How to Use a Dehydrator for Fruit Leather

Use a dehydrator to make fruit leather.

Whether you have an abundance of fruit from your own garden or you purchase it from the grocery store, getting creative with fresh fruit can be a satisfying and interesting kitchen project. To use a food dehydrator, prepare fresh fruit by cooking it and pureeing it in a blender or food processor. The smooth fruit puree pours easily onto the special fruit roll sheets that accompany most food dehydrators.

Things You'll Need

• Fruit (peaches, berries, pears, grapes or apples)
• Colander
• Cutting board
• Utility knife
• Large saucepan
• Potato masher
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• Granulated sugar (optional)
• Blender or food processor
• Spatula
• Cooking spray
• Food dehydrator (with 2 or 3 fruit roll sheets)
• Plastic wrap
• Airtight container

Instructions

1. Prepare your fruit by washing it, peeling it, coring it and cutting it into chunks.

2. Place 1 qt. of your fruit chunks into a saucepan, and place the pan on a stove burner. Add ½ cup cool water to the fruit, and turn the burner to medium-low heat.

3. Stir and cook the fruit for up to 15 minutes, until the fruit is soft.

4. Crush your fruit with a potato masher while it is still on the heat in the saucepan.

5. Add 1 tsp. lemon juice and a small amount of sugar, if desired, and simmer the fruit for approximately five more minutes, stirring often.

6. Pour the hot fruit into a blender or food processor, and puree it until it is completely smooth.

7. Spray the fruit roll sheets with an even coat of cooking spray.

8. Pour the fruit puree onto the fruit roll sheets so the fruit is approximately ¼-inch thick and even over the entire sheet. Fill the other fruit roll sheets in the same way.

9. Place the fruit roll sheets into your food dehydrator. Set the dehydrator to 135 degrees F, and turn it on.

10. Dehydrate the fruit puree for between four and eight hours, until it is stiff and leathery.

11. Allow the fruit leather to cool on the sheets for 15 or 20 minutes, then roll each up tightly.

12. Wrap your rolled fruit leather in plastic wrap, and store it in a covered container at room temperature for approximately one week.

Tips & Warnings

• Many fruit combinations are sweet enough without added sugar.

• Lemon juice can help your fruit retain its natural color.

References

• Simply Recipes: Fruit Leather