• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cotter Crunch

Cotter Crunch

Delicious Healthy Gluten Free Recipes

  • Recipes
    • By Diet
      • Dairy Free
      • Gluten Free
      • Grain Free
      • Low Carb
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
      • Whole 30
    • By Type
      • Breakfasts
      • Casseroles
      • Condiments
      • Desserts
      • Drinks
      • Sides and Salads
      • Slow Cooker & Instant Pot
      • Snacks and Appetizers
      • Stews and Soups
    • Quick Meals
    • Videos
  • Meal Plans
  • Shop
    • Cookbook
    • Favorite Products
    • eBooks
    • Printables
  • About
  • Start Here
Home › Recipes › By Diet › Gluten Free

Lower Sugar Homemade Healthy Fruit Snacks and Veggie Chips

by Lindsay Cotter · 02/23/2015

GFVegan
Jump to Recipe
★★★★★ 4.1 from 10 reviews

Homemade healthy fruit snacks and veggie chips are perfect for a healthy snack or lunchbox treat. These low sugar snacks are super easy to make and delicious! Kid friendly and vegan too. 

homemade healthy fruit snacks - low sugar and made with coconut oil. @cottercrunch

 

I remember it like yesterday. The after school snack time and crazy amount of extracurricular activities. My favorite was dance (jazz class to be specific). My neighbor and I would rush out of school, throw on our tights, jazz shoes (ya, I was cool),  and then head down the road to the local dance studio. It was there we would spend a dollar (gosh I wish things were still a dollar) on a bag of fruit snacks and a Clearly Canadian Fruit Water. Anybody remember those?  Oh man, it was good! It was also sugar water and sugar fruit candy. Seriously, no wonder I was always balls to the walls energetic at dance time! Then would totally crash after. Ha!

Nowadays it’s my husband who craves the fruit snacks, especially after long rides.  Hello glycogen depletion!

Sure, there are healthier fruit snacks out there these days, and there are naturally dried fruits, but they are not cheap. In fact, I went to go buy some organic unsweetened dried cherries and bananas at the store and they cost $10. Yes, $10 for a bag. WOWZA!

But this is where my sherpa wife/Martha syndrome comes in.

Can’t we just make homemade healthy fruit snacks? Wouldn’t that save us loads of added sugar and money?

Ah ha moment here ya’ll!

Yes, yes we can! And it is easy peasy.

You can make these homemade healthy fruit snacks two ways; in the dehydrator or in the oven.

I like to coat my fruit with coconut oil or coconut butter first, then add a spice, like cinnamon! They smell amazing and have a chewy fruit snack texture that’s great to add to oatmeal, baking, or in a trail mix.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Lower Sugar Homemade Healthy Fruit Snacks


★★★★★

4.1 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 10 hrs 5 min
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

Lower Sugar Homemade Healthy Fruit Snacks


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 bananas or plantains
  • 1 bag frozen or fresh unsweetened dried cranberries or other fruit of choice
  • 2–4 tbsp melted coconut butter or oil
  • cinnamon
  • *I love using sweet spreads cinnamon roll coconut butter melted in this recipe.

Instructions

  1. Slice your bananas and combine with berries into a large bowl. Coat with the oil and cinnamon.
  2. Lay flat on parchment paper or in a dehydrator.
  3. For the dehydrator, place on low for 8-10 hrs at 135F. If you want to try this in the oven, then crack the door open a little bit and keep the oven on low at 140F for 6 hrs or so.
  4. You can keep them there longer if you want them more crispy, less chewy
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 10 hrs

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @cottercrunch on Instagram and hashtag it #cottercrunch

Make your own homemade healthy fruit snacks and veggie chips. Super easy and delicious, plus they're lower in sugar!

Aren’t they pretty?! I also think they would be great as gifts. To bad I didn’t think of that until AFTER the holidays. Haha.

Looking for more homemade healthy snack ideas to save you money?

Try these homemade Snap pea chips.

homemade snap pea chips

Or Spicy wasabi roasted peas with nut butter!

Homemade healthy fruit snacks made two ways, in the dehydrator or the oven. Delicious, naturally lower in sugar, and kid-friendly. Wasabi roasted peas! @cottercrunch

 

Okay tell me, what was your favorite afternoon snack growing up?

Have you tried homemade fruit snacks or veggie chips yet? You so need to!

