As a child, you probably spent some time trailing an adult at the grocery store. You lovingly eyed the aisle with brightly colored fruit snacks, reaching for the tempting boxes, placing them discreetly in the cart only to be told, "No! That's JUNK FOOD. You can't have it."
Fruit roll-up FAIL.
But what you really should have been doing is begging that adult to make you some homemade fruit roll-ups. They taste so much better than the store-bought stuff—and are way better for you—which makes saying "no" that much harder.
We've figured out how to reproduce these childhood delights in the comfort of our own kitchen, with the help of a sweet-savvy gal named Rachel, and you can follow along below to see how to make them yourself. You can then eat them yourself, or throw them in as a school lunchbox snack for your kids.

What You'll Need
- 2½ c. strawberries, hulled and cut into small pieces
- ¼ c. sugar
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Step 1: Ready, Set, Mix
First, preheat your oven to 170°F. Line a 12 x 17 inch rimmed baking sheet (or, jellyroll pan) with parchment paper and spray it with cooking spray. Silicone baking mats will work well, too.
To prepare your ingredients for rolling, simply process all of them together in a food processor or blender until smooth.
Step 2: Spread It Out
Pour your strawberry mixture onto your prepared, parchment-lined baking sheet. Make sure the layer is as even as it can be so you have a nice, flat roll-up. Using an offset spatula during this part works well to create the most even surface.

Step 3: Bake It Up!
Bake your fruit roll-up for 3 hours, until it is no longer sticky. Be forewarned that during this time, the aroma of your home may send you into a strawberry-induced haze.

Step 4: Slice & Serve
Transfer your sheet of fruit roll-up to a cutting board and slice it to your desired size (we like the traditional, long "tape" effect). Wrap it into rolls with wax paper or parchment paper (you can even use the paper you baked on), and make sure to store it in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

There you have it. Homemade fruit roll-ups are ridiculously easy to create and couldn't be tastier. Kids love them. Adults love them. We love them. And we're certain, you'll love them, too.

Ever made your own fruit roll-ups from scratch? Or have you hacked some other childhood fav food to be easier, healthier, or cheaper? Let us know in the comments below!
More Kid-Friendly Food Hacks:
Want to master Microsoft Excel and take your work-from-home job prospects to the next level? Jump-start your career with our Premium A-to-Z Microsoft Excel Training Bundle from the new Gadget Hacks Shop and get lifetime access to more than 40 hours of Basic to Advanced instruction on functions, formula, tools, and more.
Other worthwhile deals to check out:
- 97% off The Ultimate 2021 White Hat Hacker Certification Bundle
- 98% off The 2021 Accounting Mastery Bootcamp Bundle
- 99% off The 2021 All-in-One Data Scientist Mega Bundle
- 59% off XSplit VCam: Lifetime Subscription (Windows)
- 98% off The 2021 Premium Learn To Code Certification Bundle
- 62% off MindMaster Mind Mapping Software: Perpetual License
- 41% off NetSpot Home Wi-Fi Analyzer: Lifetime Upgrades
Be the First to Comment
Share Your Thoughts