How to Make Healthy Homemade Jello
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How to Make Healthy Homemade Jello – Yes, really! This homemade gelatin recipe is made from natural ingredients, and natural sweeteners, without any dye or additives. (Dairy-free, gluten-free & paleo approved!)
It’s January, the month of healthy eating resolutions, sugar-free challenges, Whole30 and All The Things. This I know. And yet, here I am, sharing a recipe for healthy homemade gelatin (like, homemade Jello from scratch, y’all!). And I don’t feel one bit bad about it.
Gelatin can be a great healthy snack or healthy dessert. It tastes great, it’s easy to make, and there are even some health benefits, too!
Here’s why I love this healthy homemade jello recipe (and why I think you and your kids will, too!)
WHY WE LOVE THIS HOMEMADE GELATIN (JELLO):
WHAT’S IN HOMEMADE JELLO? JUST 2-3 NATURAL INGREDIENTS! In my homemade jello, I use fruit or veggie juice, natural sweetener (honey–and it’s totally optional!), and grass-fed beef gelatin (note: NOT gelatin protein powder). I love using fruit/veggie blends, like peach mango veggie juice for the beautiful orange colored gelatin, cranberry raspberry juice, or blueberry pomegranate juice. You can even use fresh-pressed juice!
IT’S FRESH-TASTING, BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL WITHOUT ANY DYES OR ADDITIVES. The 3-ingredient (or 2-ingredient!) recipe is about as simple as it gets, and all the color is from the beautiful natural colors of the juice you choose. Plus, there’s no refined sugars, artificial flavors, or additives!
HOMEMADE JELLO IS FREE OF ALL MAIN ALLERGENS–gluten, dairy, egg, soy, nuts, fish, etc. But it does contain gelatin which is derived from beef bones (so it’s not vegan). Because of that, the quality of the gelatin I use is crucial to me. Keep reading to see what I like –>
COLLAGEN VS. GELATIN
Collagen and gelatin are great sources of protein and known to benefit digestion, hair, skin, nails, and joints. They contain the same amino acids, but each behaves differently. Here’s a quick snapshot of collagen vs. gelatin:
COLLAGEN
- Also called collagen peptides, or hydrolyzed collagen
- Digests faster than gelatin.
- Can be used in hot or cold liquids. I use collagen in hot and cold things all the time, from smoothies, to soups, to herbal tea and sauces.
- It’s flavorless (though I wouldn’t recommend drinking it mixed with straight water) and doesn’t have any gritty or chalky texture.
GELATIN
- NOTE – We’re specifically using powdered gelatin, NOT gelatin-based protein powder
- Creates a gel or Jello effect when prepared.
- Commonly used in gut-healing diet protocols, like AIP (Autimmune Paleo), GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) and SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet). Gelatin digests more slowly, and coats the small intestine, which can help with healing the gut.
- Must be “bloomed” first in cold liquid to plump and thicken the gelatin granules, then dissolved in hot liquid.
- Only dissolves in hot liquids. If you attempt to put it in cold liquid without heating it later, it will bloom but won’t dissolve. (And create an unpleasant thick lumpy texture.)
Want to know more? This article does a great job breaking down everything you need to know (from the chemistry (long & short chain amino acids) to how they’re made, uses, and more.
NOTES & FAQ FOR HOMEMADE GELATIN:
WHAT KINDS OF FRUIT JUICE CAN YOU USE FOR HOMEMADE JELLO? Almost any flavor of juice! I recommend 100% fruit or fruit/veggie blend juices. The only exception is fresh pineapple juice. (The enzymes in pineapple can break down the gelatin so it won’t gel properly.) My favorites are a peach-mango fruit & veggie blend (the orange one you see pictured), blueberry-pomegranate, and cranberry raspberry. (all 3 are pictured in the video/photos)
WHERE DO YOU BUY GELATIN? I like Vital Proteins brand grass-fed gelatin (in the GREEN container), which I can find at Sprouts, on Amazon, or health stores, like Whole Foods. Great Lakes is another good brand I’ve tried (from Thrive Market or Amazon). If all else fails, you can look for something like Knox brand gelatin (which is more readily available but isn’t grass fed). Note: do NOT try to make this using protein powder or gelatin-based protein powder. It’s not the same product and will not work correctly.
IS HOMEMADE JELLO VEGAN? No, I’m sorry. It’s dairy-free, but homemade jello is made with gelatin, which is animal-derived. I haven’t tested it with a vegan gelatin substitute, but this article about vegan gelatin alternatives (like agar agar) might be helpful!
