These simple, healthy homemade fruit snacks are made with only 2 ingredients and one of them is juice! You will not believe how quick and easy they are to make.
When I was a little kid, I had the same thing in my lunch every single day: a ham and cheese sandwich with Miracle Whip, a package of fruity snacks, a cookie, and a juice box. I don't remember anything else.
My kids, too, are totally enamored with fruity snacks. They love them.
However, I do not love them because they are full of sugar and basically plain old candy.
So, when I discovered that I could make homemade fruit snacks without all the sugar of the real thing, I was all in. Total no brainer.
This recipe is super easy with only two ingredients. You do have to let it refrigerate for at least four hours, but as far as active cooking goes, it takes less than ten minutes. Allie helped me to make these fruity snacks one morning, and she was able to do most of the prep.
These homemade fruit snacks taste just like the juice you use to make them, being that they are simply flavorless gelatin and the juice itself. We used fruit punch and apple juice this time, but I can't wait to try them with orange tangerine and cherry. Cherry is my favorite!
How to make healthy homemade fruit snacks
- Pour juice into a small saucepan. Add gelatin and allow to sit and absorb for a few minutes.
- Once the gelatin has absorbed, whisk the mixture gently.
- Turn on the heat to medium, getting the mixture hot but never boiling.
- Continue to heat until the mixture changes from thick to runny and all of the gelatin has dissolved.
- Pour the mixture into candy molds or a shallow loaf pan and refrigerate for 4 hours.
- Remove from the molds. If necessary, cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Recipe
Healthy Homemade Fruit Snacks Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups fruit juice in your choice of flavors
- 4 tablespoons unflavored gelatin about 5 pouches or 1 ¼ boxes
Instructions
- Pour the juice into a small pot and add the gelatin. Allow the gelatin to absorb into the juice for a few minutes.
- Once the gelatin has absorbed, whisk the mixture gently.
- Turn on the heat to medium, getting the mixture warm but never boiling. Wait until the mixture changes from thick to runny and all of the gelatin has dissolved.
- Once ready, pour the mixture into candy molds or a shallow loaf pan and refrigerate for four hours.
- Remove from the molds or pan. If necessary, cut the gelatin into bite-sized pieces.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Callie says
These look so good, Tara, and easier to make than I thought!
Kelly Madison says
Gelatin snacks - brilliant idea! That will be a big hit on my daughter's BD party the next month. Great post - two thumbs up! 🙂
Mélanie says
I am wondering...I tried this recipe and maybe the juice I used wasn't flavourful enough...but I could taste the "unflavoured" gelatin more than anything...any tips?
Tara Ziegmont says
I've never had this happen, but I would think a stronger flavor of juice would be your best bet. The other option would be to use a flavored gelatin that would complement the juice. What did you use the first time?
Roxann King says
I am wondering about this too. I'm going to try frozen juice concentrate. Or maybe straight juice like pineapple? ????