Tasty Ideas from a Dietitian

That’s right: you can make some pretty healthy snacks with fruit using stuff like Fruit by the Foot, Gushers, and more as your blueprint. And you can make those fit better with your adult tastes and nutritional needs with a few simple tweaks, too. (Talk about having your cake and eating it, too!) Below, check out a few examples that check all of those boxes and are dietitian-approved.

4 nostalgic, healthy snacks with fruit you can easily make at home

1. Mixed berry fruit leather

Reminiscent of Fruit Roll-Ups, this snack allows you to embrace your inner child. It also only takes one ingredient: four cups of mixed berries! Just blend them up, pour the mixture onto a pan, let it bake, and cut it into whatever shape you’re feeling.

“This excellent recipe transforms whole fruits into a unique way of eating it” says Supriya Lal, RD, MPH, a dietitian in New York City. “Packed with all the vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals present in the berries used, this is a great choice for someone looking to diversify how they consume fruit.” (It also is less processed than traditional fruit leather and has no added sugars.)

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More specifically, blueberries are high in antioxidants, good for your heart, boost brain health and mood, have fiber, and reduce inflammation. Blackberries are also filled with antioxidants and fiber, and they support your heart and immune system.

Get the recipe: Mixed Berry Fruit Leather

2. Apple chips

If you’re looking for a crunchy air-fryer snack, look no further. All you have to do is slice up a few apples, then let the slices soak in a mix of sugar, cinnamon, water, lime juice, and salt for flavor. Air frying afterwards only takes 15 minutes, so this option can be made in no time.

They have nutritional benefits, too. For example, Lal points out how apples are a great source of vitamins and fiber.

Get the recipe: Apple Chips

3. Strawberry-pineapple gummies

Here’s another healthy snack with fruit that recreates your favorite gummy fruit snacks from childhood (or now, no judgement here). Throw some strawberries and/or pineapples in a juicer, pour the liquid into a pan or bowl, add in some agar agar powder (a vegan stabilizer), then use a syringe to transport the mixture into a gummy mold. After some time to chill and set in the fridge, they should be good to go!

Other than the nutritional benefits of the strawberries and pineapples (or whatever fruits you use), agar agar is a sneaky source of protein. You can also use gelatin powder instead, which Lal notes is a way to increase the amount of protein. Granted, you might need some extra kitchen tools to make this, but the results are worth it if you love fruit snacks.

Get the recipe: Strawberry-Pineapple Gummies

4. Marbled smoothie popsicles

Who knew freezer pops could look like straight-up art? Making these frozen delights entails blending fruit, yogurt, honey, and vanilla. For extra fun and nutritional benefits, you can add nut butter, chopped toasted nuts, granola, and/or dark chocolate. Lastly, fill the molds and let them freeze for at least four hours. They can stay good for months!

You can make a variety of flavors, too, from mango-passion fruit to strawberry-raspberry to a classic blueberry. As with the berries mentioned in the above recipes, mangoes and passion fruit are also nutrient-dense snacking options. “Mangoes are a strong source of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants,” Lal says. Passionfruit is rich in vitamin A, boosts immunity, aids digestion, and more.

FYI: If you’re looking for a simpler recipe, check out these fruit popsicles that only require one ingredient!

Get the recipe: Marbled Smoothie Popsicles