Healthy Gummy Bears are a delicious treat made with only 3 ingredients & done in 15 minutes. Gluten free, refined sugar free and paleo – you’ll love them!
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I’ve got a confession to make…. I have a major sweet tooth. Not just like have a little piece of candy here or there sort of sweet tooth…
It’s more like an eat an entire bag of Swedish Fish and Sour Patch Kids in one sitting sort of sweet tooth.
That’s why I love this healthy gummy bear recipe.
These healthy homemade gummy bears are:
- simple to make
- taste amazing
- are low in sugar
- have a good amount of protein in them (compared to other candy!)
I thought it would be nearly impossibly to make a gummy bear recipe healthy… but it was surprisingly simple.
My candy of choice has always been gummy bears (after chocolate, obviously). On top of being super delicious, they’re so cute! Who doesn’t like a gummy bear?
Even though they’re super cute (and tasty)… their ingredients list is less than impressive. Most gummy bears have Corn Syrup, Sugar, Dextrose, Artificial Flavors, and Artificial Colors. Which I’m really not a fan of.
Of course, we believe in everything in moderation, and we definitely enjoy these things every once in a while.. but if you’re like me and you really love gummy bears – you’re going to need a better solution.
What makes this gummy bear recipe healthy?
If you’re wondering – can gummy bears be healthy, the answer is yes!
On top of having waaaay better ingredients, these gummy bears taste so good. It’s hard to believe that they’re actually good for you.
I made these gummy bears with unflavored gelatin. Before you let your mind run.. I know beef gelatin in candy sounds strange, but it doesn’t taste like beef!
Similar to collagen (which if you’re curious about, read this post: 6 Reasons Why I Use Collagen) gelatin has a number of health benefits.
Homemade Gummy Bears Ingredients
To make these healthy gummy bears you’ll only need:
- fruit juice – I like orange juice or pomegranate juice.
- gelatin powder
- honey
- You’ll also want to grab a gummy bear mold. We got our silicone gummy bear molds on amazon.
How to make Gummy Bears:
To make these homemade gummy bears, you’ll need about 10 minutes.
- Bring your fruit juice + honey to a boil.
- Add the gelatin in the mix once heated, and whisk rapidly until gelatin is dissolved.
- Pour your gummy bears into the mold. Place in refrigerator and allow them to solidify for 20 minutes. That’s it!
SUBSTITUTIONS FOR HEALTHY GUMMY BEARS
Fruit Juice: You can use orange, pineapple, cranberry, grape or other fruit juices. I would not use lime juice or lemon juice because it would be too tart. I haven’t tried making these with elderberry syrup but I think it would be great.
Sweeteners: I haven’t tried substituting in other sweeteners in this recipe so I can’t be sure how it will work. I think that maple syrup would work but without trying it I can’t be sure!
Gelatin: You can’t substitute gelatin in this recipe. It’s essential for making gummy candy!
In case you’re still on the fence about making these and using gelatin – here are a few more reasons why we love it!
Health Benefits of Gelatin and Health Gummies
If you’re wondering- what is the benefit of eating gummy bears? Well.. beyond being delicious, these gummy bears have gelatin in them. Gelatin has tons of health benefits!
- Gelatin has been found to support your hair, skin + nails as well as your joints.
- Gelatin can also help your digestion + ‘gut health’.
- Gelatin has a significant amount of protein (17g per serving). For even more benefits – checkout this list .
Are gummy bears a good soure of gelatin? Most gummy bears are not a good source of gelatin. However these gummy candies are a good source of gelatin!
Best Molds for Healthy Homemade Gummy Bears
These are my favorite silicone molds for gummy bears.
There are tons of cute silicone gummy bear molds on amazon – this one has a bunch of different animal shapes!
Tips for How to Make Healthy Gummy Bears:
- Experiment with different flavors – We love trying different juices and adjusting the amount of honey to test the sweetness. Our favorite juices to use are orange and pomegranate.
