Description
These Healthy Hidden Veggie Fruit Snacks are a delicious and nutritious way to enjoy a sweet treat packed with fruits and vegetables. Blended berries, spinach, and carrots combine with applesauce and natural sweeteners, then set with gelatin to create chewy, flavorful snacks perfect for kids and adults alike. They are easy to make, naturally sweetened, and a great way to sneak extra veggies into your diet.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits and Vegetables
- 1 cup strawberries, hulled and diced
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup finely chopped spinach
- 1/2 cup finely grated carrots
Other Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons gelatin powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Blend the Fruits and Vegetables: In a blender, combine the strawberries, blueberries, spinach, and grated carrots. Blend until the mixture is smooth and even in texture.
- Mix Ingredients in Saucepan: Pour the blended mixture into a medium saucepan. Add the applesauce, honey or maple syrup, lemon juice, and vanilla extract, stirring well until everything is fully combined.
- Heat the Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and warm the mixture gently until it is warm but not boiling, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add Gelatin: Sprinkle the gelatin powder evenly over the warm mixture to help prevent clumping. Allow the gelatin to sit for about 1 minute to soften.
- Dissolve the Gelatin: Stir continuously until the gelatin is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth and cohesive.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool a bit, so it’s safe to handle when pouring.
- Pour into Molds: Pour the mixture into silicone molds or a baking pan lined with parchment paper for easy removal later.
- Refrigerate: Place the filled molds or pan in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours, or until the fruit snacks are firm and set.
- Remove and Cut: Once set, carefully remove the fruit snacks from the molds, or if using a pan, cut them into squares.
- Store Properly: Keep the fruit snacks stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Make sure the mixture does not boil to preserve the nutrients and texture.
- For a vegan version, substitute gelatin with agar-agar, but note the setting process will differ.
- Use fresh or frozen fruit according to availability.
- Adjust sweetness with honey or maple syrup according to taste.
- Use silicone molds for easy removal and fun shapes.
- These snacks should be consumed within a week for best quality.
