If you have a sweet tooth but want to keep things healthy and fun, this Homemade Vegan Fruit Snacks Recipe is an absolute game changer. These colorful, chewy gems are made using natural fruit juices and plant-based agar agar, giving you a guilt-free treat that’s bursting with flavor and free from any artificial nasties. Whether for snacking on the go, packing in lunchboxes, or just satisfying a craving, these homemade treats combine simplicity and deliciousness in such a comforting way that you’ll wonder why you ever bought store-bought fruit snacks in the first place.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe shines because the ingredients are straightforward but carefully chosen to deliver vibrant taste, perfect texture, and appealing colors. Each element plays a vital role in crafting these delightful fruit snacks that everyone will love.
- Orange juice: Provides a zesty base packed with natural sweetness and bright citrus notes.
- Orange marmalade: Adds a slightly chunky texture and a deeper orange flavor to elevate the taste.
- Agar agar powder: A plant-based gelling agent essential for achieving that perfect chewiness.
- Berry or cherry juice: Brings vibrant, rich color and a sweet-tart punch.
- Strawberry jelly: Enhances the strawberry flavor in a smooth, luscious way.
- Pineapple juice: Adds tropical sweetness and a tangy finish.
- Fresh or frozen blueberries: Burst of natural sweetness and antioxidants that also add texture.
- Green juice: Infuses a subtle earthy flavor with a lovely green hue for variety.
- Agave or honey: Natural sweeteners that balance tartness and round out the flavors.
How to Make Homemade Vegan Fruit Snacks Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Orange Fruit Snacks
Start by blending the orange juice and orange marmalade until you achieve a smooth and consistent mixture. Pour this blend into a saucepan, add the agar agar powder, and whisk thoroughly to combine the ingredients evenly.
Step 2: Cook the Mixture
Place your saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a brisk boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat slightly and simmer while whisking constantly for 2 minutes. This step activates the agar agar, which helps the fruit snacks set properly.
Step 3: Mold and Chill
Remove the mixture from the heat and quickly pour it into your chosen molds. You want to work efficiently here before the mixture starts to solidify. Pop the molds into the refrigerator and chill for at least 6 hours to ensure they set to the perfect gummy consistency.
Step 4: Make the Strawberry Fruit Snacks
For the strawberry version, combine your berry or cherry juice with strawberry jelly and agar agar powder in a saucepan. Whisk everything together before heating to a boil over medium-high heat. Again, simmer with constant whisking for 2 minutes, then remove from the heat and pour into molds. Refrigerate for 6 hours until firm.
Step 5: Prepare Blueberry Fruit Snacks
Smoothly blend the pineapple juice and fresh or frozen blueberries. Pour this mixture into a saucepan, add the agar agar powder, and whisk to incorporate perfectly. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 minutes, stirring continuously. Pour into molds and chill in the fridge until set.
Step 6: Craft the Green Juice Fruit Snacks
Combine your green juice with agave or honey and agar agar powder in a saucepan. As with previous steps, whisk to combine, bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer while whisking for 2 minutes. Pour into molds and refrigerate until firm.
How to Serve Homemade Vegan Fruit Snacks Recipe
Garnishes
These vibrant fruit snacks are a treat on their own, but if you want to get playful, dust them lightly with some organic coconut sugar or roll in finely chopped freeze-dried fruit for added texture and visual appeal. It enhances the natural sweetness even more without overpowering their fresh fruit flavors.
Side Dishes
Homemade vegan fruit snacks make a fabulous sidekick to a wholesome afternoon tea, fresh fruit salad, or even a creamy plant-based yogurt parfait. Their chewy texture provides a playful contrast to softer dishes and helps keep your snack time both exciting and nutritious.
Creative Ways to Present
Get creative by layering different colored batches in clear silicone molds for a fun striped effect. You can also pop them on small skewers for a colorful fruit snack kabob, perfect for parties or children’s lunchboxes. Their jewel-like colors really shine through, making your snack table instantly more inviting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your fruit snacks have set, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for up to one week, maintaining their chewy texture and fresh fruit flavor. Make sure the container seals tightly to avoid moisture contamination.
Freezing
You absolutely can freeze these fruit snacks if you want to keep them longer. Place them on a parchment-lined tray to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. When frozen, they have a slightly different texture but remain delicious and convenient for a cool treat.
Reheating
These fruit snacks are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. If frozen, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before eating. Avoid reheating as heat can alter their texture and melt their lovely chewiness.
FAQs
Can I use other types of juice for this recipe?