- Get good molds – These silicone gummy bear molds are the best and so easy to use/clean!
- Have patience! These take much more time than running into the store and grabbing a bag of candy, but I promise they are the best healthy gummy bears and SO worth it!
Gummy bears that have 3 ingredients, help your hair/skin/nails, improve your gut health AND have protein in them?! Doesn’t get much better than that!
Storage for This Healthy Gummy Recipe
Because these gummy bears have no preservatives, they need to stay in the fridge. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week. If you leave them out at room temperature, they will get moldy!
Other Flavors for Health Gummies Like These:
Our favorite way to make these gummies are from pomegranate and orange juice. You can also make them with:
- strawberry
- cranberry
- pineapple
- apple juice
Any juice will work!
What are the healthiest gummies?
The healthiest gummies are made with organic ingredients and don’t have added dyes or loads of sugar. This best gummy bears are homemade gummy bears, but if you don’t want to make them check out these store bought gummy bears:
- These are my favorite healthy gummy bears! You can find them in most health food stores or on amazon.
- These are another good healthy gummy bear option. I’ve spotted them at costco.
- I don’t love these healthy gummy bears but many people do. I find that they have an artificial taste to them.
Check out these healthy desserts:
Looking for other easy desserts? Check out these 40+ Healthy Dessert Recipes.
Healthy Gummy Bears
Ingredients
- 1 cup fruit juice (orange or pomegranate are our favorites)
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons unflavored gelatin
Instructions
- In a pan, bring the juice and honey to a boil
- Add the gelatin and mix in rapidly with a whisk until it is fully dissolved.
- Pour into molds and place in refrigerator for 20 minutes (for easy transport, place the silicone mold on a cookie sheet).
- Take out and enjoy! Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for freshness
Video
Notes
- Experiment with different flavors – We love trying different juices and adjusting the amount of honey to test the sweetness. Our favorite juices to use are orange and pomegranate
- Get good molds – These silicone gummy bear molds are the best and so easy to use/clean!
- Have patience! These take much more time than running into the store and grabbing a bag of candy, but I promise they are the best healthy gummy bears and SO worth it!
rachel @atheltic avocado says
these are so cute!!!! I love vital proteins!
thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says
Me too! Their products are so awesome!
Alicia says
OMG! I love this idea!
thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says
Thank you! They’re so fun!
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness says
NO WAY. That easy?!?!? I’m so so so intrigued. These look amazing! Thank you for posting – I want to give these a whirl!
thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says
They’re SO simple to make! I was skeptical too – I thought they would be difficult to make, but they were so easy! You should try them 🙂
Jennifer says
Yum. I love Gummies but don’t eat anymore because of the ingredients. This is a great alternative and the Agave is low glycemic.
thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says
You should try these, Jennifer! You would love them 🙂
Michel Sparling says
Healthy gummy bears? I want one.. Heck, the whole pack..
thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says
Me too, Michel! I can’t stop eating them 🙂
Rachel Agranove says
Wow, I need to try these!! Where do you buy gummy bear molds? Such a simple recipe…I, too, have a MAJOR sweet tooth…
thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says
They were so easy to make! There’s an affiliate link for the gummy bears right under the recipe. I got them from Amazon and they were super cheap!
Teresa Howes says
Ha! That is very clever — thank you for sharing! I just got the Vital Protein collagen and I’m looking forward to the benefits 🙂
thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says
You will love it! I have been using the Collagen for a little over a month and my hair and nails are SO strong!!
Sarah says
These look awesome – the kids would love them!
thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says
Thank you! They’re awesome for kids and parents too 🙂
GiGi Eats says
I have ALWAYS had in my head that I wanted to make healthier gummie bears!!! And with your recipe, I now can! 😀
thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says
You gotta try ’em! And I think the ingredients list could easily be GiGi approved 🙂
Shelby Gregory says
I had no clue you could make gummy bears that easy! They are my fav candy too, so I’ll have to give it a try! Thanks for sharing!
thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says
They’re seriously SO easy to make, Shelby! Definitely give them a try 🙂
Cassie says
Gummy bears used to be my favorite candy! I can’t believe they could possibly be healthy! This is amazing!
thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says
They’re pretty awesome 🙂 You gotta try em!