Cheers!

signature1

 

 

48 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Categories: Gluten Free, Snacks and Appetizers, Vegan, Vegetarian Tags: bananas, coconut oil, cranberries, fruit, kid friendly, low sugar, snacks

You May Also Like...

three almond flour banana muffins with coconut stacked on top of each other
Almond Flour Banana Muffins with Coconut
overhead photo of halloween snack board on black cheese board. Fruit, chocolates, grapes, pumpkin, and cupcakes. Dips in bowls
DIY Halloween Charcuterie Board
stack of three homemade paleo protein bars
Coconut Almond Protein Bars (Paleo Option)
stack of no bake protein bars with chocolate on top
Chocolate Almond No Bake Protein Bars {Low Sugar}
Lindsay Cotter of Cotter Crunch

Hi, y'all, I’m Lindsay Cotter, a Nutrition Specialist with a focus on Gluten Free eating. I love creating delicious nourishing food that anyone can enjoy.

About · Studio · Shop · Contact
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube

Have a question? Use ctrl+f or ⌘+f on your computer or the “find on page” function on your phone browser to search existing comments!

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Rate & Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says

    01/26/2015 at 5:59 AM

    I love dried fruit and add it to my granolas all the time. Fortunately, Nature’s Bin, my local grocery store, sells it in batches and for fairly reasonable prices too. For example, nearly a pound of dried banana slices is $3. It’s a good thing too because I can eat those pretty easily.

    I love this idea. Great concept, and I want to see your jazz hands.

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/26/2015 at 7:34 AM

      *waves* –> those are my jazz hands.

      Reply
  2. J.L. says

    01/25/2015 at 9:32 PM

    Those bananas look good, I think I need to try that with cinnamon. I always make my own dried apples. Clearly Canadian…those were the days. Have you seen this? https://clearlycanadian.com/

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/26/2015 at 7:21 AM

      haha no way! i need to check out their site!

      Reply
  3. Molly Rose says

    01/25/2015 at 3:15 PM

    that after school routine sounds strangely familiar! ballet was my favorite 🙂

    I am a gummy girl to the end. those gummy snack packs, pull n peel twizzlers, heck gummy vitamins…. I love it all! I cut back like cray when I decreased my carb intake (now those vitamins are what I look forward to each day haha) I do not have a dehydrator so I will have to try this in the oven. I’m excited!!

    sherpa wife/Martha syndrome. I love you

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/25/2015 at 9:09 PM

      haha yes! i totally get that. Gummy vitamins are like dessert!

      Reply
  4. Jill @ Do Try This at Home says

    01/24/2015 at 5:33 PM

    Aww man! I really need a dehydrator! Those look good!

    Reply
  5. GiGi Eats says

    01/24/2015 at 3:12 PM

    I could eat those snap peas for DAYS!!!!!! YAAA BABY! 😉

    Reply
  6. Arman @ thebigmansworld says

    01/24/2015 at 2:03 AM

    I am obsessed with fruit snacks, specifically banana chips which are sweetened with sugar… oops. These look like a much better option!

    Reply
    • GiGi Eats says

      01/24/2015 at 3:15 PM

      BAHH HUM BUG!

      Reply
  7. Jess says

    01/23/2015 at 9:28 PM

    Delicious, this is perfect timing! The twins start preschool next week and they have to bring a packed lunch. I have been looking for healthy snack ideas.

    Reply
  8. She Rocks Fitness says

    01/23/2015 at 9:17 PM

    My favorite snack as a little kid…HMMM…Anything Hostess! I absolutely loved the chocolate cupcakes with the white swirl on the top. HAHA…that feels like so long ago…feeling old. 😉

    Reply
  9. Morganne @ Nut Butter Runner says

    01/23/2015 at 6:00 PM

    Ok, I need to steal my dehydrator back from Nashville – must make these NOW, (like yesterday). YUM!

    Reply
  10. Hilary says

    01/23/2015 at 4:54 PM

    I have been trying to make my own banana chips forever and they just never turn out good at all! Can’t wait to give your recipe a try!

    Reply
  11. Cat @ Breakfast to Bed says

    01/23/2015 at 4:08 PM

    I really want a dehydrator to make fruit roll ups.

    Reply
  12. Lisa @ RunWiki says

    01/23/2015 at 3:31 PM

    I need a food dehydrator! I would love to be able to make my own long run fuel. I use bars, but having fruit would be such a nice change. I like your combo of sweet and tart- sounds amazing.

    Reply
  13. Katie says

    01/23/2015 at 3:17 PM

    Very sugary cereal… Little did I know what I was eating 😉

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/25/2015 at 9:29 PM

      same here!

      Reply
  14. Dietitian jess says

    01/23/2015 at 2:07 PM

    My favorite after school snack was a bowl of cereal (preferably sugary cereal). I like the idea of adding nut butter!! Dried cranberries are an essential for a trail mix for me 🙂

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/25/2015 at 9:25 PM

      like pops! or fruit loops! haha

      Reply
  15. Diana says

    01/23/2015 at 1:22 PM

    Yum! What a great idea! I’ll have to try this sometime.
    The Canadian Water I completely remember (and totally forgot about until this post – wow)!

