It seems as if kids are always hungry, particularly if they are active. While store-bought snacks are convenient and easy to stuff in a bag before practice or to stock in the pantry to satisfy after-school munchies, just a little bit of extra time and effort can produce healthy, homemade snacks that the kids (and you) will love. If you're at the grocery store to pick up ingredients for the coming week's meals anyway, why not add a few more items to your cart to make these healthy snacks?
Fruity Gummy Snacks
Basic recipe
- 1 cup fruit
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup apple or pear sauce
- 1/2 cup juice
- 2 1/2 teaspoons gelatin (2 envelopes)
In a small saucepan over medium heat, add fruit and water and bring to a boil. Cook until berries are soft, about 7 minutes. Use an immersion blender, food processor or blender to puree fruit until smooth. Return fruit puree to the pot, add apple or pear sauce and bring to a boil. Stir. Remove from heat, cover and set aside.
Pour juice into a large bowl, sprinkle with gelatin and let stand for one minute. Add hot fruit mixture and stir until gelatin dissolves completely, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Pour mixture into an 8 x 8-inch glass baking dish or into ice cube trays and refrigerate until firm, about 3 to 3.5 hours. When firm, cut into blocks or use cookie cutters to make shapes.
More: How Can I Get My Kid to Eat More Vegetables?
Fruity Gummy Flavor Variations
Acai, beet and banana: Use 1 cup frozen acai puree, 1/2 cup mashed banana and 1/2 cup beet juice.
Carrot citrus burst: Use 1 cup strawberries, 1/2 cup cooked, pureed carrots, 1/2 cup orange juice.