CAN I MAKE THIS JELLO WITHOUT ANY ADDED SWEETENER? It’s totally up to you and your taste preferences. Some juices are sweeter than others. I would never sweeten juice for drinking, but the gelatin does dilute the juice flavor slightly, and I find that adding the honey or agave brings it back up to its regular flavor. Again, it’s totally up to you!
DOES THE GELATIN ADD FLAVOR? Not to the finished product, but I will warn you it DOES smell *awful* when mixed with liquid to bloom. Don’t panic! Once it’s dissolved in the warm juice, the flavor/smell disappears. Pinky promise.
HOW LONG WILL HOMEMADE JELLO KEEP IN THE FRIDGE? My recommendation for the best texture/flavor is 4-5 days, though it usually won’t spoil or break down until the 7-10 day mark.
LOVE THIS HEALTHY JELLO? YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE…
- The BEST Vegan Chocolate Pudding (Paleo)
- Perfect Gluten Free Brownies (Paleo)
- Almond Flour Banana Cake (Paleo)
- Fruit on the Bottom Chia Pudding (Paleo & Whole30)
- Almond Flour Lemon Cake (Paleo & Gluten-Free)
HELPFUL INGREDIENTS + TOOLS FOR THIS HOMEMADE JELLO RECIPE:
How to Make Healthy Homemade Jello
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This homemade gelatin recipe is made from natural ingredients, and natural sweeteners, without any dye or additives. It’s a delicious treat for kids and grown-ups alike! (Dairy free, gluten free & paleo approved!)
*Note: the exact nutrition facts will vary based on what juice/juice blend you use. Please consider this an estimate (calculated with a peach-mango fruit & veggie juice blend)
Ingredients
- 4 cups of juice (See notes)
- 2 Tbsp unflavored beef gelatin* (such as Vital Proteins or Great Lakes. Do NOT try with collagen or protein powder.)
- 2 Tbsp honey or agave (optional)
Instructions
- Add 1/2-3/4 cup of the juice to a bowl or liquid measuring cup and sprinkle with gelatin powder.
- Whisk together to combine and allow to sit for 3-5 minutes to “bloom.” The granules will plump and the mixture will look like very thick applesauce or take on a lumpy appearance.
- Pour the remaining (3 1/4- 3 1/2 cups) juice into a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat until almost boiling.
- Remove from heat and stir in honey (if using) and the bloomed gelatin mixture. Stir to dissolve.
- Pour into an 8×8 (2 quart) baking dish for thick Jello or a 9×13″ baking dish for thin Jello, or into individual glasses or jars for individual portions.
- Refrigerate about 4 hours, or until set. (If you’ve used a 9×13 pan, it may be set in as little as 2 hours)
Notes
*You must use unflavored beef gelatin for this recipe, not protein powder, collagen, or gelatin-based protein powders. ONLY gelatin will work.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: stovetop, refrigerator
- Cuisine: American
I totally know what you mean about the awful smell of gelatin. Haha! But it’s so worth it. That’s so interesting about pineapple juice – I had no idea!
SO worth it!!!
Canned pineapple juice should gel fine, but fresh will not.
I tried several different recipes to make home made gelatin. Some were to thick, some to grainy, I feel like Goldilocks. I finally found the one that was just right! Thank you for sharing
Anne, what a sweet comment! You absolutely MADE my day. Thank you so much for sharing!
hello! Quick question! How much Gelatin do we add in?
You’ll use 2 Tbsp. 🙂
I agree with Anne, I don’t think I’ve ever finished a batch of homemade Jell-O before for these reasons. The texture (and instruction for making) is perfect! Thank you. I used a half full bottle of knudsons cranberry juice + water to make up for it and then honey – great flavor.
Oh, I’m so happy to hear that!!! So glad you enjoyed it!!!
Can you use pureed fruit or add it in at some point in the process?
You know, I haven’t done that yet, but I’d think you could probably get away with it (in much the same way you would with boxed jello). I’d love to know how it turns out if you give it a try!
Why not .. I’m going to try strawberries in blueberry juice .
That sounds yummy!
What happens if the gelatin doesbt become clumpy? Mine is just liquid still. Do I just leave it there until it becomes clumpy? Please help!
Sofie – Oh dear! I’d love to help. It should definitely bloom & thicken. Did you add the gelatin to 1/2-3/4 cup of the juice, or the entire 4 cups? If you added the gelatin to the whole thing, it likely won’t thicken the same. It *may* still gel, but if it didn’t bloom, it might not.
Mine didn’t either, added to 1/2 cup of 100% white grape let it sit for a while. Did I over mix it?
Alyssa – Oh dear! Hmm… If the gelatin doesn’t set, it’s usually because the gelatin either didn’t fully bloom in the initial juice or didn’t dissolve fully in the heated juice after blooming.
