At this time of the year, when there are plenty of fresh fruits to eat, we should find ways to make the most of the autumnal abundance. Making fruit leather is one old-time option often forgotten today. But it can be a great thing to consider.  

Making healthy snacks for yourself and your children is one of the great things you can do when you grow your own. Or when you buy delicious fresh, local produce of the season from producers in your area. Making fruit leather is one way to preserve the abundance of the season while also providing a healthier treat.

What is Fruit Leather?

You may be familiar with the fruit roll ups that you can buy at the store. Fruit leather is the old-fashioned name for a DIY version of this fruity treat. If you or your family like these fruit roll ups, or other fruity chewy sweets, you will love the opportunity to make these yourself. 

By making your own at home, you can control exactly what goes into them, and ensure that they really are a healthy option for you and your family. 

Fruit leather is, essentially, pureed fruit (sometimes with a sweetener added) that is spread very thinly onto a tray and then partially dehydrated to remove much of the moisture. This leaves strips or sheets of a chewy, somewhat leather-like substance, with a fresh, zingy, fruity taste.

Making Fruit Leather – Step By Step

• Step One: Choose your fruit. Many different fruits can be used to make fruit leather. Sweeter fruits might be used entirely on their own, while tarter fruits can be combined with honey or other sweeteners.

• Step Two: Blend and/or stew the fruit to create a fine purée.
  
  
• Step Three: Add sweetener or spices to the fruit as desired to create a flavor you like.
  
  
• Step Four: Spread out the blend to form a thin layer (just a few mm thick) over a lined or non-stick tray. (Using a reusable silicon baking sheet is a good idea.)

• Step Five: Place the tray into your oven on a low heat or into an electric dehydrator.
   
• Step Six: Leave the fruit in the low oven, or in the dehydrator for a number of hours. Check regularly to see whether the fruity layer has dried sufficiently. You are looking for the layer to have a surface that is no longer sticky. However, the leather should still be flexible and not brittle.
  
  
• Step Seven: Remove the leather from the oven or dehydrator and leave it to cool. Then peel it off the tray. You can then cut the sheet into strips or sections, and roll these up. Wrap these individually and place them into an airtight container and keep in a cool place for storage.
  

How long these will keep will depend on the sugar content and storage conditions. But if you get this right, you may well find that the family likes them so much that they won't last long!