Jordan Myrick
Ariana Losch
In a move that would have pissed off most of the internet, we almost named reduced-sugar fruit snacks the best fruit snacks of all. Luckily, another option came in and saved us from a rush of unhappy comments, but still… close call.
Gummy fruit snacks aren’t just for kids, but holding a tiny, child-sized bag might make you feel like a kid again. At least until you notice how large your adult-sized hand looks gripping it. (Seriously, why do they make fruit snack bags so tiny?) Then you might experience a small existential crisis about the passage of time and the death of your inner child or something. Don’t worry: As soon as you bite into that chewy, fruity morsel of corn syrup, all your woes are forgotten. That’s the power that the best fruit snacks brands have over us, no matter how old we are! (Or will inevitably become.)
How we sourced the fruit snacks for our taste test
This isn’t our first time trying fruit snacks… or our second. We’re on our third (and not final, since we repeat these every year) taste test of the best fruit snacks, because we’re really committed to the cause. So committed, we actually did this one on camera. You can watch us eating more than a dozen brands of fruit snacks below. (Do it! We’re funny!!)
What we looked for in the best fruit snacks
Nostalgia will always be a factor for a ranking like this, but we tried to set aside our preconceived notions and beloved childhood memories to judge our contenders based on pure merit. (Don’t worry, Scooby-Doo gummies are still on the list.) This is what we looked for:
- A texture that isn’t too soft, melty, or tough—but chewiness can definitely vary.
- Balanced sweetness that kids and adults will enjoy.
- A fun shape!! I mean, it’s not necessary, but… come on.
From the best fruit snacks for kids to the best healthy fruit snacks (which do actually exist!), these are the brands worth packing and snacking on.
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- Bettergoods Mixed Berry
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If you find yourself seduced by firmer fruit snacks, I’ve got a hot new villa bombshell for you. Bettergoods (Walmart’s newish house brand that launched in 2024) has a line of firm, chewy fruit snacks with some of the cutest packaging I’ve ever seen. That could be the millennial in me talking, but that blue octopus and simple graphic art just makes me feel at peace. Even the fruit-shaped gummies are cute, like little shiny gems. Their mixed berry fruit snacks are small, tart, and pleasantly taut to bite into. I love them. Good job, Walmart. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Betty Crocker Scooby-Doo Snacks Fruit Snacks
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It’s hard to not feel a childlike excitement when you see these Scooby-Doo fruit snacks. The shapes are so fun and nostalgic. Scooby, Shaggy, and the rest of the Mystery Inc. gang greet you when you tear open the package. These definitely fall into the category of things that taste better because they’re a fun shape, like the SpongeBob Kraft Mac & Cheese and dino nuggets. Unfortunately, these lose two sporks because the green Mystery Machine gummies could use some work in the flavor department. Don’t worry: The other five flavors are scrumptious and totally make up for it. And the cartoon theme makes them some of the best fruit snacks for kids. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon
- Great Value Original Fruit Smiles
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These Walmart brand Fruit Smiles have a cult-like following. Believers insist they are the elite individually packaged snacking gummy. Now that I’ve tried them, I certainly understand their appeal. Their texture and shape are what stand out to me. They remind me more of Dots gumdrops than a classic fruit snack. Unlike Dots, however, they feel healthier because they are not candy. They’re fruit snacks! Fruit!!! They’re the best fruit snacks for kids (or adults) who wish they were eating candy. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Ryan Martin / Walmart
- YumEarth Organic Fruit Snacks
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“Healthy” is subjective, but these fruit snacks are definitely trying to be healthy. They’re organic and gluten free. They use natural fruit juices for flavor and color, and they’re made with cane sugar. I love the plump, chewy texture and the mild flavor. Plus, I like the simplicity and clarity of the flavors. It’s not just a mix of random artificial fruit flavoring. You have Banana Blast, Strawberry Smash, Very Very Cherry, and Perfectly Peach. They may not technically be health food, but they’re the best healthy fruit snacks we tasted. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks Variety Pack
