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If you’re looking for a summer snack that is quick to make and even easier to eat, you’re in the right place!
This homemade gummy recipe is proof that making something you’d ordinarily buy in the store can be just as simple and fun to make at home. Homemade gummies with gelatin are quick to make and only require a handful of ingredients! The result is a batch of tart, tropical gummies that feel like a treat but are made with real fruit and gelatin. If you have ever wanted to learn how to make homemade gummies, this is the recipe to start with!
I love giving you guys a peek behind the curtain when it comes to how I come up with recipe ideas, and these gummies were born out of cookies. Yes, you heard me correctly. I was creating a recipe for a client, and the recipe called for passionfruit juice. I was struggling to find a good one in my local store, so I turned to (reluctantly) Amazon to purchase. When the package arrived, I realized I had enough passionfruit juice to last me for months. I knew I’d find a way to use it, and these gummies were just the ticket!
I love candy like everyone else, but I don’t always love the sugar! Making your own candy at home is fun, creative, and such a great kitchen project if you want to get kids involved. In my case, my niece would absolutely be part of this. Are these going to have the same texture as store-bought gummy bears? No. But they are also not filled with corn syrup and mystery ingredients, so yes, they are going to be different in the best possible way. I used passionfruit juice and fresh mango for these real fruit gummies, then added lemon for brightness and turmeric honey for a little sweetness. The result is tart, sunny, and so very delicious! I adore these tart little gummies and can’t wait for you to try them!!
Making your own healthy gummies is something that you might not expect to be as fun as it is. Do you remember making Jell-O from a box? It’s something like that, but we get to pick whatever mould and shape we want for our gummies! You start with fruit juice, real fruit, and gelatin, and somehow it turns into a chewy, bouncy little gummy snack. It is fun, simple, and far more approachable than it looks.
When you make homemade gummy snacks, you get to control what goes in them. You can choose the juice, the fruit, the sweetness level, and the type of gelatin. You can keep them tart, make them sweeter, or play around with colours and flavours depending on what you have.
Oh my goodness, if you’ve never turned over a package of gummy candies in the store and read the ingredients, let me spare you! Store-bought gummies are often made with sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, flavouring, colour, and stabilizers, and honestly, so many other things that I don’t even know how to pronounce or spell. I’ve always had a soft spot for chewy candy and gummy bears, gummy worms, fuzzy peaches, and all those other sugar filled candies are fun at Halloween (maybe?) but truly are not great for you, or your kids!
These healthy homemade gummies are much simpler. They are made with fruit juice, fresh fruit, lemon, a little honey, and gelatin. That’s it. The juice creates the flavour base, the fruit adds texture and fibre, the lemon brightens everything, the honey balances the tartness, and the gelatin turns the mixture into gummies. This is what makes them different from traditional candy. The texture may be a little softer and more delicate than what you buy in a bag, but the flavour tastes fresh, real, and bright.
Gelatin is a protein made from collagen. It is what gives gummies, marshmallows, panna cotta, and certain desserts their firm, bouncy texture. When gelatin is mixed into warm liquid and then chilled, it sets into a gel. That is exactly what creates the texture in these homemade gummies with gelatin. Typically, collagen comes from beef. I will spare you all the details, but just know – if you’re vegan and you’re reading this, these gummies aren’t for you! This is the gelatin that I used.
You don’t need much; however, you will want to have a small pot, a whisk, a fine mesh strainer, and most importantly, silicone moulds! I’m always looking for the fun ones, and I found a few you’ll probably like as well. Click here to check them out!
This ingredient list is short, but its impact is great! I’ve included a few optional substitutions if this flavour profile isn’t your thing.
To make these homemade gummies, all you need is a few minutes, a few ingredients and a little patience! Everything comes together quickly; the longest part is waiting for them to set.
Add the passionfruit juice and fresh mango to a blender. Blend until smooth and bright. You want the mango fully incorporated so the mixture looks like a silky tropical juice.
Pour the blended mixture into a small pot and add the lemon juice. Place it over medium heat and bring it to a gentle simmer. You are not looking for a hard boil here. Just warm it until it starts to steam and lightly bubble around the edges.
Remove the pot from the heat and sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the surface. Use a silicone whisk to combine. Whisk gently but thoroughly until the gelatin dissolves and the mixture looks smooth.
Pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a glass measuring cup. This helps remove any remaining fruit fibres and makes the gummies smoother. You’ll notice the mixture becoming glossy and pourable.
Place your silicone molds on a flat surface like a cutting board. This makes them easier to move to the fridge without spilling. Use the mini dropper that comes with the moulds, or pour straight from the measuring cup if that feels easier.
Transfer the moulds to the fridge and chill for at least two hours. The gummies are ready when they feel firm to the touch and pop out of the moulds cleanly.
Remove the gummies from the moulds and transfer them to a container with a lid. Keep them stored in the fridge and enjoy them cold!
Once you’ve learnt how to make homemade gummies, it’s really easy to get creative with the formula and create your own flavour combinations. I created another super fun recipe with my friends at Lone Tree Cider company! Click here if you want to try the recipe! Orange juice with strawberries, pineapple juice with mango, blueberry with lemon, or apple juice with raspberries.
You can also blend in peaches, cherries, or kiwi for different colours and flavours. The options are endless, and you can go with just one flavour if you don’t want to mix fruits. The most important part is that you remember to strain the mixture well before pouring it into your moulds. Another fun way to get creative with these gummies is to use different shape silicone moulds depending on the season or occasion. Gummy bears, hearts, stars, simple circles, or even an 8×8 pan cut into squares will all work.
Store these gummies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. Avoid leaving them out for long periods, especially in the summer. Because these are healthy gelatin gummies made without preservatives, they are more delicate than store-bought gummies. You may want to add parchment paper between the layers if you’re stacking them in a container; this will avoid them sticking together!
Homemade gummies are just fun y’all! There are so many reasons to love making them yourself, such as experimenting with flavours and colours. Adding textures with fresh ingredients instead of sugar crazy ones from the store. They can totally be a healthy snack for warm days, and they are a fun activity to do with kids.
The gummies will likely only last about a week in an airtight container because they are made with real fruit and without preservatives! For the best flavour and texture, enjoy them within one week.
They are best eaten cold, straight from the fridge, because if left out at room temperature too long, they will soften, especially in warmer weather. If they start to release too much liquid, become overly soft, or smell off, it is time to make a new batch.
Which gelatin is the best for gummies? I prefer grass-fed gelatin because it is a higher-quality option and works beautifully in this recipe. Make sure you are using gelatin, not collagen peptides. They are related, but they do not behave the same way in recipes. This is the gelatin that I used. https://a.co/d/04RyxNjB
Do I need to use real fruit? No, you do not have to use real fruit, but I love adding it. You can make gummies with juice alone, but adding fruit creates more flavour, colour, and fibre. It also makes the gummies feel a little more nourishing.
Do homemade gummies need to be refrigerated? Yes, homemade gummies should be refrigerated because they are made without preservatives.
Did you enjoy making these gummies? I would love to hear about it in the comments! Try these quick and easy treats next:
Food Photographer and Recipe Developer based in Toronto, Canada.
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*Macros are provided as an estimate for convenience. Your final numbers will vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and how you portion the recipe.
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