This post is all about how to make homemade fruit snacks.
I’ve always had mixed feelings about store-bought fruit snacks. My kids love them—of course they do—but to me, they’ve always felt like glorified candy, full of dyes and little nutrition. The kind of snack that makes them hyper for five minutes… and then ask for more because they’re still hungry.
So I finally decided to try making DIY fruit snacks at home.
What gave me the final nudge? A jug of beef gelatin powder that Zen Principle sent me to try. I had been wanting to dabble in homemade gummies for a while, and this felt like a gentle push to just go for it.
And here’s the surprise: they’re quick. They’re easy. And the kids love them.
Parts of this post were drafted with the help of AI, then reviewed, updated, and edited by me to reflect my personal experience and voice. I always aim to share real-life content that’s helpful, honest, and rooted in my day-to-day rhythms.
This post contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you choose to purchase through my links. I only share products I use and love in my own home.
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My First Batch Was… Not Perfect
Like most things in motherhood, there was a bit of a learnng curve. I didn’t bloom the gelatin long enough (a step I now realize is super important), and when I poured it into the warm juice, it clumped and gelled in weird spots.
Then I tried to pour that sticky mixture into the molds—which went about as well as you’d expect. Eventually, I found a dropper and started transferring it in a more controlled way. That small shift made all the difference.
So don’t worry if your first batch feels a little messy too. These are the kind of fruit chews you learn by doing—and it’s totally worth it.
Our Favorite Homemade Fruit Snack Recipe
Here’s the simple recipe we’ve been using (and loving):
🍊 Orange Juice Gummies
Ingredients
- 1 can (12 oz) orange juice frozen concentrate, thawed
- 2 Tbsp honey or sugar (optional, adjust to taste)
- 4 Tbsp Zen Principle Beef Gelatin Powder
- ½ cup cold water
- 1 tsp lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
Instructions
- Bloom the gelatin
Sprinkle gelatin over ½ cup cold water in a wide, shallow bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes. - Warm the juice
In a saucepan, combine thawed juice and honey/sugar. Heat gently over medium-low—don’t boil. - Mix together
Stir in bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved. Add lemon juice, if using. - Pour into molds
Use a dropper or carefully pour the mixture into silicone molds (or a greased dish to cut later). - Chill
Refrigerate 2–3 hours until firm. - Unmold and store
Pop out the gummies and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Real-Life Mom Tips
- Use fun molds – Little bear shapes or fruit molds make these a hit with toddlers.
- Swap the juice – We’ve tried pineapple, strawberry limeade, and orange. The orange has been the crowd favorite so far, but any frozen juice concentrate works.
- Let the kids help – Mine love helping with pouring (and tasting). It’s a quick win that gets them excited about homemade snacks.
- Sneak in nutrition – A sprinkle of vitamin C powder or collagen goes unnoticed but adds a little boost.
- Fridge-friendly – I make a batch each week and pop them into the kids’ snack drawer. They know they can grab one whenever they’re hungry.
“Is This Really Worth It?”
Honestly? I used to think the same thing.
I’d tell myself, “I don’t need one more thing on my to-do list—I’ll just buy the snacks.”
But now, I genuinely enjoy the time spent making them. I feel better knowing what’s going into my kids’ food. These small kitchen wins—like making homemade fruit snacks—add up to something deeper: nourishing our families with love and intention.
And most of the time? These homemade swaps help us save money, too.
This post is all about how to make homemade fruit snacks.
Want More Simple Wins Like This?
If this post made the idea of from-scratch snacks feel more doable, you’ll love my From-Scratch, Not Stressed Starter Pack. It’s totally free and packed with simple, grace-filled kitchen wins to help you feel confident and calm—no perfection required.
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You’ve got this, Momma. One fruit snack at a time. 🧡
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