Fruit leathers, also known as fruit rolls, are home made dried fruit snacks. Fruit leathers are made from pureed fresh fruit which has been dried in a food dehydrator and then rolled into healthy snack sized pieces. Fruit leathers are easy to make and will cost less, and be better for you, than sugar laden imitators bought at the store.

Here are some tips to follow when making fruit leather:

• Almost any fruit will make an excellent fruit roll. In particular, apples, apricots, peaches and nectarines are great fruits to dry. Many fruits can be pureed and combined together.
• Citrus fruits, which have a lot of juice, and smaller seedy fruits, like raspberries and blackberries, are best used in combinations with other fruits.
• Fruits high in fiber and pectin, such as apples or plums, have great textures when dried.
• Use fruits that are in season to obtain the best taste. Fruits that are over ripe, slightly bruised, or otherwise less than perfect are great for roll ups. Dehydrate fruit that will otherwise spoil.
• Apples or applesauce are excellent to combine with just about any other fruit
• Canned fruits can be used instead of fresh fruit. Make sure any liquids are completely drained before pureeing and dehydrating.

Published 8/2/2010 12:00:00 AM

Tags: Fruit Leather