3 Ingredient Raspberry Fruit Leather Recipe

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Hi Bold Bakers!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: Enjoy a healthier twist on a classic snack with our 3-Ingredient Raspberry Fruit Leather! This easy-to-make treat offers a tangy, chewy delight that’s a fresher alternative to store-bought fruit roll-ups.

• 3 Simple Ingredients: Fresh raspberries, sugar, and lemon juice.
• No Special Equipment Needed: Bake in your oven with a silicone mat.
• Healthier Alternative: Free from artificial additives and preservatives.
• Deliciously Chewy: Perfectly tangy and satisfying for a quick treat.

This homemade raspberry fruit leather is not only healthy but also fun to do with kids. For more kid-friendly and nutritious ideas, explore other recipes such as Banana & Strawberry Ice Cream For Breakfast, Whole Wheat Animal Crackers, Homemade Chips Ahoy! Cookies Recipe, Georgie’s Healthy Breakfast Muffins, and more!

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 8/1/2024, to include a NEW STEP-BY-STEP tutorial video, explanations of key ingredients, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and Pro Chef Tips. 

Table of Contents

• What is Fruit Leather?
• Tools You Need
• Key Ingredients
• How to Make Raspberry Fruit Leather?
• Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
• Make Ahead & Storage Instructions
• Can I Use Frozen Fruit To Make Fruit Leather?
• FAQs
• More Kid-Friendly Recipes

What is Fruit Leather?

Fruit leather is a chewy, dried snack made from fruit puree that is either dehydrated or baked until it reaches a flexible, non-tacky texture. It’s often enjoyed as a healthy, portable treat.

• This recipe uses fresh raspberries blended with sugar and lemon juice, then baked into a thin layer of tangy, chewy raspberry fruit leather.
• It’s an easy, homemade alternative to store-bought options, providing a wholesome snack that’s perfect for kids’ or even adults’ lunch boxes.

Tools You Need

• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Baking sheet
• Blender or food processor
• Fine mesh sieve
• Silicone baking mat
• Spatula
• Knife

Key Ingredients

Raspberries

• Provide the main flavor and natural sweetness.
• Give the leather its vibrant color.
• Offer essential nutrients such as fiber, vitamin C, antioxidants, and potassium.

Granulated sugar

• Enhances the natural sweetness of the raspberries.
• Helps in the preservation and texture of the fruit leather.

Lemon juice

• Adds a touch of tartness to balance the sweetness.
• Brings out the flavor of the raspberries.
• Acts as a natural preservative.

How to Make Raspberry Fruit Leather

Prep

1. Preheat the oven to 200°F (100°C) or its very lowest setting and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.

Make the fruit pureé

2. Place raspberries in a blender or food processor with the sugar and lemon juice, and pureé until smooth.
3. Pass this raspberry mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the seeds.
4. Pour the mixture onto the baking mat and spread into roughly a 10×12-inch rectangle.

Bake the pureé

5. Bake for 4 to 5 hours, until the leather no longer feels tacky but is still flexible. Just a note that everyone’s oven is different so check at the 4 hr mark. Don’t let the leather get crisp and hard.
6. Starting at a short end, cut into nine 1-inch-(2½-cm)-wide strips.

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips For Making Homemade Fruit Leather

• Straining the raspberries makes for a smoother texture.
• You can use fresh or frozen raspberries for this. If using frozen, defrost your raspberries first.
• Before baking, taste the puree. Add more sugar if you prefer a sweeter fruit leather.
• Be sure to use a ruler to get the measurement correct — if it’s too thick, it will take too long to dry. The edges might get crunchy before the center is dried if it is too thin.
• Be sure to go low and slow when making this fruit leather, so the liquid evaporates, but the berries don’t burn.
• Given the long baking time, we recommend making a large batch and multiple trays at once. If you choose to do this, set the oven to 375°F with fan assistance.

Make Ahead & Storage Instructions

Put parchment paper or wax paper between the fruit leather layers in an airtight container or wrap it in plastic wrap. It can be kept at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Can I Use Frozen Fruit To Make Fruit Leather?

If you’d like, you can use frozen berries in this recipe for fruit leather. If you are using frozen, be sure to defrost your raspberries before adding them to the blender or food processor. If they are frozen, you may end up with a smoothie instead of a puree!

FAQs

1. If I don’t have a silicone mat, could I use parchment paper instead?

   • We don’t recommend using parchment paper for making fruit leather.
     • Parchment paper is too light to stay in place during baking and the pureé will bubble up and overflow the baking sheet
     • The result wrinkled and was nearly impossible to peel off the leather.

2. Can you make fruit leather with a dehydrator?

   • Yes, fruit leather can be made in your dehydrator.
   • Set your dehydrator to 135°F (57°C) . Spread the puree on a silicone baking mat or parchment paper, and dehydrate for 4 to 8 hours, checking periodically until the leather is dry but still flexible.

3. Why is my fruit leather sticky?

   • If your fruit leather is sticky, it may not be fully dried. Continue drying it at a low temperature until it’s no longer tacky to the touch.

4. Can you add spices or flavorings to fruit leather?

   • Yes, spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla extract can be added to the fruit puree for extra flavor.

5. Can You Make This Fruit Leather With a Dehydrator?

   Yes, you can definitely make this raspberry fruit leather with a dehydrator! Here’s how:

   1. Prepare the Puree:
      • Blend the raspberries, sugar, and lemon juice until smooth.
      • Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the seeds.
   2. Spread the Mixture:
      • Pour the strained puree onto a dehydrator tray lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
      • Spread the mixture evenly to about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thickness.
   3. Dehydrate:
      • Set your dehydrator to 135°F (57°C).
      • Dehydrate for 4 to 8 hours, checking periodically until the leather is dry but still flexible.

Bake More Kid-Friendly Recipes

• 4-Ingredient Homemade Goldfish Crackers
• George’s Banana Split From Scratch
• Banana & Strawberry Ice Cream For Breakfast (Nice Cream Recipe)
• Absolutely Adorable Homemade Animal Crackers

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 8/1/2024, to include a NEW STEP-BY-STEP tutorial video, explanations of key ingredients, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and Pro Chef Tips. 

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