We’re big on snacks around here, and I’m always on the lookout for healthy versions. The other day, I came across this recipe for homemade fruit snacks on Pinterest and knew that K would be all over it.
I didn’t follow the recipe exactly, though, which may account for the more watermelon or deep peachy-pink color that resulted as opposed to the vibrant red of the original.
I made a special trip to a natural foods market, but was unsuccessful in procuring the grass-fed gelatin, so I made do with good ole Knox gelatin. K really liked cutting these up.
This is a quick and easy snack to make, and K and M and I devoured them like there was no tomorrow. I like that these taste very natural without the cloying sweetness common in commercial fruit snacks. The strawberry seeds give it a bit of texture and the orange juice I used enhances the sweetness with a touch of underlying tartness.
To make it awesomely healthy, I think this would be delicious with agar agar powder instead of gelatin. And I can think of so many different kinds of fruit that could be used – how yummy would a mango-pineapple-peach fruit snack be?
Here’s what I did to make them:
3 cups quartered strawberries
1/2 cup of orange juice
2 tablespoons honey
4 packets of Knox gelatin
1. Chop up strawberries and place in small sauce pan with 1/2 cup of orange juice. Cook over medium-low heat until softened, about 10 minutes.
2. Place in blender and puree. Pour into a bowl and let cool for a couple of minutes.
3. Add honey and slowly whisk gelatin into hot puree. You’ll have to whisk briskly to get all the lumpy bits out.
4. Once mixed, pour fruit snack mixture into molds or a baking dish. The recipe called for 9×13 inch, but mine was only 7 x 5, and was about 1-inch in depth.
5. Chill in refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours. Cut out into cute shapes or into squares and pop ’em in your mouth! I keep these in the fridge but apparently they will be edible in an air tight container in room temperature for a few days.
Yum! I tried lemon ones with agar a couple of weeks ago but they didn’t hold their shape. My girls inhaled it regardless and now you’ve inspired me to try again, thanks!
Oh, that’s too bad that the agar didn’t solidify enough – I’ve found in the past that I have to use quite a lot of agar to get it to work its magic. I’ll try the next batch with agar and will let you know how it goes!
If these taste as good as they look, then this might be a “must -try” project with the girls this summer! They are so adorable! That house one especially is over-the-top cute. (and great photo too, btw). Thanks for sharing your recipe:)
I’m not usually a fruit snack kind of person, but I thought these were really good! I love that little house cutter – it makes cute Christmas cookies too 🙂
yummy! those looks delicious. I think I may try them soon.
I hope you do, Maria! Let me know if you have any questions or run into any weirdness.
yum, those looks soooooo good. and that tiny house cutter!! i need that! i think i want to come live with you guys 🙂
haha! well, you would have to have a pretty high tolerance for art supplies and crafting material all over the place 🙂 I got the house cutter from here: http://mrscooks.com/
They have a great selection!
looks yummy! thanks for the recipe, I will definitely try it! :)…with agar – my boys love agar….i use it on fruit cakes – so yummy too!
agar on fruit cakes – I’m intrigued! I think I’ve seen that method used in Asian bakeries…mmmm, making me hungry for fruit cakes.
such a good mama! these look delish- my kids would probably flip too since I’ve stopped buying the commercial kinds… aren’t you the one who posted a fruit roll-up recipe too? gotta try them both this Summer!
they’re totally delish, Erin! Yep, I did post a fruit roll-up recipe a while ago. That reminds me to make some more, they were so good!
i can’t wait to try these
as both i + a graze on fruit all day
– and (of course) i have a little house cutter like yours
but if you find a cloud one please, please let me know:)
oooh, yummy. my kids would probably love this
Which size packets of gelatin do you use? I think I have the box with 4 (1/4) oz packets.
Thanks!
Hi Jessica! I used the same Knox packets. Hope that helps!
I just tried these this evening. I had some left over fruit blended from a smoothie, added some honey and grape juice ( didn’t have OJ on hand ) and it turned out great! Delicious! Can’t wait to surprise the kiddos in the morning. Thank you!
How long will these last? Should we refrigerate?
Hi Telina! I do think these should be refrigerated and they’ll last a few days though they’re very addictive so I’m sure they’ll disappear in a jiffy! 🙂
Can I use something other than oj for less calories and more strawberry taste? Would just water work? Other ideas? Thanks! These look great!
You could use a mix of lemon juice and water, though that would cut down on the sweetness. Diluting the OJ would be an option too.