Easy Fruit Snacks (Gummies)

These Fruit Snacks (which some call fruit gummies) have fruits and veggies, are easy to make, and taste super yummy. They even have protein and are soft enough for toddlers to safely chew. They’re a seriously fun snack!

Fruit Snacks

Raise your hand if your kiddo loves fruit snacks! Mine sure does and even though we usually save the store-bought ones for road trips or holidays, I sometimes make them at home when we’re needing a little something special.

This recipe is made similarly to how you’d made any sort of jello with dissolving gelatin and stirring the ingredients together. It’s very easy and you can adjust the sweetness according to what your kids prefer. I’m showing you how to make these using real fruit including strawberries and also carrots—, since this is our favorite flavor combo—but you can try out a few flavor combinations that I suggest below, too.

Call them fruit snacks or call them fruit gummies, but either way, this kids snack (or dessert, depending on the day) is nutritious and really easy for little ones to eat. They are firm enough for little hands to hold and yet soft enough for even young eaters to enjoy. They’re convenient since you can make them ahead and pull them out for snacks whenever you need them, and they stay fresh for weeks in the fridge.

Ingredients You Need

Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to make this gummy recipe so you know what you need to have on hand from the store.

• Strawberries: You can use fresh strawberries or thawed frozen ones according to what you have access to or prefer.
• Carrots: I used no-salt-added canned carrots here to save the step of cooking, but any plain, unseasoned carrots will work such as steamed or boiled. (You could also use Carrot Puree.)
• Water or apple juice: Either one of these work to help the fruit mixture blend. If you use apple juice, the gummies will be slightly sweeter.
• Honey or maple syrup: I like to add a little sweetener to ensure that the fruit snacks have plenty of natural fruit flavor and taste sweet. You can use either of these, though always avoid honey for kids under age 1.
• Unflavored gelatin: Use your preferred type of unflavored gelatin here to help the gummies have structure and shape.

Silicone Gummy Bear Mold

Make homemade fruit snacks easily in this super cute mold.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a preview of how to make this recipe so you know what to expect from the process. Scroll down to the end of the post for the full information, including the amounts and timing.

1. Add the berries and carrots to a blender.
2. Puree smooth.
3. Add the berry mixture to a small pot set over low heat. Bring to a simmer.
4. Dissolve the gelatin. Whisk into the fruit mixture. Add to the mold and set.

How to Store

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. They hold their shape fine at room temperature and aren’t sticky, but they will stay freshest store in the fridge in a container.

Best Tips for Success

• Use fresh or thawed frozen berries, cooked or canned carrots according to what you prefer.
• Fully dissolve the gelatin in the liquid before stirring into the fruit mixture to ensure that there are no clumps and the gummies set up properly.
• Sweeten a little with maple syrup or honey (for kids over age 1).
• Trade in another berry if you prefer. Note that berries with seeds, such as raspberries or blackberries, may have a seedy texture. You can strain the puree through a fine-mesh strainer to make a smooth gummy. Or try using mango in place of the strawberries.
• I have many more homemade versions of store bought favorites, so check them out!

I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe, so please rate it and comment below.

• Add the berries, carrots, and water or juice to a blender. Puree smooth.

• Add the berry mixture to a small pot set over low heat. Add the honey or maple syrup. Bring to a simmer.

• (Plan to do this step and the next one quickly.) Add the gelatin to a bowl with ⅓ cup cold water. Stir well to completely dissolve the gelatin to ensure that the fruit snacks are lump free.

• Working quickly, whisk the gelatin mixture into the simmering fruit mixture to thoroughly combine. Whisk constantly for a minute or two as the mixture starts to thicken. Turn off the heat.

• (Alternatively, you can sprinkle the gelatin right over the simmering fruit and whisk vigorously to combine. Omit the water if you do that. Know you may have some small clumps of gelatin.)

• Portion out into a silicone gummy bear mold (or other silicone mold) set on a small baking tray (which is more stable than the mold on its own). Refrigerate for at least an hour and up to overnight to set up.

• Remove from the mold to serve.

• • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
  • Use fresh or thawed frozen berries, cooked or canned carrots according to what you prefer.

• • Fully dissolve the gelatin in the liquid before stirring into the fruit mixture to ensure that there are no clumps and the gummies set up properly. This step needs to be done quickly and immediately added to the simmering fruit mixture. If you put the bowl of dissolved gelatin down and step away from it, it will start to solidify.

• • Trade in another berry if you prefer. Note that berries with seeds, such as raspberries or blackberries, may have a seedy texture. You can strain the puree through a fine-mesh strainer to make a smooth gummy. Or use mango for the strawberries.

Calories: 45kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 0.1g, Saturated Fat: 0.01g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 13mg, Potassium: 58mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 894IU, Vitamin C: 14mg, Calcium: 9mg, Iron: 0.2mg

This recipe was first posted August 2015.