I am constantly searching for ways to improve fan favorite kid snacks by making them at home. Making them at home not only saves money, but it helps you control artificial ingredients like artificial sweeteners, artificial colors, artificial flavors, corn syrup, and added sugar. Plus, I really like being able to pronounce all the ingredients within the items that I feed my kids.
Gummy fruit snacks have been a huge hit at my house lately, our favorite fruity snacks brand being Aunt Annie’s fruit snacks. Now, I do love the Aunt Annie’s brand when I am looking for a quick snack or boxed meal for my kids that still has a decent amount of nutritional content. However, their fruits snacks still contain a ton of unnecessary ingredients like rice syrup, tapioca syrup, pectin, citric acid, sunflower oil, and more. However, $10 for a 20 pack really is not that bad of a price when you compare their ingredients to the most popular fruit snacks distributor Welchs. (Both brands you can get from your local grocery stores or online)
But I can teach you how to make the same thing with 3 simple ingredients, in less than 10 minutes (not including the “set” time). We can refer to them as healthy fruit snacks, if that is even a thing.
What You Will Need to Make Fruit Snacks:
- Gummy Molds & Droppers – $9.99
- This set will allow you to make mini donuts, gummy bears, hearts, and dinosaurs, plus it already comes with the dropper you will also need.
- Sauce Pan
- This recipe does require a few minutes of cook time.
- Unflavored Gelatin
- Gelatin is necessary for the gummy texture of fruit snack. Like I mentioned fruit snacks have been a huge hit at my house lately, so instead of spending more money a bunch of individual packs of gelatin I opted for a larger container.
- Honey or Sugar
- It is 100% up to you whether you decide to use sugar or honey.
- Fruit Juice or Fruit Puree
- Whether you use juice or pureed fruit is also up to you. Puree will affect the texture slightly but it also offers the most natural flavor; you could also use your favorite recipe for fruit smoothies and use the finished product– make sure you do a quick taste test. If you’re using fruit juice, you can make your own fruit juice using fresh fruit a juicer or you can purchase your favorite juice. Whatever your personal preference is, do that. Try to stick with healthy options.
- Some juices you may consider using are apple juice, grape juice, summer strawberry juice, V8 Juice (my personal favorite), Pineapple juice, or anything else. You could also mix some juices together for different flavors or a fruit juice concentrate. The possibilities are endless.
- Whether you use juice or pureed fruit is also up to you. Puree will affect the texture slightly but it also offers the most natural flavor; you could also use your favorite recipe for fruit smoothies and use the finished product– make sure you do a quick taste test. If you’re using fruit juice, you can make your own fruit juice using fresh fruit a juicer or you can purchase your favorite juice. Whatever your personal preference is, do that. Try to stick with healthy options.
What you will need to do to make these Fruit Gummies
- Add Gelatin, Real Fruit Juice (or puree or whatever you decided to use from the options above), and Sugar into a saucepan.
- Cook over Medium Low heat until gelatin is dissolved. This will take 1-3 minutes. Do not boil and make sure to keep stirring to prevent potential burning.
- Once gelatin is dissolved remove from heat.
- Use your dropper to transfer the mixture from the pan to the silicone molds. This will be the most time-consuming process of the entire recipe.
- Transfer molds to fridge and allow to sit undisturbed for two hours.
- Remove fruit snacks from molds and transfer them to an airtight container, such as a mason jar.
- Store in the refrigerator.
How simple was that? That is exactly why I think making them at home is the best choice.
Consider putting them in mini reusable baggies to have your own little snack packs.
What to eat with fruit snacks?
Okay, it is rather obvious that fruit snacks are not a meal nor are they a balanced snack. I definitely think it is a healthier alternative to make them at home versus purchasing them. However, consider serving them with:
- Granola Bars
- Trail Mix
- Green Grapes
- Apple Slices
- Energy Balls
- Cheese Sticks
- Dried Fruit
Or whatever you thinks is the best snack.
3 Ingredient Fruit Snacks for Kids
Do you want a healthier alternative to store bought fruit snacks? I am here to help. Try these delicious homemade fruit snacks using three simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 Cup of Fruit Juice or Fruit Puree
- 2 1/2 Tablespoons of Gelatin Powder
- 2 Tablespoons of Sugar or Honey
Instructions
1) Add all ingredients into a saucepan.
2) Heat mixture over medium low heat until gelatin is dissolved. This will take 1-3 minutes. Be sure to stir consistently and use a low heat to prevent potential burning.
3) Once gelatin is dissolved remove mixture from heat.
4) Use droppers to transfer mixture from pan to molds.
5) Transfer molds to the refrigerator and allow to sit for two hours.
6) Pop gummies out of their molds and put into an airtight container, such as a mason jar.
7) Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
To make the transfer to the fridge process easier, I recommend using a cookie sheet under your molds.
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