The best fruit snacks are chewy, sweet, and fruity. If they come in a fun shape, that’s a nice added bonus. Holding a tiny, child-sized bag of fruit snacks in my adult-sized hand immediately transports me back to sitting cross-legged on the train tracks rug in my first grade classroom. I used to take the gummies out of their crinkly packaging one by one and place them in color-coded piles on the absolutely filthy ground. When I was finished with this ritual, I would scoop up each pile in my (also absolutely filthy) hands and consume each one whole.
As I’ve matured, I’ve strayed from this once beloved practice. In fact, when we sat down for the first of our two taste tests, it was probably the first time I’d eaten fruit snacks in at least 15 years. Sadly, my boss would not let me eat them off the floor. We did, however, spend quite a bit of time at a table assessing the chewiness, fruitiness, and shapes of all the best brands of fruit snacks. These are the best gummy fruit snacks.
- Betty Crocker Scooby-Doo Snacks Fruit Snacks
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.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon
- Great Value Original Fruit Smiles
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 get 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.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Walmart
- YumEarth Organic Fruit Snacks
“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.
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks Variety Pack
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?
Credit: Ryan Martin / Walmart
- Welch’s Berries ‘N Cherries Fruit Snacks
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 gummy, 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.
Credit: Liv Averett / Dollar Tree
- Market Pantry Strawberry Fruit Snacks
When I eat fruit snacks, I am typically looking for a mix of fruits. These strawberry gummies from Target still managed to be one of the best gummy fruit snacks we tasted, even though they only have one flavor! The strawberry is so authentic and the chew is perfect. Plus, these are affordable and accessible because they’re from Target. They are some of the best fruit snacks for kids and adults alike.
Credit: Liv Averett / Total Wine
- Welch’s Mixed Fruit Snacks
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.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Target
Most Fun
Best Budget
Best Healthy
Best Organic
Best Welch’s Runner-Up
Best Single Flavor
Best of the Best
Other Products We Tried: 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, Market Pantry, Welch’s Island Fruits Fruit Snacks, Market Pantry Mixed Berry
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