Gelatin is one of those sneaky non-vegetarian things. That’s a huge bummer since it’s in fun things like tons of candy, marshmallows, Jell-O and fruit snacks. That last one is especially dire if you’re the parent of two crazy little boys who just happen to LOVE fruit snacks. I mean, really. What kid doesn’t?! Luckily, pectin based fruit snacks are becoming easier to find. Annie’s Fruit Snacks are some of our favorites but we can easily finish an entire box in one sitting! That’s ok if it’s the only way your kids will chill out and let you walk around Target for a bit but they definitely can get expensive as a daily snack. But…
<cue the fanfare> Agar Agar to the rescue! It’s a plant based thickening agent that is often used in Asian cuisine and a vegetarian mother’s best friend. You can find Agar Agar flakes in the Asian section of most grocery stores. This recipe calls for Agar Agar powder which is a bit more difficult to get your hands on. I suggest checking out your local Asian grocery store. I love that place!
I hope you and, more importantly, your kids enjoy these! Even if you’re not vegetarian/vegan, if you’ve got agar agar and some fruit juice, you’re halfway there to a super quick and healthy snack. Any mother can appreciate that! 🙂
Vegetarian Fruit Snacks
(adapted from LadyMake)
Ingredients:
– 6 T Agar Agar Powder (not flakes)
– 2 C Unsweetened Fruit Juice
– Pinch of Salt
– 2 T Granulated Sugar (not a liquid sweetener since it’ll change the consistency)
– Silicon Ice Cube Trays (I got mine in the dollar section of Target)
Directions:
1. Gather ingredients. The juice I bought was sweetened already so I omitted the sugar. In a pinch, even Kool-Aid would probably work. Not as healthy but would probably taste pretty good. Edit: I just found out that the Golden Coins Agar Agar Powder I bought isn’t 100% Agar Agar. You’ll probably need half the amount listed in this recipe if you’re using pure Agar Agar.
2. Mix 4 T of the Agar Agar and sugar into the juice in a small sauce pan until completely dissolved.
3. Lay out your trays on a nice and even flat surface.
4. Heat liquid to a rolling boil. Continue for about 7 minutes until the liquid becomes the consistency of cough syrup. Add up to two tablespoons more Agar Agar if necessary. The original recipe said it would become as thick as glue but I never got to that stage. Allow to cool slightly (not too much or you’ll have one big fruit snack!)
5. Poor into ice cube trays and allow to cool completely.
You can pop these in the fridge if you want to speed up this process. Who am I kidding?! You’re going to want to pop these in the fridge to get them into your kiddos outstretched and impatient hands ASAP! Should take around 10 minutes or less.
Hmm, I wonder how these Vegetarian Fruit Snacks would taste infused with vodka…mmm. ;D
Comments & Reviews
Kelly @ View Along the Way says
I had no idea you could make your own (healthy) fruit snacks like this! Love it!
Vanessa Brady says
Right? I’ve put off making these for so long because I thought they would be so much harder but they were totally painless!
Tiffany | offbeat + inspired says
This is so cool! I never would have thought to do homemade fruit snacks! The flavor possibilities are endless! I don’t think we have an Asian store nearby, but it looks like Amazon has Agar Agar powder: http://www.amazon.com/Agar-Powder-4-oz/dp/B00015UC48 <– does that price look right? Thanks for this post, I'm so motivated to do my very first batch of veg fruit snacks now! 😀 Love your blog!!
Vanessa Brady says
At first glance, I thought your amazon find was kinda expensive so I was looking for a price on the agar agar I bought locally (http://www.amazon.com/GOLDEN-COINS-AGAR-POWDER-6x6OZ/dp/B006QYOGS6). The Amazon reviews revealed that the Golden Coins brand isn’t pure agar agar. I’m thinking that’s why there’s such a price difference with the Berry Farm one. You would probably use 1/2 the amount so it would go much further. Hope that helps!
keri @ shaken together says
Whaaaaaaat?! Those look adorable and I cannot wait to make them for my boys!!
