Homemade Gummy Bears (Only 3 Ingredients!)
Create your own sweet and chewy gummy bears at home with just three ingredients, using a simple box of jello as the base!
Jello Gummy Bears
Gummy bears are a serious obsession in our house, especially for my five-year-old! Unlike the rest of us, she skips the chocolate and heads straight for the bears for her favorite movie snack!
When I learned you could make them at home with just three ingredients and water – jello being one of them – I was hooked. No more store-bought candies filled with corn syrup (a sweetener we’re looking to get out of our house).
These homemade gummy bears have the same delicious fruity taste and perfectly chewy texture, plus they are a fun and easy treat to make together!
Another plus to DIY gummy bears? You can make JUST the flavors you like! You can also try unique flavors – mango, cranberry, strawberry kiwi, you name it! If there’s a box of jello in a flavor, you can make it into gummy bears!
Ingredients & Supplies
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 or Powdered Sugar (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 —Â this set comes with 2 handy droppers like you’ll see in our video tutorial and photos
- Silicone pastry brush
- Measuring cup
- Small Saucepan
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Instructions
To Prep: Prepare your silicone molds by dusting with a light coating of cornstarch (if using). You’ll probably only need about a teaspoon or so for each mold. Place the molds on a baking tray to help keep them from bending and spilling any liquid while you’re working with them.
- Combine the Jello powder and the unflavored gelatin in a sauce pan with 1/3 cup water. Whisk together over medium-low to medium heat, until all the powder is dissolved.
- Allow the gelatin mixture to cool enough to handle safely, but not enough to set. If there are air bubbles, you can give the mixture a gentle stir to release them. Use a dropper to fill the molds with the jello mixture.
- After the molds are filled, allow them to cool for a bit before dusting the top with a light coating of cornstarch. Place baking sheet with the molds in the fridge to set – this should take about 15-20 minutes.
- When the gummy bears are fully set, remove them from the molds and place in a large ziplock bag with either powdered sugar or cornstarch. Shake to coat the gummy bears – this will help keep them from sticking together.
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.
Video Demo:
Prep Tips
- Sugar-Free Variation – You can use sugar-free Jello in this recipe to reduce the sugar content and carbohydrates. If making a sugar free gummy recipe, you’ll want to use cornstarch on the outside instead of powdered sugar.
- Yield – Each box of jello will make about 100 gummies using a similar gummy bear mold to the one in our photos. Depending on the size of your molds, you may end up with more or less gummies than we did, but it still makes a big batch! To get multiple colors/ different flavors, you’ll need to make multiple separate batches using a different flavor of jello for each batch.
- Gluten-Free – Jello is made with gluten-free ingredients, so these gummies are technically considered gluten free. However, if cross-contamination is a concern, you’ll want to check labels on all of the specific products you’re using.
- Storage – 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!
Frequently Asked Questions
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 have 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.
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:
More Homemade Gummy Bear Recipes To Try:
- Healthy Green Juice Gummy Candies
- Grape Juice Gummy Bears (made with real fruit juice)
- Strawberry Gummy Bears (made with real fruit and sweetened with honey or maple syrup)
- Rosé Gummy Bears (grown-ups only!)
Homemade Gummy Bear Recipe (Printable Recipe Card)
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Homemade Gummy Bears (Only 3 Ingredients!)
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Gummy bear mold
Ingredients
- 1 Box Flavored Jello (A typical box is 3oz)
- 2 Packets Unflavored Gelatin
- 1/3 Cup Water
- 1/4 Cup Cornstarch optional (helps prevent sticking)
Instructions
- Dust the gummy bear molds with a light coat of cornstarch. Set aside.
- Combine one package of Jello, 2 packets of unflavored gelatin, and 1/3 cup water in a small saucepan. Mix together and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Place the pan over low to medium heat and whisk continuously until the powder is dissolved. This will take about another 5 minutes.
- Once dissolved use a dropper to place fill the prepared gummy bear molds with the gelatin mixture.
- Allow gummies to sit for 5-10 minutes to cool. Lightly coat the backs of the gummy bears with cornstarch, then place the molds in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to fully cool and set.
- In a shallow bowl, add 1 tbsp cornstarch. Pop the fully-set 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. You can also do this step in a large ziplock bag.
- Store gummies in an airtight container.
Video
Notes
- Sugar-Free Variation – You can use sugar-free Jello in this recipe to reduce the sugar content and carbohydrates. If making a sugar free gummy recipe, you’ll want to use cornstarch on the outside instead of powdered sugar.
- Yield – Each box of jello will make about 100 gummies using a similar gummy bear mold to the one in our photos. Depending on the size of your molds, you may end up with more or less gummies than we did, but it still makes a big batch! To get multiple colors/ different flavors, you’ll need to make multiple separate batches using a different flavor of jello for each batch.
- Gluten-Free – Jello is made with gluten-free ingredients, so these gummies are technically considered gluten free. However, if cross-contamination is a concern, you’ll want to check labels on all of the specific products you’re using.
- Storage – 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!
Nutrition
Be sure to pin this recipe on Pinterest:
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Can you use kosher clear unflavored gelatin
I have tried a couple of times and failed!!!!?
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?
Hello Sania,
I also tried with clear unflavored gelatin boxes dessert in an attempt to have a cleaner gummy. I tried Bakol and Simply Delish. It was also a fail for me and the gummies never gelled. I think the proportions are off for an exact match for this recipe. I am going to try adding more Knox.
I use 1 full cup of water and no corn syrup.. They turn out perfectly! Of course a little sugar coating.. Great recipe
Where do you get the gummy bear molds?
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)
I would like to know how many spoons of gelatin do you use if you don’t have the packets?
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
Very Good Recipe!
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
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.
I use serving size as a guide for nutrition estimates. 20 servings x 5 pieces of candy each = 100 total. Hope this helps!
Thank you so much for your recipe! I used it to make cannabis infused gummies and it worked great. I highly recommend it…..
I need that recipe!!
I need that recipe too
I’d love to try your recipe for infused gummies! Would you mind sharing, please? ???
None of the recipes print!!!!!
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.
Do they need to be stored in the refrigerator or just an air tight container?
They don’t need to be refrigerated – just keep in airtight container somewhere away from heat and light.
Excellent Work, This is a good and Informative post.
Can I use sugar free jello.
It should work with sugar free jello, I just haven’t personally tried it yet.