Fruit Gummies Recipe (With Veggies!)

I started making homemade fruit snacks because I wanted something simple that felt better than what I kept buying at the store. The ingredient lists were long, the colors were bright, and my kids still wanted snacks all day. This fruit gummies recipe came out of that season.

These are homemade fruit snacks made with real juice and hidden vegetables. The base recipe uses orange juice and carrot juice, but the carrot flavor nearly disappears. I have a four year old who completely despises carrots, and he eats an entire bowl of these every single time I make them. If you have been wondering how to make gummy candy at home in a realistic way, this is a good place to start.

Want more kid-friendly recipes with hidden veggies? Check out my other healthy snack ideas that kids actually eat.

Why Make Homemade Fruit Gummies With Veggies

Store bought gummies often contain artificial dyes, corn syrup, and flavorings. The healthier options are really expensive, especially if you have a lot of kids like I do. Making fruit juice gummies at home gives you control over the ingredients and the sweetness.

These homemade gummies with gelatin are:

• Made with real juice
• Free from artificial colors
• Easy to customize
• Kid approved
• Simple to prepare

Adding vegetables through juice is an easy way to boost nutrition without changing the flavor kids expect from gummies.

Fruit Gummies Recipe With Veggies (Exact Base Recipe)

This is the exact recipe I use. It sets well and has a familiar gummy texture.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup orange juice
• ¼ cup carrot juice
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 3 tablespoons gelatin powder
• ½ teaspoon lemon juice

The carrot juice blends seamlessly with the orange juice and does not taste vegetal.

Juice Options If You Do Not Have a Juicer

I use fresh juice made in my juicer, but you do not need one to make this recipe.

You can also:

• Use store bought juice with no added sugar
• Blend fruits or vegetables with a little water and strain well
• Combine fresh and store bought juice

The key is smooth juice with no pulp so the gummies set properly.

How to Make Gummy Candy at Home

This method is simple and works best if you move quickly and keep the heat low.

Step 1: Combine Ingredients and Bloom Gelatin

Place the orange juice, carrot juice, honey, and lemon juice in a bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the top and let it sit for about 5 minutes to bloom.

Step 2: Lightly Heat the Mixture

Place the bowl over low heat or in a saucepan and warm gently. Stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Be careful not to boil or overheat, or the mixture may lose its setting power.

Step 3: Pour into Molds

Work quickly and pour the mixture into silicone molds or a parchment-lined dish. The mixture can start to set as it cools, so move efficiently.

Step 4: Chill

Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours until fully set.

Store finished gummies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Adjusting the Recipe for Picky Eaters

If you or your kids are wary of vegetables, this recipe is easy to adjust.

You can:

• Reduce the carrot juice and replace it with orange juice
• Add an additional tablespoon of honey
• Start with mostly fruit juice and slowly increase the vegetable juice

This flexibility is what makes these hidden veggie homemade fruit snacks work well for hesitant eaters.

Hidden Veggie Flavor Variations

Use the same base recipe and simply swap the juice combinations below. Keep the total juice amount the same.

Beet and Strawberry

Use beet juice and strawberry juice. This makes a deep red gummy with a mild berry flavor.

Celery and Pineapple

Use pineapple juice with a small amount of celery juice. If using fresh pineapple, heat the juice briefly before using so the gummies set properly.

Spinach and Kiwi

Blend spinach with kiwi and strain very well. The kiwi flavor masks the spinach completely.

All variations use the same amounts of gelatin, honey, and lemon juice as the base recipe.

Are Homemade Fruit Snacks Healthy

These gummies are a healthier option than most store bought candy. They use real juice and natural sweeteners with no artificial dyes.

They are still a treat, but one that fits better into a balanced snack routine. I often pair them with baked snacks like my zucchini chocolate chip muffins, which also use a hidden veggie approach and work well for snack time.

Storage and Shelf Life

• Store gummies in the refrigerator
• Keep in an airtight container
• Use within 5 to 7 days
• Add a paper towel if moisture builds up

These gummies are not shelf stable and should not be left at room temperature.

When to Serve Homemade Gummies With Gelatin

These fruit gummies work well as:

• Lunchbox treats
• Afternoon snacks
• Dessert alternatives
• Special treats alongside simple breads like my healthy bread machine banana bread

They fit naturally into a homemade snack rotation.

FAQ: Fruit Gummies Recipe

How do you make fruit gummies at home

You heat fruit juice with sweetener, dissolve bloomed gelatin into the mixture, then chill it in molds until set.

Why did my fruit gummies not set?

Common reasons include boiling the gelatin, not using enough gelatin, or using fresh pineapple or kiwi without heating or straining properly.

Can I make fruit gummies without a juicer?

Yes. You can use store bought juice or blend fruits and vegetables and strain them well.

Can toddlers eat homemade gummies?

Yes with supervision. You can slightly reduce the gelatin for a softer texture. I feed these to my 1 year old without any issues but every child is different.

Do homemade fruit juice gummies need to be refrigerated?

Yes. Homemade gummies should always be stored in the refrigerator.

What juice works best for fruit juice gummies?

Orange, apple, grape, berry juices, and heated pineapple juice work best.

This fruit gummies recipe has become a regular in our house because it is simple, flexible, and realistic. The hidden veggie base makes it easy to add nutrition without turning snack time into a struggle.

If you are looking for homemade gummies with gelatin that actually work or a healthy gummy recipe your kids will eat, this is a great place to start. Once you try it, you can adjust the flavors and vegetable ratios to fit your family and make it your own.

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