The video has a good visual for what it should look like when bloomed. You’re looking for the initial juice/gelatin mixture to get thick and a bit grainy like applesauce before adding to the hot juice. To help make sure it’s fully dissolved in the heated juice, be sure to heat the remaining juice to scalding hot before stirring in the bloomed gelatin/juice mixture and then stir until it’s completely dissolved. I hope you’ll get a chance to try again! (It really is so yummy when it sets!)
There are two different types of vital gelatin, only the green label one that she shows on the page will bloom. I don’t use that brand so just make sure your gelatin is not gelatin protein.
Thanks for the clarification!
I take exception to your comments about PINEAPPLE. Fresh pineapple should not be used with gelatine, you are correct about the enzyme in fresh pineapple ruining the gelatine & the gelatine will not set. However, canned pineapple & bottle/canned pineapple juice are just fine. The canned/bottle pineapple products have been “heat treated”, which destroys the enzyme & the gelatine sets perfectly. Pineapple/orange jelly, anyone?!
Susan – You’re right! I should have been more clear. I meant with fresh or frozen pineapple. You’re absolutely right. Canned pineapple has been heat treated. Thanks for clarifying!
What type of collagen do you buy to add to your smoothies.
Thank you for your amazing recipe.
I’m trying a batch with lime juice for a keto friendly option. Lime juice bottle says it has no carbs so we’ll see how it turns out! Replaced honey with granulated monk fruit/erythritol blend.
I’d love to hear how it goes and how your changes worked out!
what would you recommend to make the jello pink and green?
Some folks have made it using fresh-pressed juice for green, and another reader made it using pink lemonade for pink!
You could also consider using a more neutral colored juice (like white grape) and using a natural food dye, like these. The colors won’t be as vibrant as artificially dyed jell-o, but might give you the effect you’re looking for.
If you’re okay with the flavor, you could also try adding a small amount of powdered freeze-dried raspberries or beet powder for pink, or try these homemade food dyes from natural ingredients!
Hope that helps!
I like to use hibiscus 🌺 in my Jell-O. I also put collagen peptides in it for an extra bonus- why not lol. Put fresh fruit. Nice after work snack with vitamins and good stuff. I notice my nails growing everyday. It’s crazy. Never had nails like this before. Losing weight too and not tired all the time
I bet hibiscus is amazing! I’ll have to try that!
Hello
What is the self life of homemade jello? After it’s been made? Thank you
Great question Victoria! Our usually keeps at least 4-5 days in the fridge, though it could probably last up to 6-7 days.
Have you ever tried adding fruit, such as a cranberry orange relish to the jello? This is a family favorite and I make my own relish now (cranberries, water, juice of orange, orange zest, and some maple syrup) I am going to try the jello tonight, but wondered if you have ever added fruit and or nuts. Excited to test this out for a healthy option.
Sarah, I haven’t tried cranberry relish or nuts, but I have put frozen raspberries in before with good results. Several other readers have tried other fruits with good results too! I’d say that if you’re sure you’ve really combined and dissolved the gelatin and juice mixture, you’d probably be able to add the other ingredients.
I’d LOVE to know how it turns out if you give it a go!
It worked! I used Lakewood Organic Kokomo Friut punch. I think I may try it with guava juice next time. I used to use Strawberry jello. Thank you for this great recipe.
Oh good! I was thinking of you as I made a batch for us yesterday. So glad you liked it! 🙂
Delicious! Spilled half on the floor though, so we’ll try to make it again! 🙂
Oops! I’m so sorry about the spill! Glad you enjoyed what you got to have, and hope you get the WHOLE pan to yourself netxt time 🙂
My jello came out a little soft and grainier than I expected. I used orange mango juice. Do you think its the juice that was the issue? My son still ate it though. 🙂 I am just wondering how yours came out so clear and firm?
The juice could possibly have contributed if it had pulp, but it sounds like the bloomed gelatin mixture may not have fully dissolved in the hot juice. Next time, I’d get the hot juice almost boiling and make sure you whisk whisk whisk the bloomed mixture for a super smooth finish. Hopefully it’s just the way you want it next time! 😊
I used apple juice, gelatin and honey and this turned out great and the kids loved it!
Yum! That sounds delicious! 🙂
Do you think it would work with a good quality cordial? I was thinking elderflower and hibiscus.
And citric acid? I’m trying to cut sugar down /out.
Thanks,
Nancy
Nancy – I have never worked with cordial or citric acid, so I’m afraid I can’t advise you. If you give it a try, I’d love to know how it goes!