Description
This homemade fruit snacks recipe offers a healthy and delicious treat made from fresh fruits and vegetables, pure apple juice, honey, vanilla, and gelatin. These natural fruit snacks are easy to prepare using a blender and stovetop heating, making them a perfect wholesome option for kids and adults alike. Set in fun silicone molds, these snacks provide a nutritious alternative to store-bought versions with added sugar and preservatives.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits and Vegetables
- 1 cup fruit chopped (use a mix of preferred fresh fruit)
- ¼ cup vegetables chopped (peeled if necessary)
- 1 cup green grapes
- ¼ cup spinach
- 1 cup strawberries, diced
- ¼ cup beets
- 1 cup peaches, chopped
- ¼ cup carrots
- 1 cup blueberries
- ¼ cup zucchini
Other Ingredients
- ¼ to ½ cup pure apple juice, no added sugar
- 2 Tablespoons raw honey
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 Tablespoons gelatin, preferably collagen, grass-fed
Instructions
- Prepare Molds: Place silicone molds on a large baking sheet or line an 8×8 inch square dish with wax paper and lightly grease them. Set aside to use later for shaping your fruit snacks.
- Combine Ingredients in Blender: Add fruit, vegetables, and ¼ cup of the pure apple juice to a high-powered blender such as a Vitamix. Secure the lid properly to ensure safe blending.
- Blend to Smooth Consistency: Turn the blender on and gradually increase speed to high. Blend until the mixture is very smooth. Add more apple juice, one tablespoon at a time, if needed to achieve a smooth texture without being too runny.
- Add Sweeteners and Flavor: Pour in the raw honey and pure vanilla extract, then blend again briefly until completely incorporated and smooth.
- Taste and Adjust Sweetness: Sample the mixture and add more honey if you desire a sweeter snack, blending again briefly after any additions.
- Incorporate Gelatin: Transfer the blended mixture into a small saucepan and whisk in the gelatin thoroughly, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Heat Mixture: Warm the mixture on medium heat for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly until the gelatin dissolves fully and the mixture is no longer grainy. Avoid boiling to preserve gelatin properties.
- Fill Molds: Using a dropper, carefully fill the silicone molds with the warm mixture. If using a baking dish, pour the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Keep the saucepan on a warm burner turned off to keep the mixture warm as you fill the molds to prevent premature setting.
- Refrigerate to Set: Place the molds or baking dish in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours until the fruit snacks firm up completely.
- Unmold and Serve: Remove the fruit snacks from the molds once set. If you used a baking dish, cut the set mixture into desired shapes and serve or store properly.
Notes
- Use silicone molds designed for food safe use for easy removal.
- If you prefer vegan gelatin alternatives, note that texture may vary due to lack of true gelatin properties.
- Adjust sweetness to taste by varying honey quantity or substituting with maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Ensure not to boil the gelatin mixture as it reduces gelatin effectiveness.
- Store finished snacks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Experiment with different fruit and vegetable combinations for a variety of flavors and colors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: homemade fruit snacks, healthy fruit snacks, gelatin fruit snacks, natural kids snack, fruit and vegetable snacks
