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Making homemade gummy bears is easier than it looks. With just three simple ingredients—100% fruit juice, unflavored gelatin, and honey—you can make chewy, bouncy gummies in about 15 minutes. The texture differs slightly from commercial candies, but these homemade treats have a pleasant springy chew that my kids prefer over store-bought versions.
I used to keep a bag of store-bought gummy bears in the pantry for lunchboxes, but lately I’ve been making more things from scratch. Homemade gummies are an easy swap: quick to prepare, customizable in flavor, and lower in processed ingredients.
Which fruit juices work best
Use any 100% fruit juice except fresh pineapple, kiwi, mango, or papaya—those fresh fruits contain enzymes that prevent gelatin from setting. Pasteurized commercial juices are fine, since heat inactivates those enzymes. Experimenting with different juices is part of the fun: berry, grape, apple, or pomegranate all yield great results.
I like adding a splash of fresh lemon juice to balance sweetness; if you choose a citrusy orange juice, omit the lemon and increase the juice to 2/3 cup (160 ml). Leftover syrupy juice from canned peaches or pears also makes lovely, subtle-flavored gummies.
Bloom the gelatin in cold juice
Start by mixing the gelatin into cold fruit juice and let it sit for about 5 minutes. This blooming step prevents lumps and helps the gelatin dissolve smoothly when warmed.
Sweetener and texture
Commercial gummies often use corn syrup for chewiness; honey is a natural alternative that gives structure and flavor. Reducing the honey will result in softer gummies. Add the honey to the gelatin-juice mixture, then warm gently over low heat while stirring until everything dissolves. Do not boil. If foam forms on the surface, skim it off with a spoon before molding.
Pour the liquid into a gummy mold—pouring directly usually introduces fewer air bubbles than using a dropper. Let the molds sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes so the mixture firms up enough to move. Then transfer the molds to the refrigerator and chill for 1–2 hours until fully set.
Carefully pop the gummies from the mold and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. You can pack these gummies for a few hours at room temperature without them becoming overly soft, making them convenient for lunchboxes and snacks on the go.
I love receiving feedback from readers who try this recipe—give it a go and see which flavors become your favorite!
Homemade gummies with simple ingredients
Homemade gummy bears made with 100% fruit juice, gelatin, and honey.
Snack
American
Ingredients
-
1/2
cup
(120 ml) fruit juice - juice from 1 lemon
-
3
tbsp
(45 ml) unflavored gelatin -
1/4
cup
(60 ml) honey
Instructions
-
In a saucepan, combine the fruit juice, lemon juice, and gelatin. Stir gently and let sit for 5 minutes to bloom the gelatin.
-
Add the honey, then warm the mixture over low heat while stirring until fully dissolved. Do not boil. Skim any foam that forms on the surface.
-
Carefully pour the liquid into a gummy mold. Pouring directly reduces bubbles compared with using a dropper.
-
Let the molds sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator and chill for 1–2 hours until set.
-
Remove the gummy bears from the mold and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. They can be packed at room temperature for a few hours without becoming too soft.
Recipe Notes
- If using a citrusy juice such as orange, omit the lemon juice and use 2/3 cup (160 ml) juice instead of 1/2 cup plus lemon.
- Avoid fresh pineapple, kiwi, mango, and papaya because their enzymes stop gelatin from setting. Pasteurized commercial juices are fine.