Healthy Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups

I’m sure we all remember those bright red, flavorful, STICKY squares, wrapped in plastic, aptly named snacks, Fruit Roll-Ups. Well, did you know you can make your own flavorful, HEALTHY homemade fruit roll-ups? No trip to the store required.

“How on earth can fruit roll-ups be healthy?” I’m sure you’re wondering.

It’s because of the secret ingredient.

“Secret ingredient?” You say.

Yup, I say. Secret.

Oh, but don’t worry. I’ll tell you. You won’t believe me. . .

Gelatin.

“Gelatin? As in, Jell-o? THAT stuff is healthy?”

Well, Jell-o is not really healthy, not really.

Gelatin from grass-fed cows is actually very beneficial to your body. Here are a few very interesting articles on the miracle benefits of gelatin:

There are a multitude of ways you can use it, and making homemade fruit roll-ups, otherwise known as fruit leather, is one of those ways. I’ll show you how. It’s tremendously easy, as are all of the tutorials here at It’s a Love/Love Thing. That’s why I know how to do them! 😀 Because they’re easy!

You’re going to love these fruit rollups, they are refined sugar free and completely delicious – a perfect colorful snack for you and the kids!

So let’s get this show on the road.

Fruit Leather vs Fruit Rollups?

Fruit Leather and Fruit Rollups are not exactly the same thing, even though some recipes seem to use both terms for the same thing. Fruit leather and fruit rollups are very similar. They are both chewy, dehydrated fruit product made by dehydrating blended fruit. 

The main difference is that fruit leather is a bit thicker (think fruit jerky) while fruit rolls ups are thinner and can be rolled up – just like the commercial product you can buy at the supermarket.

Ingredients You Need To Make Homemade Fruit Roll Ups

My recipe for Healthy fruit roll ups is just 3 ingredients:

• Fresh fruit – The best part about this recipe is that you can use just about any mix of fruit flavorsthat you fancy. You could try:
  • raspberry
  • strawberry
  • banana
  • mango
  • peaches
  • apples
  • mixed berries
  • blueberries
  • blackberries
  • pears
• Gelatin
• Lemon Juice

Do You Need To Add Sweetener?

I personally find that I don’t need to add any type of sweetener to this recipe. I find the fruit sweet enough as it is. However, if you would like it to be sweeter you could add a little honey, monkfruit or maple syrup to the fruit puree. Just make sure it’s mixed in well.

Tools You Need To Make Fruit Rollups

• Washed Fruit – let your imagination run wild; you can use just about any combination your heart desires
• 2 Tablespoons Grass-fed gelatin For the health benefits, you will need to use grass fed gelatin. The sheets of gelatin at the grocery store won’t have the same nutrition benefits as grass fed. You can find grass-fed gelatin here.
• Blender or Food Processor  – High-powered like the Vitamix is preferred but not necessary
• Dehydrator I- I use and recommend the Excalibur, but any dehydrator will work!
• Silicone baking Sheet or dehydrator sheets – either for the dehydrator or a silicone mat for the ovenbake method.

Excalibur 9-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator with Adjustable Thermostat For Temperature Control Patented Technology For faster & Efficient 15 Square Feet Drying Space, Black

• TEMPERATURE: The adjustable thermostat ranges from 105 degrees Fahrenheit to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature range is low enough to preserve active enzymes in fruits and vegetables and is also high enough to meet safety standards for dehydrating meat for jerky
• DELICIOUS SNACKS: Dehydrate fruits, vegetables, nuts, meat for jerky, fruit puree for fruit roll-ups, flowers, herbs, pet treats, raise bread, or make arts and crafts. Great for large families, gardeners, and sportsmen
• EASY TO USE: Trays do not need to be moved or rotated during dehydration. Trays can also be removed if necessary to increase the height needed to dehydrate bulky items or raise dough
• Made in the USA with USA and globally sourced materials

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How To Make Fruit Rolls Ups Without A Dehydrator

The easiest way to make fruit leather is with a dehydrator like the Excalibur, which you can set and forget. However, many of us don’t have a dehydrator and luckily you can use your oven to make fruit rollups!

Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups Oven Baked Method

The method to bake fruit rollups is essential the same as using the dehyrator. Instead of putting your fruit puree on a dehyrator sheet, you can put it on plastic wrap, parchment paper, or a silicone baking mat in a baking pan. 

