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Wellness Mama » Blog » Recipes » Side Dish Recipes » How to Make Healthy Jello

How to Make Healthy Jello

January 30, 2012 (Updated: July 30, 2019)   —  by Katie Wells

Healthy homemade jello

Reading Time: 2 minThis post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my affiliate policy.

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Oh, jello … the sugar (or chemical) laden mystery food of hospitals and cafeterias. I went to public school and got my fair share of this stuff back then, so I have never made this for my kids … until now.

The “Jell-o” gelatin you can buy in stores is packed with sugar or chemical sugar substitutes, along with gelatin from conventional animals fed a poor diet. I certainly wasn’t going to make that for my kids!

Then I found out about how healthy gelatin from grass fed animals can be a good protein source and can improve skin and hair quality and help the digestive system. I’d been drinking unflavored gelatin in my tea and in smoothies, but it dawned on me that I could use the healthy kind of gelatin with natural fruits and fresh juices to make a jello that my kids would like and that I would be ok with them eating.

Homemade Jello Recipe

While this isn’t an everyday snack, it is made from fresh fruit and juices with quality gelatin, so it can be a healthy treat that kids of all ages will enjoy! Just make sure that you are using gelatin, not collagen peptides. Gelatin from healthy grass-fed sources is especially beneficial and will “gel” when chilled, while collagen peptides will not.

Healthy homemade jello
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4.27 from 46 votes

Healthy Homemade Jello Recipe

A recipe for making homemade jello without added sugar or artificial ingredients.
Course Snack
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings 4 -6
Calories 50kcal
Author Katie Wells
The ingredient links below are affiliate links. Click here to read my affiliate policy.

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup water (cool)
  • 1 TBSP  pasture-raised gelatin (green lid)
  • ¼ cup water (very hot)
  • 1½ cups fruit juice
  • 1-2 cups fresh fruit (optional)

Instructions

  • Pour the cool water in a medium size mixing bowl and add the gelatin powder.
  • Stir briskly until mixed. It will start to thicken a lot.
  • Add the ¼ cup of really hot water and stir to mix. It should be thinner now.
  • Pour in the juice and mix well.
  • Place fresh fruit in a layer on the bottom of an 8x8 baking dish if using.
  • Pour the jello mixture over the fruit and stir slightly to make sure it has coated the fruit.
  • Put in the refrigerator, covered, for at least 2-3 hours or overnight.
  • Cut into cubes or scoop out with a melon baller to make cute shapes.
  • Enjoy.

Notes

Can double recipe. Also, do not use fresh pineapple juice alone for this recipe. The enzymes in fresh pineapple prevent the gelatin from "gelling"

Nutrition

Serving: 1/2 cup | Calories: 50kcal | Carbohydrates: 10.9g | Protein: 1.6g | Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 7mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 10.1g

Like this recipe? Check out my new cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!

Ever made jello? Like the chemical laden stuff at the grocery store? Want to try this healthy version? Share below!

This healthy Jello recipe is made with grass fed gelatin and no added sugar or artificial ingredients for a healthy treat.

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Category: Recipes, Side Dish Recipes, Snack Recipes

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder and CEO of Wellness Mama and Co-Founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (151 Comments)

  1. Mandi Curtis

    February 11, 2014 at 7:10 AM

    Are there any red fruits i could juice to get a red color for valentins day?

    Thanks
    Mandi

    Reply
    • KJ

      June 19, 2014 at 3:03 PM

      I know it’s after V Day, but try just a little beet juice. It should give you the color and if you only use a little it shouldn’t impact the flavor.

      Reply
    • Jill

      January 21, 2015 at 7:05 PM

      try elderberries or tart cherry juice or pomegranates..

      Reply
  2. Sarah

    February 9, 2014 at 10:07 AM

    My kid is on a jell-o kick right now, which I have been allowing with some trepidation as I do thing the gelatine is good…. at least. I purchased some gelatine with the intention of making the homemade gummies (haven’t yet), but I think i’ll just do jelly instead! I’m thinking white grape juice (super sweet) and a bit of cranberry for colour Can’t wait!

    Reply
  3. Lee

    January 20, 2014 at 12:54 AM

    This recipe works great! I’ve done grapefruit juice and kombucha so far. Both firmed up into Jello-y treats! The kombucha is really fun because it still tastes carbonated. Thank you for these!!

    Reply
  4. Yolanda

    November 4, 2013 at 2:14 PM

    If I made this with Kombucha, do I heat 1/4 cup of it too and mix it with the cold Kombucha? I use Great Lakes Gelatin and homemade Kombucha!!

    Reply
  5. darren

    September 1, 2013 at 4:58 PM

    Saying that a powdered, store-bought gelatin is not as healthy as this is absurd. Doing the research for myself, the protein in gelatin is a very poor quality. You’re also loading it up with a bunch of fruit juice (AKA, a buttload of bad carbohydrates) Anyone who thinks that a ton of sugar in fruit juice is healthier than Sucralose or Aspartame is out of their tree.

