Most of us busy parents are on the look out for new ways to squeeze extra nutrition into our growing kids. Around here, we love using our juicer and enjoying fresh fruit and veggie juice, but it’s not really something you can grab-and-go (well you can.. but not without cleaning out a clogged-up juicer later on in the day).
Fruit and veggie gummies are our latest solution for getting good nutrition in small, portable doses.
Not only are the fruits and veggies filled with vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients, these gummies have the power of gelatin as well! Gelatin is a source of dietary collagen and protein- it’s anti-inflammatory, known to improve digestion, promote healthy skin/hair/nails and more.
These gummies can be treated as vitamins, snacks, treats, dessert– whatever works for you and your kids. Test out different juice combinations and see what you like best.
You can be confident that your kids are being well-nourished when they reach for these!
Fruit and Vegetable Juice Gummy Snacks (Master Recipe)
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups fruit and/or vegetable juice, fresh pressed or store-bought (see below for juice combinations)
- 4 tablespoons plain gelatin (I prefer this grass-fed brand, but you can find plain gelatin near the Jello in your local grocery store. Four tablespoons usually comes out to 4-6 gelatin packets, but I would empty the packets into a bowl and use a measure spoon to be most accurate.)
- 2-4 tablespoons raw honey, depending on your preference and how sweet your juice is. I would do a bit more honey if your juice is heavy on the veggies.
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract or other extract of choice, optional
- up to 1 tablespoon extra health-building ingredients like Vitamin C powder, Magnesium powder, powdered probiotics, green powder, protein powder, etc.
Directions
- Pour juice into a small saucepan. Sprinkle the gelatin over the top and let sit for a few minutes until it starts to “bloom” (it will get wrinkly looking on the surface and all of the white powder from the gelatin will absorb into the liquid). When all the gelatin is absorbed, whisk to combine.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat on the stove. Let the liquid warm through, but never boil. You are looking for the liquid to go from thick and batter-like to thin and runny. You want all of the gelatin to dissolve (you can test this by dipping your finger in the liquid and rubbing it against your thumb- if it’s smooth, you’re ready, if it’s grainy, keep it on the heat).
- Next, whisk in your honey, extract and any extra ingredients, if using. (*Note- if you are using powdered probiotic, wait until the juice has cooled to room temperature before adding to avoid killing any of the good bacteria.)
- Pour into candy molds or a loaf pan and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or until set.
- Remove from molds. If you used the loaf pan, cut your gelatin into small squares.
- Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.
Juice Combinations (used for the gummies pictured)
- Red/Pink: Red beets, strawberries, carrots and a bit of lemon juice
- Orange: Carrots, oranges, ginger and some mango juice
- Yellow: Yellow bell pepper, yellow beets, yellow pear, yellow apple and a bit of lemon juice (DO NOT use pineapple juice, your gelatin will not set up due to the enzyme bromelain that’s found in pineapples.)
- Green: Kale, kiwi, cucumber, green apple and lime (green grapes would work well, too)
- Purple: Purple cabbage, blackberries, blueberries, a bit of red beet and an apple (concord grapes would work well, too)
If you want to lighten up the color of the gummies, you can also substitute some milk (dairy or non-dairy, I would use probably reach for coconut milk) for some of the juice in the recipe.
And if you’re looking for more gummy recipes, check out these Orange Cream Vitamin C gummies and Cold and Flu Busting gummies!
Need Lunch Ideas too?
- MPMK’s MEGA SCHOOL LUNCH ROUNDUP (thousands of packed lunch ideas all in one place).
- An Entire Month of Nut-Free Packed Lunch Ideas
More Easy & Healthy Snack Ideas:
- Roasted Chick Peas, 4 Ways
- Homemade Kale Chips
- Banana “Ice Cream” (2 ingredients, tons of flavor suggestions)
- Two Ingredient Homemade Fruit Leather
- Oatmeal To-Go Bars
- and even more at MPMK’s Top 23 Healthy Homemade Kid Snacks
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