Gelatin gummy recipe

I'm so excited to share this one with you because it solved a real problem in our house. Every single grocery trip, Alex and Sarah would beg for those little packs of gummy bears near the checkout. And every time, I'd flip the package over, read the ingredient list, and put them right back on the shelf.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Love These Homemade Gummies
• Ingredients You Need For Homemade Gummies
• Homemade Gummies
• How To Make These Homemade Gummies Step By Step
• Storage And Reheating
• Fun Tips And Variations For Homemade Fruit Gummies
• Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Gummies
• Recipes You May Like
• Time To Make Your Own Homemade Gummies

Artificial colors, corn syrup, stuff I couldn't even pronounce. No thank you.

So I started making homemade gummies right here in my Manhattan kitchen, and let me tell you, they turned out better than anything from the store. These are made with real whole fruit (not juice from a bottle), a touch of honey, and grass fed gelatin. That's it. No artificial junk. No mystery ingredients. Alex actually told me they taste way better than the ones his friends bring to school. Coming from a 12 year old, that's a huge win.

What I love most is how simple they are. You basically blend fruit, strain it, warm it with gelatin, and pour it into molds. Two hours in the fridge and you've got the perfect little snack. They're paleo, gluten free, and dairy free, which means pretty much everyone can enjoy them. If you've been curious about cooking with gelatin, you might also want to check out my knox gelatin recipe for another fun way to use it at home.

Why You Will Love These Homemade Gummies

• So simple to make. Just 5 minutes of hands on work and 2 hours of waiting in the fridge. Perfect for busy weeknights.
• Made with real fruit. We're talking whole oranges and fresh strawberries, not fruit juice from a box.
• Only a touch of honey. No refined sugar, no corn syrup, just a teaspoon of natural sweetness.
• Packed with protein. The gelatin adds about 2.5 grams of protein per serving. Not bad for a little snack!
• Kid approved. Both Alex and Sarah helped me make these, and honestly? The whole batch was gone in two days. Sarah keeps asking me to try grape next.
• Paleo, gluten free, and dairy free. They fit just about every dietary need without any fuss.

Ingredients You Need For Homemade Gummies

This recipe makes two different flavors, so you'll have variety right from the start. Here's what you need for each batch.

Orange Creamsicle Gummies

• 2 ½ large oranges, peeled (about 250 grams)
• ½ cup light coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon honey
• Pinch of sea salt
• 4 tablespoons grass fed beef gelatin

Strawberry Gummies

• 2 heaping cups chopped fresh strawberries (about 350 grams)
• ½ cup water
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• Pinch of sea salt
• 4 tablespoons grass fed beef gelatin

A quick note on the gelatin: I use unflavored gelatin powder because it dissolves smoothly and doesn't add any weird taste. Make sure you're using actual gelatin, not collagen peptides. They're different, and collagen won't make your gummies firm up at all. I learned that the hard way on my first try.

Print

How To Make These Homemade Gummies Step By Step

The process is almost the same for both flavors, just with slightly different ingredients. I usually make both batches at the same time so I can knock them out in one quick session.

Making The Orange Creamsicle Gummies

Step 1. Peel your oranges and toss them into a high powered blender. Blend until completely smooth, about 1 minute. Then pour the puree through a nut milk bag or fine mesh strainer into a small pot. Squeeze out all the juice and leave the pulp behind. You should end up with about 1 ½ cups of fresh juice.

Step 2. Add the coconut milk, honey, and sea salt to the pot. Whisk everything together and heat over low heat. You just want it barely warm, not hot. Then slowly whisk in the gelatin a little at a time. Let it sit for a minute or two so any foam on top disappears.

Step 3. Pour the mixture into silicone molds or a greased glass baking dish. Pop it in the fridge for at least 2 hours until firm. Then just remove from the molds or cut into bite sized pieces. Done!

Making The Strawberry Gummies

Step 1. Add your chopped strawberries, water, and lemon juice to the blender. Blend until smooth, about 1 minute. Strain through a nut milk bag or fine strainer into a small pot, squeezing out all the juice and leaving the pulp and seeds behind. You should get about 1 ½ cups of juice.

Step 2. Add honey and sea salt to the pot. Whisk to combine and warm over low heat (again, just barely warm). Slowly whisk in the gelatin. Let it sit for a minute so the foam settles.

Step 3. Pour into molds or a greased dish. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until set. Cut into pieces if needed and you're done!

