Inside: Get an easy grapefruit roll-up recipe with just one ingredient: grapes! It makes a great snack or lunch.
Have you met a child who doesn’t like fruit roll-ups? I have not done it.
The problem is that the ones sold in a box at the supermarket usually contain multiple added sweeteners, oil, synthetic colors, artificial flavorings, and fruit juice concentrate instead of real fruit.
So I make my own homemade fruit roll-ups in the oven, no food dehydrator required.
Since grapes have such an intense natural sweetness, there is no added sugar either. A single ingredient recipe! I can’t get over that.
This recipe is also a great way to get your kids involved in the kitchen and making something fun.
Ingredients you need
- Grapes. That’s all! Choose seedless. For a red/purple tone leather, choose red grapes.
Tools you need
- silicone mat: The fruit leather will not stick and you can use it for many other baking projects. I use a Silpat mat.
- offset spatula: This is not necessary but it makes it much easier to propagate.
- Large Rimmed Baking Sheet: This is the one I use.
- Cooking shears: Use a pair of cooking shears (or clean scissors) to cut the leather into strips. Avoid using a knife as it will damage your silicone mat.
My Tips for Fruit Leather Success
I’m not going to sugarcoat it: making homemade fruit leather can be tricky. And sometimes sticky. So if you want to try homemade fruit leather, keep my top four tips in mind:
1. Use a Silpat.
TO silpat baking mat It is ideal for work. I’ve had my Silpats for over a decade and they have held up well. If you bake a lot, it’s definitely worth having.
2. Make it even.
This is key. It helps ensure the edges aren’t crispy while the center is still gooey. Use a offset spatula (or a regular spatula or butter knife) to spread the mixture over the Silpat. Then, holding the pan by each end, tap it against the counter several times to evenly distribute the mixture over the baking mat.
3. Take a look. A lot.
Once the leather has baked for about two hours, start checking it about every 15 minutes. Depending on your oven and the thickness of your mixture, the total baking time may be more than four hours.
The leather is ready when it still feels a little sticky but does not come off your finger when you touch it. The leather will dry from the outside in, so if the edges are done before halfway, take it out, cut the edges, and replace the rest to continue drying. Edges that dry out too much will crack and be difficult to roll.
4. Don’t expect perfection.
Some batches turn out better than others. Sometimes you will have a thick stain that will take a long time to dry. Alright. There’s a reason why homemade leathers don’t look like box leathers, but in my opinion, it’s a trade-off worth making!
How to make grape fruit leather
Preheat your oven to 170 degrees or the lowest temperature possible.
Puree the grapes in a blender or food processor until completely smooth. You can pour the mixture through a strainer if you want the leather to be completely smooth.
Pour the grape puree into a small saucepan and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
Spread fruit mixture on a rimmed baking sheet lined with a Silpat baking mat. An offset spatula like this one will make it easier, but it’s not necessary.
Tap the baking sheet against the counter a few times to make sure the mixture is even. This is what it will look like when evenly distributed.
Bake for 2 to 4 hours, checking frequently. The leather is ready when it still feels a little sticky but does not come off your finger when you touch it.
Please note that it will dry from the outside in. If the edges feel very dry but the center still seems sticky, remove the baking sheet, cut the edges with kitchen scissors, and replace the sheet to continue baking.
Carefully lift the fruit roll up from the mat while cutting it into strips with cooking shears or scissors (clean).
Questions about making grape fruit leather
My drying process is taking longer, what did I do wrong?
All ovens are different and the mixture can be thicker, which can lengthen the drying time. Be patient and keep checking!
How is the skin of the fruit cut?
That depends on you. I usually cut along the long end, which gives longer strips. Or you can cut wider strips in reverse.
Can I cut the fruit skin with a knife instead of scissors?
Yes, but using a sharp knife may damage the silicone mat. That’s why I prefer to use scissors.
What do I do with the strips after cutting them?
You can place them on strips of wax paper or a piece of parchment paper and roll them up (you can tie them with twine for extra tenderness). Or just roll it up without paper.
How do I store grape skin?
Keep the fruit skin in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag at room temperature. They will keep for a week or two, but probably won’t last that long!
Is fruit skin healthy?
This recipe is great because it only contains one ingredient: grapes! But keep in mind that the chewy skin of the fruit can stick to your teeth and cause cavities. Have your children drink water or brush afterward.
What other fruits can you use for homemade fruit leather?
You can use many different fresh fruits. Get my recipes for Strawberry Fruit Leather and Apple Cinnamon Fruit Leather.
Homemade grape and fruit rolls
Produce:
7 fruit rolls
Preparation time:
5 minutes
Time to cook:
4 hours
Total Time:
4 hours 5 minutes
Just one ingredient (fresh grapes!) is all you need to make this fun treat.
Ingredients
-
3 cups fresh red grapes, seeded, rinsed and stemmed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 170 degrees (or as low as your oven goes).
- Puree the grapes in a blender or food processor until completely smooth. You can pour the mixture through a metal strainer if you want the leather to be completely smooth (I don’t).
- Pour the grape puree into a small saucepan and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Spread the mixture evenly on a rimmed baking sheet lined with a Silpat baking mat. An offset putty knife works well for this job. Holding the pan firmly at each end, tap it against the counter several times to ensure the mixture is evenly distributed throughout the Silpat.
- Bake for 2 to 4 hours, checking frequently. The skin of the fruit will be ready when it is sticky, but does not come off the finger when lightly touched. The edges will dry first and you can cut them off and continue baking the rest. When everything is dry, remove from the oven and let cool.
- Carefully remove the leather from the mat while cutting it into strips with kitchen scissors or regular (clean) scissors. You can roll them as is or place them on parchment or wax paper.
- Store in an airtight container and enjoy in about a week.
Grades
*Start checking your leather at 2 hours and continue checking it every 15-30 minutes.
*Using a sharp knife to cut strips may damage the silicone mat. Use kitchen shears or scissors.
Recommended Products
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Nutritional information:
Produce: 7
Portion size: 1 fruit leather
Amount per proportion:
Calories: Four. FiveTotal fat: 0gSaturated fat: 0gTrans fat: 0gUnsaturated fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 10gProtein: 0g
