Healthy Homemade Gummies
Who says sweet treats can’t be healthy? Healthy homemade gummies are a fun, delicious, and nutrient-packed alternative to store-bought options, which are often loaded with artificial flavors, colors, and excess sugar. By making your own gummies at home, you can control the ingredients, add vitamins and superfoods, and create tasty snacks that both kids and adults will love.
Whether you’re looking for a healthier sweet fix, a creative snack for the family, or a natural way to support gut health, homemade gummies are the perfect solution. In this article, we’ll share simple recipes, key ingredients, and tips to help you make your own healthy homemade gummies right in your kitchen!
I have loved fruit snacks, aka gummies, ever since I was a kid.
As an adult, I dont eat them quite as often as I did as a kid. But I still enjoy them from time to time, mostly when I’m craving a sweet treat.
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Unfortunately, most fruit snacks in grocery stores today contain high-fructose corn syrup, dyes, and artificial preservatives.
Whenever I purchase fruit snacks from the store, I try to buy organic fruit snacks that are free of HFCS and other artificial ingredients.
But I recently learned I could make homemade gummies using beef gelatin.
They are super easy to make and super yummy, too!
Healthy Homemade Gummies With Gelatin
You only need three ingredients to make healthy homemade gummies—fruit juice, honey, and beef gelatin.
The minimal, 100% natural ingredients really set these homemade gummies apart from the store-bought brands. Below is a list of ingredients from a popular fruit snack brand.
Ingredients: Fruit puree (grape, peach, orange, strawberry, and raspberry), corn syrup, sugar, modified corn starch, gelatin, concord grape juice from concentrate, citric acid, lactic acid, natural and artificial flavors, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), alpha-tocopherol acetate (vitamin E), vitamin A palmitate, sodium citrate,
But it’s not just the lack of high fructose corn syrup, dyes, and artificial ingredients that make homemade gummies so much better—it’s the addition of grass-fed beef gelatin.
The grass-fed beef gelatin is what makes these gummies healthy gummies.
Benefits of Grass-fed Beef Gelatin
Grass-fed beef gelatin is loaded with protein and amino acids. It can help promote healthy brain function, improve digestion, promote younger, fuller skin, support joint health, and more.
Most store-bought fruit snacks contain pork gelatin. Some use beef gelatin, but it’s usually grain-fed rather than grass-fed.
Grass-fed beef gelatin has a much better nutritional profile than grain-fed beef gelatin and pork gelatin.
However, not all grass-fed beef gelatin is created equal. Some brands contain glyphosate residue, and some come from cows that were given hormones and antibiotics.
I buy grass-fed beef gelatin from Perfect Supplements.
Their beef gelatin is 100% all-natural and free of pesticides, hormones, chemicals, and contaminants.
It is non-GMO and glyphosate free. The beef gelatin comes from Brazilian grass-pastured cows as well.
They also provide proof for all of their claims via certificates.
You can click here to learn more about Perfect Supplements beef gelatin.
Benefits of Healthy Homemade Gummies
Gelatin, the primary ingredient in homemade gummies, is rich in amino acids like glycine and proline. These acids support gut lining repair and digestive health.
It also aids in promoting a healthy gut microbiome, reducing inflammation, and improving digestion.
Collagen from gelatin helps maintain strong joints, reduces signs of aging, and supports skin elasticity. Regular consumption can contribute to healthier skin, hair, and nails.
The natural fruit juice used in these homemade gummies provides vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber.
Unlike store-bought gummies, homemade versions are free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. You can control the sweetness by choosing natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup instead of high-fructose corn syrup.
Healthy Homemade Gummy Ingredients
As mentioned, only three ingredients are needed to make homemade gummies—fruit juice, honey, and beef gelatin.
Juice
You can use all different kinds of fruit juice, but keep in mind the fruit juice you choose will determine the flavor and quality of the gummies.
Pure 100% juice is best. Juices made with water or other ingredients dilute the flavor of the gummy. It’s best to choose a juice that contains only one ingredient—100% juice.
I like to use organic juice as well.
Keep in mind that mango, pineapple, guava, and papaya juice all contain an enzyme that can prevent the gelatin from solidifying.
