If you’ve ever craved a fun, healthy, and utterly delicious treat, this Homemade Fruit Snacks Recipe is about to become your new best friend in the kitchen. Bursting with real fruit and veggies, sweetened naturally with honey, and magically held together with gelatin, these fruit snacks offer a perfect balance of chewy, juicy, and fresh flavors. Whether you’re making snacks for your little ones or just want a wholesome pick-me-up, this recipe will transform simple ingredients into irresistible little bites you’ll want to enjoy every day.

Homemade Fruit Snacks Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the ingredients for this Homemade Fruit Snacks Recipe is surprisingly simple, yet each component plays a vital role in the final texture, taste, and vibrant color of your snacks. From fresh fruit and veggies to the rich, natural gelatin, every item brings something special to the table.

Fruit (1 cup, chopped): The star players that provide natural sweetness and essential vitamins.
Vegetables (¼ cup, chopped and peeled if needed): Adds subtle earthiness and nutrients without overpowering the fruit flavor.
Pure apple juice (¼ to ½ cup, no added sugar): Acts as a liquid base for blending and enhances natural sweetness.
Raw honey (2 tablespoons): A natural sweetener that brings depth and a mild floral note.
Pure vanilla extract (¼ teaspoon): Lends warmth and complexity to round out all the flavors.
Gelatin (3 tablespoons, preferably grass-fed collagen): Essential for that perfect chewy texture that makes fruit snacks so delightful.
Green option: 1 cup green grapes and ¼ cup spinach for a fresh, crisp vibe.
Red option: 1 cup diced strawberries and ¼ cup beets to introduce a sweet and earthy richness.
Orange option: 1 cup chopped peaches and ¼ cup carrots for subtle sweetness and bright color.
Blue/purple option: 1 cup blueberries and ¼ cup zucchini, offering rich antioxidants with a mild flavor.

How to Make Homemade Fruit Snacks Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Molds

Start by placing silicone molds on a large baking sheet to keep them steady, or line an 8×8-inch square dish with wax paper and grease it lightly. This prep step makes removing your snacks a breeze and sets you up for a smooth assembly process.

Step 2: Blend the Fruit and Vegetables

Combine your chosen fruit, vegetable, and ¼ cup of apple juice in a high-powered blender. Secure the lid tightly, then blend on low, gradually increasing to high speed. Keep blending until you have a smooth, velvety mixture. If the blend is too thick, slowly add more apple juice one tablespoon at a time to achieve that perfect consistency.

Step 3: Sweeten and Flavor

Add the raw honey and vanilla extract to your mixture, then blend again just enough to incorporate these without losing that silky texture. Taste your blend—feel free to add a touch more honey if you prefer sweeter fruit snacks, since fresh produce can vary in sweetness.

Step 4: Incorporate the Gelatin

Transfer your fruity blend to a small saucepan and whisk in the gelatin thoroughly. Warm the pan over medium heat, stirring continuously. Keep the heat gentle; the mixture should be hot enough to melt the gelatin completely but never boil. This step takes about three minutes and is crucial for creating that satisfying chewy texture.

Step 5: Mold and Chill

Using a dropper, carefully fill your silicone molds with the warm mixture. If you’re using a baking dish, simply pour the mixture in evenly. To maintain the warmth and fluidity, keep the saucepan nearby with the burner off as you work. Once filled, place your molds or dish into the refrigerator and chill for at least two hours until fully set.

Step 6: Enjoy Your Homemade Fruit Snacks

After chilling, pop your fruit snacks out of the molds, or if using the pan, cut into squares. Your homemade creation is now ready to be enjoyed as a nutritious treat anytime you need a tasty boost!

How to Serve Homemade Fruit Snacks Recipe

Garnishes

Sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over each fruit snack to brighten the natural flavors and give an unexpected twist. Alternatively, a dusting of finely shredded coconut or a light drizzle of melted dark chocolate can take these treats from everyday to party-worthy.

Side Dishes

Pair your fruit snacks with a creamy yogurt dip or a handful of crunchy nuts for a balanced snack platter. They also complement a fresh smoothie or crisp vegetable sticks perfectly, creating a vibrant and wholesome snack time spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, arrange your fruit snacks on colorful platters alongside fresh fruit slices and edible flowers. You can also thread the snacks onto skewers alternating with small berries to make fun, fruit-themed kebabs that kids and adults will adore.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once made, keep your homemade fruit snacks in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will maintain their flavor and texture beautifully for up to one week, making them ideal for preparing in advance for busy days.