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      September 1, 2013 at 5:32 PM

      Store bought jello has artificial dyes, artificial sweeteners and a lesser quality gelatin. It is definitely not as healthy.

      Reply
      • darren

        October 13, 2013 at 9:06 PM

        Even though these “artificial sweeteners”, “artificial dyes”, and a “lesser quality gelatin”(By your opinion, not by fact) have been approved by the USA’s FDA as safe…………..What does a massive regulatory agency that reviews countless scientific studies know about anything?! (Sarcasm)

        Reply
        • Christa Fiallos

          October 28, 2013 at 5:39 PM

          Yeah well, the FDA’s record of keeping America safe isn’t the finest and the fact that they are “massive” as you stated is part of the reason. Too big for enough QC, among other things.
          Also, as this is her site, it’s “her opinion” that counts to the majority of us on here. Don’t agree, simply don’t visit the site. Easy as that, no need to argue your obvious wisdom. (Sarcasm)

          Reply
        • Maribel Rodriguez

          February 1, 2014 at 3:33 PM

          Believe the FDA result of its “scientific” studies and follow their guidelines at your own health risk. I know I run the other way.

          Reply
          • Maribel Rodriguez

            February 1, 2014 at 3:36 PM

            5 stars
            By the way, awesome recipe and great idea of using water kefir to make jello. Big thanks.

          • Mick

            March 1, 2015 at 2:05 PM

            The FDA and other govt. authorities like CDC & WHO are well known to have a conflict of interest with consumer interests. They care more about growing govt. at all costs which often means cutting deals with Giant Corporations to put their interests ahead of citizens. If you watch monies like Farmageddon and many others you will see how they harass farmers and customers. They have forcefed their demands to high heat cook and pollute milk in almost all states. They use gestapo-like tactics to scare people also. Learn about how better milk prevents illnesses & is our right. Support free choice in whatever state you live. Call Congress and tell them you care. We must stand together against Big Agriculture & Big Govt . while we still have worthwhile things and our health. These interests of our cross all political lines to band us as one people!!!

        • Megan

          March 8, 2014 at 8:43 PM

          So what do you say about dye allergies? Cause I have a four year old at home that I have to make everything from scratch or break his heart, because our government says artificial dyes, (which are made from petroleum by the way), are completely safe. And they are completely unnecessary, he doesn’t even care that I’m making him jello that isn’t a radioactive looking orange.

          Reply
          • Deana

            April 7, 2014 at 7:22 AM

            My son is allergic too. When he was younger, if someone gave him “orange drink” or Gatorade or Doritos or just about any other processed food marketed to kids, he came home with what looked like a severe burn on his skin all around his mouth-picture The Joker. If burning your child’s face off isn’t enough to indicate artificial dyes are not safe, I don’t know what other evidence you need. I also note that in Europe, it is not legal to lace childrens foods with these toxic chemicals, so all their candies are made from natural dyes. As far as I know, we are the only Western nation that claims they are “safe.”

            Thanks for the recipe and clear instruction!

        • Linda

          March 25, 2020 at 8:38 AM

          Perhaps you should stay off of the health conscious websites and go follow the “Pied Piper” aka the FDA, over the cliffs into the sea below. It’s obvious you are not the least bit self-educated on the difference between toxic/chemically laden foods and healthy, natural whole foods. Ignorance is Bliss and you represent yourself as undeniably “BLISSFUL”.

          Reply
    • Kristal

      October 12, 2013 at 11:55 PM

      Are you aware of how Sucralose and Aspartame are manufactured?

      I’d like to know whose tree you are sitting in!

      Reply
      • darren

        October 13, 2013 at 9:02 PM

        Fact: More than 100 studies reviewed by the FDA UNANIMOUSLY found Sucralose to be safe. Sorry, but if you think it’s dangerous, you’re ignorant of the science that’s been done on it. The exact same thing can be said of Aspartame. More than 90 countries’ accept it as safe, including USA’s FDA. I do my best to read and understand science, especially that on health. Simple sugars are bad, even if from an apple or orange. The consensus on Sucralose and Aspartame are that they’re safe. Why would you disregard artificial sweeteners that probably aren’t dangerous for “natural” bad carbohydrates which have generated an obese nation?

        Reply
        • Kristal

          October 13, 2013 at 9:24 PM

          Wow, I don’t know whether to feel sorry for you because your information is completely the opposite; or to call you out as the troll you must be.

          Reply
          • darren

            October 13, 2013 at 9:51 PM

            Are you kidding? I’m not trolling. I actually want you to do some research. Read the wikipedia pages on Sucralose and Aspartame. Then reply back. Or cite an article that is peer reviewed……… Or you know, any evidence at all. You probably also believe Organic food is better than “Non-organic” food, which is also completely lacking any evidence at all.