Vanessa Brady says
Yay! I made some in a square mold as well and I’ve got to tell you, I think the berry ones taste better! 😀
Laura Beth says
This is amazing. I had no idea…Welch’s has nothing on you friend!
Vanessa Brady says
Hah, today it’s Welch’s, tomorrow the world! 😀
Sophie says
Oh, I’m definitely making a vodka-infused version…. 🙂
Vanessa Brady says
Right?!
Veronica says
MaryJane’s Farm (an online organic store) sells an organic agar-agar. I can’t remember the actual name she calls the stuff, but it is awesome and worth the price (knowing your sources is important). Found it! Chill Over Powder. Her camping foods are great too, but not all are vegan. http://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/store/p/65-ChillOver-174-Powder.aspx
And she is one amazing woman!
Vanessa Brady says
Thank you! I actually pinned that a while ago and lost the link.
Jessica @ Mom 4 Real says
I truly, truly love this idea…trying it for sure!
Vanessa Brady says
Oh yay, let me know how it turns out!
James says
The kids loved these!
Vanessa Brady says
And we love you!
Sandra @ Kitchen Apparel says
I LOVE THIS 🙂 My kids love fruit snacks but I hate all the chemicals they are made with. I can’t wait to try these out! I can get Agar Agar flakes at my local grocery store…do you think I could just grind them into powder? (If not then I’ll just have to get some through amazon I think)
sara says
What a cool idea! These look so tasty, and I love all the flavor possibilities!
xfallenmoon says
hi vanessa! i’m julie, you’re new follower. i tried making some juicy jub jubs like these before, using only 2 ingredients, it worked, but they were reaaaaally strong tasting. i think i’ll dilute the juice with water next time. btw, i loooove the design of your blog.
love, x
blog | twitter
Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says
I’m so impressed that you made these! They have my mouth watering. And Vanesa, your photography is outstanding. I’m adding you to my bloglovin’ list, and I cannot WAIT to see your Silhouette creation on Monday…. Yay!
Vanessa Brady says
I’m super excited to see what everyone does too!
David Hestrin says
I just ordered my Agar Agar powder online. 20 ounces for $44 (after shipping) what kind of prices could you get at Asian markets?
Vanessa Brady says
Mine was only a few bucks but that was for a mix that included part sugar. You’ll have to use significantly less agar agar when you make your snacks.
Hailey says
Has anyone made these with the pure Agar Agar powder? I used 3T and it seems to have been way too much. They are like wax. I wasted a good amount of money so I’m wondering if anyone has the correct ratio before I mess them up again. They didn’t get too thick in the pot so I thought they’d be ok but sadly no 🙁 Thanks in advance for any tips!!!
Vanessa Brady says
Check out the original recipe I link to in the post. I think she used pure Agar Agar powder and could probably be helpful in determining the right ratio. Better luck next time!
David Hestrin says
Did the consistency and texture come out like other fruit snacks for you? I just made my first batch and they were pretty crumbly. But I’m excited about the next batch and trying more!
Vanessa Brady says
Hmm, I wouldn’t have called my consistency crumbly but they weren’t as solid/sticky as the store bought variety. Hope the next batch is better!
Akane says
I was wondering is the T teaspoon or tablespoon?
Looks sooo yum I want to try these
Thanks!
Vanessa Brady says
That’ll be a Tablespoon, sorry for the confusion!
Brooke Tokanang says
Could you buy the flakes and grind them up in a food processor?
Amy says
Something went horribly, horribly wrong…. 🙁 They kept their shape and are really cute, but I think I burned the mix and it isn’t gummy….it’s spongy like when I poke it, but biting into it, it isn’t chewy like a gummy…. what did I do?? I should know by now not to attempt recipes that require things to be heated and thickened…. 🙁
Tass Elsdon-Smith says
I tried these yesterday, epic fail, what went wrong? I consider myself a very experienced baker so I have my tail between my legs today! do you think agar powder can go off?