Freezing

You can freeze leftover fruit snacks to extend their shelf life. Place them in a freezer-safe container separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking, and enjoy them within a month. Thaw in the fridge before eating for best results.

Reheating

Since these are meant to be enjoyed cool and chewy, reheating isn’t necessary and may cause the texture to change. Simply allow frozen fruit snacks to thaw naturally in the fridge and enjoy as a refreshing treat.

FAQs

Can I use fruit juice other than apple juice?

Absolutely! While apple juice provides a mild sweetness and neutral base, feel free to experiment with grape or pear juice for a different flavor profile. Just ensure it’s pure juice without added sugars to keep your fruit snacks healthy.

What if I don’t have gelatin? Is there a substitute?

Gelatin is key for that classic fruit snack chewiness. If you prefer a vegetarian option, agar-agar can be used but the texture may be slightly different. Experiment with small batches to see which you prefer.

How do the vegetables affect the flavor?

The vegetables are blended finely to add natural nutrients and a subtle earthiness without overpowering the fruit. They also help create vibrant colors, making the snacks fun and irresistible.

Can these fruit snacks be made sugar-free?

If you want to skip the honey, consider using a ripe banana or mashed date for natural sweetness. Keep in mind this can alter the texture and flavor slightly, but they’ll still be delicious and wholesome.

What’s the best way to clean my silicone molds?

Silicone molds are super easy to clean. Simply rinse with warm soapy water or place them in the dishwasher. Make sure they’re fully dry before storing to avoid any odors or mold growth.

Final Thoughts

You’re now armed with a vibrant, nutrition-packed Homemade Fruit Snacks Recipe that’s as delicious as it is fun to make. These treats bring together the best of nature’s sweetness and a wonderful chewy texture that’s perfect for any time snack cravings hit. Give this recipe a try, and watch your kitchen fill with happy smiles and satisfied taste buds—your new favorite treat awaits!

Homemade Fruit Snacks Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 20 reviews

Author: Simon
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Yield: About 16 fruit snacks (depending on mold size) 1x
Diet: Low Fat

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Description

This Homemade Fruit Snacks recipe offers a healthy, natural alternative to store-bought gummy snacks. Made with real fruit, vegetables, apple juice, honey, vanilla, and gelatin, these colorful and flavorful fruit snacks are perfect for a nutritious treat. Customize flavors with different fruit and vegetable combinations like green grapes and spinach, strawberries and beets, peaches and carrots, or blueberries and zucchini. Easy to make and fun to eat, they are ideal for kids and adults looking for a wholesome snack.

Instructions

Prepare molds or dish. Place silicone molds on a large baking sheet or line an 8×8” square dish with wax paper and lightly grease; set aside.
Blend fruit, vegetables, and juice. Place the chosen fruit, vegetable, and ¼ cup apple juice in a high-powered blender. Secure the lid, turn on the machine, and slowly increase speed to high. Blend until smooth, adding more juice one tablespoon at a time if the mixture is too thick.
Add honey and vanilla. Mix in the raw honey and pure vanilla extract by blending until completely smooth. Taste and adjust sweetness by adding more honey if desired.
Dissolve gelatin. Transfer the mixture to a small saucepan and whisk in the gelatin. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until gelatin dissolves and the mixture becomes smooth and no longer grainy, about 3 minutes. Do not let it boil.
Fill molds or dish. Using a dropper, carefully fill the silicone molds with the mixture. Alternatively, pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Keep the saucepan warm (off heat) during filling to help the mixture cool slowly.
Refrigerate to set. Place the filled molds or dish in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours until the fruit snacks are firm and set.
Serve and store. Once set, remove fruit snacks from molds or cut them from the baking dish. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

Use grass-fed gelatin for higher quality and added collagen benefits.
Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of honey or using a natural sweetener to suit taste preferences.
If the mixture is too thick to blend smoothly, add apple juice gradually until desired consistency is reached.
Do not boil the mixture after adding gelatin; overheating can affect texture and gelatin’s setting ability.
Store fruit snacks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
Customize flavors by mixing different fruit and vegetable combos as outlined in the ingredients.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Snack
Method: Blending, heating, chilling
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 fruit snack (~15 g)
Calories: 35
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 5 mg
Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 9 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 2 g
Cholesterol: 15 mg

Keywords: homemade fruit snacks, healthy gummy snacks, gelatin fruit snacks, natural fruit treats, kid-friendly snacks