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People swear by Annie’s, and we totally get why. If these were not unbelievably sticky (the flaw that lost them one spork), they would be the perfect fruit gummy. They taste and smell like actual berries. The mouthfeel? Glorious. Their softness sets them apart from the other gummies on the list. While many other fruit snacks have a quintessential firmness, these gummies are floppy. With the variety pack, you get both Summer Strawberry and Berry Patch. Who doesn’t love options? —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Ryan Martin / Walmart
- Welch’s Berries ‘N Cherries Fruit Snacks
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I don’t even like cherries and I liked these fruit snacks! Imagine how you’ll feel about them if you are a cherry lover. The taste is fresh, the texture is soft and supple, and the cherry and berry flavors go together perfectly. Welch’s has so many flavors of fruit snacks and these have earned their place near the top of our list. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Dollar Tree
- Black Forest Juicy Burst Fruit Snacks
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Black Forest Juicy Burst fruit snacks solve my one and only gripe with fruit snacks and chewy candy in general: delayed gratification. I want flavor, and I want it now. When you bite into the middle of these, they burst in your mouth (I’m sorry, but there’s no other way to say it) with sweet, lightly tart, incredibly flavorful juicy goo. The satisfaction factor is on par with peelable candy. They come in cute little fruit shapes, and pack a very bold punch. Too bold for some, I’ll concede, but not for me. The green apple in particular is so flavorful—it’s the perfect level of sour. These are, hands down, some of the best fruit snacks I’ve ever tried. . —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Ralphs
- Funables Mixed Berry
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I had to remove the Paw Patrol Funables Fruit Snacks from this list, because we tasted them again, and they were all kinds of wrong. Personally, I felt gaslit. I remember loving them a year ago. And then I popped a Funables Mixed Berry fruit snack, and bam: There was the slightly firm texture and pleasantly sweet fruit flavor I remembered. (I’m not sure what happened to the Paw Patrol line, but I swear they got a downgrade.) These have a matte finish and slightly artificial sweetness that, let’s be honest, is exactly what some people, me, want from a fruit snack. They’re no Welch’s, but they’re still yummy. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Welch’s Mixed Fruit Reduced Sugar Fruit Snacks
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If you’re surprised to find Welch’s on this list of the best fruit snacks (three times), you shouldn’t be. Welch’s just gets fruit snacks. No, these aren’t as insanely flavorful as the full-sugar version, but you really can’t beat that Welch’s chew. Their soft, matte exterior combined with satisfying, not-too-sticky but not-too-dry chewiness makes Welch’s the gold standard fruit snack. If you never told me these were reduced sugar, I wouldn’t guess. While I can’t say these are the best healthy fruit snacks you can buy, these contain vitamins A, C, and E, and they’re overall less likely to give your kids a severe sugar high—and that should count for something! —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Welch’s Mixed Fruit Fruit Snacks
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If you look up “fruit snacks” in the dictionary, there is probably a picture of a package of Welch’s Fruit Snacks (don’t test me on this). They are the most classic, fruit snack-y tasting fruit snacks you can possibly imagine. I thought these would be my favorite going into our taste test, but I wasn’t sure if my bias was based on the fact that these are generally the most popular gummies on the market. Turns out, my bias was correct! Their texture is pleasantly springy without being too chewy. The fruity flavor is authentic and mostly natural with just a tinge of the artificial flavor you desire from a packaged snack. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Ryan Martin / Target
Best Firm
Most Fun
Best Budget
Best Healthy Fruit Snacks
Best Vegan Fruit Snacks
Best Welch’s Runner-Up
Best Filled Fruit Snacks
Best Fruit Snacks for Kids
Best Reduced Sugar
Best of the Best
Other Fruit Snacks We Tried That Didn’t Make the List
Welch’s Fruit ‘n Yogurt Strawberry Snacks, Mott’s Assorted Fruit Snacks, Trader Joe’s Apple Fruit Snacks, Welch’s Summer Fruits Fruit Snacks, Great Value Tangy Fruit Smiles, Welch’s Island Fruits Fruit Snacks, Market Pantry Mixed Berry, BEEUP Fruit Snacks, Sunkist Berry Blast Fruit Snacks, Sunkist Mixed Fruit Snacks, AriZona Fruit Snacks, Mickey & Friends Fruit Snacks, Bear Snacks Strawberry Fruit Minis 5 Pack, Solely Mango Fruit Snacks
Griffin Parker
Vinz Karl
