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Home » Recipes » Kids Recipes » How to Make Homemade Gummy Bears

March 21, 2020 · Updated September 28, 2021 · 46 Comments

How to Make Homemade Gummy Bears

Desserts· Kids Recipes· Recipes

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These delicious Homemade Gummy Bears are the perfect DIY candy treat! A fun and easy recipe to make with kids — you only need 3 simple ingredients to make these colorful Jello Gummy Bears!

These delicious Homemade Gummy Bears are the perfect homemade candy treat!

Jello Gummy Bears

My five year old is obsessed with gummy bears!

Whenever we go to the candy store at the mall, the rest of us are piling our bags with chocolate, while she sticks with gummy bears only.

Funny enough, she doesn’t like gummy worms or other shapes as much — gummy bears are the hands-down favorite.

When I found out how easy it is to make homemade gummy bears, I knew we had to give this a try!

Believe it or not, you can make DIY gummy bears at home with only 3 ingredients and water! (Hint: one of the ingredients is JELL-O!)

Skip the store bought stuff filled with corn syrup, grab your favorite JELL-O flavor and lets make some gummy bears!

Related: For the “grown-ups only” version, try our Rosé Gummy Bears!

These delicious Homemade Gummy Bears are the perfect DIY candy treat! Only 3 ingredients!

What You Need to Make Homemade Gummy Candy

For your convenience, I’ve included shop-able ad links to some of the products used to make this recipe; disclosure policy available here.

  • Your favorite flavor of Jello — Grab one 3oz box for each flavor you’re making.
  • Unflavored gelatin — You’ll need two 0.25 oz packets for each box of Jello/flavor gummy bear.
  • Water
  • Cornstarch (optional) — You can still make gummy bears if you don’t have cornstarch on hand; we use it to dust the molds and then lightly coat the finished gummies to keep them from sticking as much.

Kitchen Supplies Used

  • Gummy bear molds — this set comes with 2 handy droppers like you’ll see in our video tutorial and photos
  • Silicone pastry brush
  • Measuring cup
  • Saucepan

These delicious Homemade Gummy Bears are the perfect homemade candy treat!

How to Make Homemade Gummy Bears

First, watch this quick demo video to see exactly how to make homemade gummy bears like we did, then keep reading for photo step-by-step directions. A free printable copy of our gummy bear recipe is available at the bottom of the post.

Click video to play:

 

gummy bear mold

Prepare your silicone molds by dusting with a light coating of cornstarch (if using).

TIP: These gummy bear molds are the ones we used and come with a handy dropper! Silicone is the best way to go because you can pop the gummies right out once they’ve set and they don’t get stuck.

Combine the Jello and gelatin in a saucepan with the water. Whisk together over medium-low heat until all the powder is dissolved.

Allow the liquid to cool enough to handle safely, but not enough to set.

TIP: You can use a medicine dropper to fill the molds – this keeps everything neat and clean.

squirting Jello into gummy bear mold

After the molds are filled, allow them to cool for a bit before dusting the top with a light coating of cornstarch.

Place in the fridge to set – this should take about 15-20 minutes – then you can remove your gummy bears from the mold.

popping homemade gummy bears out of a mold popping homemade gummy bears out of a mold

What gives gummy bears their texture?

Gelatin is the key ingredient that gives gummy bears that distinctive bouncy texture — you can squish them and they bounce right back!

In our recipe we use both unflavored gelatin, as well as Jello, which contains gelatin and flavorings. That way the gummies are perfectly textured and delicious too — without needing a bunch of ingredients.

Using Jello takes the guesswork out of it!

How do you make gummies that don’t melt?

A few readers emailed us with the question: “why use cornstarch?”

The cornstarch coating on our gummies keeps them from sticking together and helps them to not melt as easily.

After the gummies are cool and set, toss them in a small bowl or bag with a couple Tablespoons of cornstarch until evenly coated. You don’t have to use the cornstarch, but we find that it helps them last longer.

