Homemade Spiced Apple Leather (Print version)
Chewy homemade apple fruit leather made with fresh apples, cinnamon, lemon, and a little brown sugar.
# Ingredients:
For the apple puree
01 -
2 lb (900 g) apples, peeled, cored, and chopped, about 6 cups
02 -
1/3 cup (80 ml) apple cider or water
03 -
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
04 -
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar, or to taste
05 -
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 -
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
07 -
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
08 -
1 small pinch fine salt
For rolling
09 -
Parchment paper, cut into strips
# Instructions:
01 -
Heat the oven to 170°F (75°C), or use a dehydrator set to 135°F (57°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment.
02 -
Combine the apples, cider, lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt in a saucepan. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring often, until very soft.
03 -
Puree the apple mixture with an immersion blender or regular blender until smooth and thick. Taste and add a little more sugar only if needed.
04 -
Pour the puree onto the lined pan and spread it into an even layer about 1/8 inch thick. Keep the edges only slightly thicker than the center so they do not dry too fast.
05 -
Bake for 3-4 hours, rotating the pan once, until the surface is dry to the touch and the leather peels away in one flexible sheet. A dehydrator may take 4-6 hours.
06 -
Cool for 10 minutes. Peel the leather from the liner, cut into 8 strips, and roll each strip with parchment paper. Store airtight.
# Good to know:
01 -
Drying time varies with apple moisture, pan size, and oven temperature.
02 -
The leather should be flexible and dry to the touch, not wet or brittle.
03 -
Store at room temperature for about 1 week, or refrigerate for 2-3 weeks.