Recipe: Homemade healthy fruit snacks (2024)

Homemade fruit snacks are at the heart of the story I’m about to share. It’s a story about being that mom.Sometimes I hate beingthat mom. You know, the mom who thinks her kid deserves onlytruly healthy fruit snacks.

Well, I don’t really hate being that mom.

But I do hate being the mom that tries to hide her look of fear and disgust as an innocent (and very kind) parent or child offers my child an artificial, store-bought, and full of fake dyes fruit snack. I grit my teeth and politely push a “thank you” from my lips while in my head I’m screaming: DON’T FEED THAT TO MY CHILD!!!!

Yeah, I don’t really like being that mom.

I try not to go too crazy… after all, I know my kids gets real food 99% of the time… so the rare non homemade fruit snack or handful of gold fish crackers won’t kill her. But still. Sundays are always the worse as we head off to church and then my parents’ home. I practice my deep breathing, picture lovely things, and wish I had a better alternative to the processed offerings that seem to come at every angle. Why can’t I just find a healthy fruit snack!?!

Fear not. I have found it. My healthy homemade fruit snack.

Not too long ago, Heather (aka: The Mommypotamus) posted a gem of a recipe for easy sour gummies. I made them. I loved them. And have since been inspired to create my own version of healthy homemade fruit snacks.

Why are these homemade fruit snacks healthy?

I’m glad you asked! Not only are these homemade healthy fruit snacks made from whole fruit, but they also use grass-fed gelatin. Gelatin has lots of benefitsand can help keep nails strong, hair beautiful, and skin young. It’s also a great source of high quality protein and amino acids. In fact, for my picky kids, these homemade fruit snacks are a heavenly gift. They love them. I love them. Everyone loves homemade healthy fruit snacks! (Clap your hands and sing along!)

Sweetened only with a little bit of honey, and colored by the fruit themselves, these snacks are simple, delicious, and very kid (and crazy mom) friendly. Blueberry is my favorite (which is saying something because it’s my least favorite berry of the bunch). Combined with the lemon juice… oh boy. They are good. Yes, these yummy treats are a truly healthy fruit snack.

Homemade healthy fruit snacks

Recipe: Homemade healthy fruit snacks (1)

Want your kids to actually have some healthy options as far as snacks go? Look no further! These homemade healthy fruit snacks are a favorite around here.

Prep Time15 minutes

Cook Time1 hour

Total Time1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice or fresh orange juice (if you don't like sour go with orange, but I definitely prefer the lemon!)
  • 2/3 cup frozen or fresh berries (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries are all great.)
  • 1 - 2 Tbs honey
  • 5 Tbs gelatin (from grass fed cows...like this one)

Instructions

  1. Pour juice and berries into a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until berries become tender and begin to soften.
  2. Add honey and stir until completely incorporated. You will want the fruit to dissolve quite a bit until you have a compote.
  3. Turn the heat off, and quickly whisk in gelatin one tablespoon at a time. Whisk vigorously until completely incorporated, mixing the gelatin in very gradually to avoid lumps.
  4. Puree mixture using a immersion blender or small blender (my magic bullet works great for this! Just be sure to cool slightly before moving over.)
  5. Pour into a 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 glass dish. Refrigerate until set (30 minutes to an hour). Cut in small squares. (You could also use some cute molds like this and create awesome shapes. I'm not awesome like that... but you could be!) Note: I like to keep these homemade fruit snacks in my fridge (I love cold things!), but they do transport and keep nicely at room temperature.

Tell me… Do you love making healthy homemade fruit snacks? How do you help your kids eat real food?

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A healthy homemade fruit snack… who knew it could be so easy?

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Recipe: Homemade healthy fruit snacks (2024)

FAQs

Can fruit snacks be healthy? ›

Yes? Fruit snacks run around 80-90 calories per small pouch—which is a reasonable amount of calories for a kids' snack. They're free of fat, cholesterol and are very low in sodium. Many also provide vitamins A and C.

What are the main ingredients in fruit snacks? ›

These and most other fruit snacks are made of mostly sugars (whether from corn syrup or concentrated fruit juice), modified cornstarch, artificial flavors, and artificial color/food dyes.

