Homemade Fruit Snacks Recipe

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, and Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins.)

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. Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox.

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.

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. Make homemade fruit snacks easily in this super cute candy mold.

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. 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!

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