Real fruit gummies are a healthier alternative to traditional gummy candy. These tasty fruit snacks contain real fruit juice and other natural ingredients. As a result, they have less sugar than their conventional counterparts, which should make every parent jump for joy!
While many gummy candies on the market contain artificial flavors, colors, and high-fructose corn syrup, these real fruit gummies rely on the fruit’s natural sweetness and flavor. So they are free from artificial preservatives, sweeteners, and other additives commonly found in processed foods, yet easy to make!
Why You’ll Love Real Fruit Gummies
- Made with natural ingredients
- A great source of vitamins and nutrients
- Less sugar than traditional gummy candies and contains NO corn syrup.
- Customizable with a variety of fruit juices and purees
- Free from artificial preservatives and additives
- A guilt-free snack option
- Delicious and satisfying for those with a sweet tooth
Healthy Gummies Ingredients & Substitutions
Frozen Mango– Mango is the perfect fruit for this recipe because it is already naturally sweet. If you want to experiment with other fruits, be creative!
Real Fruit Juice– I chose a combination of citrus and pineapple juices for these fruit juice gummies that would pair well with the mango.
Honey– This real fruit gummies recipe needs a small amount of honey to balance the flavors. You can substitute another sweetener if needed.
Unflavored Beef Gelatin Powder– This recipe will only be successful with gelatin powder. It sets the recipe and causes the gummies to firm up.
Are you a fan of mango? Try my black bean mango salsa and mango dragon fruit lemonade!
Are Fruit Snacks Vegan?
Normally no, since they contain beef gelatin powder.
Can I Make This Fruit Gummies Candy Vegan?
To make vegan fruit snacks, you would need to replace the beef gelatin powder with agar agar and the honey with maple syrup (or another vegan sweetener).
For agar agar, I’m still determining the replacement amount; it is not a 1:1 swap. If anyone has experience in this, please comment below!
If you’re looking for more real food snacks, try coconut caramel cookies, gluten-free graham crackers, or almond flour banana muffins.
This recipe was originally published in May 2015. Blog post and recipe card updated to include better instructions and notes in April 2023.
Did you make this recipe? If you did, please give it a star rating and leave a review or comment below! And remember to take a pic and share it on social! Tag @allergyfreeak or #allergyfreealaska on Instagram!
Real Fruit Gummies Recipe
Real Fruit Gummies
Made with less sugar than the store-bought alternatives, these tasty real fruit gummies contain real fruit and no high fructose corn syrup!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces frozen mango chunks
- 1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
- 1 cup pure orange juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lime juice
- ½ cup unflavored beef gelatin powder
Instructions
- In a blender, combine the frozen mango chunks, unsweetened pineapple juice, pure orange juice, honey, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and freshly squeezed lime juice. Blend until smooth.
- Pour the blender contents into a 3-quart saucepan and whisk in the unflavored beef gelatin powder. Set aside for 10 minutes to soften the gelatin. The mixture should appear thick and be the consistency of applesauce.
- Place the saucepan on the stovetop and heat over medium, whisking constantly until the gelatin is dissolved and the mixture is hot and no longer gritty. Do not heat to boiling.
- Pour the saucepan contents into a 9x13” glass baking dish. Place directly into the refrigerator (uncovered) to set for 2-3 hours.
- Use a paring knife to cut the fruit snacks into bite-sized cubes. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 10 days.
Notes
Feel free to experiment with different fruits and fruit juices.
Honey can be swapped out for whatever sweetener you prefer.
Can I use silicone gummy bear molds?
Absolutely! Or whatever shape of mold you would like to use.
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Arman @ thebigmansworld says
YES! I’ve been meaning to try these jello like snacks and this looks perfect! If they are children approved, they will most certainly be me approved 😉
Megan says
We’re all kids at heart, right Arman?! 😉
Maralee says
Thanks for sharing!! I’m excited to try these out! I’m also excited to hear about the Now Foods gelatin: I’ve just been using the Knox packets, because I didn’t want to spend that amount of money for the Great Lakes kind…now that I know it exists, I’m going to get that kind! Also, I have a question: do you coat your pan with anything (coconut oil), or do the snacks come out easily without anything?
Megan says
I hope you and the kids enjoy them, Maralee! No, I don’t coat my pan with anything. Once the gelatin sets and you’ve cut your snacks they will pop right out of the pan. 😉
Joanne Peterson says
How simple is this? My kids would love this, all of us 🙂 would love this. I could also see making this with other fruit too. Thank you Megan!
The expression on Abbi’s face is adorable!
Joanne
Megan says
Thanks, Joanne! She is such a ham! 😉 And I totally agree, I think all of you will enjoy this recipe – my husband and I do, too!
Nagi@RecipeTinEats says
The photo of Abbi is beyond cute!
These are incredible! Like homemade jubes! Never seen anything like it, I have to give it a go!
Megan says
Thanks, Nagi! 🙂 Now I need to go google jubes. 😉 LOL!
Melissa French, The More With Less Mom says
Wow these look so awesome! Thanks for posting. Hello from Fat Tuesday.
Orla says
Just finished a batch of these – they are so tasty and so easy to make – thank you!! Have you tried them with any other flavours? Would love to experiment with raspberries and strawberries!
Megan says
Hi Orla,
Thank you so much for your honest review! I’m glad you enjoyed them!
I have not tried these with different fruits, but I bet my girls would love it if I did! 😉 I think they would turn out well no matter what fruit you choose to use.
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
Oh boy! I’m doing the GAPS Intro diet right now [insert huge frowny face] and I’m looking around for dessert recipes for when I’ll be on the full diet. Problem is that I have issues with nuts, legumes, eggs and dairy. So it seemed as though there’s nothing sweet I’ll be able to eat. But I can make these! 😀 Soooo excited. Thanks for this recipe. By the way, the recipe’s there twice!
April says
I was under the impression the gelatin wouldn’t set in pineapple juice? You don’t have any issues with that? Thank you.
Megan says
Hi April,
No, no issues with that! I’ve never heard of that, actually!
Ayeleth says
Hi,
I’d rather not use gelatin, but ager-ager. Do you think this may work?
Thanx!
Megan says
Yes, but I’m not sure about the amount or method you would have to use. It might be different than the gelatin.
Margarita Barba says
Hello!! How can I replace the unflavored beef gelatin powder?
thank you
Megan says
Hi Margarita,
I’m not sure. I know you can use agar agar powder to make a vegetarian type jello, but it hasn’t worked for me whenever I’ve tried to use it. You might have to experiment.
Emily says
Hi, I have just tried this recipe, unfortunately, it’s not setting for me. I followed the recipe almost exactly, the only difference is that I do not have unflavored beef gelatin powder. Instead I used the only gelatin they had in the shop – the clear sheets of it. I really want this to work as the mixture tastes amazing. Any tips?? I’ve never tried to make jelly before, so I’m not sure how to rescue it. Should I reheat it and add another sheet of gelatin or two? Thank you 🙂
Megan says
Hi Emily,
I’ve never worked with gelatin sheets before, but I do know it requires different treatments to work properly. There is information in this link HERE that explains the differences. Gelatin sheets would require you to tweak the recipe for them to work properly and set.
Olivia says
These look absolutely delicious! You have amazing food photography too :] As much as I know my girl’s will love these, I know I will too!
Mēgan says
Thank you, Olivia!