My kids LOVE this healthy homemade gummy bear recipe & I love that there’s no junk & only 2 ingredients. Ready in 15 minutes too, and great for a snack or school lunch!
If I could pick only one topping for frozen yogurt, it would be gummy bears.
My whole life I’ve loved gummy candies. Gummy bears, gummy worms, sour gummies… (sour patch kids were THE BOMB!). Now there are even “life saver” gummies and “jolly rancher” flavors too.
Since gummy bears contain ingredients that we avoid in our home (like high fructose corn syrup), I’ve re-created my favorite gummy candy into homemade gummy bears!
It took some experimenting, and LOTS of taste testing (against my will, of course), but I’ve come up with a homemade gummy recipe that will totally give any other typically processed gummy bear a run for its money.
AND it’s healthy!!
THE BEST HEALTHY GUMMY BEAR RECIPE
Now, before you take on this challenge yourself, there are a few things you need to know.
Although way good for you, gelatin on its own does not taste good.
Just one tablespoon contains a whopping 6 grams of protein – talk about a super-food (and in my gummies?! Squee!!)
But it does come from animal proteins and by default, doesn’t taste that great.
Thankfully in this gummy bear recipe, we are using fruit juice AND we can add sweetener to cover the taste of gelatin.
WHAT ARE GUMMIES MADE OF? GUMMY BEAR INGREDIENTS
This healthy gummy bear recipe uses 3 easy ingredients:
- Gelatin. You want unflavored gelatin. I like this brand.
- Fruit juice or puree. Use 100% fruit juice or a fruit puree. I like a puree since it contains real fruit and adds just a bit more nutrients.
- Honey. (Optional) You will want some sweetener if you use a puree. The juice will already be sweeter. Maple syrup or liquid stevia works too.
GUMMY BEARS MADE FROM JUICE
The flavor combinations for healthy homemade gummies are endless!
If the fruit juice flavor combination sounds good in your head, chances are it’ll be good in a gummy bear. Strong flavors (i.e. grape juice) will make for a very tasty gummy. Mild flavors (i.e. apple) will make a mild gummy bear and in my humble gummy-loving opinion, would be better paired with something stronger to keep the gelatin flavor at bay.
In general, avoid single strong acidic flavors since they tend to not gel up as well (think pineapple juice, orange juice, or grapefruit). You can combine them with something else though for sure!
Here are some favorites that come to mind:
- Cherry
- Lime
- Mango
- Raspberry
- Cranberry
- Apple
- Grape
GUMMY BEAR RECIPE TOOLS
If you look on Amazon, the options for silicone gummy molds are nearly endless. Our favorites are the traditional gummy bear mold and LEGO.
The goal though is to choose a silicone mold that makes small, individual gummies like this one for hearts or this one for bears. Be sure to read the measurements so you’re not ending up with monster-sized gummies (trust me, I’ve made that mistake!).
If a silicone mold is out of the question, use a glass dish or ice cube tray instead and cut these delicious healthy homemade gummies into squares. Don’t think you can’t do this just because you don’t have a mold!
HOW TO MAKE GUMMY BEARS RECIPE
Step 1: If you’re starting with whole fruit, make fruit puree by blending fruit in a blender. Then measure fruit puree into a large measuring cup first. Stir in honey if using.
Step 2: Measure juice into a small saucepan and turn it to medium-low heat. Add the gelatin and whisk constantly. Bring the mixture to an almost simmer – you want it to be definitely warm, but not hot, to the touch – about 3 minutes. The liquid should be opaque or clear and the gelatin should be completely dissolved before proceeding.
Step 3: Add the gelatin mixture to the puree (if using). Whisk to combine gelatin mixture with puree and/or honey, if using.
Step 4: Place the mold on the baking sheet. Pour the mixture into the molds, but do not overfill them. Alternatively, pour the mixture into the 8×8 glass pan.
Step 5: Place the entire baking sheet with the mold on top, or the 8×8 glass pan, in the freezer for 15 minutes.
Step 6: Pull the gummies out from the freezer and pop them out of the molds. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
HEALTHY GUMMY BEAR RECIPE TIPS
- Have all of your supplies and ingredients ready to go before you begin. The recipe moves fast!
- Taste the liquid before freezing. If it doesn’t taste good, the gummies won’t either when they’re done. Err on the side of too sweet rather than not sweet enough!
FAQs REGARDING THIS RECIPE FOR GUMMY BEARS
Are DIY gummy bears vegan?
You can make healthy homemade gummies with vegan gelatin. I personally have not tested this myself, but in research, it appears that you can substitute it relatively easily in recipes. They are gluten-free and dairy-free!
How do you mold gummy bears?
I like these gummy bear molds. But you can find a wide variety of silicone molds online if you want different shapes. The key is to find small gummy molds and not a giant jello mold!
Can you make homemade gummy bears with alcohol?
I have not tested this recipe with alcohol, but you may be able to sub some of the juice with an adult beverage. Just be sure to label your storage container and keep it out of reach of the kids. 😉
Can you make your own gummy bears with jello mix?
