This homemade Fruit Snacks recipe (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!
Raise your hand if your kiddo loves fruit snacks! Mine sure does! We usually save the store-bought ones for family road trips or holidays because I like to make them at home when we’re needing a little something special.
This homemade fruit snacks recipe is made similarly to how you’d make Jell-O with dissolving gelatin and other ingredients stirred 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 and veggies including strawberries and carrots—this is our favorite flavor combo—but you can try out a few flavor combinations I suggest below, too.
Call them fruit snacks or call them fruit gummies, but either way, this easy snack to make at home (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.
(You may also like Graham Crackers recipes, Animal Crackers, Yogurt Drinks, Chocolate Yogurt Gummies, and Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins.)
Table of Contents
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Ingredients You Need
Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to make this homemade fruit snacks 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. Or use Strawberry Puree or another fruit puree.
- Carrots: I used no-salt-added canned carrots here to save the step of cooking, but any plain, unseasoned carrots will work once steamed or boiled. (You could also use Carrot Puree or another plain cooked vegetables option like cauliflower or beets.)
- Water or apple juice: Either one of these work to help the homemade fruit snacks 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 the fruit snacks 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 fruit gummies have structure and shape.
Silicone Gummy Bear Mold
Make homemade fruit snacks easily in this super cute candy mold.
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a preview of how to make this homemade fruit snacks 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.
- Add the berries and carrots to a blender.
- Puree smooth.
- Add the berry mixture to a small pot or small saucepan set over low heat. Bring to a simmer.
- Dissolve the gelatin powder. Whisk into the fruit mixture. Add to the mold and set.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main ingredient in this homemade fruit snacks recipe is fruit and vegetables.
You can store these for about two weeks in the fridge in an airtight container.
You can try peaches, grapes, pineapple, oranges, or any other moisture-rich fruit that blends easily.
How to Store
Store homemade fruit snacks recipe 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 stored in the fridge in a container.
Best Tips for Success
- Use fresh or thawed frozen berries and cooked or canned carrots according to what you prefer to make these gummies.
- Fully dissolve the gelatin in the liquid before stirring into the fruit mixture to ensure there are no clumps and the homemade fruit snacks recipe sets up properly.
- Sweeten the fruit snacks 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 kids food favorites, so check them out!
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe, so please rate it and comment below.
Easy Fruit Snacks (Gummies)
Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberries
- ¼ cup carrots (canned and drained; or cooked until soft and cooled)
- ½ cup water (or apple juice)
- 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup)
- 6 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
Instructions
- 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 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.
Notes
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- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Use fresh or thawed frozen berries and cooked or canned carrots according to what you prefer.
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- Fully dissolve the gelatin in the liquid before stirring into the fruit mixture to ensure 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.
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- 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.
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- I have many more homemade versions of store-bought favorites, so check them out!
Nutrition
This recipe was first posted August 2015.
Can I sub in juice instead of blending up fruit?
I think so!
What brand of blender do you use? Mine never turn out as smooth, regardless of the fruit kind!
I have a Vitamix and a Ninja and it works well with either of them.
These turned out so cute and delicious! Perfect texture for my 2 year old. She loved them! Can’t wait to try different flavors. Thanks for the recipe!
Have you had any trouble with your gelatin smelling like a barnyard? I used Knox and it smelled awful. Is there a brand you prefer to use?
Oh, I haven’t experience that so I’m not sure!
Do you put something in the mold like oil so they don’t stick? I’ve now tried twice and my gummies just end up sticking to my mold 😔
I haven’t had that issue but you could very lightly spray with nonstick spray I suppose.
Can you substitute agar agar to make these vegan?
I bet you can, but I have not tested it that way so I am not sure if the amount is the same. Let me know if you try it!