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/23/2015 at 2:02 PM

      haha i can still remember the taste of smell of that water!

      Reply
  16. jobo says

    01/23/2015 at 1:11 PM

    YUM! Genius! I want a dehydrator just to make these!!

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/23/2015 at 3:26 PM

      you can make it in the oven! super easy!

      Reply
  17. purelytwins says

    01/23/2015 at 12:47 PM

    you know we would love these 😉

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/25/2015 at 9:24 PM

      oh yes, twin approved!

      Reply
  18. Amanda @ .running with spoons. says

    01/23/2015 at 12:37 PM

    The price of some dried fruit is seriously ridiculous. I love this one brand of apple chips, and it costs around $4 a bag… a bag that I could eat in a single sitting 😆

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/25/2015 at 9:24 PM

      oh those are good. but $ indeed. i think one bag is like the cost of gas. haha jk

      Reply
  19. Jess @hellotofit says

    01/23/2015 at 12:32 PM

    Yummy 🙂 my dad used to make dried banana slices with the dehydrator. These looks great, especially with the other ingredients 🙂 happy Friday!!

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/25/2015 at 9:21 PM

      you’re dad is smart!

      Reply
  20. Sarah says

    01/23/2015 at 11:27 AM

    I’m not sure what my favorite snack was growing up…. maybe cereal? I use to come home everyday from school and get a big bowl of cereal!

    I am all over those spicy wasabi roasted peas with nut butter! Can’t wait to try them and play with that idea!

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/25/2015 at 9:21 PM

      I ate cereal like it was going out of business! haha

      Reply
  21. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says

    01/23/2015 at 11:15 AM

    Martha syndrome…haha! Love this snack friend. 🙂

    Reply
  22. Hayley says

    01/23/2015 at 11:09 AM

    What an awesome idea!! The fruit looks amazing!!! But I should try those snap peas!

    Reply
  23. Nicole says

    01/23/2015 at 11:05 AM

    Yum! I remember the Clearly Canadian waters.
    I’m not a fan of coconut oil…any recommendations on substitution?

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/23/2015 at 3:31 PM

      what about coconut butter? do you like that? I would also just try melting tahini or use grapeseed oil and cinnamon

      Reply
  24. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

    01/23/2015 at 10:47 AM

    Well these fruit snacks looks killer awesome! I’d actually eat these 😉 I never understood the appeal of fruit snacks to kids though….never my thing!

    Reply
  25. Shashi @ runninsrilankan says

    01/23/2015 at 10:28 AM

    I wouldn’t ever have thought of this – I would have just given up eating fruit snacks – wait – that’s what I did!
    But things might have to change- I sure love me some banana fruit snacks – so I turn the oven on and leave it cracked? Im assuming a small small crack – correct?

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/23/2015 at 3:31 PM

      yep, just one inch wide or so. Let me know if you try it!

      Reply
  26. Hayley@healthyregardshayley says

    01/23/2015 at 10:27 AM

    Peanut butter crackers. Always loving on that nut butter.

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/25/2015 at 9:16 PM

      oh ya! or cheeze itz! haha

      Reply
  27. Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says

    01/23/2015 at 10:18 AM

    I saw WHOLE dried bananas at the San Diego Whole Foods yesterday. Giggled like a school boy.

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/25/2015 at 9:15 PM

      oh you make me smile!

      Reply
  28. Kim says

    01/23/2015 at 10:16 AM

    I know that at least one of my boys would love this and it would give me a reason to use my dehydrator!!!

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/25/2015 at 9:14 PM

      woohoo! bust out the dehydrator!

      Reply
  29. Erin @ The Almond Eater says

    01/23/2015 at 10:02 AM

    I was a dancer and I had cool jazz shoes too…. 😀 I hate how expensive dried fruit is! Like, it makes no sense. These are an ‘ah ha’ moment for sure!

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/25/2015 at 9:14 PM

      ya buddy! jazz shoe friends for life

      Reply
  30. Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says

    01/23/2015 at 9:49 AM

    I used to love the chewy fruit snacks and my kids do too but I would love a healthier alternative for them. This is great. Now you have convinced me I need a dehydrator 🙂

    Reply
  31. Heather (Where's the Beach) says

    01/23/2015 at 9:33 AM

    Jazz shoes for the win! I was so excited when I got to start jazz classes – my studio required a certain number of years of ballet first. We had fuchsia leotards that first year. 😉 I remember having lots of peanut butter and cracker sandwiches as a kid. And clearly canadian? Talk about flashback friday LOL

    Reply
  32. Taylor @ LiftingRevolution.com says

    01/23/2015 at 9:03 AM

    So pretty! I want a hydrator so bad, I don’t trust turning my oven on for that long so I haven’t dried anything. I know, I am worrying over nothing but can’t do it. When we get a bigger kitchen it’s my next toy!

