If you love vibrant, fruity snacks bursting with sunshine and sweetness, then this Tie-Dye Mango Strawberry Fruit Leathers Recipe is about to become your new obsession. Imagine the luscious tang of ripe mangoes dancing with the bright, juicy flavor of strawberries all swirled together in colorful, chewy ribbons of goodness. These fruit leathers not only look like a work of edible art, but they’re also incredibly simple to make—a delightful treat that’s naturally sweet, chewy, and perfect for snacking anytime you need a little fruity pick-me-up.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with this recipe means gathering just a few simple, fresh ingredients that each play a starring role. Each component is essential: they bring natural sweetness, vibrant color, and a deliciously fruity texture that makes every bite so satisfying.
- 1 pound frozen mangoes thawed: Provides that luscious, tropical sweetness and smooth texture that forms the base layer of your leather.
- ½ pound frozen strawberries thawed: Adds a tart brightness and gorgeous red hue that contrasts beautifully with the mango.
- ½ lemon juiced: Adds a subtle zing that balances sweetness and keeps the colors bright.
- Coconut oil: Used sparingly to lightly grease trays, preventing sticking and helping with easy removal of the finished leathers.
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional): Enhances the natural fruit sweetness if needed, but these leathers are delicious even without it.
How to Make Tie-Dye Mango Strawberry Fruit Leathers Recipe
Step 1: Thaw and Blend the Mangoes
Begin by thawing your frozen mangoes until soft and juicy. Place them along with any juices, the fresh lemon juice, and optional sugar into your food processor or blender. Blend until the mixture is perfectly smooth for that silky base layer of fruit leather. Transfer this gorgeous golden puree to a bowl and set aside.
Step 2: Blend the Strawberries
Next, clean out your food processor or blender bowl to prevent color mixing before you start swirling. Add the thawed strawberries and their juices, then blend until smooth. This vibrant red strawberry puree is what makes the tie-dye effect pop, so be sure to get a nice, even texture.
Step 3: Prepare the Dehydrator Trays
Lightly oil your dehydrator fruit leather trays using coconut oil to prevent sticking. Pour enough mango puree to create an even layer about ⅛ inch thick. Using an offset spatula will help spread the puree smoothly and evenly across the tray.
Step 4: Add and Swirl the Strawberry Puree
Pour the strawberry puree over the mango layer. If your trays are round, pour the strawberry puree in a circle in the middle. For square or rectangular trays, try pouring straight horizontal lines. Use a fork to gently swirl the two purees together, creating that beautiful, tie-dye pattern that makes this Tie-Dye Mango Strawberry Fruit Leathers Recipe so visually fun.
Step 5: Dehydrate Until Perfect
Place your trays in the dehydrator and set it to 135°F. Dehydrate between 6 to 10 hours, but start checking after 4 hours. The ideal texture is when the fruit leather is no longer sticky or soft but not so dry it becomes brittle. This balance is key to that chewy, pliable texture that feels like a natural fruit candy.
Step 6: Cut and Store Your Creations
Once dehydrated, carefully peel the fruit leathers off the trays. Cut into strips or fun shapes and roll them up to store. Keep your fruit leathers in an airtight container to maintain their chewy freshness and enjoy this vibrant snack anytime.
How to Serve Tie-Dye Mango Strawberry Fruit Leathers Recipe
Garnishes
While fruit leathers are fabulous as-is, adding a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes or finely chopped nuts on the side can add a lovely crunch and extra flavor dimension. A light dusting of chilli powder or a squeeze of fresh lime over your rolled leathers can also give a surprising twist if you’re feeling adventurous.
Side Dishes
Pair your tie-dye fruit leathers with fresh fruit salads, yogurt parfaits, or nut butter for a wholesome snack. They also complement a mid-morning smoothie beautifully, especially mango or strawberry-based blends that echo the flavors in your leathers.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party or picnic, roll the leathers up and secure with cute ribbons or twine to make natural-looking snack rolls. You can also cut them into fun shapes with cookie cutters and serve on colorful platters for a festive touch that will wow kids and adults alike.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your delicious Tie-Dye Mango Strawberry Fruit Leathers in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to two weeks, making them a perfect grab-and-go snack to have on hand.
Freezing
If you want to keep your fruit leathers for longer, freezing is a great option. Wrap individual strips in parchment paper and place in a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature for a few minutes — they’ll be just as delightful.
Reheating
Fruit leathers are ready to eat as-is and don’t require reheating. However, if they ever become too firm, leaving them out for a little while will soften them naturally without losing their fantastic chewy texture.
