Cherry Apple Strawberry Bars

These DIY strawberry cherry apple chia bars turn ordinary fruits into tasty, nourishing treats that'll keep you going all day. With just four basic ingredients and a food dehydrator, you can whip up these naturally sweet snacks without any extra sugar or chemical additives.

I first created these bars when I had too many berries from the farmers market about to spoil. These days my kids grab these instead of packaged fruit snacks, and we never go hiking without them.

Ingredients

• Fresh or frozen strawberries: Give natural sweetness and bright color while packing vitamin C and disease-fighting compounds
• Cherries: Offer rich taste and more health-boosting properties; when buying fresh, pick ones with sturdy, green stems
• Apples: Supply natural pectin that helps everything stick together; go for juicy types like Gala or Fuji for best outcome
• Chia seeds: Work as a binder when they soak up liquid and add protein, roughage and heart-healthy fats

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the fruit:

For frozen fruit, let it thaw all the way before using. With fresh fruit, rinse well and take out all cherry pits and apple cores.

Create the fruit mixture:

Put strawberries, cherries, and apples in your food processor. Pulse until mixed but keeping some chunks. This gives your bars a nice texture while letting enough juice come out for proper drying.

Add chia seeds:

Move the fruit mix to a bowl and mix in chia seeds until they're spread throughout. Wait about 5 minutes so the seeds can start soaking up moisture.

Pour and shape:

Dump the fruit mix onto a dehydrator tray with a non-stick sheet. Use a spatula to spread it evenly to your wanted thickness. If you're using a shape mold, fill it carefully.

Initial dehydration:

Turn your dehydrator to 125°F and dry for 4 hours. The mix will start to firm up but will still be pretty wet.

Remove mold:

After those first 4 hours, gently take off any mold you might be using since the fruit should now keep its shape on its own.

Continue first phase:

Keep drying for another 2.5 hours at the same heat until the top feels dry enough to touch.

Flip the bars:

Gently turn over the partly dried fruit sheet onto a clean dehydrator tray without the non-stick sheet. Slowly peel away the non-stick sheet from what's now the top of your bars.

Complete dehydration:

Keep drying for about 11.5 more hours, or until the bars feel right to you. They should bend without breaking but not feel sticky when touched.

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I'm always blown away by what chia seeds can do. They start as tiny dots and turn into powerful glue that holds everything together while making the snack healthier. My little girl once called these bars "magic fruit leather" after watching them change in our dehydrator.

Storage Solutions

These homemade fruit bars will stay good for up to two weeks in an airtight container at room temp. To keep them longer, put wax paper between layers so they don't stick, and store in the fridge for up to a month. You can even freeze them for up to three months by wrapping each one in wax paper and putting them in freezer bags. Just let frozen bars warm up to room temperature before eating.

Flavor Variations

This strawberry cherry apple mix makes a great sweet-tart combo, but you can switch things up based on what's in season or what you like. Try using blueberries instead of cherries for something milder, or swap strawberries for raspberries if you want more tang. A bit of cinnamon or vanilla can add warm flavors that work great in fall. For a tropical twist, use mango and pineapple in place of some berries. Just keep the total amount of fruit about the same so they set properly.

No Dehydrator Options

Don't have a dehydrator? You can still make these yummy fruit bars in your oven. Cover a cookie sheet with a silicone mat or baking paper and spread your fruit mix about 1/4 inch thick. Set your oven as low as it goes (hopefully 170°F or cooler) and keep the door cracked open with a wooden spoon so moisture can escape. Bake for 3-4 hours, then flip your partly dried fruit leather and bake 2-3 more hours until it feels right. This way is quicker than a dehydrator but you'll need to watch it more closely.

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These bars give you a fantastic way to enjoy seasonal fruits with a healthy boost—they've become a must-have in our family.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can frozen fruits work for this?

Absolutely! Just make sure they’re fully thawed before blending so the texture comes out right.

→ Which apples are the best fit?

Sweeter apple types like Gala or Fuji work beautifully, but feel free to pick based on your taste!

→ Is a dehydrator necessary?

It's ideal for the right texture, but baking in the oven on a low setting works just fine too.

→ What’s the dehydration time?

Plan for around 18 hours at 125°F, flipping partway through for even drying.

→ Can I swap chia seeds with something else?

You sure can! Try ground flaxseeds for a similar texture and extra nutrition.

→ What’s the best way to store them?

Store in an airtight container for up to a week at room temperature, or refrigerate to keep them longer.