Bright coloured, fruity, chewy snacks are a popular option for kids of all ages, but how many of these fun coloured packets contain something healthy, that's been made with natural ingredients?
These ultra processed, fruity snacks are usually made with added sugars, syrups, palm oil, emulsifiers, flavourings and other nasties, so we were inspired by Every Good Thing to make our own fruity, chewy snack that was ACTUALLY healthy, and involved our favourite thing ever - Kombucha (this is also a super fun project to do with your children).
Before we get going on this very fun recipe, if you haven't started making your own Kombucha yet, check out our 5 STAR rated, famously easy Kombucha Starter Kits here.
In this recipe, we will use the live mother culture of Kombucha, known as the SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeasts) alongside some fresh or frozen fruit to make a naturally sweet & delicious fruity lunch box alternative.
The cellulose layers of the wonderful SCOBY continuously regenerate and grow, as batches of fresh Kombucha are brewed.
These new layers are often used to start a friend off with their own Kombucha brew, used to make vegan leather, as garden compost, or discarded by Kombucha brewers, but this is a recipe which you will definitely want to try with your next spare Kombucha SCOBY!
How To Make Our Fruit Winders
Make these for lunch boxes, gym bags, birthday parties, hiking trips, beach days desert decorations, or anything else you can think of.
The Mixed Berry ones work great with a chocolate dipping sauce too! There's a recipe for every occasion with the variations that follow.
Recipe for Totally Natural Mixed Berry Fruit Winders Using Kombucha SCOBY
We made a standard sized baking tray worth of bright red, mixed berry fruit winder with the below recipe.
Ingredients:
- 140 grams of frozen mixed berries (left to defrost before used)
- 200ml rhubarb Kombucha (was just what we had ready, could use any Kombucha you have or any fruit juice)
- 140 grams of fresh Kombucha SCOBY
- OPTIONAL 1-2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup
Equipment:
- Blender or food processor
- Baking tray lined with baking paper
- Large spoon / spatula to spread
- Dehydrator / air fryer / oven (able to set to 50 - 60 degrees Celsius)
Instructions:
- Prepare the fruit. Wash thoroughly or defrost if using frozen. Slice and add to blender
- Prepare your SCOBY. Remove the SCOBY you will be using from your fermentation jar, and tear into smaller chunks. Weigh out the right amount and add with the fruit to the blender
- Add half the liquid (100ml from amounts above)
- Blend the mixture. Shake contents around to make sure all of it is blended and combined. Add the remainder of the liquid if it needs extra to combine properly
- Add sweetener (Optional) if you like (ours didn't need it)
- Spread the mixture evenly onto your lined baking tray for the oven / non stick sheet if using dehydrator or air fryer. Make sure the mixture is spread thin enough to dry (aim for 2-3mm)
- Dry your fruit mixture. Temperature to dehydrate needs to be between 50 - 60 degrees Celsius. Dehydrate for 6-12 hours, depending on the thickness of the mixture and the method being used. Check every few hours to ensure it doesn't start to cook or get burnt on the edges
- Cut and store (or eat straight away). Once the fruit mixture is dry and flexible, remove it from the dehydrator. Let it cool completely and then cut it into strips and wind up into wheels. Store your fruit winders in an airtight container or freezer bag.
P.s. We REALLY recommend serving up your winders with a chocolate dipping sauce for special occasions.
Recipe Variations
Use the instructions detailed above, but substitute the mixed berries for the different fruit mixtures below.
If you feel really adventurous, you could make half and half of the fruit mixtures and make a two tone winder!
Tropical Tango Fruit Winder
- Half the fruit mixture is pineapple chunks
- Half the fruit is mango chunks
- Option to add a tablespoon lime juice
Citrus Citrus Fruit Winder
- 140 grams of peeled and de seeded orange slices
- Juice of 1 lemon
Peach and Vanilla Fruit Winder
- 140 grams peach slices (fresh or tinned)
- 1 vanilla bean (scraped seeds and pod)
- Could use juice from tin and liquid for blending
Storage and Serving
Store your fruit winders in an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be kept in the fridge for up to a week, although I doubt they'll last this long, or frozen for longer storage.
Serve the fruit winders as a healthy snack, a quick energy boost, or a fun treat for kids.
Enjoy your homemade, totally natural fruit winders, and feel good knowing they are both delicious and nutritious!
Share the recipe with family and friends and let's start feeding our children natural, delicious and healthy snacks.