Fruit snacks are ubiquitous in just about any child’s lunchbox. The gummy little fruit chews are colorful, sweet, and come in adorable shapes—it’s no wonder they’re favorited by kids (and some adults!). Unfortunately, not all fruit snacks are vegan.
Many fruit snacks contain animal-derived ingredients that make them unsuitable for vegans. The most common ingredient is gelatin. This flavorless and colorless ingredient is made from collagen obtained by boiling ligaments and bones—usually cows and pigs.
Vegan Fruit Snacks
Thankfully, not all companies use gelatin to make their sweet little snacks.
Rowntree’s is one brand that has ditched gelatin after nearly 140 years in business. The UK-based company recently announced it will be launching a new, vegan-friendly formula of its Fruit Pastilles fruit snacks in February 2021.
“We want the brand to be enjoyed by as many consumers as possible and so we are delighted to be able to introduce our new vegan-friendly recipe across the full range of sweets,” Meg Miller, the company’s brand manager, said in a statement.
She explained that the new vegan formula made the fruit snacks “slightly softer” but that the company’s signature taste was preserved.
What Are Vegan Gelatin Substitutes?
In lieu of gelatin, companies like Rowntree’s are opting for other animal-free ingredients to give their vegan fruit snacks their signature rubbery, gummy feel. Here are a few examples:
Agar agar: Although its consistency isn’t exactly like gelatin (it’s not as jiggly), agar agar is perfect for a number of recipes—including vegan gelatin desserts! The flavorless substance, which is also called agar or katen, stems from red algae cell walls.
Carrageenan: Also called Irish moss or carrageen, carrageenan is derived from dried red seaweed. It’s used in a number of vegan products, including marshmallows, because it is able to develop a gel-like consistency after it has been boiled.
Pectin: This ingredient stems from fruits. It’s a fiber that is commonly found in the cell walls of produce like citrus fruits and apples. Similar to gelatin’s consistency, pectin becomes gel-like after it has been heated and mixed with sugars and various acids.
Vegan Jel: Although not an ingredient, this product can be used in place of gelatin. Each brand’s ingredient profile varies, but they mainly contain carrageenan, vegetable gum, or tapioca dextrin to create a consistency similar to gelatin.
11 Vegan Fruit Snacks Kids (and You) Will Love
Here are 11 other companies that are churning out vegan fruit snacks your kids (and you!) will love. Not only are they free of gelatin, but they’re also incredibly nutritious! They’re so good you just might not want to share them with your little ones—we warned you!
1. Annie’s Organics
That’s right, Annie’s Homegrown Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks are free of gelatin. Available in two flavors—Summer Strawberry and Berry Patch—these sweet chews also contain no artificial flavors, synthetic colors, or preservatives.
Check it out here.
2. Trader Joe’s
This grocery chain is an undeniable vegan mecca. So it’s no surprise that Trader Joe’s also carries its own vegan fruit snacks! Trader Joe’s Organic Fruit Flavored Snacks feature unique combinations of fun animal shapes and taste bud-pleasing flavors like strawberry-flavored pink frogs, berry-flavored purple toucans, and apple-flavored white tigers. Yum!
Check it out here.
3. YumEarth
Free from the top eight allergens, YumEarth’s gummy fruit snacks are a terrific snack for everyone. The sweet chews come in delectable flavors like strawberry, peach, and cherry. They are organic and non-GMO and contain no artificial flavors, dyes, or high fructose corn syrup.
Check it out here.
4. Little Duck Organics
Adorable, sweet, and tasty—need we say more? Little Duck Organics’ fruit snacks contain natural, organic ingredients like apple juice concentrate, strawberry puree, and purple carrot juice. The fruit chews are so good you may not want to share.
Check it out here.
5. Pure Organic
You can indulge in Pure Organic’s fruit snacks guilt-free! The company’s layered fruit bars are made with real fruit purees and juices and are made without cane sugar, syrup, or artificial flavors. Your sweet tooth will thank you later.
Check it out here.
6. That’s It
These tasty fruit chews will have you wondering if serving sizes are even a real thing. That’s It’s fruit bars are made with 100 percent real fruit. Flavors include banana, blueberry, cherry, mango, fig, and strawberry. Each pack features two real fruit servings and only two ingredients. These include one of the aforementioned fruits and an apple. So they’re free of purees, concentrates, preservatives, and added sugar. The chewy fruit bars are good on your taste buds and your body!
Check it out here.
7. Stretch Island Fruit Leather
So good, yet so healthy you’ll be wondering whether or not to classify them as a dessert, these fruit snacks are packed with a quarter cup of real fruit per strip! The tasty fruit chews are made from real fruit puree and contain no artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors. Call them dessert on-the-go.
Check it out here.
8. VeggieGo’s
Get your kids to eat their fruits and veggies with Veggie Go’s Fruit and Veggie Bites! Each pouch of the chewy treats contains a full serving of fruits and vegetables. Plus, they contain no added sugar, artificial flavors, colors, or additives—just pure goodness with every bite.
Check it out here.
9. BEAR
So good you won’t want to share with the kids, each pack of BEAR’s Real Fruit Yoyos contain a full cup of whole fruit. The fruit rolls are a terrific on-the-go nutritious snack as they’re packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Plus, these fruit chews contain no added sugar, preservatives, concentrates, stabilizers, or gumming agents.
Check it out here.
10. WildMade
Try every flavor of WildMade’s tasty fruit rolls! The fruit snacks are packed with half a serving of whole fruit in every roll. They’re also a guilt-free go-to option because they contain less than 35 calories per roll and contain no added sugar. Flavors include grape, fruit punch, and tropical fruit.
Check it out here.
11. Nature’s Bandits
Not only does Nature’s Bandits’ Organic Fruit and Veggie Stix come in adorable packaging (hello, raccoon!), but they’re also nutritious! Try the brand’s mixed berry and apple flavors: they’re made with real fruits and vegetables like apple puree, concentrated pumpkin puree, concentrated elderberry juice, and organic carrot puree.
Check it out here.
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