It’s the season for watermelon! My in-laws brought over 5 huge watermelons for our family. We love watermelon, but we needed some other ways to use it up. We made watermelon juice, but unlike other fruit, watermelon is hard to keep – I mean, you can’t freeze it, so what can you do with it all?
Homemade Fruit Rolls
Let me start by saying this took me a long time to make!
I have tried to make quick and easy versions which just never turned out for me. This way of making them is fairly easy (especially if you have seedless watermelon), but you really do need to be home for a day to make this recipe.
Homemade Fruit Rolls
These homemade fruit rolls take a while to make, but they are the perfect little treat for school lunches!
Ingredients
- Half a large watermelon (or whole small one)
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Peel and slice watermelon and put in a big pot on medium - high heat. Use a potato masher to make into mush - stirring regularly. (It will be very watery)
- If you used watermelon that had seeds like I did, you will need to use a strainer now to strain out the seeds.
- Add in the honey and lemon juice to the pot with the seedless juice and bring to a light boil - keep boiling and simmering until the mixture has more texture than water but is still runny. This will take about an hour to an hour and a half.
- Preheat oven to 175 degrees.
- Line 2 large baking sheets with wax paper (or parchment paper).
- Slowly pour mixture onto the center of wax paper and use a spatula to bring it close to the sides but not right to the edge or it will make the bottom all sticky.
- Do this for both pans and place in the oven each on their own rack close to the middle of the oven.
- Keep them in the oven for 4-5 hours depending on how thick the fruit layer is. You will know it is done when it is no longer runny and is not too sticky in the middle.
- Remove from oven, let cool for 5 minutes and then roll the whole wax paper and cut.
- Makes about 2 dozen depending on size of pan and thickness of roll.
I feel good about sending these fruit rolls to school with my daughters, or to work with my husband. They are delicious and I love that I know exactly what is in them. I store them in a glass jar, but I can’t really say how long they stay good – they never last long enough in our house to find out.
Watermelon is obviously a fruit with a lot of liquid – you can use any fruit you like and make them thicker if desired.
Have you ever made homemade fruit rolls?
What are your favorite flavors?
If you are looking for other school snack ideas, try out our nut-free bars.
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Jeannie says
Going to try making these fruit roll ups.
I actually do freeze watermelons. I cube them up and freeze them. When the kids want a slushie (aka slurpee in their world), I blend frozen watermelon with fresh watermelon to make them a watermelon slushie.
Jody @ Mommy Moment says
Jeannie, that is a great idea – I just assumed I could not freeze it because I would not know what to do with it. I learned something new today, thank-you!
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy says
I definitely want to try this recipe. I’ve never experiment with making things like fruit rolls or fruit leathers.
Soozle says
THAT is watermelon?! How cool! What a great idea for a HEALTHY snack! Thank you for sharing!
Jody @ Mommy Moment says
You’re welcome. Like I said, it takes time to make, but is so good 🙂
Wanda Tracey says
I find this recipe so intriguing that I actually am going to try it myself.I have a feeling the kids will really like them.Thank you so much for sharing.
Jayne Cameron says
I will definitely try this recipe. Great for hiking.
Elizabeth Friesen (@emfriesen) says
These sound delicious! I know my children and I will love them!!! Like you, we have an abundance of watermelon, but we can only eat so much!!! This recipe is the perfect solution!!! 😀
Michelle @ MK2SAHM says
Yummy!
Thanks for sharing! I will have to give this a try!
Chandra Christine O'Connor says
I may have to try this cooks a long time though.
Jody @ Mommy Moment says
Yes, It really does need to be in the oven a long time – I’ve never been able to find a recipe with a shorter time that actually worked for me.
Erika B says
Wow, these are so neat, and so healthy!! Might have to give these a try!
Victoria Ess says
This is such a great idea! It would be great to have fruit rolls without the preservatives and added artificial ingredients.
Teresa Claire says
Sara loves watermelon and this looks like a really fun recipe to bake together.
Florence C says
We love watermelon. This sounds delicious.
Ashleigh Swerdfeger says
Those sound yummy! They are also a great back to school recipe. Added bonus, my toddler would adore them and they contain no bad ingredients as well.
Judy C (Cowan) says
Thanks for the recipe, I will definitely give this a try. Like knowing what exactly is in the food I feed my family.
Donna L. says
sounds easy to make and delicious
Stephanie LaPlante says
This sounds extremely awesome!!!! I sent it to my mom lol
Cheryl Almas says
Sounds good
Lynn M says
great after school snack for my boys!
Ira says
My grandmother used to make something like this from apricots – it was my favorite summer treat. But we had our own garden and REAL apricots and I don’t remember the oven part… maybe air dry? Or maybe I just never paid attention to the process 🙂
Does the oven need to be turned on for the whole time?
Jody @ Mommy Moment says
I think you would need to have the oven on the whole time – I mean, you could try the air dry, but I think it may be too sticky that way…
Nena Sinclair says
This sounds delicious, and, I’m sure, much more healthy than store bought fruit rollups! I also freeze watermelon, but I freeze it in ice cube trays, then pop them into freezer bags and use them to add flavor to drinks, it tastes great!
Jennifer C aka JusticeSadie says
My Boys love these. I am definitely going to attempt the recipe! Thanks for the share
nina bergeron says
I would love to give these a try.
Sheila says
Wow looks delicious!
Heidi C. says
My kids love fruit roll-ups but I am not crazy about the additives. Can’t wait to try this!
tennille says
I haven’t made before but have been thinking about trying! Thanks for the recipe
Holly Wright says
These look so delicious! Going to try these tomorrow
Erika B says
Wow, a healthy alternative to fruit roll ups. I love this because you know what ingredients are in it and you can even pronounce them!
Erica C says
LOVE this! So nice to know what ingredients I am feeding my children. Yay for real food. Can’t wait to try it.
Jody @ Mommy Moment says
It’s such a hit here, hope you love them as much as we do!
Jo-Anne Pfoh says
oh ya this is now on the list of recipes to try
Jo-Anne Pfoh says
Kiju organic drinking boxes
Jennifer Saarinen says
The kids would love this! Gonna have to give this a try.
Jennifer says
Thanks for sharing this recipe! I’ve been looking for ideas for homemade snacks for my daughter. I’ve seen recipes like this using strawberries, but never imagined you could do the same with watermelon. I am saving this one for sure, and will try it when I can get a hold of some nice watermelon. My daughter will love me for it (watermelon is her favorite fruit)!
Jackelyn Duncan (Jacki Aaron Ball) says
I will definitely be trying this! Thanks for all the great recipes!
Janet M says
Thanks for this. It will be a great project to try.
Jo Ann Moffatt says
Thank you for this recipe! My kids just love them and I had no idea you could actually make them at home!
kathy downey says
thanks for shring i love new recipes i can make with the kids and i am sure they would love this
angie andrews says
i;ve been meaning to try making my own roll ups for a while now, I really must try some