To prevent melting, it’s also important to store gummy bears in an airtight container in a cool place, away from sunlight. You can also keep them chilled in the fridge.

homemade gummy bears in a bag

How long do homemade gummies last?

The shelf life of homemade gummy bears depends on how they’re stored. If kept on the counter at room temperature, you’ll want to eat them within a few days, as they’ll start to get sticky and kind of mushy.

If kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator, homemade gummies can last much longer. You can expect your gummy bears to stay good for 2-3 weeks, perhaps even a month. That is, if you can keep from eating them all first!

These delicious Homemade Gummy Bears are easy and fun to make with JELLO!

More Jello Fun!

Jello is such a versatile ingredient for kids recipes and activities! Here are some of our favorite things to make with Jello:

  • Jello Frosted Grapes
  • Edible Jello Slime
  • Jello Ribbon Salad
  • Red White & Blue Jello Poke Cake

Can you make homemade gummy bears without Jello?

Don’t have Jello on hand? You can also make gummy bears with fruit juice, like our Healthy Homemade Green Gummy Snacks! 

Made with green juice (my fav!) and sweetened with honey, they’re a fun and healthy snack for kids!

This green gummy recipe does use gelatin, but can be made vegetarian by swapping agar powder for the gelatin.

Finally, a snack you can feel good about giving the kiddos anytime! These healthy green homemade gummy snacks are packed with fruit and veggies and they taste amazing!

 

[convertkit form=4956168]

 

Grab a free printable copy of our DIY Gummy Bear Recipe:

If you like this recipe, please rate it! We’d also love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

homemade gummy bears
Print Recipe
4.88 from 48 votes

Homemade Gummy Bears

These delicious Homemade Gummy Bears are easy and fun to make with JELLO!
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time35 mins
Total Time40 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: candy, Gummies, Gummy Bears, Homemade Gummies, Homemade Gummy Bears
Servings: 20
Calories: 452kcal
Author: Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
Cost: $5

Ingredients

  • 1 Box Flavored Jello (A typical box is 3oz)
  • 2 Packets Unflavored Gelatin
  • 1/3 Cup Water
  • 1/4 Cup Cornstarch

Instructions

  • Dust the gummy bear molds with a light coat of cornstarch. Set aside.
  • In a saucepan place flavored jello and 2 packets of unflavored gelatin.
  • Add ⅓ cup water.
  • Mix together and let sit for 5 minutes.
  • Place the pan on low-medium heat and whisk continuously until the powder is dissolved. This will take about another 5 minutes.
  • Once dissolved use a dropper to place in molds.
  • Allow gummies to sit for 5-10 minutes to cool. Lightly coat the backs of the gummy bears with cornstarch.
  • Place the molds in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to fully cool and set.
  • In a shallow bowl, add 1 tbsp cornstarch. Pop the gummy bears out of the molds and into the bowl.
  • Lightly toss to coat the gummies evenly. The cornstarch will prevent the gummies from sticking together.
  • Store in an airtight container.

Video

Notes

Note: Nutrition information is a rough estimate only; actual values will vary based on the exact ingredients used and amount of recipe prepared.

Nutrition

Calories: 452kcal | Carbohydrates: 106g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 407mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 73g

Be sure to pin this recipe on Pinterest!

These delicious Homemade Gummy Bears are easy and fun to make with JELLO!

You might also like:

strawberry gummies made with real fruit juice

Strawberry Gummy Bears (Made with Real Fruit)

Whether you're making them with the kiddos or for your sweetheart, these Gummy Bear Heart Cookies are a cute and delicious Valentine's Day treat!

