Make your own Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups with just a couple of ingredients! It's the perfect fun, from-scratch treat for the kids!
Oh hey! I'm coming to you from a household of 5 now! Our little K2 made her grand appearance a couple of weeks ago! We're all doing extremely well and M has been an incredible big sister. All the more reason to finally make something I've been wanting to make for her for a while. And now seemed like the perfect time to show my big girl how proud we are of her for being such a great big sister. Her super special treat? Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups from scratch without any added white sugar!
Ingredients Needed
I just love that this recipe is so. easy.
- Fresh Strawberries - You could also make this with any of your other favorite fruits!
- Honey - Or use your other favorite liquid natural sweetener.
- Fresh Lemon Juice - Just a touch to balance it all out.
- Apple Juice - Ok, ok yes there's processed sugar in apple juice. You can totally replace it with water, too! I just prefer the subtle added taste of the apple juice.
Step-by-Step Instructions
At first glance, it seems like it might be complicated. And yes, there are a lot of steps. But honestly, it's a super fun summer project. Especially if you have littles at home right now... Yup, welcome to our world!
First step: Add everything to a saucepan and cook.
Second Step: Add everything to a food processor (This is the one we love!) or blender.
Third Step: Pour strawberry sauce on parchment paper (or silicone-lined mats). Or onto parchment-lined dehydrator trays.
Fourth Step: Bake / Dehydrate!
Firth Step: Slice into your classic fruit roll-ups and enjoy!
Dehydrate or Bake?
Either. Honestly, I know everyone doesn't have a dehydrator so you can totally use your oven!
However, if you do want to do some dehydrating, We recently upgraded ours to this bad boy, the Excalibur 9-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator (which is sooo amazing). But a smaller one like Nesco should work too, but you want to only use the top tray or two - the closest ones to the fan.
If you do get a dehydrator, that means you can also make these dehydrator favorites:
Baking Tips
Some ovens have a dehydrate setting, which is what we used.
150 degrees, but if yours goes down to 200 degrees, that should be fine too. On our dehydrate setting in the oven, it took about 3 1/2 hours to be dried and no longer sticky - that's the key! At 200 degrees, 3 hrs should do the trick, but be sure to check it often at the 3 hr mark to make sure.
Once it was done and no longer sticky to the touch, with one of our sharpest knives I sliced it into 6 long strips, or you could half it and then have 12 little Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups!
FAQs
Nope! Swap that out for some water!
Add a few more strawberries!
No problem! You can totally sieve out the seeds after you puree it all.
Use whatever you have! See the recipe notes for using a dehydrator.
Of COURSE. And try a mixture of different fruits! Go crazy!
She's still learning that one of the best parts of the roll-up is unraveling it as you eat, but my girl just happily shoved the whole thing in her mouth. You do you, boo. 😉
Other Healthy Kid Friendly Snacks
- Easy Homemade Applesauce
- Healthy Toddler Banana Oat Muffins
- Strawberry Kiwi Popsicles
- Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Bars
- No Bake Carrot Cake Balls
- Homemade Hard Pretzel Rods
- Chocolate Trail Mix Bars
- Strawberry Chia Seed Popsicles
- Blueberry Parfait Popsicles
Enjoy! And remember to let me know on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest if you try any of my recipes!
Strawberry Fruit Rolls Ups
Equipment
- dehydrator optional
- fine mesh sieve optional
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh strawberries, trimmed and quartered
- 2 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice or water
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan and cook on medium high heat, until it comes to a simmer. Lower heat slightly and let simmer for 20 minutes.
- Transfer to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. At this point you can strain with a fine mesh sieve to get out the seeds / chunks. I chose not to because I don't mind the seeds.
- Pre-heat oven to lowest setting - 150 or 200 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Or line dehydrator trays with silicone sheets.
- Pour blended strawberry mixture on sheet(s). Dependent upon how big the tray is, you may need a second - for a 12 X 17 sheet, just one. With a spatula, smooth the mixture to an even approximate 1/8 inch layer.
- Put in oven and bake for 3 - 4 hrs. Or set dehydrator to 150 degrees. With large dehydrator with a fan in the back, it will take approximately 3 hrs. A smaller one will take 8-10 hrs.
- It will be done and set when it is no longer sticky if you gently touch it with your finger. If the edges seem really dry / brittle, just brush with some water to re-hydrate a little.
- With a sharp knife or kitchen shears, cut into long strips while still on the parchment paper and then roll up as they will become even stickier over night. If you used a silicone mat, remove from mat and then cut and cut a strip of parchment paper to roll up with.
- Store in an airtight container for up to a week and enjoy!
Nicole
These turned out amazing. on my second batch I added a tad more honey and it was great. It really doesn't need apple juice & they're a guilt free snack. These remind me of old school fruit leather, from the 90's, but better because it's strawberry.
Next time I'm going to get all my fruit cut & frozen a head of time since that's the most time consuming part...I did double up the recipe though, so there's that. Very tasty thank you so much for the great recipe, I'll be using it again.
Tracy
I love to hear it, Nicole! Thanks so much for sharing!
Janel
Can there be kept longer in the freezer?
Tracy
Great questions, Janel! Yes! Cut a strip of parchment paper and roll them up tightly with the parchment paper and then you can store them in the freezer for up to a year!
Celia
Finally! A healthy snack that my kids love. Thank you!! Quick question, refrigerate in sealed container or do not refrigerate in sealed container?
Tracy
Yay! Enjoy! It's best to store it in the fridge. 🙂
Amber
Quick question can you do this with berries? What about other fruits like peaches, pineapple, etc?
Tracy
Totally! As long as they’re puréed! Enjoy 😊
Brian Jones
These are called fruit 'leather' here in Europe and are a really old fashioned way of preserving fruit, I love the stuff... MUst give your recipe a try.
Tracy
Thanks, Brian!
Natalie
I love fruit roll ups! Never thought of making it at home! Looks so easy and delicious!
Kristine
Yum, yum, yum! I love this healthier version of fruit rollups and so easy! Pinning this to try!
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats
Yay for no added sugar! Kids need to learn to appreciate the natural taste of food!
Tracy
Oh my gosh YES!
Libby
Tried this recipe and added a small tsp of sugar for taste but made a bigger batch and these are great! Thank you for the recipe!!!! My kids and husband loves these!
Tracy
Great to hear, Libby!! Thanks so much for sharing!
Jere Cassidy
These really look easy and I love they are made with fresh strawberries. Perfect for the kids. And Congratulations!
Tracy
Aw thank you, Jere!!
Danielle
OMG this recipe totally took me back to middle school when I would beg my mom to buy me fruit roll ups only to devour each one in seconds. Seeing that I can make them myself with this recipe and it's made from my own fruit is exciting. Love that you did this!
Danielle | FollowMyGut.com <3
Tracy
Right?? I love a good throw back copycat, don't you? Thanks for visiting!