Description
These Healthy Hidden Veggie Fruit Snacks are a delicious and nutritious treat made by blending fresh fruits and finely chopped vegetables with natural sweeteners and gelatin. Perfect as a guilt-free snack for both kids and adults, they combine the flavors of strawberries, blueberries, spinach, and carrots into chewy, flavorful fruit snacks that are easy to make and packed with vitamins.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit and Vegetable Base
- 1 cup strawberries, hulled and diced
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup finely chopped spinach
- 1/2 cup finely grated carrots
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Other
- 3 tablespoons gelatin powder
Instructions
- Blend fruits and vegetables: In a blender, add the strawberries, blueberries, spinach, and grated carrots. Blend until smooth to create a vibrant base mixture.
- Combine wet ingredients: Pour the blended mixture into a medium saucepan. Add the applesauce, honey (or maple syrup), lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are fully combined.
- Heat gently: Warm the mixture over medium heat until it is warm but not boiling. This prepares the mixture to dissolve the gelatin without damaging nutrients.
- Add gelatin powder: Sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the warm mixture to avoid clumping. Let it sit for about 1 minute to soften.
- Mix thoroughly: Stir continuously until the gelatin is completely dissolved and the mixture becomes smooth and slightly thickened.
- Cool slightly: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly, making it easier to pour into molds.
- Pour into molds: Transfer the mixture into silicone molds or a parchment-lined baking pan for shaping the snacks.
- Refrigerate to set: Place the molds or pan in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until the fruit snacks are firm to the touch.
- Unmold or cut: Once set, carefully remove the snacks from the silicone molds or cut them into squares if using a pan.
- Store properly: Keep the fruit snacks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week to maintain freshness.
Notes
- You can substitute honey with maple syrup to make it vegan-friendly.
- For a vegetarian option, use agar-agar powder instead of gelatin, adjusting the quantity accordingly.
- Ensure to sprinkle gelatin evenly to prevent clumps in the mixture.
- These snacks can be frozen for longer storage, thawing them before consumption.
- Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of honey or maple syrup to taste.