Absolutely! This Homemade Vegan Fruit Snacks Recipe is versatile, so feel free to experiment with your favorite 100% juices. Just ensure they are pure juices without added sugars or preservatives for the best results.
Is agar agar the same as gelatin?
Agar agar is a plant-based alternative derived from seaweed, making it perfect for vegan recipes. It functions similarly to gelatin but sets firmer and does not require refrigeration to hold its shape as strongly.
Can I skip the sweeteners like agave or honey?
Yes, you can omit sweeteners if your fruit juices are naturally very sweet, but a touch of agave or honey helps balance tartness and adds a subtle depth of flavor that enhances the overall taste.
How long do these fruit snacks last once made?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, the snacks last up to one week. Beyond that, the texture and flavor may deteriorate, so it’s best to enjoy them fresh for maximum enjoyment.
Can kids help make this recipe?
Definitely! Kids love mixing the juices and pouring the mixture into molds. Just make sure an adult handles the boiling step for safety, and enjoy making these fun, colorful snacks together.
Final Thoughts
You really can’t beat the joy of crafting your own treats at home, especially when bursting with fresh flavors and made entirely plant-based. This Homemade Vegan Fruit Snacks Recipe is not only simple and adaptable but also a fantastic way to bring a little extra happiness and health into your snack routine. So gather your ingredients, grab your molds, and start creating these delightful chewy bites that your whole family will adore!
PrintHomemade Vegan Fruit Snacks Recipe
These Homemade Vegan Fruit Snacks are delicious, naturally flavored, and perfect for a healthy treat. Made with various fruit juices, natural sweeteners, and agar agar powder to create a jelly-like texture, these snacks are easy to make and perfect for snacking anytime. Each flavor offers a unique fruit profile, including orange, strawberry, blueberry, and green juice varieties.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 48 servings
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vegan
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Orange Fruit Snacks
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup orange marmalade
- 1 1/2 tsp agar agar powder
Strawberry Fruit Snacks
- 1 cup berry or cherry juice
- 1/4 cup strawberry jelly
- 1 1/2 tsp agar agar powder
Blueberry Fruit Snacks
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1 1/2 tsp agar agar powder
Green Juice Fruit Snacks
- 1 cup green juice
- 1–2 tbsp agave syrup or honey (for vegan option, use agave)
- 1 1/2 tsp agar agar powder
Instructions
- Prepare Orange Fruit Snacks: Blend the orange juice and orange marmalade together until smooth to combine the flavors evenly.
- Cook Orange Mixture: Pour the blended orange mixture into a saucepan and whisk in the agar agar powder thoroughly.
- Boil Orange Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring consistently to prevent clumping.
- Simmer Orange Mixture: Reduce the heat slightly and simmer while whisking constantly for 2 minutes to fully dissolve the agar agar and activate its gelling properties.
- Mold and Set Orange Snacks: Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately pour the hot mixture into molds. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours until fully set.
- Prepare Strawberry Fruit Snacks: Combine berry or cherry juice, strawberry jelly, and agar agar powder in a saucepan and whisk together until fully blended.
- Cook Strawberry Mixture: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly.
- Simmer Strawberry Mixture: Simmer and whisk continuously for 2 minutes to activate the agar agar.
- Mold and Set Strawberry Snacks: Pour the hot mixture into molds and refrigerate for at least 6 hours until set.
- Prepare Blueberry Fruit Snacks: Blend pineapple juice and blueberries until smooth to incorporate the fruit texture.
- Cook Blueberry Mixture: Pour the blended mixture into a saucepan, whisk in agar agar powder, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer Blueberry Mixture: Simmer and stir continuously for 2 minutes to ensure the agar agar dissolves properly.
- Mold and Set Blueberry Snacks: Remove from heat, pour into molds, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
- Prepare Green Juice Fruit Snacks: Combine green juice, agave or honey, and agar agar powder in a saucepan and whisk thoroughly.
- Cook Green Juice Mixture: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Simmer Green Juice Mixture: Whisk continuously for 2 minutes during simmering to activate the agar agar gel.
- Mold and Set Green Juice Snacks: Pour the mixture into molds and refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours until set.
- Serve and Store: Once set, pop the fruit snacks out of the molds and enjoy. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Use agave syrup instead of honey for a fully vegan version of the green juice snacks.
- Ensure constant whisking during simmering to prevent the agar agar from clumping and to achieve a smooth texture.
- Refrigerate for at least 6 hours to allow the snacks to fully set before unmolding.
- Store snacks in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness for up to one week.
- Feel free to experiment with different fruit juices or purees using the same agar agar method.
