Vegan Jello recipe

Let me tell you about the day I finally cracked vegan jello at home. Sarah came home from a birthday party asking why we never make the wiggly stuff, and I didn't have a good answer. The boxed kind has gelatin, which comes from animals, and I wanted a plant based version made with real fruit juice instead.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Like This Recipe
• Ingredients for the Best Vegan Jello
• Vegan Jello
• How to Make Vegan Jello Step by Step
• Storage and Make Ahead Tips
• Fun Variations on This Vegan Jello Recipe
• Vegan Jello FAQ
• Recipes You May Like
• Conclusion

So I started testing. My first batch was a rubbery mess (I used way too much agar agar). My second batch never set at all. But by the third try, I had homemade vegan jello that bounced, jiggled, and tasted like actual fruit. Alex ate both cups before Donald even got home from work.

Here's what I love most about this recipe. It takes 5 minutes on the stove, uses 4 simple ingredients, and works with almost any juice you have in the fridge. If you're wondering how the plant based version stacks up against the boxed stuff, I broke it all down in my agar agar vs gelatin guide, and it's worth a quick read before you start.

Why You Will Like This Recipe

• Only 5 minutes of cooking. One minute of prep, 4 minutes on the stove, and the fridge does the rest.
• Just 4 simple ingredients. Agar agar, fruit juice, water, and sugar. That's the whole list.
• Real fruit flavor. Since you're using 100% juice, it tastes like fruit instead of candy.
• Fully plant based. No gelatin, so it works for vegan and vegetarian eaters.
• Kids love it. Sarah calls it "the wiggle cups" and asks for it every week now.
• Great for other desserts. Cube it for parfaits, layer it in trifles, or serve it as is.

Ingredients for the Best Vegan Jello

Here's everything you need for both colors. Each batch makes about 2 cups.

For the red jello:

• 1 ½ teaspoons agar agar flakes (or ¾ teaspoon agar agar powder)
• 1 cup red grape juice (240ml), 100% fruit juice
• 1 cup water (240ml)
• ¼ cup white granulated sugar (50g)

For the green jello:

• 1 ½ teaspoons agar agar flakes (or ¾ teaspoon agar agar powder)
• 1 cup green apple juice (240ml), 100% fruit juice
• 1 cup water (240ml)
• ¼ cup white granulated sugar (50g)
• A few drops green food coloring (optional)

A quick note on agar agar, since it's the star here. It's a plant based setting agent made from seaweed, and it's what gives this vegan jello its bounce. Flakes and powder both work, but powder is stronger, so use half the amount. I've found flakes at my local health food store here in Manhattan, and the powder is easy to order online.

For the juice, grab whatever 100% fruit juice your family likes. Grape and apple are our regulars, but cranberry and orange both turned out great when I tested them too.

Print

How to Make Vegan Jello Step by Step

The steps are short and simple. I promise this is one of the easiest desserts I make.

Cook the Red Jello

Add the agar agar, water, grape juice, and sugar to a pot on the stove. Bring everything to a boil, stirring regularly so nothing sticks.

Let it boil for a full 2 minutes. Don't skip this part! The agar agar needs that time to fully dissolve, or your jello won't set. I learned this the hard way when Alex was 10 and my first batch stayed soupy overnight.

Pour and Chill

Pour the hot mixture into serving bowls or glasses. Be careful here, because it's genuinely hot (I always do this part before the kids wander into the kitchen).

Pop the bowls in the refrigerator to set. Agar agar actually starts firming up faster than gelatin, which is a nice little bonus when you have impatient taste testers hovering nearby.

Make the Green Jello

Follow the same steps with the apple juice batch. After the 2 minute boil, take the pot off the heat and stir in a few drops of green food coloring if you want that bright color.

Pour into bowls or glasses and refrigerate until firm. Then get ready for some serious wiggling at the table.

