This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Rewind to childhood with Healthy Fruit Roll Ups! This homemade rendition uses only four ingredients (fruit, honey, lemon, & vanilla) and is a simple bake-and-wait recipe.
Childhood snacks for the win
When you were a kid, did you have one specific snack that you begged your mom to get during each trip to the grocery store? There always seemed to be something that all the kids had in their lunches at school that I wanted to have too.
I vividly remember a couple of years where the snack of choice was one thing and one thing only: Fruit roll ups. Everyone had them, and it was always a treat to see one staring at me when I unzipped my lunchbox! Fruit by the foot, and things got even more exciting, as all of my friends would try to race each other to see who could eat the whole string the fastest.
Oh, to be young again!
Now that I’m a full fledged adult, I tend to stick to “adult” snacks (in my case, whole foods!), but every once in a while a pang of nostalgia hits and I’m left standing in the junk aisle of the store, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Roll Ups, and Gushers staring back at me.
This time, however, instead of filling my cart with icky processed snacks, I decided I would head home and put myself to the task of making my very own version.
The result? Four ingredient healthy fruit roll ups!
Ingredients used to make homemade fruit roll ups
Let me tell you something. This recipe couldn’t be easier. With only four ingredients involved, it’s a fool proof option made of all-natural ingredients that come together to be the most childhood flashback-inducing snack ever!
- Fresh fruit (your choice… I did 2 cups strawberries and 1 cup raspberries)
- Honey
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla
Tools you’ll need to make this snack
You’ll only need a handful of items to make fruit leather roll ups. Out of all of the tools, one of the most important is the food processor! However, if you don’t have one handy, a blender will definitely work.
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cutting board
- Cutting knife
- Food processor
- Spoon or spatula for spreading
For measuring, you’ll need to be able to measure out 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, and 1 cup.
How to make healthy fruit roll ups right at home
Fruit roll up snacks are actually way easier to make than you may imagine. All you really have to do is blend the ingredients together, and then you just spread them out into a flat layer on a baking sheet and let them cook in the oven!
To start making your magic fruit ropes, preheat the oven to 170F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Clean the fruit, cut off the stems, and place it in a food processor. Process until smooth.
Next, transfer the processed fruit to a small saucepan and add the rest of the ingredients. Heat over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
After 10 minutes, pour the mixture onto a baking sheet and smooth it out until it’s even. It doesn’t have to go all the way to the edges of the baking sheet, but you’ll want the layer to be fairly thin.
Bake for 4 hours, or until no longer sticky to the touch.
Let cool completely before cutting into strips and rolling, and then store at room temperature.
Switch things up with your favorite fruit
I love to use strawberries and raspberries in my fruit roll ups because the flavor combo just happens to be my fave. But honestly, you can experiment with whatever fruit you’d like!
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Grapes
- Bananas
- Apples
- Oranges
- Peaches
Essentially anything will work, and you can get creative with different combos!
Depending on what you use, you may need to adjust your baking time a bit. Just keep an eye as it cooks, and you’ll be fine.
Extra tasty fruit dessert recipes to try
In the mood for some more fruit snacks and desserts? Here are some of my favorites that everyone will love. Go for the Strawberry Crisp first – it’s just too good!
- Healthy Mini Apple Pies
- Paleo Strawberry Shortcake
- Healthy Strawberry Crisp (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Triple Layer Vegan Blueberry Cheesecake Bars
Healthy Fruit Roll Ups
Rewind to childhood with Healthy Fruit Roll Ups! This homemade rendition uses only four ingredients (fruit, honey, lemon, & vanilla) and is a simple bake-and-wait recipe.
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh fruit (I did 2 cups strawberries + 1 cup raspberries)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 170F and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Clean fruit, cut off stems, and place in food processor. Process until smooth.
- Transfer to small saucepan and add honey, lemon juice, and vanilla. Heat over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- After 10 minutes, pour onto baking sheet and smooth until even. Does not have to go all the way to the edges of baking sheet, but you want it fairly thin.
- Bake for 4 hours or until no longer sticky to the touch.
- Let cool completely before cutting into strips and rolling. Store at room temperature.
There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂
Cindy says
I can’t wait to try this. Little question…my hubby is allergic to honey. I use Agave in place of honey for everything. Will that be okay for these?
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Cindy, yep that should be fine! Let me know how they come out!!
Sarah says
They were delicious. I baked at 170° but the edges were crispy and the center mushy. (Still edible, just not rollable!) Is there a trick to make them not get too crispy, but still cook the middle? Maybe I made it too thick in the middle?
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sarah, I think it was too thick in the middle. Needs to be a very thin layer!
Penny says
Are they easy enough to make for a 12 year old? I want to make them for my diabetic mom, would she be able to eat it?
Erin says
Hi Penny, yes your 12 year old should be able to make them/help! They should be okay for your mom, but you can always consult her/ her doctor to triple check!
Pamela TKo says
can I add CBD to the recipe?
Erin says
Hi Pamela, sure that should work. I have not tried it, so please let me know how they come out!
Tina says
So yummy and fun for kids to make!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Tina, so happy everyone loved them!
Claire says
These are amazing! I made them with blueberries. I may or may not have eaten all of them in one sitting…
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Claire, so glad you liked them and great idea!!
Helene says
HELP!!!! Can’t peel the fruit off the parchment…what did I do wrong???
Erin says
Hi Helene, hmm are you sure you used parchment and not wax paper?
Debbie says
I’m wondering how the parchment paper will come off? Will it just peel right off after completely cooled and ready for slicing and rolling?
Erin says
Hi Debbie, it peels right off, no worries! Let me know how yours come out!
Erin says
I haven’t tested these on kids yet but for me, they are delicious! I used frozen berries and after warming them up on the stove I mashed them with a potato masher. I also cut the honey to 1 Tbsp and they were still great! I think the only downside is that they have to bake 4 hours…. I’ve been told a dehydrator will also do the trick!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Erin, that sounds great and good idea! Let me know what the kids think!
Olga says
I made the roll ups for my soon to be 6 grand daughter and she loved them. She asked if I could always bring her some when I come to visit. Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Olga, I am so glad you both loved them! Thanks for sharing!
AH says
Tried and my son loves it! Do you have any other receipts for a mix of fruit and veg by chance?
Dawn says
Can you use pure maple syrup instead of honey?
Erin says
Hi Dawn, I haven’t tried it with maple syrup but feel free to give it a try and let me know how they come out!
Caitlin says
What did you use to cut them into strips?
Erin says
Hi! I used a cutting knife but you could use scissors too. Let me know how yours come out!
Savannah says
How long will they last and how do you store them ? x
Erin says
Hi Savannah, you can store at room temperature for up to one month!