A simple homemade baked strawberry and dates fruit rolls or roll-ups with no sugar and no artificial color added. A perfect kid’s friendly snack.
Whenever we go to Safeway, kiddo wants to buy the fruit loops. One day I was mentioning the same to my music teacher and I was worried about the artificial sugar and the colors and she was telling why can’t you try it home? In the next class, she made some for me. It was a mixed fruit loop and she added a little bit of sweet paprika and it was so yummy. But then she had a dehydrator and I didn’t want to spend a lot on a dehydrator. She mentioned that instead of using a dehydrator, I can bake too at the lowest setting.
That’s when I searched for the perfect temperature to bake, found a couple of posts. You need to bake at the lowest possible temperature but that varies from oven to oven. Mine goes to 175 def F and I baked it at that temperature. If your oven goes only till 200 deg F, then bake it at that temperature. So the temperature and the thickness of the fruit determines the timing. Timing varies for each and every fruit and also depending upon how thick the layer is. Also, how crispy you want your roll up to be. Crispy roll-ups have a longer shelf life when compared to the soft ones.
Couple of things to keep in mind.
- Spread the fruit puree as a thin layer. If the layers are thick, it takes hours and hours for drying.
- In the worst-case scenario, try flipping it after 4 hours or so for faster baking.
- Don’t tell the kids regarding the rolls till the baking is over. As it takes more hours it’s not a good idea to let them know beforehand or be ready to answer the question “When it will be done” for at atleast n+n times. :-)
- If possible get silicone mat. It’s really a good buy and worth the money.
So here is the simple homemade strawberry & dates roll-ups recipe,
Ingredients:
- Strawberries – 40 approximately
- Dates – 5
Steps:
- Microwave the dates in 1 cup of water for 2 minutes so that it gets softened. You can also soak them in water for half an hour or so.
- Remove the hull from the strawberries and discard the hulls.
- Now puree the strawberry and soaked dates. DON’T ADD ANY WATER. If the strawberries are very sour, then add some sugar. Dates add the required sweetness but need you can add more.
- In the cookie tray, place the silicone mat and spread the puree as thin as possible.
- Bake them in the preheated oven at 175 degrees F for a minimum of 4 to 6 hours or till it becomes dry. I baked it for 6 hours.
- Let it cool. Remove it from the silicone mat and cut them into vertical strips and roll them up.
Notes:
- Add any fruits of your choice.
- A pinch of salt and sweet paprika can be added too.
- Adjust the dates and strawberry ratio. Also if the strawberries are sour, add sugar.
📖 Recipe
Homemade Strawberry & Dates Roll-Ups | Fruit Roll-Ups
Ingredients
- 40 Strawberries
- 5 Dates
Instructions
- Microwave the dates in 1 cup of water for 2 minutes so that it gets softened. You can also soak them in water for half an hour or so.
- Remove the hull from the strawberries and discard them.
- Now puree the strawberry and soaked dates. DON’T ADD ANY WATER
- In the cookie tray, place the silicone mat and spread the puree as thin as possible.
- Bake them in the preheated oven at 175 degrees F for a minimum of 4 to 6 hours or till it becomes dry. I baked it for 6 hours.
- Now cut them into vertical strips and roll them up.
Notes
- Add any fruits of your choice.
- A pinch of salt and sweet paprika can be added too.
- Adjust the dates and strawberry ratio. Also if the strawberries are sour, add sugar.
Nutrition
I am not a nutritionist. The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It varies depending upon the product types or brands.
Amazing work
Thanks a lot Shibani and welcome to my space.
Made this before and my kids really like this fruit leather.. after seeing your picture, My little one wants same as you made.. :)
Wow, didn’t know these fruit loops can be baked too. They look great. Thanks for the recipe.
:-)
A healthy and yummy fruit rolls.
Thanks Sneha
Wow this recipe sounds interesting..though I know about fruit leathers, this is the first time I am seeing different fruits..and I so agree on not letting them know you are making, else the dish never gets done properly!
he he yeah. I first tried with Mango and then started venturing different fruits.
This fruit leather has been on my mind since long, only the long hours of baking puts me off.
The long hours are painful. But no pain no gain ;-) ;-)
I am definitely trying this. Kids would have loved it….This is so simple…all we need is loads of patience :)
I agreed with patience. :-) :-)
It is always better to make it at home than buy the commercial products. Nice recipe
Thanks Usha
Such a colourful roll!!!
Thanks Veena
Such yummy rolls. I too was contemplating about the fruit rolls but the time factor pulled me back.
Yeah. Time factor is a problem here. Agree
Such a colourful roll. Looks so inviting…
Thanks Gayathri
Wow, gal u just rock re.. I want to get some fruit rolls now from u, its my long wish to make this sort of rolls at home especially with mangoes..Lovely bake..
Yes, better not tell the kids till the baking is done! I am not sure if I can try this one coz leaving the oven on for 7 hours and a lil one running to it to see if it is getting done or not is one big concern! But the loops do look so good and worth a try…
Agree. 7 hrs is long time. Thanks
A lot of kids like the fruit roll ups. This is such a healthier alternative.
Yeah. :-)
My fav Sri.. Perfect for kids. I tried a tricolor fruit roll for independance day post was not satisfied with a color so ore pic tan post l potten. After seeing your roll feel like doing again
Thanks pa. As I mentioned in Malar’s comment mango one was much easy. I had to flip this one. Its like hit or miss
Wow, super awesome Sri!!! I tried once but never got it right ;) I will try it again :)
Thanks pa. Start with Mango Malar. Mango puree + sweet paprika. Its like our mango vathal and bar. 6 hrs la dry ayidum.
Lovely! :)
:-) Thanks GB