Homemade Fruit Snacks
These homemade fruit snacks are soft, chewy, and bursting with fresh orange flavor. Made with real fruit juice and coated in sugar, they’re an easy treat that tastes better than store-bought.
Ingredients
- 240 ml orange juice
- 200 g sugar
- 120 g cornstarch
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 10 g butter
Instructions
- Zest an orange with a grater and collect the zest and place it in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Slice the oranges in half, juice them, then strain the fresh juice into a jug to remove any pulp.
- Pour the orange juice into a large pan. Add the sugar, orange zest, and cornstarch. Stir and mix well until everything is combined.
- Place the pan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add salt and butter, and stir until dissolved.
- Continue to cook over low heat for around 20-30 minutes, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking tray lined with parchment paper. Smooth the top with a spatula. Allow it to cool to room temperature and then refrigerate for a few hours or overnight until set.
- Once set, remove the fruit snack from the baking tray, place it on a cutting board, and remove the parchment paper. Cut it into rectangles and then into small squares.
- Coat the orange squares with granulated sugar to prevent sticking. Place the fruit snacks on a plate or bowl
Notes
Zest Lightly: I only grate the bright orange part of the peel, never the white pith, so the flavor stays fresh and citrusy without turning bitter.
Take Your Time: I’ve learned that patience really pays off here. Let the mixture cook and set fully for that perfect chewy texture; no rushing this part.
Coat Generously: I like to roll each piece in sugar while it’s still slightly tacky. It keeps them from sticking and gives that pretty sparkle on the outside.
Cut with Care: A lightly oiled knife makes all the difference. It helps get those clean, neat squares that look as good as they taste.
Nutrition
Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 46mg | Potassium: 66mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 97IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.2mg