Put the tray in your oven on it’s lowest setting (less than 140 F) and leave it for 8-10 hours. The rollups are ready when the fruit puree is no longer sticky to the touch. 

Instructions For How to Make Homemade Fruit Roll Ups In A Dehydrator Step-by-Step

Step One: Add Fruit

Here is where you can really personalize your creation. Just start adding several cups of washed fruit to your blender. I love adding peeled bananas myself. I have recently made two batches. The first one I made was comprised entirely of peaches. The second and most recent batch, I just let my imagination run wild, as I am encouraging you to do. I added banana, strawberries, peaches, mango, and grapes. Whatever you like, just fill up the blender with as much fruit as you want.

Step Two: Blend Your Fruit Mix

This is pretty self-explanatory. Blend on high until pureed.

Step Three: Add Grass Fed Gelatin

Turn off your blender and add your two tablespoons grass-fed gelatin. Then go ahead and blend it all in, for several seconds on high.

Step Four: Pour The Fruit Mix 

Now, you will need to prepare your tray to hold the fruit puree. You have three options: you can use

• Paraflexx sheets (or the generic brand, which is what I own and recommend)
• Parchment paper
• Silicone baking mat

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Whatever your selection, you need to lay your sheet down on top of the mesh for your dehydrator tray. Then, simply pour about a cup of the fruit mixture puree onto the sheet. There will be air bubbles from blending; don’t sweat it.

Now, pretend you’re playing Labyrinth and start tilting the tray around, effectively spreading the puree out into an even layer. Leave it about 1/4″ thick. If you go too thin, the finished texture will be way too thin and it will be difficult to remove the fruit when you’re done.

It can be a little tricky at first, but don’t worry! You’ll get the hang of it.

Continue filling the dehydrator trays until your fruit puree is all gone.

Step Five: Dry

Turn your dehydrator on around 140, if your dehydrator has a temperature setting. If not, keep it on low. Let it dry around 6-10 hours, or even overnight.

You can usually just bend the non-stick dehydrator sheet and the fruit rollup will start coming off.

Now, lay the peeled fruit onto a clean, spread layer of either parchment paper or clear plastic wrap. Cut the rollups into strips. You can make these as wide or narrow as you like.

Printable Recipe Card: Dehydrated Fruit Roll Ups With Gelatin

Healthy Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups

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• Author: It’s A Love/Love Thing

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Description

Here’s a fun, healthy, homemade fruit roll-up with gelatin recipe that makes a healthy, colorful treat that you and your kids will love. 

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 Cups Fresh Fruit – I used mixed fruits including banana, strawberries and grapes but you could use any fruits you like
• 2 Tbsp Grass Fed Gelatin – For maximum health benefits, I recommend this brand
• 1 Tsp Lemon Juice – You can omit this if you don’t have any!

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Instructions

• Clean –  Clean and wash all your fruit, removing any bruised bits and stems.
• Add – Add all of your fruit along with a teaspoon of lemon juice to your high-speed blender and process until smooth.
• Combine –  Once the fruit is nice and smooth, add grass fed gelatin and process to combine.
• Pour – Pour the fresh fruit and gelatin mix on your paraflexx or silicone sheets
• Smooth  – Using the power of gravity, move your sheet around so that the fruit mix spreads evenly. You want it to be around 1/4″ thick. Continue with as many sheets as you have to finish up the mix. 
• Here’s a fun, healthy, homemade fruit roll-up recipe that makes a healthy, colorful treat. Learn how to make these colorful and healthy treats with this recipe.
• Dehydrate – Place your filled trays into your dehydrator on 140F or LOW setting. Leave for 6-8 hours or overnight.
• Store – Your rollups are ready when they aren’t wet to touch. Store them by cutting with a sharp knife or scissors and rolling them up in either parchment paper or plastic wrap. They will keep for 2 weeks+ in an airtight container.

Notes

• Leftover fruit puree can be used in smoothies or frozen into icy poles
• If you don’t have any lemon, you can leave it out.
• Want it to be vegetarian or vegan? Leave out the gelatin.
• These can be cooked in the oven, simply use a baking tray and parchment paper instead of a dehydrator tray and set your oven at it’s lowest setting. Bake for 6-8 hours.

Keywords: dehydrator fruit rollups, healthy fruit roll ups, fruit roll ups gelatin

How To Store Your Homemade Fruit Rollups

Roll them up and keep them in an airtight container. They will last a while like this, but I’m sure they won’t be around that long.

Fruit Roll-Up F.A.Q.