Description
This Homemade Kool-Aid Fruit Roll-Ups recipe combines fresh fruit puree with Kool-Aid powder and natural sweeteners to create delicious, tangy, and chewy fruit leather. Perfect for a fun snack or lunchbox treat, these fruit roll-ups are easy to make at home using simple ingredients and a low oven-drying method.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit Puree
- 2 cups fruit puree (such as strawberries, mango, or applesauce)
Flavoring and Sweetener
- 1 packet of Kool-Aid (any flavor)
- 1/4 cup honey or sugar (adjust based on the sweetness of your fruit)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Optional
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thicker texture)
Instructions
- Prepare the fruit puree: If using fresh fruit like strawberries, raspberries, or mango, blend the fruit in a blender or food processor until smooth. If using applesauce, simply measure out 2 cups.
- Strain out seeds: Strain the pureed mixture to remove any seeds, especially when using berries, to ensure a smooth texture.
- Combine ingredients: In a saucepan, mix together the fruit puree, Kool-Aid powder, honey (or sugar), and lemon juice.
- Cook the mixture: Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally. For a thicker consistency, dissolve 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a small amount of water and stir into the mixture. Continue cooking and stirring frequently for 10-15 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 170°F (or the lowest setting available) to prepare for drying the fruit roll-ups.
- Prepare baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Spread the fruit mixture: Pour the cooked fruit mixture onto the baking sheet and spread evenly into a thin, uniform layer using a spatula, ensuring no lumps.
- Dry the fruit roll-ups: Place the baking sheet in the oven with the door slightly ajar to allow moisture to escape. This helps the fruit leather dry evenly.
- Bake and monitor: Bake for 4-6 hours, checking every hour. The mixture should be dry but still slightly tacky to the touch when ready. Drying time depends on the oven and thickness.
- Cool the fruit leather: Remove from the oven and let it cool completely before handling.
- Cut into strips: Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the cooled fruit leather into strips of your desired size.
- Roll and store: Roll each strip and store in an airtight container or wrap in plastic wrap for easy storage and freshness.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of sweetener based on the natural sweetness of your fruit puree.
- Using parchment paper or silicone mats prevents sticking and makes removal easier.
- Keeping the oven door slightly open during drying helps moisture escape but monitor to avoid over-drying.
- This recipe is versatile; feel free to experiment with different fruit and Kool-Aid flavor combinations.
- For thicker fruit leather, cornstarch is optional but recommended.
