If you’ve been here a while, you know I love basil. If you are new (hello!), I love basil so much I named our dachshund Basil. Fresh basil is my favorite thing to have in a vase in the kitchen, growing in my garden, as a lingering scent on my hands.
Yep, even though it’s already winter out there, in my kitchen I’m still acting like it’s summer. Strawberries and fresh basil. Always a perfect pairing in my opinion, and this is one I have been wanting to do for a while.
Bird’s eye shot of my Vita Mix. See, told you she’s an Old Lady Vita. Look at that old school handle. I bought this in college and I keep saying I should stop bragging that I’ve used it with no problems for … um … many years. Don’t want to jinx her.
Don’t think I will.
Anyway, between the few minutes of chopping the berries and chiffonading the larger basil leaves and the ten seconds of blending, this “recipe” comes together quick. Well. Then there’s a couple hours of dehydrating.
I really wanted to tip this tray on it’s side and drink it. So good. Glad I waited though, because the fruit rolls are even better!
strawberry basil fruit rolls
gluten free, vegan, no added sugar
2 quarts fresh strawberries
1 large bunch (1 cup) fresh basil leaves
Blend in high powered blender until smooth. Pour onto solid sheet for dehydrator, spread to a 1/2 inch thickness (thinner might rip or crack). Dehydrate at 130 for 3-4 hours. Alternately, you can pour into plastic wrap on a baking sheet, place in oven on 120 with door open for… several more hours.
These taste amazing! They have the fruity sweet flavor of the strawberries, and the basil is strong in the best way possible.
Are you a basil fan? How about a Basil fan? 😀
Do you like fruit rolls? Favorite flavor?
Katrina says
these sound so good – I love that you get this result without cooking AND sugar! natural and easy, thank you!
Katrina Cisson
spabettie says
you are so welcome, Katrina! the natural sweetness of the strawberry really is enough here. I have also made these with raspberries – very good!
Allison says
these sound so good, I will be trying these for sure. thanks!
spabettie says
hi Allison, glad you are going to make these, enjoy!
Daniel says
what type of dehydrator should i use? because the one i have at home doesnt get up to 130 degrees!
spabettie says
hi Daniel, if you have a dehydrator these should work in it, whatever temperature it will go up to. it may take longer to set up, but these are not meant to be crispy, just set, so I don’t think it should be a problem with the one you already have. enjoy!
Jonathan says
just made these, thank you for an easy no sugar recipe
Crystal says
I found these last night, went shopping last night, filled my dehydrator last night, woke up to amazing candy this morning, you are my hero this morning, my kids want to run away to you this morning. these are amazing!!
spabettie says
haa, thank you Crystal – so happy you all liked them so well, and what a great thing to wake up to! Cheers!
Holly W says
This recipe is originally from insockmonkeyslippers.com. I think it is a food bloggers responisbility to fact check and not copy anothers work.
spabettie says
hello Holly.
thanks for your insight. I have never heard of or read the website you are accusing me of copying from.
I thought of this on my own, and I have to say it does not surprise me that a two ingredient “recipe” has already been done. There are very few original ideas out there these days, and you might consider this before accusing someone publicly (especially someone you are communicating with for the first time).
I have never copied another’s work, if I have the slightest inspiration from someone else, I always site it. It absolutely is a food bloggers responsibility to site inspiration or adaptation, when there is one. I belong to two groups of professionals who hold these ideals as incredibly important, so I am confident in telling you this “recipe” had no inspiration other than dried fruit products that have been around for years.
Kristina
spabettie says
I just found the recipe you are accusing me of copying – it does not use a dehydrator, it uses several more ingredients and cooks them beforehand, there is nothing similar about the method and my method.
strawberry and basil is not a new pairing. if I was inspired by it, I would have cited it. once again, I had not been on that website or visited that recipe prior to this recipe.
thank you, though, “Holly247” and “Ginna254” for the two comments now referencing the other recipe – coincidentally from the same IP address.
Jen says
made these again today, while I had you up I thought I’d once again thank you for your wonderful recipes you share
Marijo says
interesting, these sound delicious!
Larissa says
I am awaiting my new dehydrator, I can’t wait to make these!!
spabettie says
oh, you are going to have such fun with the dehydrator! I love mine, especially in the summer time!
Jen H says
OK, so even though the oven method sounds like it takes a looooong time I may have to try it for this delicious sounding recipe!
spabettie says
I hope you do, Jen – they are SO VERY good!
Lorann says
wow, these are so great – I want a dehydrator so bad!!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
Homemade fruit roll-ups?! Without sugar or preservatives?! Sign me up.
Can’t wait to try these in every flavor possible, haha!
Dallas says
these look amazing! great photos and they sound so fresh and sweet!
Katie says
Oh my gosh this looks DELICIOUS!!!!!! I want to eat it right now!
spabettie says
thanks, Katie… it was like a last CLINGING to summer flavors, I already can’t wait for next summer! 😉
Melissa says
Tried them, they were delicious! Posted about it here:
http://wendellsmom.posterous.com/
Love your recipes, thanks for posting this! 🙂
spabettie says
so happy you liked them, Melissa!
hihorosie says
I will have to try these. We love fruit rolls in our house!
spabettie says
this one is my FAVORITE!! I hope you try it!