Here's a tip I learned the hard way. Don't rush the gelatin step. If you dump it all in at once, you'll get clumps that never dissolve properly. Sprinkle it in slowly while whisking and you'll get perfectly smooth gummies every time. If you want to learn more about working with gelatin, my post about the gelatin trick has some great tips that helped me a lot.

Storage And Reheating

Store your homemade gummies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. They hold their shape best when kept cold.

If you leave them out at room temperature, they'll soften a bit but still hold together. I usually take out just enough for snack time and put the rest back in the fridge right away.

Because these are made with real fruit and no preservatives, they won't last as long as store bought gummies. But honestly, in our house they never make it past day three anyway. Sarah packs them in her lunch bag and Alex grabs a handful after basketball practice.

Fun Tips And Variations For Homemade Fruit Gummies

Here are some things I've picked up after making these way more times than I can count:

• Try different fruits. Mango, raspberry, blueberry, and peach all work really well. Just follow the same blend and strain method.
• Adjust the sweetness. If your fruit is super ripe, you can skip the honey entirely. Sarah actually prefers hers without it.
• Use fun mold shapes. We have bear, star, and heart shaped silicone molds. The kids get so excited picking their shapes. It makes snack time feel special.
• Add a squeeze of lemon. Even to the orange version. It brightens everything up and gives them a slightly tangy pop.
• Don't overheat the mixture. Too much heat weakens the gelatin and your gummies won't set right. Keep it on low and be patient.

Ever wonder what else you can do with gelatin at home? There are actually quite a few simple ways to use gelatin in recipes beyond gummies. It's one of those ingredients that does so much more than you'd expect. You can also check out my gelatin ingredients breakdown if you want to know exactly what goes into it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Gummies

Can I Make Homemade Gummies With Fresh Fruit Instead Of Juice?

Yes, and that's exactly what this recipe does! You blend whole, fresh fruit and then strain out the pulp yourself. This gives you a much more natural taste compared to store bought juice. The key is straining the puree really well so you get a smooth liquid. Any chunks left behind can make the texture grainy. I always double strain mine through a nut milk bag to get it perfectly smooth. If you enjoy working with gelatin, you might also like my bariatric gelatin recipe for another simple option.

How Long Do Homemade Fruit Gummies Last In The Refrigerator?

These homemade fruit gummies stay fresh in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in a sealed container. In our house they usually disappear within 3 or 4 days because Alex and Sarah eat them like candy. I'd say keep them cold for the best texture and bounce. If they start to feel sticky or smell off, it's time to toss them and make a new batch. Which honestly takes about 10 minutes, so it's no big deal.

Why Are My Homemade Gelatin Gummies Not Setting Properly?

The most common reason is too much heat. If you boil the mixture, it can break down the gelatin proteins and your gummies will stay soft. Keep the heat low, just barely warm enough to dissolve everything. Another reason could be not using enough gelatin, so measure carefully. I always let the mixture sit for a minute after adding gelatin so it blooms properly. Donald laughed at me the first time I made a mushy batch, but now he's the one asking when the next round is ready. If you want more gelatin recipes to practice with, I have several on the blog.

Can I Freeze Homemade Paleo Gummies For Longer Storage?

You can technically freeze them, but I really don't recommend it. The texture changes a lot when they thaw. They tend to get a bit mushy and lose that perfect chewy bounce we all love. Since these only take about 10 minutes of active time, it's way easier to just make a fresh batch when you run out. If you do freeze them, lay them flat on parchment paper first, then transfer to a freezer bag once they're solid. Thaw in the fridge overnight and eat them cold.

Recipes You May Like

If you enjoyed these homemade gummies, here are a few more treats your family might love:

• Gluten Free Lemon Crinkle Cookies A light and zesty cookie that's just as allergen friendly as these gummies. Great for school lunches or weekend baking with the kids.
• Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies That Melt In Your Mouth Because who doesn't love a good chocolate chip cookie? These are a weekly staple in our house. Alex could eat the whole batch himself.
• Homemade Apple Pie Bars With A Buttery Crust Another simple treat made with real fruit that comes together fast. Perfect when you want something warm and cozy.

Time To Make Your Own Homemade Gummies

These homemade gummies have honestly become one of the most asked for snacks in our house. Alex packs them for school, Sarah eats them after her activities, and even Donald grabs a few after dinner. They're so much better than anything from the store, and I love knowing exactly what's inside them.

The best part? You can switch up the fruit based on whatever is in season or on sale. We've tried mango, blueberry, and even watermelon at this point. Every single batch disappears fast.