Jello does contain gelatin, but it also contains a lot of sugar. Personally, I don’t want to add that much sugar since I’m opting for a healthier version of gummy bears. I’m also not sure that the texture of jello will be the same as traditional gummy bears.
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My kids LOVE this healthy homemade gummy bear recipe & I love that there’s no junk & only 2 ingredients. Ready in 15 minutes too, and great for a snack or school lunch!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 gummies 1x
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Freeze
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup 100% fruit juice, OR
⅔ cup fruit puree and ⅓ cup 100% fruit juice - 8 tsp grass-fed gelatin
- 2 Tbsp honey (optional)
SUPPLIES
- small saucepan
- silicone mold OR 8×8 glass pan
- baking sheet (if using the mold)
- small measuring cup
- larger measuring cup or bowl with a spout (for easy pouring)
- whisk
- spatula
Instructions
- If you’re starting with whole fruit, make fruit puree by blending fruit in a blender. Then measure fruit puree into the larger measure cup/bowl first. Add honey if using.
- Measure juice into a small saucepan and turn the heat on medium-low. Add the gelatin and whisk constantly. Bring the mixture to an almost simmer – you want it to be definitely warm, but not hot, to the touch – about 3 minutes. The liquid should be opaque or clear and the gelatin should be completely dissolved before proceeding.
- Add the juice/gelatin mixture to the puree (if using) in the bowl/cup with the spout. Whisk to combine juice/gelatin with puree and/or honey, if using.
- Place the mold on the baking sheet. Pour the mixture into the molds, but do not overfill them. Alternatively, pour the mixture into the 8×8 glass pan.
- Place the entire baking sheet with the mold on top, or the 8×8 glass pan, in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Pull the gummies out from the freezer and pop them out of the molds. Store in a container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- Have all of your supplies and ingredients ready to go before you begin. The recipe moves fast!
- Taste the liquid before freezing. If it doesn’t taste good, the gummies won’t either when they’re done. Err on the side of too sweet rather than not sweet enough!
Nutrition
- Calories: 13
Do these “melt” when you take them out of the fridge? Is refrigeration to keep them from spoiling or to keep their shape? We are looking for snacks with protein to take hiking and need things that will be okay room temp for a day.
Hi Sarah,
Tiffany says, “They don’t melt at normal room temperature, but they might if it’s really warm or humid. There no preservatives, so refrigeration is mostly to prevent spoiling.”. Hope this helps!
This was pretty quick and easy. I substituted Agave for honey and agar agar for the thickening agent, using 3 tsp and it worked out great; I didn’t even have to put it into the freezer, they gelled up nicely! For those asking about using stuff that wasn’t 100% juice, I couldn’t find 100% strawberry juice and used a strawberry/kiwi drink and it worked out just fine.
Great! I subbed the honey for one drop of liquid monk fruit. These were amazing!
I made these using fresh prickly pears. They turned out beautifully. Next I am going to make them with fresh watermelon.
Hi! I was wondering, do you HAVE to have 100% fruit juice? Like, what I mean is, can you use like, idk, 50% fruit juice? 90% and lower? Thanks!
-Emree
Hi Emree, We’ve only tested 100% juice to avoid unneeded additives. But if you make the recipe with a different combo be sure to report back and let us know how it goes. 🙂
I made these and added vinegar to replace my store bought high sugar acv gummies. They turned out great!
Hi!
This looks cute! Does it come out differently than a mini Jello?
Hi Malka,
These come out a little firmer than mini Jello-O and aren’t as clear.
I’ve made these several times using different juices (all 100% juice) and although they turn out fine there’s not a lot of flavor. I’ve tried grape and tart cherry juice and the end result is a very faint diluted fruit flavor. I’ve wondered about adding a fruit extract or oil or something to increase the actual fruity flavor. Any thoughts?
Hello Sue,
This Homemade Gummy Bears recipe hasn’t been tested with adding fruit extract or oil. If you try it, let us know how it turns out! 🙂
My six year old grand-daughter and I made these with pomegranates we juiced from our tree. Added a bit of honey to sweeten it up. Turned out great, thanks for the recipe share!
Just found this recipe and can’t wait to try. Question:
Will the gummies go “bad” if kept longer than 2 weeks? If so, what kind of “bad” – unhealthy bad, or just loss of texture?
Also, can they be stored in freezer for longer shelf life?
Thanks!
Hi Courtney,
They’re probably fine 2-3 weeks, sealed, in the fridge. Of course, use your best judgement. If they ‘go bad’ it will likely be mold since these do not have preservatives. If you leave them uncovered, they might have an unpleasant texture. Yes, you can freeze and just naturally thaw them in the fridge. Of course, freeze them separately on a sheet, and then store them in a freezer bag/container so they don’t freeze stuck together. Hope this helps!
We love these!! Do you have a recipe for sour gummy bears? Thank you
Hello Nat,
We haven’t tested it with a sour flavor. If you decide to try it, report back and let us know how it goes. 🙂
Hello! I just made these but the texture wasn’t as firm as I’d like them to be.. just wondering if more sugar, or adding in the honey would make them firmer?
Hello Desiree,
For firm gummies, place them in the freezer for about 1 hour. Hope this helps!