Apple Cinnamon Fruit Leather | an Easy Homemade Recipe (2024)

Apple cinnamon fruit leather is an easy to make healthy fall snack item. Children of all ages will enjoy consuming apple fruit roll ups, and the bonus? A homemade apple fruit leather recipe can be made with any type of apples year round.

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Each time fruit leather is made Justin shares the same story, and I sit back and listen as if it was the first time he’s told it. He has found memories of his father making fruit leather, then rolling it in aluminum foil for storage. There were many moments in which the fruit leather contained bits of aluminum foil, but today, he sits back and laughs over this.

With each bite of homemade fruit leather he is reminded of a time with his father, and for that I would gladly make fruit roll ups for him with whatever fruit is currently in season. Take for example, cherry roll ups and peach fruit leather.

Preserving Apples

Aside from making fruit leather there are a plethora of apple products which can be preserved. Much like tomatoes, apples are an item which can be used as an ingredient or as a dish.

• canning apples
• apple salsa for canning
• canning apple butter
• spiced apple shrub
• apple pie moonshine (a smooth adult beverage)
• DIY apple cider vinegar
• apple pull-apart bread
• canning apple juice concentrate
• easy applesauce recipe for canning

The ability to preserve apples is a great one, but let’s not forget, storing apples fresh is also achievable. A root cellar or cold storage is necessary for keeping apples in their fresh form.

Apple Cinnamon Fruit Leather

Preserving or cooking with apples allows you to play with the type of sweetener, spices, and types of apples being used. Based on what is being preserved will determine the type of apple to use. Do not feel obligated to use the variety provided in the recipe, use a variety which is found in your area.

For example, a delicious canned apple pie filling can consist of 3 apple varieties.

• tart – green or McIntosh
• sweet – Honey Crisp
• soft – Gala

Biting into a pie with these three varieties of apples is heavenly! Aside from pie filling, this also rings true when selecting apples for homemade apple fruit leather.

Additional Fruit Leather Flavors

• Cherry (Bing or Rainer) fruit leather
• Summertime peach fruit leather

Apple Fruit Roll Ups Flavor Combinations

Apple cinnamon fruit leather is one recipe for making apple leather. However, there are many variations which can be made.

• The classic recipe (apples and honey)
• Apple pie (cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg)
• Caramel apple (brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, a pinch of sea salt)

For the adults, there’s something a little special for you.

• Amaretto honey apple leather
• Bourbon cinnamon leather

How much sweetener and spices used will depend on you. Create recipes based on how your family will enjoy the fruit leathers.

Select the Apple Variety

Honey Crisp, Fuji, Gala, and Pink Lady apples are a perfect choice for an apple fruit leather recipe. However, if your intent is to make caramel apple leather, use a tart apple. Tart apples consist of the green and McIntosh variety.

Homemade Apple Fruit Leather

Whatever type of apple you are growing, gleaning, or harvesting from the orchard there is no wrong choice on what to use to make apple fruit roll ups.

Ingredients

• 8 cups of apples, washed and cored, removing the peel is optional
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, more if desired
• 8 3/4 cup of water
• 1 cup of honey or sugar
• 1/4 cup bottled lemon juice

For an adult homemade apple fruit leather version:

• bourbon or Amaretto

Equipment

• apple slicer/corer
• dehydrator, a rear mounting fan is best
• stock pot
• food processor or blender
• parchment paper or silicone non-stick mats
• 1/2 gallon mason jar for large batches, quart-size jars for smaller batches
• silicon spatula
• cooking string, or tape
• oxygen absorber, optional

for oven drying

• 2 baking sheets
• 2 silicone baking mats

Instructions

If you don’t have a dehydrator don’t fret! This homemade apple leather recipe can also be made in the oven. The process for oven drying leather does take a bit more work, but it can be achieved easily.

Dehydrator

1. Mix together 8-cups water and bottle lemon juice into a non-reactive container such as a glass mixing bowl.
2. Wash apples well, remove stems. Many apple varieties purchased from the supermarket contain a waxy coating, make sure to remove the wax prior to using.
3. Slice and core the apples using an apple slicer/corer tool. There is no need to peel the skin, however, if you choose to do so make sure to reserve the peels and cores to make raw apple cider vinegar. See the notes below.
4. Place the sliced and cored apples into the lemon water solution to prevent browning.
5. Cut apples into small bite size pieces and add to the non-reactive pot. This makes it quicker for the apples to cook down. Add the remaining water (3/4 cup).
6. Next, add the rest ingredients, bring to a boil making sure to stir often. Continue to boil until the apples have fully cooked and are soft to the touch.
7. Transfer the cooked apple mixture to a blender or food processor. Puree the apple mixture until a smooth consistency has been met.
8. Place parchment paper or silicone sheets onto the dehydrator trays. Spread the apple mixture evenly onto the sheets.
9. Verify the drying time based on the manual of your dehydrator. For those using an Excalibur dehydrate, set the temperature to 125 degrees Fahrenheit. The drying process will take 6 to 12 hours or until the mixture takes on a leathery texture. Thicker layers will take closer to 12 hours to dry.

Oven

1. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place silicone baking onto baking trays, set aside.
3. Prepare apple leather as indicated in the dehydrating method.
4. Divide the fruit leather onto the two baking trays.
5. Place into the oven to bake for 5 hours. Throughout the baking period rotate trays often to ensure the leather dries evenly. The mixture is complete once it has fused into one piece and is tacky and leathery to the touch.
6. Follow the steps for packing found in the dehydrating method.

Storing

1. Once completely dried remove from dehydrator trays.
2. Using scissors cut the homemade apple leather recipe into strips. Roll the strips and tie the leather with cooking string to secure the rolls.
3. Store the rolls in an airtight container such as a 1/2 gallon mason jar. An oxygen absorber can be added to minimize the moisture within the container. Apple leather roll-ups can also be stored in the refrigerator.

Notes

1. When making an boozy apple fruit leather recipe substituted the 3/4 cup of water for 1 cup (or less, depending on your taste) for Amaretto or bourbon. Continue to follow steps as indicated in the instructions above.
2. To prevent molding, fruit leather made with liqueur must be stored in the refrigerator due to the high sugar content from the alcohol.
3. Create a zero waste product by utilizing the apple peel and core scraps to make raw apple cider vinegar. Raw ACV is one of the most beneficial items on the homestead. Use this natural probiotic item for yourself, family, and livestock.

My Book

The Farm Girl’s Guide to Preserving the Harvest is a comprehensive book covering multiple methods for preserving foods in the comfort of your home. Learn how to safely can, dry, ferment, cure, freeze, and store foods fresh as a sustainable homesteader would. The tips, tricks, and recipes within this book will provide you the confidence and knowledge needed to own your food source.

Printable Recipe Card – Apple Fruit Roll ups

A delicious healthy snack item for children of all ages. You really can’t go wrong with a homemade apple cinnamon fruit leather!