Gummy Bear Heart Cookies

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Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
Stacey is the creator of The Soccer Mom Blog, a Houston Texas mom blog that focuses on positive living for women and families. She loves to share real food recipes, money-saving tips, parenting encouragement, kids activities, DIY tutorials, home hacks, fitness, and so much more! To get to know Stacey even better, click here.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Candy says

    November 9, 2019 at 10:25 am

    i like using Bakers Sugar instead of cornstarch. Its very fine and makes a very nicely finished gummy bear

    Reply
    • Kaya says

      February 21, 2022 at 7:32 pm

      Can you use white grape (or other juice) in place of the water?

      Reply
      • Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says

        February 23, 2022 at 3:09 pm

        I don’t see why not! Let me know how it goes!

        Reply
  2. Wenche says

    March 28, 2020 at 2:03 am

    Hi. I live in Norway. Could you please inform how much 2 packets of unflavored gelatin is in grams or oz? Thank you.

    Reply
    • Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says

      April 3, 2020 at 11:41 pm

      They are usually 1/4 ounce each. Hope this helps!

      Reply
      • ANNETTE says

        November 4, 2022 at 6:58 pm

        Can u use sugar free jello?

        Reply
        • Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says

          November 7, 2022 at 4:09 pm

          Sure!

          Reply
    • Barb says

      October 19, 2022 at 11:55 am

      Where would I find the bear molds?

      Reply
      • Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says

        October 21, 2022 at 1:59 pm

        Amazon has them: https://amzn.to/3F7TD9f (affiliate link)

        Reply
  3. Liz Nieman says

    April 2, 2020 at 12:50 pm

    Oh my gosh this is so smart!

    Reply
    • Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says

      April 3, 2020 at 11:38 pm

      It’s one of our favorite recipes! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Angie says

    May 13, 2020 at 10:23 am

    Can these be made with sugar free jello? I’m diabetic and would love a sugar free version.

    Reply
    • Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says

      May 18, 2020 at 3:33 pm

      Hi Angie – I think it should work with sugar free jello, though I haven’t tried that yet.

      Reply
  5. Ilene says

    July 17, 2020 at 3:58 pm

    I had trouble with a lot of foam. Any suggestions?

    Reply
    • Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says

      July 31, 2020 at 1:01 pm

      Maybe try stirring less vigorously when mixing up the Jello? Also, after pouring in the molds, you can stir with a toothpick to release the bubbles. A little tedious, but should help!

      Reply
  6. Amber Civils says

    August 29, 2020 at 7:22 am

    If I’m going to toss them in citric acid to make them sour should I skip the cornstarch toss?

    Reply
    • Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says

      September 2, 2020 at 12:48 pm

      I think that should be fine!

      Reply
  7. Leah Burg says

    October 29, 2020 at 1:38 pm

    Can you use Jell-o-Slime or does it have to be regular Jell-O?

    Reply
    • Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says

      November 2, 2020 at 9:06 pm

      Jello slime mix has other additives in it, so it likely wouldn’t work the same.

      Reply
  8. Bonnie says

    October 31, 2020 at 5:30 pm

    Can these be frozen?

    Reply
    • Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says

      November 12, 2020 at 9:05 pm

      Sure! I’d keep them in a freezer bag or a freezer safe container.

      Reply
  9. Sania says

    November 8, 2020 at 12:18 am

    Can you use kosher clear unflavored gelatin

    I have tried a couple of times and failed!!!!😕

    Reply
    • Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says

      November 12, 2020 at 9:04 pm

      Hi Sania, I haven’t tried that, so can’t say for certain. Did you try it with my recipe? Or with a different recipe?

      Reply
  10. Barb says

    December 7, 2020 at 1:57 pm

    Where do you get the gummy bear molds?

    Reply
    • Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says

      December 9, 2020 at 1:46 pm

      Hi Barb, I linked to them in the supply list, but just in case: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0798HX8KR/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thsomobl-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0798HX8KR&linkId=ec3a6808f4ff01e703519f9f39a93901 (that is my amazon link)

      Reply
  11. Gwen says

    January 15, 2021 at 6:21 pm

    I would like to know how many spoons of gelatin do you use if you don’t have the packets?

