These homemade vegan gummy fruit snack use agar powder instead of gelatin. They are easy to make with just agar and fruit juice.
I previously shared my homemade fruit gummy bears. It’s a recipe I make often as I really love eating fruit snacks and gummy bears (I’ve also made keto gummy bears, red white and rosé wine gummy bears and rosé champagne gummy bears).
I often get requests for a vegan version that doesn’t use gelatin. So after approximately 300 test gummies later, I’m finally ready to share some vegan fruit snack gummies.
One important thing to note is that these fruit snacks don’t have the same chewy texture that is produced with gelatin. The texture is more like a soft gummy with a consistency slightly firmer than Jello. If you’re familiar with agar based desserts, it’s a similar result.
I stubbornly tried to create a chewy gummy texture but wasn’t able to with agar. However, these are still quite tasty in their own way.
I made ones with orange juice, apple juice, strawberry puree, cranberry grape juice, berry juice blend and coconut water.
Different kinds of fruit juices will produce slightly different results. I also found it was best to stick to real juices and not the juice cocktails and juice blends that are only 10-15% juice.
Surprisingly, the ones that produced the best texture was the coconut water flavor. They have a very slight chew to them.
While I still prefer my chewy gummy fruit snacks using gelatin, I think this is a tasty option for those who prefer softer fruit snack or are looking for a vegan fruit snack. For this recipe, I used NOW agar powder* and these gummy bear molds*.
You might like my vegetarian fruit snacks, too.
*Some of the links contained in this post are affiliate links. Much like referral codes, this means I earn a small commission if you purchase a product I referred (at no extra charge to you).
Vegan Gummy Fruit Snacks
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fruit juice (for best results, use 100% juice as opposed to juice drink or juice cocktails
- ½ tbsp. pure agar powder
- 1-2 tbsp honey or agave syrup optional for additional sweetness; use agave syrup if trying to keep completely vegan
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, add agar powder into juice and whisk until completely dissolved. Bring mixture to a simmer and whisk again. Allow mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes or until the consistency is thickened and syrup-like (but not quite as thick as honey). Whisk occasionally while mixture is simmering so that none of the mixture overcooks on the bottom or sides of the saucepan. Once mixture is done, you can add honey if needed. Some juices are not as sweet and adding the agar powder further dilutes sweetness. If using honey, stir in until dissolved.
- Keep saucepan on stove (so that it doesn’t cool too quickly) but turn off heat. Fill gummy molds using the eyedropper tool (this came with my gummy bear molds). Pop any air bubbles. If you are using larger fruit snack molds, you can also spoon in the mixture.
- Place into fridge until firm (about 10-15 minutes). Keep fruit snacks stored in fridge until ready to eat.
Notes
- Please note, this recipe does not make a large quantity. The gummy bears are very tiny so 60-70 is not a lot. Unless you have a lot of gummy/fruit snack molds available, it's best to make these in small batches as the mixture cools and solidifies very quickly. If you have plenty of molds on hand, feel free to double the recipe.
- For this recipe, I used NOW agar powder and these gummy bear molds
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
what and how can I add to give it that gummy chewy texture? I purchase Pectin, but cant find a good ratio to know how to add and when i played around with it, it was super bulky and hard to pop the clumps.
We haven’t tried pectin – we used agar powder and, as mentioned in the post, the gummies are softer and not as chewy.
Yikes. Wondering if I did something wrong. They do not have a gummy consistency at all. Any suggestions to get them gummier in texture?
What texture were yours? As I stated in the post, because this recipe uses agar, the texture will not be chewy like a typical gummy. I describe in detail what to expect in the post. The type of agar you are using could also be the issue.
Will these freeze? I live alone and would love to make a batch or two that I could save for later. Thanks.
I have not tried freezing them
I see you’ve mentioned many times that they need to be refrigerated, but I’m wondering what the short-term shelf stability of these is. For example, if I made them at night, stored them in the fridge, and then packed them for my kids’ lunch the next morning, would they make it until lunchtime? Or would they lose shape and melt? Is the need to refrigerate more of a general food consumption safety rule, or will they just turn to mush? Thanks!
The gummies won’t melt. They hold their form even at room temp. The fridge storage is for food safety.
Can these be shelf stable if sealed in a plastic bag but leaft out at room temp
no they need to be refrigerated because of the fruit juice
Dear Kelsey. I advise you to use sunflower lecithin to emulsify the coconut oil prior to mixing into the gelatin. Blend 1 tsp sunflower lecithin into 1 Tbls of coconut oil. You mileage may vary but that’s a good starting ratio. The right temps and blending techniques to get those cannabinoids suspended in there is quite a craft. Try more agar agar and upon congealing; dry or de-hy at room temp for more firmer texture.
Would you have to use an oil or would Making a tincture and using the tincture suffice?
Hello, I absolutely realize that you clearly stated these gummies wouldn’t have the same chewy texture as gelatin, which is fine, buntim wondering just how soft they are? My 13 year old son is vegetarian and was very excited to make these, but they’re not holding any form at all. He even used some of his Xmas money to buy the agar powder, and he’s following the steps carefully, and we’re just trying to figure out what’s going wrong? Thanks!
hi they should definitely hold form. they aren’t chewy but they aren’t that soft either. the outside should be firm. I am wondering if you bought the right agar powder? It needs to be pure agar powder and not a mix. If you are using a mix that would be why they are not holding form.
This recipe looks amazing and I look forward to making it! Was wondering if there was a way i could incorprate coconut oil? Trying to make them cannabis infused but can’t really find a recipe using that that is vegan. Any recomendations would be great!
Sorry, I’m not sure how coconut oil would be incorporated into these
I am about to try this recipe and I’m super excited but I wanted to note that honey makes these vegetarian and not vegan. 😀 One could use agave or maple syrup in place of honey to make this a vegan snack. Thanks so much for the recipe!
thanks for sharing. the honey is completely optional so you can leave it out if you are following a vegan diet that doesn’t consume honey
I’m trying this recipe today! It’s kind of upsetting that it’s not possible to get that texture i miss so much with agar. I’ll try coconut water ones for sure! And just wanted to let you know honey is not vegan >w<
the honey in the recipe is optional.
I was wondering what the shelf life of the vegan gummies are??
they can last a few days in the fridge
Are these shelf stable or do you have to refrigerate them? If I was to make a very large amount at one time, how can I store them safely?
It’s stated in the recipe instructions, but yes you need to store them in the fridge. I would put them in tupperware
These are so delicious!!! I just made them for a friend of mine and she loved them too. I love how you use agar powder instead of gelatin which means it’s perfect for vegetarians. Thankyou
so glad you like them!
So lovely and healthy ! Perfect for birthdays 🙂
yes great for parties!