Scott G says
Looks awesome- thanks for sharing!
thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says
Thanks for stopping by and checking them out, Scott!
Edmund Parrotte says
Sure! Won t look exactly like a bear, of course, but you could make cool shapes or just plain bars. They re delicious, regardless of shape! Could you pour your liquid into a shallow pan and then cut it into pieces when cool instead of using a mold?
The Clean Eating Couple says
I think that would work! I’e never tried it! It might be tough to get out of the pan.
Brooke says
Hi!
I’ve tried making homemade gummies with this recipe before, but the gummies turned out with a very strong “gelatin-y” smell and flavor…? Did this happen with you as well? Because gummies are my #1 candy, so I would love to be able to enjoy them with less guilt! Thank you!
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi Brooke – I’ve made this a few times and haven’t had that problem. You could try adding in a little more honey, or pureed fruit for sweetness/flavor. It may also depend on the gelatin/juice you’re using. Feel free to send me an email if you want to chat more about it 🙂
Lisa.Phelps says
Sorry but are these soft gummies? Its safe to say my husband is addicted to gummies,buys a couple of bags a week, but he literally squeezes the bag to make sure they are soft
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi Lisa! I would definitely say these are on the softer side when it comes to gummies! I think your husband will like them 🙂
Stefanie says
Can you suggest a different gelatin to use for the vegetarians and pescatarians out there?
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi Stefanie – I’m sorry but I’ve only used it with the gelatin linked in this post. I would just search ‘vegetarian gelatin’ and see what comes up!
Angie says
Could these be made into firmer gummies like H@ribo gummies maybe by adding more gelatin? I’m a little bit concerned but all the sugar in these so I will try subbing the honey for a sweetener like erythritol.
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi Angie – That might work! I’ve never tried it but I would think adding a little more gelatin would make them firmer. I don’t know how the erythritol substitution would work. We don’t cook with erythritol because it is an artificial sweetener. If you try it let me know!
Nance says
In order to make them more like Haribo, unmould the gummies and place them standing up on a sheet tray in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours, then lie them on their back for another 24 hours. They should dry up and become firmer like Haribo!
The Clean Eating Couple says
I’ve never tried this but it might work! Haribo gummies have wax and a lot of preservatives/dyes added to them so that could also be why they are firmer – just a different makeup!
Neila Romdane says
this is brilliant!
how long can you keep them after making? It is quite a big batch.
The Clean Eating Couple says
You can keep them in the fridge for about a week!
Katie says
I didn’t think these would be anywhere near as good as the gummy candy we normally get but they’re actually pretty good! Easy to make and satisfied my sugar cravings
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi Katie! I’m glad you liked them!! They’re definitely different from regular gummy candy but we love them!
Nancy says
Will be trying this recipes. Which brand of juice or do you puree your own? Bought all the stuff except the juice. Thanks
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi Nancy – you can use any juice you like. I usually pick one that is 100% juice, and has no added sugar. I have never tried making it with homemade juice.
Claire says
My kids love these! They are so easy to make and taste great.
The Clean Eating Couple says
That makes me so happy to hear, Claire!! So happy your kids are loving them 🙂
Amy says
Hiya,
How long do these keep for?? And do they need to stay refrigerated?
Thanks!
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi Amy – there’s a note in the post about how to store them! They need to stay in the fridge and should stay good in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Mar says
Hi!! Awesome recipe! Can´t wait to try it. Two questions, how long do they last? and do they need to be refrigerated?
Thanks!
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi Mar – There’s a section in the post about storage! Because these gummy bears have no preservatives, they need to stay in the fridge. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
KK says
Can these go in the freezer?
