Homemade Fruit Snacks

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This homemade fruit snacks recipe is made with whole fruits & vegetables! A healthy, high-protein snack loaded with nutrients – better than store bought!

a pile of red, green, purple and orange Homemade Fruit Snacks

These homemade fruit snacks are not your average fruit snacks. They are made with whole fruits and vegetables and naturally sweetened. Plus they are gluten and grain free and have a 45 grams of protein per batch! So much better than store-bought varieties.

I also love that the gorgeous colors of these homemade fruit snacks come from the natural colors in the fruits, no food dyes required! Natural foods are the best “dyes” if you ask me!

Homemade Fruit Snacks in a bowl

Homemade Fruit Snacks: Ingredients & Substitutions 

The great thing about this recipe is that, while the method is pretty particular, the ingredients are fairly versatile.

overhead photo of the labeled ingredients in this Homemade Fruit Snacks recipe
  • Fruit: I have given suggestions for the different fruits I used to make each color, but you can let your preferences drive you here. The only two fruits that you cannot use are Kiwi and Pineapple. They contain the enzyme bromelain, which breaks down the proteins in the gelatin and will prevent the fruit snacks from setting up.
  • Vegetables: the same freedom applies with the vegetables, use your favorites. Each mixture contains 1 cup of fruit and ยผ cup vegetables. You can use all fruit if you don’t want to add vegetables.
  • Juice:  I highly recommend using an organic, unsweetened juice variety of your choice. I chose apple because it has a neutral color and flavor, but you can use any flavor you like.

Raw vs. Cooked Vegetables

All of the vegetables used in these combinations were blended raw (including the beets). If you decide to use a vegetable like sweet potatoes, I recommend cooking it first and using the soft puree in this recipe.

Kid's hands holding a handful of Homemade Fruit Snacks recipe

How to Make Homemade Fruit Snacks

Let’s walk through how to make homemade fruit snacks, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Lay Out Supplies & Materials

Begin by putting the silicone molds on a large baking sheet or line an 8×8โ€™ square dish with wax paper or a silicone mat and lightly grease, set aside.

4 silicone fruit snack molds on a baking sheet

Make the Fruit Snack Mixture

I share how to make green, red, orange and blue/purple fruit snacks in this recipe. You really can use any combination of fruits and vegetables. Each mixture contains 1 cup of fruit and ยผ cup vegetables. You

Use a Vitamix

To ensure the fruit snacks are smooth, use a high-powered blender. As always I recommend using a Vitamix.

font view of a plate of Homemade Fruit Snacks recipe arranged by color in front of a vitamix blender filled with fruit

Begin by putting the fruit, vegetables and ยผ cup apple juice in the container of your Vitamix and secure the lid.

Then, turn the machine on and slowly increase the speed to high. Blend on high until the mixture is smooth. (add more juice 1 Tablespoon at a time if necessary, until the mixture reaches a smooth consistency).

For green use green grapes and spinach (or zucchini).

To make red, use strawberries and beets.

For orange fruit snacks, use peaches and carrots.

For blue use blueberries and zucchini.

Then, add the honey and vanilla and blend until smooth. Taste the mixture and add more honey if desired.

Once the mixture is smooth, transfer it to a small saucepan and whisk in the gelatin.

Heat on medium heat until gelatin is dissolved and mixture is no longer grainy when touched (about 3 minutes). Make sure it does not boil.

dissolve gelatin completely

When the gelatin is added to the fruit/veggie/juice mixture it will become cloudy. Cook over medium heat until the mixture is no longer cloudy, but do not let it boil.

Test for doneness by putting some of the mixture between your pointer finger and thumb and rub them together. If it feels even slightly grainy, continue cooking and whisking. If it feels smooth then you can begin to fill the molds.

final homemade fruit snacks mixture in a saucepan after whisking in gelatin

Using a dropper, fill the silicone molds. Or pour your mixture into your prepared baking pan. I suggest keeping the saucepan on the warm burner (with the heat source turned off) as you fill the molds. That way the mixture remains slightly warm and cools more slowly.

Be sure to work quickly. The fruit/veggie fruit snack mixture begins to thicken as it cools. I

filling a silicone mold with homemade fruit snacks mixture

Transfer to the refrigerator to set for at least 2 hours.

Once set remove from molds and enjoy.

If you don’t have molds then simply spread the mixture in ax 8×8″ pan lined with wax paper. Let the Homemade Fruit Snacks set and then cut them with a warm, sharp knife.

Homemade Fruit Snacks in a mold after chilling - one popped out

Serve

I suggest serving these fruit snacks slightly chilled or at room temperature.

Store/Freeze

Homemade fruit snacks can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Thaw slowly in the refrigerator before serving.

Homemade Fruit Snacks spread out on a baking sheet

Homemade Fruit Snacks Recipe FAQs

Is Gelatin Good For you?ย 

Yes, the protein in this recipe comes from high-quality, grass-fed, collagen beef gelatin which has 17 gramsย of proteinย per scoop (which is about 1 TBS).

How do I store homemade fruit snacks?

Store these in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

How long do homemade fruit snacks last?

They last for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator or 2 months in the freezer.

Can I freeze these homemade fruit snacks?

