Fruit rollups are always a hit among kids. I have a friend whose kids love these fruit rollups, and she can’t go home from the grocery without buying a bag or two. The thing is, we all know how store-bought candies and desserts can be a bit high on the sugar and preservatives. Before you know it, you’re on the way to the dentist to get your little ones treated for cavities.
Even if you’re not a super health-conscious parent, it pays to know that there’s a healthier but still delicious alternative to store-bought fruit rollups. It’s exactly what these homemade Watermelon Fruit Rollups are here for!
It’s not difficult to make these Watermelon Fruit Rollups, but they will take a bit of time, so it’s best to prepare them in advance.
The good news, though, is that while this recipe requires some patience, it doesn’t need a lot of ingredients. Cooking spray, cubed watermelon, granulated sugar, and juice from one fresh lime is all there is to it! What does take time is the baking, which can take between three and four hours. There’s no shortcut to this step as the baking part ensures that your fruit rollups have a nice, leathery consistency that’s enjoyable to chew.
Though there are just a few things you need for your homemade Watermelon Fruit Rollups, that doesn’t mean that they’re less flavorful. In fact, your kids are going to love just how fresh and sweet the watermelon tastes! Adding in some sugar and lime juice balances out the flavor, as well as gives your rollups that nice tang that will make you pleasantly pucker up with every bite.
The best part is, since this recipe only needs the watermelon solids, you can save the watermelon liquid for something else, like some freshly made iced watermelon juice!
PrintWatermelon Fruit Rollups
Get the kids and kids-at-heart excited for these healthy but delicious Watermelon Fruit Rollups!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 18 1x
- Category: Bakery
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 8 cup cubed watermelon
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- Juice of 1 lime
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 170 degrees and place parchment paper in a large rimmed baking sheet. Lightly grease with cooking spray. In a blender, blend watermelon until smooth.
- Over a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth (or paper towels), drain almost all liquid from watermelon purée until you have about 2 cups watermelon solids. (Save the juice for another use!)
- In a medium bowl, whisk together watermelon solids, sugar, and lime juice.
- Divide mixture between prepared baking sheets, spreading with an offset spatula to make smooth even layers. Bake until dried out and no longer sticky, 3 to 4 hours.
- Using scissors, cut leather into vertical strips and roll up.
Watermelon is a delicious treat and a powerful superfood! Learn more about growing watermelon in our Wonderful Watermelon Gardening Guide. You’ll get everything you need to know about growing and enjoying this delicious fruit, history and background of this sweet summer plant to specific advice on growing, harvesting, and enjoying your hard work!
Have you tried this recipe? It’s a kid-favorite and easy-to-make dish—please tell us how it turned out for you.
Dehyrating time varies and can be anywhere from 4-12 hours. It is done when the fruit is leather in texture and no longer sticky to the touch.
How long would you dry this in a dehydrator/