PEAR-BEET FRUIT LEATHER
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You don’t need a dehydrator to create fruit leather, though it is a handy tool if you plan on doing it often as it frees up your oven. The recipe itself couldn’t be easier, and really allows for a lot of experimentation. Simply take your favorite fruits, blend, pour, smooth, heat, and wait. That’s really about all it takes to make your very own snack. One note is to always use the freshest fruit possible, and taste from whole fruit all the way to the oven to adjust the amount of sugar or spices. And remember, the fruit leather tends to get a bit sweeter as it dries, so be cautious not to make it too sweet before dehydrating.
MAKES: 16 TO 18 FRUIT LEATHERS
PREP TIME: 20 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 8 HOURS
TOTAL TIME: 9 HOURS 20 MINUTES
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INGREDIENTS:
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4 cups ripe Bartlett pears, peeled and chopped
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1 cup red beets, steamed and chopped
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2 to 3 tablespoons honey, such as clover, plus more as needed
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1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
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Spray either 2 parchment-lined 9-x-13-inch baking sheets or the round inserts for a dehydrator with cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 170F.
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Blend the pear, beets, honey, and cinnamon, if using, in a blender until a smooth paste is formed and no fruit chunks remain. Taste and adjust sugar and seasoning as necessary.
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Spread the mixture onto the baking sheets in a thin even layer.
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Bake for 9 hours, or until the mixture is no longer sticky and holds together when pulled at the edges. Remove and let cool completely before packaging.
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*Photos taken by Heidi Murphy/White Loft Studio.
