Strawberry Fruit Roll Ups

When I was a child, fruit roll ups were a staple in my house. My sisters and I loved to devour those bright and fruity treats as kids! So I wanted my children to experience the fun and exciting presentation of fruit roll ups, but with a healthier version. I discovered I could make my own fruit roll ups with only 3 ingredients, and not sacrifice on flavor.

It’s super simple to make and doesn’t require any fancy equipment, just a blender, an oven and a baking sheet. Start by blending your favorite fruit (my favorite is strawberries) with lemon juice and maple syrup, pour the puree onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper coated with oil and put it in the oven on the lowest setting for 4-5 hours.The hardest part of the process is being patient for so many hours while the aroma of fresh fruit fills your home!

Here are some expert tips before you start:

• You will need about 2.5 cups of fruit puree per 18×13 sheet pan.
• If the fruit you are using is a little too watery after being pureed and you would like to give it a thicker consistency, add an apple or applesauce.
• You can add about 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to avoid discoloration but it is not necessary.
• You can add maple syrup or honey to sweeten the puree to your taste but it is optional.
• Don’t forget to coat the parchment paper with vegetable or coconut oil or you will have a difficult time peeling the fruit leather off.
• Every oven is different, so after about 4 hours, start keeping an eye on the fruit roll. You will know when it’s done when you touch it with your finger and it’s not wet but still tacky. If you over bake it and it turns into a fruit crisp, you can try to brush it with a little water to soften it up again.
• Store in an airtight container. It keeps for about a month but I would recommend eating it sooner so it doesn’t dry out.
• Don’t finish it all before your kids can eat it!