Who Makes the Healthiest Fruit Snacks? A Deep Dive into the Top Brands

January 4, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, many conventional fruit snacks are more like candy than actual fruit, with sugar as the primary ingredient. This makes it crucial to know who makes the healthiest fruit snacks, distinguishing between genuinely nutritious options and candy in disguise.

Quick Summary

Examine the healthiest fruit snack brands on the market, focusing on products made from real fruit with no added sugar, artificial flavors, or dyes. Learn how to read labels for healthier choices.

Key Points

Read the Label: The first ingredient should be whole fruit, not sugar or concentrate.
No Added Sugar: The healthiest brands use only fruit for sweetness, not added sugars.
Check for Fiber: Many processed fruit snacks lose the fiber found in whole fruit.
Avoid Artificial Additives: Look for snacks without synthetic colors or flavors.
Consider Dried Fruit: Unsweetened dried fruit is a simple, healthy alternative.
Homemade is Best: Making your own fruit snacks offers complete control over ingredients.

What to Look for in a Healthy Fruit Snack

The fruit snack aisle is a minefield of colorful packages and health claims that can be misleading. Many products touting "real fruit" are actually loaded with sugar, corn syrup, and artificial additives. To find a truly healthy option, you need to become a label detective.

The Ingredient List is Key

Check the First Ingredient: For a fruit snack to be considered healthy, the first ingredient should be a whole fruit, like apples, mangos, or dates. If the first ingredient is sugar, corn syrup, or fruit juice concentrate, it's likely closer to candy.
Beware of Fruit Juice Concentrate: This ingredient is essentially fruit juice with the water removed, resulting in a highly concentrated, sugary substance that has lost much of its nutritional value, including fiber.
No Added Sugar: The healthiest fruit snacks rely on the natural sweetness of the fruit itself. Look for brands that have 0g of added sugar on the nutrition facts label.
Avoid Artificial Additives: Steer clear of synthetic colors (like Red 40, Blue 1) and artificial flavors. Natural, healthy fruit snacks get their color and taste from real fruit and vegetable sources.

The Nutritional Profile

Fiber Matters: Whole fruit provides essential dietary fiber, which aids digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness. Most processed fruit snacks have this fiber stripped away, which is why they are less satisfying and nutritious than real fruit.
Vitamins and Minerals: While some fruit snacks are fortified with vitamins A, C, and E, they often lack the diverse range of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals found in whole fruit. Fortification can be a marketing tactic to create a "health halo".

Top Contenders: Who Makes the Healthiest Fruit Snacks?

Based on ingredient transparency and minimal processing, several brands stand out for prioritizing genuine nutrition over sugary marketing tactics.

Best Overall: Whole Fruit & Veggie Bites

Solely Organic Whole Fruit Gummies: Made with just a few whole food ingredients, like fruit puree and Vitamin C, with no added sugar. They offer a simple, clean, and honest fruit snack.
Chum Fruit Bites: Another minimalist brand that uses only fruit, with zero added sugar, providing a chewy and satisfying experience that's true to its name.
Bear Fruit Minis / Rolls: Uses 100% fruit with no added nonsense, colors, or flavors. A popular choice among parents for its simplicity and natural ingredients.

Best Fruit Bars

That's It Mini Fruit Bars: As the name suggests, these bars are made with just fruit—typically two types. They contain no added sugar and are a great option for an on-the-go snack.
Larabars Minis: Fruit-based flavors are made with dates, nuts, and dried fruit, offering zero added sugar. They provide a more substantial and satiating snack.

Best Dried Fruit & Strips

Stretch Island Fruit Leather: Features no added sugar and is made from fruit puree concentrate. While it contains concentrate, it's still a much better alternative to many conventional fruit snacks.
Peeled and Made in Nature (Unsweetened): Offers a wide range of unsweetened dried fruit options like mango, pineapple, and apples, providing a simple and portable snack.
Rind Snacks: Leaves the rinds and peels on dried fruit for added nutrients and fiber, offering a unique and healthy option.

DIY: The Ultimate Healthy Option

For complete control over ingredients and nutrient content, making your own fruit snacks at home is the best route. Recipes for homemade fruit roll-ups or gummies often involve blending fresh fruit and dehydrating or setting with agar powder. This guarantees no added sugar or artificial components.

Comparison Table: Healthy vs. Conventional Fruit Snacks


Brand	Key Ingredient(s)	Added Sugar (per serving)	Artificial Additives	Overall Health Rating
Solely Fruit Gummies	Mango, Orange Extract	0g	No	Excellent
Bear Fruit Minis	Fruit Puree	0g	No	Excellent
Stretch Island Fruit Leather	Fruit Puree Concentrate	0g	No	Good
Welch's Fruit Snacks	Fruit Puree, Corn Syrup, Sugar	~10-12g	Yes (Colors, Flavors)	Poor
Mott's Fruit Snacks	Corn Syrup, Sugar, Juice Concentrate	~12g	Yes (Colors, Flavors)	Poor

The Verdict: Reading Beyond the Packaging

When evaluating who makes the healthiest fruit snacks, the answer isn't a single brand but a category of snacks that prioritize whole, natural ingredients. Conventional brands, despite their marketing, often serve as glorified candy. By focusing on the ingredient list, especially the absence of added sugars and artificial ingredients, you can make a truly informed and healthy choice. Products like Solely, Bear Fruit, and That's It consistently lead the pack by keeping it simple and real.

Conclusion

Navigating the fruit snack market can be challenging, but understanding the difference between real fruit and processed sugar is key. The healthiest fruit snacks are those made with whole fruit, no added sugars, and minimal processing, retaining valuable nutrients and fiber. While many brands masquerade as healthy, a quick glance at the ingredients and nutrition label will reveal the truth. Ultimately, for the purest and most nutritious option, simple dried fruit or a homemade version remains the gold standard, but excellent packaged alternatives exist for convenience.

For more on how deceptive fruit snack marketing can be, see the analysis by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, conventional fruit snacks like Welch's and Mott's are not healthy. They are high in added sugar, with corn syrup often listed as a primary ingredient, and are nutritionally closer to candy than to actual fruit.

Fruit juice concentrate is fruit juice with the water removed, creating a high-sugar, low-nutrient ingredient. Unlike whole fruit, which contains fiber, juice concentrate provides a less nutritious, more concentrated dose of sugar.

Not necessarily. While they may avoid artificial ingredients, many organic fruit snack brands can still be high in added sugar. It is essential to read the ingredient and nutrition label carefully, even on organic products.

The most important thing to look for is the ingredient list. Ensure that a whole fruit is the first ingredient, and check the nutrition facts for zero or very low added sugar content.

Brands known for making the healthiest fruit snacks include Solely, Chum, Bear Fruit, and That's It, all of which prioritize real fruit and avoid added sugars and artificial ingredients.

Most processed fruit snacks do not count as a true serving of fruit because they lack the fiber and nutrients found in whole fruit. Their high sugar content and minimal nutritional value mean they should be considered a treat, not a fruit replacement.

While fruit snacks can provide a quick sugar boost for pre-athletic events, real fruit is a more nutritious option for daily snacking due to its fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Whole fruit provides more sustainable energy and overall health benefits.