Introduction

Homemade dehydrator peach leather is a nutritious and delicious twist on the classic fruit roll-up snack. Made with just a few simple ingredients, this recipe captures the sweet, bright flavor of peaches for a healthy treat you can enjoy anytime. It’s easy to make and perfect for snacking on the go.

The image shows several rolled fruit leather strips with a smooth, slightly glossy texture and deep reddish-orange color. Five rolled strips are stacked vertically inside a clear glass jar placed in the center, with two more rolls lying flat on a white marbled surface in front of the jar. One fruit leather strip is partially unrolled, showing a thin, flexible texture with a lighter beige backing. In the background, there is a halved peach with rich orange and yellow tones, adding a fresh and natural touch to the setting. The scene is bright with soft natural light, highlighting the details and colors of the fruit leather and peach. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 ½ lbs whole peaches or 7 cups pitted and chopped peaches (about 5-10 peaches depending on size)
½ cup water
¼ cup sugar or honey (optional)
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

Step 1: Combine the chopped peaches and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until the peaches start to break down.
Step 2: Stir in the sugar or honey (if using) and lemon juice, then bring the mixture back to a simmer. Cook just until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly.
Step 3: Transfer the peach mixture to a blender and puree in batches until smooth, yielding about 3 ½ cups of puree.
Step 4: Line your dehydrator trays with parchment paper. Spread the peach puree into a thin, even layer—thick enough so the paper doesn’t show through. Use 3 trays if they are 12-inch squares.
Step 5: Set the dehydrator to 135°F and dry the peach leather for 6 to 8 hours, or until it is no longer sticky to the touch.
Step 6: If the edges become dry before the center is fully dried, leave the leather out to absorb moisture from the air until the edges soften.
Step 7: Cut the leather into 2-inch wide strips. You may leave the parchment paper on to prevent sticking or remove it if you prefer.
Step 8: Store the peach leather in an airtight container for freshness.

Tips & Variations

If your peaches are less sweet, adding a bit of sugar or honey will enhance the flavor, but it’s optional if your fruit is naturally sweet.
Add a tablespoon of lemon juice to brighten the flavor and help preserve the color of the peach leather.
If the edges get crunchy during dehydration but the center isn’t done, let the leather rest overnight with the dehydrator off. It will reabsorb moisture and soften.
Use a high-powered blender to puree the peaches thoroughly, especially if you skip cooking them first.
A small dehydrator with multiple trays is more efficient than an oven, as many ovens cannot maintain the low temperature needed for drying fruit leather.
Use just enough water to prevent sticking and scorching during the cooking stage; watching closely can allow you to reduce the water slightly.

Storage

Store your homemade peach leather in an airtight container at room temperature. It will keep for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze the strips in sealed bags. To enjoy, simply remove and let come to room temperature. If the leather becomes sticky or soft, letting it rest uncovered for a short time can help restore the texture.

How to Serve

The image shows thin, flat sheets and rolled strips of deep red fruit leather placed on a white marbled surface. There are two whole peaches with smooth orange skin and two peach halves revealing bright yellow flesh with a dark brown pit in the middle. A small clear glass jar in the center holds several rolled fruit leather strips. One fruit leather sheet is laid flat to the side, showing a smooth, glossy texture with natural creases, and another is folded partially. The overall color contrast is rich red and warm peach tones against the white marbled background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make peach leather without a dehydrator?

While possible, using an oven is less ideal because it’s harder to maintain the low temperatures required for drying fruit leather over many hours. A dehydrator is recommended for best results and energy efficiency.

Is it necessary to cook the peaches before dehydrating?

Cooking the peaches helps concentrate their flavor and breaks down the skins for a smoother puree. If you have a powerful blender, you might skip this step, but cooking generally improves the texture and taste.