The Clean Eating Couple says
You could freeze them but they will not be as gummy-like, and will become hard.
Heidi says
If I wanted to omit the honey, I imagine I couldn’t replace with more fruit juice. Because the bears might not firm up. Maybe a tablespoon of juice and 2 gelatin?
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi Heidi- I’m sorry but I don’t know if that would work – I’ve never tried it. I honestly don’t think it will work, but if you try it please let me know! Wish I could be more help – but I tested this recipe multiple times to get it to work correctly!
Terisa says
Does it matter if I use fresh squeezed orange juice? Also, what brands of juice have you used?
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi Terisa- I haven’t tried using fresh squeezed orange juice. If you do, I’d recommend straining it. I buy 100% fruit juice. There are many different brands, or I just buy the generic brand. I don’t have one in particular I recommend, I’d just look and see the ingredients on the ones in your store!
Jessie says
Mine turned out more like bear shaped jello. Bouncy and firm enough to unmould but soft enough that I think they’d melt in my hand. I’d definitely like a gummier version if anyone can share. I tried adding more gelatin but then I lost the fruity flavour. Thanks!
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi Jessie – Something must have gone wrong here.. these gummies are definitely softer than your regular gummies, but they shouldn’t melt in your hand. Did you use the sweetener? What kind of juice did you use?
denise says
How many can you eat? Is there a limit to getting too much gelatin?
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi Denise – You can eat as many as you like. There really isn’t a limit on how much gelatin you can consume!
Chey says
They worked great but I found them a bit on the too sweet side–would they still work with half the honey??
The Clean Eating Couple says
Sorry Chey, but I haven’t tried that. I’m not sure if that would work but if you try it let me know!
Barb says
It works with no honey if you so desire.
Ariana says
I tried this out and they came out with a jello consistency, not as hard and chewy as I would like. I could also slightly taste the gelatin. Any tips?
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi Ariana – what kind of juice did you use? These are definitely softer than a regular gummy bear, but shouldn’t be jello consistency. As for tasting the gelatin, I’ve never had that issue so I’m not sure why that would be!
Linda Baker says
I like that you use honey but I am trying to add more potassium and magnesium into my diet. Any thoughts on using black strap molasses in place of the honey?
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi Linda – If you need to add potassium/magnesium – molasses isn’t the best source for that. Fruits and vegetables are a much better source. I haven’t tried replacing honey with molasses but I don’t think it would work or taste good.
Diane says
Have you tried this using seamoss?
The Clean Eating Couple says
I’m not familiar with that ingredient, sorry!
Mary says
Hi there, you mention collagen and then had a link. I’m not sure what I should be looking for in the store. Is it beef gelatin or should I try to find a collagen powder?
The Clean Eating Couple says
The recipe calls for beef gelatin, that is what you should use! You can find it at Whole Foods or via the links in the recipe. Here’s an amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/2Hdejvb
Liz kane says
Made these and yes allot of work but tasted yummy, ate a ton and no tummy ache 👍
The Clean Eating Couple says
So glad you liked them!
Tiffany says
I have Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides already. Can I use that instead of the beef gelatin or do I specifically need to use the beef gelatin? Thanks!
The Clean Eating Couple says
You definitely need to use gelatin. Collagen is not like gelatin. Gelatin actually gels. If you use collagen these will not set at all.
Katherine Langford says
Can the honey be left out if the juice is sweet enough on its own?
Would lemonade be okay? Maybe it would require the honey but I would love to be able to make these without honey if possible.
Thanks
The Clean Eating Couple says
I don’t think you can skip the honey, but I’ve never tried. I’ve also never tried lemonade – it might be too tart. Sorry that’s not much help but if you try it let me know!
Josh says
Possible to use water instead of juice? Just curious.
The Clean Eating Couple says
Definitely not. The juice is what gives them the flavor.. they’d be really gross without juice.