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/23/2015 at 3:30 PM

      i usually use the oven for about 6 hrs on low. Great for a sunday when you are veggin out at home!

      Reply
  33. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says

    01/23/2015 at 9:00 AM

    These look delicious! Great idea. 🙂

    Reply
  34. Maureen says

    01/23/2015 at 8:48 AM

    I may FINALLY use the dehydrator I got 2 years ago to make this!! 🙂

    Reply
  35. Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says

    01/23/2015 at 8:01 AM

    These sound so tasty! My eating habits are 100% different from what I did as a kid, but way back then I was all about the fruit by the foot and Gushers “fruit” snacks. (Remember the kind with the goo that oozed out the middle?) Yeah, those. How I emerged from childhood being completely cavity-free is a miracle!

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/25/2015 at 9:13 PM

      OMG! I used to love gushers and airheads, haha

      Reply
  36. misszippy says

    01/23/2015 at 7:42 AM

    I really love this idea! And so would my kids, which is why we’ll be trying these recipes–thank you.

    Reply
  37. susie @ suzlyfe says

    01/23/2015 at 6:54 AM

    Um totally pairing these with my sweet potato chips! sweet sweet potato nachos, anyone?

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/23/2015 at 7:36 AM

      yes please! with gauc!

      Reply
  38. MiChele@ paleorunningmomma says

    01/23/2015 at 6:53 AM

    This is so cool! Thanks so much for this idea, I’m going to try over the weekend 🙂

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/25/2015 at 9:13 PM

      let me know if you do! the over works well too!

      Reply
  39. Cara's Healthy Cravings says

    01/23/2015 at 6:53 AM

    Those would make a pretty gift, you will have to remember for next year!
    My fav after school snack as a kid was those flavoured instant oatmeal packets or a toasted bagel with cream cheese and jam. I guess I have always really like breakfast!

    Reply
    • LCCotter says

      01/25/2015 at 9:10 PM

      ohh gotta love bagel bites too! haha

      Reply
  40. Kierston says

    01/23/2015 at 6:48 AM

    This all looks so good! My Mom made me homemade fruit roll ups as a kid…they were awesome 🙂

    Reply
  41. Tina muir says

    01/23/2015 at 6:37 AM

    Oh this is so cool!!! I have always wondered about this, and now I can from a source I can trust. I tried a dried strawberry recipe from pinterest once; total fail haha! This sounds good. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  42. Liz S. says

    01/23/2015 at 5:49 AM

    I took jazz dance too 😀 My favorite after-school snack growing up = whole wheat toast with butter and cinnamon.

    Love this homemade fruit snack recipe!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Lindsay Cotter of Cotter Crunch

Hi, y'all, I’m Lindsay Cotter, a Nutrition Specialist with a focus on Gluten Free eating. I love creating delicious nourishing food that anyone can enjoy.

About · Studio · Shop · Contact
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube

Reader Favorites

  • photo collage of dairy-free gluten-free anti-inflammatory meal plan recipes
    Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan {Dairy Free, Gluten-Free Recipes & Tips}
  • cinnamon bites in bowl - no bake protein bites
    Cinnamon Vanilla Protein Breakfast Bites + Video
  • bowl of vegan kale soup with curried vegetables
    Curried Cauliflower Rice Kale Soup {Vegan, Whole30}
  • gluten free roux pin
    How to Make Gluten Free Roux for Keto Sauces + Soups
  • stack of dried orange slices on white background
    Dried Orange Slices (Oven or Dehydrator)
  • overhead photo: cranberry balsamic chicken on a baking sheet with serving spoon
    Cranberry Balsamic Roasted Chicken {Paleo} + VIDEO
Cotter Crunch
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
Twitter
YouTube
About · Studio · Shop · Contact

Recipes by Diet

  • Dairy Free
  • Gluten Free
  • Grain Free
  • Low Carb
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Whole 30

Recipes by Type

  • Breakfasts
  • Casseroles
  • Desserts
  • Drinks
  • Main Dishes
  • Sides & Salads
  • Snacks & Appetizers

More

  • Meal Plans
  • Quick Meals
  • Recipes with Video
  • Recipe Round Ups
  • Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Shop
  • About
  • Start Here

Copyright © 2022 · Cotter Crunch · Disclaimer & Terms · Privacy Policy

48 shares