Is homemade fruit leather healthy? ›

When making fruit leather at home you can control how much sugar is added. For the diabetic fruit leathers without sugar are a healthy choice for snacks or desserts.

What is a healthy snack for a child that contains fruit? ›

A piece of fruit is a convenient and healthy snack for kids. Most fruits contain fiber and important nutrients like potassium and vitamins A and C. Bananas, apples, pears, grapes, peaches, and plums are examples of fruits that can be used for grab-and-go snacks.

How unhealthy are Welch's fruit snacks? ›

Many believe that Welch's fruit snacks are a healthy option. However, even though it contains added vitamins, such as vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E, they also contain corn syrup, sugar, modified corn starch, and gelatin. When it comes to fruit snacks, there are MUCH better and healthier options than Welch.

Are motts or welchs healthier? ›

Even though Welch's uses more natural ingredients, they're not all that more healthy due to the 7 grams of added sugars. Mott's may have 10 grams, but they also have added vitamins. And if you're vegan, you're in luck. Mott's are vegan, according to shoppingfoodie.com.

Are Welch's fruit snacks healthy? ›

Fruit snacks aren't healthy. Just look for the ones that are made with 100% juice, and those will be a little healthier because the juice from fruit will at least be a more natural sweetness. Still need to give them like they are junk food.

Why are Welch's fruit snacks so good? ›

Welch's® Fruit Snacks are made with Real Fruit and feature an excellent source of Vitamins A, C & E, No Preservatives and more! The Mixed Fruit variety is America's Favorite Fruit Snacks.

Are fruit strips healthier than fruit snacks? ›

Fruit Strips & Fruit Leather

Some are made with fruit juice concentrate and have a few grams of added sugar but still less than most traditional fruit snacks.

What are the disadvantages of fruit leather? ›

As the results show, most fruit leathers have few disadvantages which are mostly on the lack of preservatives to protect the color.

Is fruit leather healthier than fruit snacks? ›

A piece of fruit leather is no doubt more nutritious than lots of other snack foods – Twinkies, for instance. But fruit leathers can contain high concentrations of pesticides. That's because the agricultural chemicals are sprayed on the fruit from which they are made.

What fruit is the healthiest snack? ›

Good choices include oranges, blueberries, apples, avocados, and bananas, but there are many more to choose from. Fruits are an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, and they are high in fiber. Fruits also provide a wide range of health-boosting antioxidants, including flavonoids.

Is Skinny Pop actually healthy? ›

Skinny Pop Original

Sunflower oil is rich in unsaturated fats, so while the total fat is higher, most of that fat is heart-healthy. Plus, compared to other brands, the sodium in one serving is very low at 75 milligrams,” she says. This popcorn is also a good source of fiber, offering 3 grams per serving.

What is the healthiest fruit? ›

Blueberries take the title of healthiest fruit. Blueberries' stunning hue comes from their anthocyanins — an antioxidant believed to be responsible for their numerous health benefits. Long-term studies suggest that including blueberries in your regular lineup may lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Is it OK to eat fruit snacks everyday? ›

Eating too many fruit snacks can become addictive, as they contain added sugars and artificial flavors that can cause cravings. Eating these snacks in moderation is important to avoid later uncontrolled eating.

Are fruit snacks healthier than candy? ›

Although they are marketed as a healthier alternative to regular gummy candies, this is sometimes considered false advertising, since they contain fruit flavoring instead of actual fruit (though some brands do use fruit juice or puree) and the high added sugar content, more comparable to a typical candy.

Are dried fruit snacks healthy? ›

Dried fruit can boost your fiber and nutrient intake and supply your body with large amounts of antioxidants. However, they are also high in sugar and calories, and can cause problems when eaten in excess. For this reason, dried fruit should only be eaten in small amounts, preferably along with other nutritious foods.

Are fruit snacks full of sugar? ›

Despite the name, fruit snacks aren't always the healthy snacks that people want them to be. Some brands put actual produce in their snacks, but most popular fruit snack brands make products loaded with sugar, syrups, and very little fruit (if any).

References

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