If you decide to use mango, pineapple, guava, or papaya juice, you must boil the juice first, then whisk in the gelatin.
You can also use fruit puree instead of juice. Simply blend the fruit in a high-powered blender and strain it through a nut milk bag to remove any pulp or seeds.
Some of my go-to juices for making homemade gummies are below.
Beef Gelatin
Beef gelatin is absolutely necessary for this recipe. There are many different types of beef gelatin. As I mentioned earlier, Perfect Supplements beef gelatin is my personal favorite!
Honey
Honey is used in this recipe to provide a little extra sweetness. It isn’t necessary, but I do recommend it. You’ll find over time that you may need more or less honey depending on the type of juice you choose.
Some juices provide a lot of flavor, and others—not so much. In my experience, darker juices, such as grape or pomegranate juice, yield a flavorful gummy, while apple juice isn’t as flavorful.
Honey helps to increase the flavor and sweetness of the gummy.
I recommend using raw 100% pure honey.
How to Make Healthy Homemade Gummies
To make homemade gummies, pour 1 cup of juice into a small pot. Then, add 3 tablespoons of gelatin to the juice.
I like to do this gradually. I usually sprinkle 1/2 a tablespoon and let it fully absorb into the juice before I add the next 1/2 tablespoon.
I keep adding until the juice can no longer absorb the gelatin. Then, I let the gelatin bloom for a minute or two. Blooming is just allowing the gelatin to soak thoroughly into the juice.
You’ll know it’s finished blooming when there are no visible signs of the gelatin and the juice has transformed into a jelly-like substance.
Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat on low. Whisk the mixture together. Once the mixture transforms back to a juice consistency, you can turn off the heat. Then, quickly add two tablespoons of honey and mix together.
Once everything is blended together, you can add the mixture to your gummy mold.
You can use any type of mold you like. I like these cute gummy bear molds, and I’ve had my eye on these adorable heart molds for a while.
The best way to add the mixture to the gummy mold is to use a dropper, which many gummy molds come with.
You can also use a shallow baking dish.
Once you’ve added the mixture to your molds, you’ll need to transfer the mixture to the refrigerator to solidify.
Leave them in the refrigerator for 1-3 hours. The time it takes for the gummies to cool completely and solidify will depend on the type of mold you use and the temperature of your refrigerator.
I use the gummy bear mold, and it takes about an hour in my refrigerator.
Once fully cooled, you can remove them from the mold or cut them into squares if you use a shallow baking dish.
The number of gummies this recipe makes depends on the type of mold you use. If you use a gummy bear mold like this one, you should be able to make around 100-125 gummy bears.
Healthy Homemade Gummies
These healthy homemade gummies are so easy to make and the best part is you only need three ingredients.
Instructions
- Pour 1 cup of juice into a small pot.
- Then add 3 tablespoons of gelatin to the juice.
- Let the gelatin bloom for a minute or two.
- Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat on low.
- Whisk the mixture together.
- Once the mixture transforms back to a juice consistency, you can turn off the heat.
- Then quickly add 2 tablespoons of honey and mix together.
- Once everything is blended together, you can add the mixture to your gummy mold.
- Transfer the mixture to the refrigerator to solidify.
- Leave them in the refrigerator for 1-3 hours.
Notes
The best way to store homemade gummies is in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If stored properly, they should last about a week.
Recommended Products
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Frequently Asked Questions
How to Store Homemade Gummies
The best way to store homemade gummies is in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
How Long Do Homemade Gummies Last?
If stored properly, homemade gummies should stay good for about a week.
Can I Use Collagen Instead of Gelatin?
Collagen and gelatin are very similar, but collagen will not work to make homemade gummies. Gelatin creates a gummy-like consistency, and collagen does not.
Final Thoughts
Healthy homemade gummies are a simple, fun, and delicious way to enjoy a sweet treat without the guilt. By using natural ingredients like real fruit, quality gelatin, and optional superfoods, you can create snacks that not only taste amazing but also support your health.
Whether you’re making them for your kids, yourself, or to share with friends, these gummies offer endless possibilities for flavor and nutrition. So, grab your ingredients, get creative, and enjoy a wholesome twist on a classic favorite.
Once you try homemade gummies, you’ll never go back to store-bought again!
