Homemade Apple Fruit Leather Recipe From Applesauce (No Sugar) (2024)

Learn how to make homemade apple fruit leather recipe from applesauce. This is a simple recipe that has no added sugar. You can use cinnamon if you'd like. This is a delicious healthy snack for both children and adults.

When my kids were little, they loved Fruit by the Foot. They are expensive and ingredients that I'd rather not give my kids, so they were definitely a sometimes treat.

Even now that they are all teens, they still want fruit leather. Personally, I thought it tasted fake and too sweet, but I digress.

This year, we made a lot of applesauce. I had the dehydrator out, so I thought why not try to make homemade apple fruit leather recipe from applesauce?

It looked easy enough, and I know that there's just one ingredient: apples. I didn't even add any additional sugar, but I did add some cinnamon to one batch.

You guys. It was so good, we ate it before I could take photos. My husband and I even loved it!

I wasn't sad to make another batch because I knew we would devour it quickly.

Two of my kids won't eat our homemade applesauce, but they will devour this fruit leather. Don't tell them, but it's the same thing just without the water content.

I'm just thrilled that I found a low sugar and healthy snack that we can all eat!

How Long Does Homemade Fruit Leather Last?

Not long because it's so good! But seriously, it will last about a month at room temperature.

You can also place it in freezer bags to store it in the freezer for up to a year. For best results, wrap it tightly so no air gets into the bag.

Are Fruit Leathers Healthy?

This homemade apple fruit leather is made from real apples, so, yes, I consider it healthy. I did not add any sugar.

I used homemade applesauce. If you use applesauce from the store with sugar or other ingredients, your fruit leather won't be as healthy.

How Do You Make Fruit Leather Strips?

Place the applesauce on parchment paper. Then dehydrate. Then cut into strips and roll them. You can tie with string if you're feeling fancy.

What is Fruit Leather Made From?

The main ingredient, and usually the only ingredient, is pureed fruit. I used applesauce for mine. You can add a sweetener or spices like cinnamon if you want.

Why Is My Fruit Leather Cracking?

This is due to drying it too long. It's still edible and will taste fine, but it might be a little dry or hard.

How Do You Know When Fruit Leather is Done?

Fruit leather is done when it has an even color. Wet spots will look darker or lighter, depending on what fruit puree you use.

You can also test it using your fingers. Use clean hands to touch it in different areas. You should not see an indentation.

Fruit leather will feel slightly sticky, but it shouldn't feel wet.

Ensure that all all the fruit leather is dry. Thin areas and the edges tend to dry first before the center.

Applesauce

I started my homemade apple fruit leather recipe with home canned applesauce. Learn how to make applesauce with Victorio food strainer and how to can it. This is how I make large batches of applesauce in the fall.

For small batches, I make Instant Pot applesauce. This is perfect if you're using the oven method to dehydrate.

If you buy applesauce, I really like Indian Summer natural applesauce. A close second if I can't find that brand is Musselman's Natural Unsweetened Applesauce.

If you're making applesauce and have apples left over, you can learn how to dehydrate apples with a dehydratoror how to dehydrate apple chips with air fryer.

Sweetener

I used a mix of sweet apples, so I did not add any sweetener. It was mildly sweet, but I don't think it needed any more sugar.

Taste your applesauce before you make it. You can use sugar, brown sugar, stevia, or honey to sweeten if you like.

Keep in mind that since apple fruit leather is more dense than applesauce, it will be sweeter. You'll need to add less sugar than you may think.

How to Make Apple Fruit Leather in the Oven

I prefer to use my food dehydrator, but you can definitely make fruit leather in the oven. Simply place parchment paper on a baking sheet with sides.

Then smooth the applesauce over the parchment paper in an even layer. Bake at 140 degrees for about 8 to 12 hours or until dry.

Since it takes so long, you'll definitely want to keep an eye on it the first time you make it. I recommend starting it first thing in the morning.

Additives

I make mine plain or with cinnamon. You can customize your apple puree for your tastes. Try one of the following additives:

• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Apple pie spice
• Pumpkin pie spice
• Almond extract
• Orange juice
• Vanilla extract
• Chopped nuts
• Chopped fruits
• Granola
• Shredded coconut

For spices or extracts, start with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per quart of applesauce. User more as desired.

Homemade Apple Fruit Leather Tips

Spread your applesauce to 1/8 inch thick.

Try to get the applesauce as even as possible. Thicker spots will take longer to dry, which means thinner spots can be dried out by that time.

Roll the fruit leather while it is still warm if you want to store it in rolls.

Start your fruit leather in the morning so it doesn't have to cook overnight and risk drying out.

You may need to rotate your trays. I flip the top and bottom trays every two to four hours.

Homemade Apple Fruit Leather Ingredients

• 1 quart applesauce
• 1/4 teaspoon spices (optional)

Directions

Step #1

Cut parchment paper to fit on your dehydrator trays.

Step #2

Spread the applesauce evenly 1/8 inch thick over the parchment paper.

Step #3

Turn on the dehydrator. It will take 4-6 hours and sometimes up to 8 hours.

Step #4

When it is still warm, cut into strips and roll.

Your homemade apple fruit leather recipe takes a long time to make, but it's pretty hands off after you get it started.

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