Yes, freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

up close photo of Homemade Fruit Snacks in a bowl

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Homemade Fruit Snacks Recipe

Laura
This homemade fruit snacks recipe is made with whole fruits & vegetables! A healthy, high-protein snack loaded with nutrients – better than store bought!
4.93 from 41 votes
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 6 Servings
Calories 57.7
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Chilling time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 cup fruit chopped
  • ยผ cup vegetables chopped (and peeled if necessary)
  • ยผ to ยฝ cup pure apple juice no added sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons raw honey
  • ยผ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 Tablespoons gelatin preferably collagen, grass-fed

Green:

  • 1 cup green grapes
  • ยผ cup spinach

Red:

  • 1 cup strawberries diced
  • ยผ cup beets

Orange:

  • 1 cup peaches chopped
  • ยผ cup carrots

Blue/purple:

  • 1 cup blueberries
  • ยผ cup zucchini

Instructions 

  • Place silicone molds on a large baking sheet or line an 8×8โ€™ square dish with wax paper and lightly grease, set aside.
  • Place fruit, vegetable and ยผ cup apple juice in the container of a high powered blender (Vitamix) and secure the lid.
  • Turn the machine on and slowly increase the speed to high. Blend on high until the mixture is smooth. (add more juice 1 Tablespoon at a time if necessary, until the mixture reaches a smooth consistency).
  • Add honey and vanilla and blend until smooth
  • Taste mixture and add more honey, if desired.
  • Transfer the mixture to a small saucepan and whisk in gelatin.
  • Heat on medium heat until gelatin is dissolved and mixture is no longer grainy (about 3 minutes).* Make sure it does not boil.
  • Using a dropper, fill the silicone molds. Or pour your mixture into your prepared baking pan. (I suggest keeping the saucepan on the warm burner (with the heat source turned off) as you fill the molds. That way the mixture remains slightly warm and cools more slowly).
  • Transfer to the refrigerator to set for at least 2 hours.
  • Once set remove from molds and enjoy. If using a baking dish, remove from the dish, cut and serve or store.

Video

Notes

*Tip on doneness: to ensure the gelatin is dissolved, put a small amount on your thumb. Then rub your thumb and pointer finger together. If it’s smooth, the gelatin is dissolved. If it’s grainy, keep cooking.ย 
Ingredient Substitutions
  • Fruit:ย I have given suggestions for the different fruits I used to make each color, but you can let your preferences drive you here. The only two fruits that you cannot use are Kiwi and Pineapple. They contain the enzyme bromelain, which breaks down the proteins in the gelatin and will prevent the fruit snacks from setting up.
  • Vegetables:ย the same freedom applies with the vegetables, use your favorites. Each mixture contains 1 cup of fruit and ยผ cup vegetables. You can use all fruit if you don’t want to add vegetables.
  • Juice:ย  I highly recommend using an organic, unsweetened juice variety of your choice. I chose apple because it has a neutral color and flavor, but you can use any flavor you like.
Store
Store homemade fruit snacks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.ย 

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 57.7kcal | Carbohydrates: 10.5g | Protein: 4.5g | Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 28.8mg | Potassium: 84.7mg | Fiber: 0.8g | Sugar: 9.1g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 20.4mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

Note this recipe was published in 2017, and has been updated with process photographs and a video and additional helpful information, but the recipe itself remains unchanged.

a bowl of Homemade Fruit Snacks recipe

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4.93 from 41 votes (27 ratings without comment)

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96 Comments

    1. Hello Christina! I have not tried freezing these fruit snacks! I’m unsure how the texture would be after freezing, but if you try it please report back and let me know! I’d recommend freezing a few as a test!

  1. Hello! I have tried making homemade fruit snacks over and over, using vital proteins gelatin. Is it supposed to have a texture like jello, as opposed to the gummy texture fruit snacks usually have? Thatโ€™s my failure. They never turn out gummy! Thank you! I am willing to try one more time!

    1. Same question here… gummies are never really gummies – just chewier jello. They’re still wet. At best less wet. I keep trying with different recipes and it keeps not working.

      1. I think these have a great texture. They do have a bit of a Jello taste from the gelatin, but I think they taste like real gummies!

  2. Where is a good place to get organic, antibiotic free, non GMO fish based collagen gelatin? Preferably a brand available on amazon.

    1. Hmm…I am a huge fan of Vital Proteins and I know they carry Marine Collagen…but I don’t think they have a marine gelatin! You can search on Amazon for a product that fits your needs!

      1. I’ve already searched and didn’t find something I was confident would work without trial and error. Hence my question.

      2. I’m sorry I can’t be more help! I have vegan friends who use agar (like this one) as a substitute for gelatin in recipes.

    1. Hey Kaila! I did try a batch without the honey and I liked them but my kids did not really enjoy them as much as the batch with honey! So of course you can, it’s just up to how sweet of a tooth you have! ๐Ÿ˜‰

  3. These look amazing and I canโ€™t wait to make them for my 2 year old. Can you advise what you used to grease the molds? Yours look perfectly molded and not at all oily!

  4. Hi there! Iโ€™m looking forward to making these! If Iโ€™d prefer not to use gelatin do you think fruit pectin would work? Have you tried that?

  5. 5 stars
    The photography on this is absolutely darling! Question – is it safe to use the honey for children under two? Is there a comparable substitution if not – maybe Agave?

    1. Thank you Amber! Since the mixture is heated I feel totally fine feeding these to my babies. I actually only avoid honey until my children are 1, but I know every momma (and pediatrician for that matter) has a different opinion on that one! You absolute can use agave or maple syrup if you’d feel more comfortable with those options!