FAQs
Can I use fresh fruit instead of frozen for this Tie-Dye Mango Strawberry Fruit Leathers Recipe?
Absolutely! Fresh mangoes and strawberries work wonderfully as long as they are ripe and juicy. Using fresh fruit might reduce drying time slightly since frozen fruit has additional moisture content.
Is it necessary to add sugar to the fruit leather?
Not at all. The natural sweetness from ripe mangoes and strawberries usually provides plenty of flavor. Sugar is optional and can be adjusted based on how sweet your fruit naturally is or your personal preference.
Can I make this recipe without a dehydrator?
You sure can! Use your oven on the lowest temperature setting, around 135°F to 140°F, with the door slightly ajar for airflow. It will take longer, so check frequently to ensure it doesn’t dry out too much or burn.
How do I know when the fruit leathers are done dehydrating?
The leathers are finished drying when they feel dry to the touch and no longer sticky but still remain pliable without cracking when bent. This balance gives you that perfect chewy texture.
Can I experiment with other fruit combinations for tie-dye fruit leathers?
Definitely! This technique works great with all kinds of fruits like peaches and raspberries, blueberries and pineapple, or even tropical blends. The key is choosing fruits that blend well and offer contrasting colors for that striking tie-dye look.
Final Thoughts
Making your own Tie-Dye Mango Strawberry Fruit Leathers Recipe is not only incredibly fun, but it brings a splash of color and burst of natural flavor to your snack game. With just a handful of ingredients and a little patience, you’ll create edible art that tastes as good as it looks—perfect for sharing, gifting, or enjoying all by yourself. Don’t wait to try this recipe and brighten up your snack time with some fruity, chewy bliss!
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Tie-Dye Mango Strawberry Fruit Leathers Recipe
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 10 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 6 to 8 fruit leather strips depending on tray size
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in the vibrant and refreshing Tie-Dye Mango Strawberry Fruit Leathers, a deliciously healthy snack made by blending ripe mangoes and strawberries, then dehydrating the pureed fruits into beautifully swirled, chewy fruit strips. Perfect for a naturally sweet treat, these fruit leathers combine tropical mangoes and tangy strawberries with a hint of lemon juice for brightness, and can be prepared easily using a dehydrator.
Ingredients
Fruit Puree
- 1 pound frozen mangoes, thawed
- ½ pound frozen strawberries, thawed
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
Other
- Coconut oil, for lightly oiling the dehydrator tray
Instructions
- Thaw the Fruit: Allow the frozen mangoes and strawberries to thaw completely to ensure smooth blending and even drying.
- Prepare Mango Puree: Place the thawed mangoes along with any juices, the lemon juice, and optional sugar into a blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth, then transfer to a separate bowl. Clean the blender bowl to prevent color transfer.
- Prepare Strawberry Puree: Blend the thawed strawberries and their juices in the clean food processor until smooth, then transfer into another bowl.
- Oil the Dehydrator Tray: Lightly grease the dehydrator fruit leather tray with coconut oil to prevent sticking and ease removal.
- Layer Mango Puree: Pour enough mango puree onto the tray to create an even ⅛-inch thick layer. Use an offset spatula to spread the mixture uniformly across the tray.
- Add Strawberry Puree: Pour the strawberry puree on top of the mango layer. For circular trays, pour in a concentric circle; for rectangular or square trays, pour in horizontal lines.
- Create Tie-Dye Swirls: Use a fork to gently swirl the strawberry puree into the mango puree to create a marbled, tie-dye effect.
- Repeat: Continue layering and swirling with remaining trays and purees if you have more batches.
- Dehydrate Fruit Leathers: Set the dehydrator to 135°F (57°C) and dry the fruit leathers for 6 to 10 hours. Check progress after 4 hours; the leathers are ready when they are not soft or sticky but still flexible, not brittle.
- Store: Carefully remove the fruit leathers from the trays. Cut into strips and roll them for easy storage. Keep in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Using coconut oil to grease trays prevents the fruit leather from sticking and facilitates easy removal.
- If you prefer less sweetness, omit the optional sugar or adjust to taste based on the sweetness of the fruit.
- Monitor drying time closely; over-dehydration can make the fruit leathers brittle and hard to eat.
- You can substitute fresh fruit if available, but thaw and drain excess moisture before blending for best results.
- Store the finished fruit leathers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or refrigerate for longer shelf life.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 10 hours
- Category: Snack
- Method: Dehydrating
- Cuisine: American
