Homemade Fruit Snacks

Introduction

Homemade Fruit Snacks are a healthier alternative to store-bought gummies, bursting with real fruit flavor and customizable to your taste. These delightful bites are made with simple, wholesome ingredients and can be easily shaped into fun molds, making them a favorite treat for kids and adults alike. Quick to make and perfect for packing in lunches or enjoying as an afternoon pick-me-up, this recipe proves that snack time can be both nutritious and delicious.

Why Make Homemade Fruit Snacks?

Skip the artificial flavors and high fructose corn syrup—these Homemade Fruit Snacks showcase real fruit puree for vibrant flavor and natural color. The recipe is incredibly simple: just blend, simmer, and set. Plus, you’re in control of the ingredients, so you can adjust sweetness, choose your favorite fruits, and even sneak in a little veggie puree for an extra nutrition boost. It’s a snack guaranteed to please both picky eaters and health-conscious grown-ups.

Choosing Your Fruit Base

The beauty of Homemade Fruit Snacks is their flexibility. Use berries, mango, peaches, or even blends like strawberry-banana. For a more intense flavor, opt for ripe, in-season fruit and puree it until completely smooth. If you prefer a silky texture, strain the puree before using. For a firmer texture, adjust the gelatin slightly, but don’t worry—this recipe nails the classic chewy snack consistency every time.

How to Shape and Store Your Fruit Snacks

After simmering your fruit puree and gelatin mixture, simply pour it into silicone molds or a lined baking pan. Chill until set, then pop them out or cut into bite-size pieces. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week. They’re perfect for lunchboxes, picnics, or keeping a healthy treat on hand for snack cravings.

Tasty Ways to Enjoy Homemade Fruit Snacks

Serve these fruit snacks as a colorful addition to lunchboxes, a pre-workout boost, or an after-school treat. Pair with a handful of nuts or yogurt for a satisfying snack combo. You can even make themed shapes and use them as edible party favors or decorations. The possibilities are as endless as your creativity.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 40 homemade fruit snacks, depending on the size of your mold. Each piece contains approximately 10-15 calories and is free from added preservatives, making it a guilt-free way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

💡 Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and seamless meal planning.

Instructions

1. Prepare your silicone molds or line a small baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Puree your chosen fruit until very smooth. If desired, strain to remove seeds or pulp.
3. Pour the fruit puree into a small saucepan. Stir in honey or maple syrup, lemon juice, and optional vanilla or sea salt.
4. Sprinkle gelatin evenly over the fruit mixture and let it sit for 5 minutes to bloom.
5. Warm the saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the gelatin fully dissolves and the mixture is warm—but not boiling—about 3-4 minutes.
6. Carefully pour the mixture into prepared molds or dish. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until fully set.
7. Once set, remove fruit snacks from molds or cut into cubes. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Weekly Meal Planning

Homemade Fruit Snacks are an excellent addition to your weekly meal prep—prep a batch on Sunday and enjoy healthy treats all week long. Save and schedule this recipe to your CookifyAI account to automatically add it to your meal plan and generate a smart shopping list. Take the guesswork out of snack planning and make sure you always have wholesome treats on hand.

Planning Benefits:

• CookifyAI auto-calculates ingredient amounts for all your planned recipes
• Keeps your shopping list organized by grocery store section
• Reduces extra trips to the store and helps you remember all essentials
• Makes it easy to include snacks, breakfasts, and dinner recipes in one streamlined plan

Pro tip: Schedule multiple recipes to see how overlapping ingredients like honey or lemon juice consolidate on your list—perfect for saving time and preventing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes (includes chilling time)