    Reply
    • Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says

      February 8, 2021 at 1:11 pm

      Hi Gwen, this is from the Knox gelatin website: 1 pouch is about 2 1/2 teaspoons (7g) unflavoured gelatine. If a recipe calls for 1 tablespoon, use 1 pouch of unflavoured gelatine

      Reply
  12. ??? says

    May 13, 2021 at 12:01 pm

    Very Good Recipe!

    Reply
  13. Maggie says

    June 27, 2021 at 8:09 pm

    I just made these this weekend for my grandson’ birthday party using a lego mold and put a gummy on each cupcake for the kids. I thought they were good but a little firmer than I would have liked. Followed directions, but could the heat have been too high? Maybe a little more water? Any thoughts? Also did not like the look of the cornstarch on the front. I did set them on cornstarch after removing from molds to keep them from sticking. Otherwise, easy tasty recipe. Thanks

    Reply
  14. Dj says

    July 15, 2021 at 5:09 pm

    I bought the gummy bear molds you liked to in the article. The recipe says it will make 20 servings. This recipe made 100 gummy bears in those molds. Please be advised.

    Reply
    • Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says

      July 20, 2021 at 4:17 pm

      I use serving size as a guide for nutrition estimates. 20 servings x 5 pieces of candy each = 100 total. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  15. Nomi says

    September 10, 2021 at 6:38 pm

    Thank you so much for your recipe! I used it to make cannabis infused gummies and it worked great. I highly recommend it…..

    Reply
    • Maya says

      June 6, 2022 at 1:06 am

      I need that recipe!!

      Reply
    • Joanne says

      July 4, 2022 at 12:57 pm

      I need that recipe too

      Reply
  16. Marsha Dourte says

    November 3, 2021 at 2:59 pm

    None of the recipes print!!!!!

    Reply
    • Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says

      November 3, 2021 at 8:26 pm

      Hi Marsha – that’s going to be a setting issue on your web browser. It could potentially be a pop-up blocker, as the printable recipe will open in a new window when you click the “Print Recipe” button. From there, you can click print and it will open your printer’s dialog window.

      Reply
  17. Yasmeen says

    February 18, 2022 at 10:15 pm

    Excellent Work, This is a good and Informative post.

    Reply
  18. Alice says

    March 29, 2022 at 3:16 pm

    Can I use sugar free jello.

    Reply
    • Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says

      March 29, 2022 at 5:35 pm

      It should work with sugar free jello, I just haven’t personally tried it yet.

      Reply
  19. Jan says

    May 5, 2022 at 4:14 pm

    Whenever I make these, I’ve tried corn starch and then this time powder sugar.
    Problem I’m having is…after we roll them..in whatever, the stuff comes off and then the bears are slimy. Thought the powder sugar would stay on them.

    Anyone else have this problem?

    Reply
    • R says

      July 29, 2022 at 11:47 am

      Try letting them set out overnight on parchment paper in your oven before coating them, it’s worked a few times for me. It just lets the extra moisture escape.

      Actually going to try to use a Dehydrator on the lowest setting to speed that process up a bit more.

      Reply
  20. Ann Marie says

    July 5, 2022 at 10:15 am

    Can these be made with Apple Cider Vinegar? Would I replace the water with the vinegar?

    Reply
    • Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says

      July 12, 2022 at 3:18 pm

      I don’t think they would taste good with vinegar…

      Reply
  21. Tim says

    September 27, 2022 at 7:47 am

    Thanks this should be fun

    Reply
  22. Paulguad says

    November 26, 2022 at 5:17 pm

    So typical of provincial Northamericans who think that the entire world uses their antiquated measurment system.

    Reply
    • Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says

      December 1, 2022 at 12:21 pm

      Well, I am based in North America so that is how I measure my ingredients. Fortunately, the internet is a wonderful place and there are some very good calculators for converting ingredient measurements to your preferred system.

      Reply

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