This Gummy Bear Recipe is a major game changer, and a snack you and your whole family will love! While there are tons of healthy dessert recipes out there, healthy candy recipes can be more difficult to come by. Because of this, I knew it was time to make my very own Gummy Bear recipe!
While homemade gummy bears may sound really difficult, they’re actually much easier to make than you think. With only three easy ingredients you may already have in your pantry, you can make totally clean and healthy, zero repercussions treat everyone can enjoy! Let’s get into it.
Conventional Gummy Bears
Gummy bears have been a long-time favorite of mine, but until I began eating clean, I was naive to how much junk are in these products! Not only are they full of sugar, but they are also full of artificial, unhealthy, and unnecessary ingredients that are nothing less than incredibly harmful to the body (yes, even the ones that are “made with real fruit”).
The average packaged gummy has an ingredient list that includes: glucose syrup (from wheat or corn), refined sugar, artificial dyes, artificial flavors, and dextrose.
It doesn’t take a health expert to know that these ingredients are not beneficial to the body in any way. But what if there was an alternative that tastes just as good, and only requires 3 ingredients?! 3 ingredients that are refined sugar free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and 100% natural! It’s true! Here are the details:
Gummy Bear Recipe Ingredients
While store-bought gummies have an ingredient list a mile a long, most of those ingredients are totally unnecessary. You actually only need 3 ingredients to make a delicious, flavorful, and sweet gummy bear recipe…
Fruit Juice
The first ingredient in this gummy bear recipe is fruit juice! While most conventional gummies use artificial flavors to mimic the taste of fruit, this recipe uses REAL fruit. If at all possible, opt for organic, single-ingredient juice, not from concentrate.
We love Lakewood for our juices!
Gelatin
A high-quality gelatin like this one from Vital Proteins is not only incredibly gut-healing, but it is also what gives gummies their gummy texture!
Gelatin is very versatile, and is perfect for making healthy marshmallows, replacing eggs in baking recipes, and much more.
Honey
Instead of high fructose corn syrup, this recipe uses honey to achieve it’s candy-like sweetness. If vegan, the honey in this Gummy Bear Recipe can easily be swapped for maple.
Honey is full of nutrients and antioxidants, and offers numerous health benefits that largely out beat refined, empty-calorie sugar.
These gummies maintain the best texture when kept in the fridge, and are the perfect movie night snack for both kids, and adults! I can’t wait to share them with you, so let’s jump into the recipe!
PrintHow to Make Healthy Gummies
With only three easy ingredients, you can make a totally clean and healthy Gummy Bear Recipe everyone can enjoy!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Fruit Juice of Choice (try to choose a juice “not from concentrate”, and organic if possible)
- 1/3 Cup High-Quality Gelatin
- 1/4 Cup Honey
Instructions
1. Add fruit juice to a sauce pan, and sprinkle with gelatin. Allow to “bloom” for 5 minutes.
2. Turn to medium-heat, and stir slowly with whisk until gelatin begins to dissolve.
3. Add in honey until fully dissolved.
4. Remove from heat, and fill gummy molds with dropper.
5. Place in the freezer for 10 minutes, pop out gummies, and refill. Repeat this process until there is no remaining juice. *note: if gummy mixture hardens before next batch, simply reheat on low until melted, and continue the process.
6. Store in fridge, and enjoy!
Keywords: Gummy Bear Recipe
Janice says
I made this recipe but the gummies just thawed back into juice when removed from the freezer. I used Knox gelatin, organic non concentrate juice and honey. Any suggestions?
Madison Suttles says
Hi, Janice!
I normally use Great Lakes Gelatin, but I have also experimented with Knox gelatin, and it’s turned out well both ways. The only time I’ve had issues with melting is if kept in warm temperatures, such as a car. Was it possibly left in a warm area?
Janice says
Hi Madison,
Appreciate your response. I really want these to work. I left in the freezer for the 10 min and they didn’t freeze. Left them longer, before I was finished popping them out, the 1st ones were already back to a puddle of juice. I had some of the mixture left in the pan which never solidified. Does it only work in the freezer and you have to eat them frozen?
Madison Suttles says
Janice,
No, I have never frozen mine, but simply use the freezer as a way to cool them quickly. Hmm… the only thing I can think of is ensuring you’re leaving them in the freezer until they’re bouncy and firm to the touch, without leaving any sticky residue on your fingers. It wouldn’t hurt to experiment with more gelatin, although that shouldn’t be the issue, as this recipe works with as little as 2 tbsp of gelatin. I’m sorry to hear of the difficult you’re having! For reference, I use this gelatin: https://www.amazon.com/Great-Lakes-Unflavored-Gelatin-Kosher/dp/B0008D6WBA/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=gelatin+great+lakes&qid=1603058107&s=grocery&sr=1-4 and this juice brand: https://www.amazon.com/R-W-Knudsen-Concord-Organic-ounces/dp/B0839N8XSW/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=organic+grape+juice&qid=1603058260&sr=8-9