How to Make Blueberry Lemon Fruit Leather
Fruit leather makes a wonderful, wholesome snack and is simple to prepare at home. I’ll show you how to make Blueberry Lemon Fruit Leather. Natural blueberry sweetness melds with bright, citrusy lemon for a snack that’s both sweet and tangy.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1 lemon (juice and zest)
- 1/4 cup honey or agave syrup (optional, for sweeter taste)
Equipment:
- Blender or food processor
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Oven or dehydrator
- Spatula
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Fruit Mixture
Rinse your fresh blueberries well. No need to thaw if using frozen blueberries. Place blueberries in a blender or food processor. Juice 1 lemon and add lemon juice to blender. Also add lemon zest.
Blend until smooth.
2. Add Sweetener (Optional)
Test the blended fruit to decide if you want to add any additional sweetener. If sweeter fruit leather is desired add 1/4 cup honey or agave syrup. Blend again to mix well.
3. Strain
To remove any seeds or pulp, pour blended fruit mixture over a fine mesh sieve. This step is optional, but will result in a finer fruit leather.
4. Spread Fruit Mixture
Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Transfer strained fruit mixture to lined baking sheets and use a spatula to spread mixture into a thin even layer. (About 1/8 inch thick).
5. Dry Fruit Leather
There are two ways you can dry your fruit leather: In the oven or with a dehydrator.
Using an Oven: Set oven to lowest heat setting (around 140-170°F or 60-75°C). Transfer baking sheets to oven and leave oven door slightly open. This allows moisture to escape and will aid in drying. Check often during the drying process, this could take 6-8 hours. Fruit leather is done when there is no stickiness and the mixture peels easily from the parchment.
Using a Dehydrator: Set dehydrator to 135°F (57°C). Transfer dried fruit leather to trays of dehydrator and dry 6-8 hours. Check often during the drying process. Fruit leather is done when there is no stickiness and the mixture peels easily from the parchment.
6. Let Dry
Remove fruit leather trays from oven or dehydrator and allow to cool. Cut dried fruit leather to desired shape with kitchen scissors or sharp knife. Roll up with a strip of parchment paper to keep fruit leather from sticking to itself.
Storage Tips:
Place the fruit leather in an airtight container or resealable plastic bags and store for up to 2 weeks at room temperature. Store in the refrigerator or freezer for longer storage.
Conclusion:
Homemade Blueberry Lemon Fruit Leather is easy and simple to make. This healthy fruity snack is delicious and way better than any processed store bought variety you may have tried before. Use these easy to follow steps to create your own tasty batch of fruity healthy goodness. You will love this snack that is high in vitamins and antioxidants plus it is fun to make plus you made it with your own hands.