Storage and Make Ahead Tips

Leftovers are simple with this one. Cover each bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

I don't recommend freezing it. I tried once, and the texture turned grainy and watery after thawing. Honestly, it was a sad little puddle.

One thing I love is that this is a great make ahead dessert. I often make both colors on Sunday so the kids have snacks ready for the week. The flavor actually stays fresh and fruity the whole time, and the texture holds up beautifully in the fridge.

No reheating needed here, obviously. This one goes straight from fridge to spoon.

Fun Variations on This Vegan Jello Recipe

Once you've made the basic version, there are so many ways to play with it. Have you ever cubed jello into tiny squares for a fruit parfait? It's a total kid pleaser.

• Try different juices. Cranberry, pineapple, orange, and pomegranate all set up beautifully. Just stick with 100% juice for the best taste.
• Cube it for desserts. Pour the mixture into a shallow dish, let it set, then cut it into cubes. I layer them with stabilized whipped cream and fresh berries for a quick parfait.
• Add fruit pieces. Stir in small chunks of strawberries or mandarin oranges right after pouring. Skip fresh pineapple and kiwi though, since they can mess with the set.
• Make it fancy. A spoonful of blackberry compote on top makes these little cups feel like a restaurant dessert.
• Turn them into treats for a party. If you love festive jello ideas, my red white and blue jello shots are a huge hit at summer get togethers.
• Go chewier. If your kids like a firmer, gummy texture, add a bit more agar agar, or check out my gelatin gummy recipe for a snackable version.

One pitfall to avoid: don't add the agar agar to hot liquid all at once without stirring. It clumps fast. Start it in the pot with everything cold, then bring it up to a boil together.

Vegan Jello FAQ

What Is the Best Agar Agar to Use for Vegan Jello?

Both flakes and powder work great. Powder dissolves faster and is about twice as strong, so use ¾ teaspoon of powder for every 1 ½ teaspoons of flakes. I keep powder in my pantry because it's quicker, but I started with flakes and had zero problems. Just make sure whichever one you buy is plain and unflavored.

How Long Does Vegan Jello Take to Set in the Refrigerator?

About 1 to 2 hours for small cups, which is faster than regular gelatin. Agar agar actually begins setting at room temperature, so you'll see it firming up quickly. For bigger molds or shallow pans, give it a full 2 hours to be safe. I usually make it after lunch so it's ready for an after school snack.

Can I Make Vegan Jello with Any Type of Fruit Juice?

Almost! Grape, apple, cranberry, orange, and berry juices all work well. The exceptions are fresh pineapple, kiwi, and papaya juice, which contain enzymes that can weaken the set. If you really want pineapple, use the canned or bottled kind since the heat processing takes care of that problem.

How Do I Store Homemade Vegan Jello to Keep It Fresh?

Cover the bowls tightly and refrigerate for up to 5 days. I use small glass jars with lids, which makes them easy to grab for lunchboxes. Keep them away from strong smelling foods in the fridge, since jello can pick up odors. And skip the freezer, because the texture won't survive it.

Recipes You May Like

• Vegan strawberry santas for a festive treat - Another fun plant based dessert the kids can help make.
• Chewy christmas jello balls - If you love jello texture, these sweet little bites are a must.
• Creamy strawberry banana smoothie bliss in just 5 minutes - Fruity, quick, and perfect alongside a jello cup for snack time.

Conclusion

That's everything you need to make easy vegan jello at home. Boil the agar agar with juice, water, and sugar for 2 minutes, pour it into cups, and let the fridge do the work. It's simple, made with real ingredients, and honestly more fun than the boxed stuff.

This recipe has become a regular in our Manhattan kitchen, and I love that both kids can help pour and pick the juice flavors. It reminds me of making treats with my own mom as a teenager, just with a plant based twist.

Give it a try this week and let me know how it turns out for you! And don't forget to save this one to Pinterest so you can find it next time the wiggle cravings hit your kids.