would have thought a dehydrator for sure.
The Type A Housewife says
We had a food dehydrator when I was a kid (I think it was on sale at Kohl's and I had seen all the Ronco commercials and insisted that my mom buy it) and it was kind of a PITA and I don't think we used it that much. The oven is so much easier!
Rivki Locker says
I have been wanting to make fruit leather for quite some time but I think you've finally given me the push I needed. I'm going to try to get to this next week. It looks wonderful. And the price tag cannot be beat! 🙂
The Type A Housewife says
I hope it turns out well for you too! I think I'm going to make it again this weekend--even my husband liked it!
blueviolet says
That is a GIGANTIC savings, and I'll bet they taste way better too!
Lindsay says
This sounds amazing!! My kind of recipe!!
ElfRenee says
Yum, sounds good!
Grumpy Grateful Mom says
I've never made fruit leather before, but it seems doable. My kids gobble that stuff! And fun new design! I love the colors. 🙂
Mallory says
Yum, I'm going to have to try this. My daughter loves Archer Farms fruit leather.
The Type A Housewife says
I love Archer Farms fruit leather too! I like that they sell it in boxes--it seems like all the other supermarkets only sell it in single strips. But now that I know I can make it myself, I'll probably just keep doing that. 🙂
Lesley says
I always just assumed you needed a dehydrator. Thanks for the recipe! I will certainly be using it!
[email protected] Deere says
I came across your blog on Around My Family Table and I love your post!
I would love it if you would drop by Jane Deere and link up to Fusion Fridays with your favorite or most recent recipes, handmade crafts, diy projects, tips & tricks, and how to's! { open through Wednesday! }
Jamie (Thrifty Veggie Mama) says
Like the new look! I have to try this. We love fruit leather too and I have always wanted to try and make it.
The Type A Housewife says
Thank you! 🙂
Now that I know I can do fruit leather in the oven, I'm going to make it all the time! It's so, so easy.
dacey says
I love love LOVE fruit leather but I had no idea I could even make it at home!! Sooooo excited 😀
All Natural Katie says
I am definitely going to make fruit leather! How easy!
The Type A Housewife says
It's very easy! I want to make it again, but it's not exactly the best time of year to get fruit. :/
All Natural Katie says
Have you ever tried making it with frozen fruit or does it not turn out the same as fresh fruit?
The Type A Housewife says
You know, I was just wondering about that the other day. I might try it and see. I have a feeling it would work, but it may take longer because there's extra moisture in frozen fruit. And I think fruit that comes in chunks, like mangoes or peaches, would work better than raspberries or strawberries.
Patricia M says
I just made banana leather using frozen bananas and it took 3 hours - edges done first so I had to trim then put the center back in to finish.
emmycooks says
I love this idea and have been meaning to try it! This is just the time, too, with the kiddos heading off to school. By which I mean: if they are out of the house, I will have the fruit leather all to myself! Yum.
Kiersten says
Ha! Seriously, I could probably eat a whole tray of this myself too. There are worse things you could be eating though, right?!
Ethelea says
Hallo! I have a very silly question- is it 175 degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit? Can't wait to make these 😀
Kiersten says
It's Fahrenheit. 🙂 It needs to cook slowly so it doesn't burn!
gina says
I tried this and it burned 🙁 my oven was set at 150 and my fruit was in the oven for less than an hour could it be that i made it to thin? I used mangos
Lou says
What size baking sheet did you use? I want to make this for this weekend....Thanks
Dana Raidt says
Hi Lou, sorry for not seeing your comment earlier! A 9 x 13 pan should work just fine.
Nicole says
Can you bake these in the oven on a sheet of parchment paper to prevent sticking or will that affect the cooking?
cecile says
They look great, and peach and raspberry, that sounds delicious. If you want to try a dehydrator, check thrift stores. I got mine at Goodwill for 5 dollars, and I regularly see some there, at anywhere from 5 to 15 dollars.