          • Jason

            November 5, 2013 at 2:13 PM

            Since artificial ingredients are new to the human species, I’d rather just play it safe and avoid them. Point me to a study that was done over a large group of people (millions) over a long period of time (millenniums) and I’ll concede. Until then, enjoy your jello 🙂

          • Nezza Bugatti

            January 4, 2014 at 12:59 PM

            Darren, LOL you remind me so much of myself when I was younger. Very naive, believing everything you are told by the media, and lacking the knowledge of God and the Bible. I pray that God continues to show you the answers and you take up the courage to explore it and not turn away from a gift no man can give you.

        • lilypad

          February 3, 2014 at 9:30 PM

          Science and homeopathy don’t exactly see eye to eye . . . maybe this isn’t the site for your opinion but I am sure the FDA would love to hear about your loyalty to their department. After that call up the USDA and see how Michael Taylor, Margaret Miller and Islam Siddiqui are enjoying their switch from Monsanto lobbying and employment to their new positions for the FDA and USDA. Come on, open your eyes to the song and dance your so blindly and ignorantly being serenaded to.

          Reply
          • Melissa

            April 20, 2014 at 7:27 PM

            Anyone can add anything they want to wikipedia. Don’t believe everything you read.
            Aspartame’s two amino acids are combined using a methyl ester bond. Methanol is released from the aspartame within hours of consumption after hydrolysis of the methyl group of the dipeptide by chymotrypsin in the small intestine. Once this methyl ester bond is broken it liberates free methyl alcohol or methanol, which is commonly called wood alcohol. The problem with methanol is that it passes into your blood-brain barrier and is converted into formaldehyde, which causes the damage. You may recognize formaldehyde as embalming fluid. Hence, NOT safe once consumed.

        • Marabeth

          February 18, 2015 at 1:35 PM

          5 stars
          Wow. Do you believe everything you’re told then go start unfounded arguments with people? Maybe you swallow the idea of the government having “the people’s” best interest at heart. Hate to break it to you, but they are an organization with an agenda. Always look at the source of your information. Question why the material you read was distributed. Is there something monetary to gain by deceiving you? If the answer is yes, do some unbiased research.

          I personally have a vendetta against Splenda aka sucralose. Chemically speaking, it’s closer to chlorine than sugar; yet their pretty, sparkly commercials claim it’s “made from sugar”. It can’t be that bad, right? Wrong. It hasn’t been around long enough to research and properly study its effects. They are a company out to make money. They want to convince you it’s safe and naturally-derived. They will post and fund studies when the independent research is clearly not going their way. It’s deception at it’s finest. I believe Splenda will be the next “big tobacco”, resulting in scandal: knowingly peddling poison to the stupid mass consumer.

          In this age of information, there’s really no excuse to believe everything that one hears.

          Thanks for the recipe! I needed the quantity of plain gelatin to liquid. Thanks for posting successful experiments!

          As a side note, there are fruits to avoid when working with gelatin. Specifically fresh kiwi, pineapple, papaya, and mango have enzymes that will prevent the gelatin from setting. If you’re interested in the science behind it, here’s a good breakdown. https://www.thenakedscientists.com/get-naked/experiments/science-fruit-jellies

          Reply
          • Katie - Wellness Mama

            February 18, 2015 at 10:30 PM

            Thanks for the comment. Also- as a follow up to Darren- there is absolutely evidence that Sucralose and other artificial sweeteners are harmful, especially to gut bacteria: https://www.aerotoxic.org/2017/11/06/splenda-alters-gut-microflora-and-increases-intestinal-p-glycoprotein-and-cytochrome-p-450-in-male-rats/

          • Diana Morgan

            April 2, 2016 at 4:23 AM

            5 stars
            Aspartame causes migraines in a lot of people, along with most artificial sweeteners. I am proof positive of that. I was having migraines constantly until I looked up on the web what caused migraines. When I stopped using artificial sweeteners I stopped having headaches. Every once in a while I have a headache when eating out because there are sometimes things in what you are eating that the restaurant doesn’t tell you about.

        • Mick

          March 1, 2015 at 2:10 PM

          When you pay the researchers huge amounts of money they tend to find the results you ask for. So much research is agenda driven now. They cooked weather data to push an agenda for instance. The money involved makes the citizens ants compared to giant corporations and political entities. If things worked in our interests there wouldn’t be so many sick people everywhere in The United States. We are sicker than countries in poverty. Why? They conspire in many ways to keep us suck and in a fog. They misuse our money & so on. Demand more & research everything you can now while you can.

          Reply
        • Mae

          March 8, 2015 at 9:44 PM

          Late to the party, but whatever.

          The natural/simple sugars vs processed/artificial sugars debate is one of the reasons I was looking up homemade jello recipes. The more recent generation of my family has been plagued with health issues, everything from allergies to simple foods and preservatives, to Celiac disease. The nutritionist that some of my family uses has been pushing that all of us – even those who have no food-related issues – to give up anything and everything that contains artificial/processed sugars. Aspartame in particular, as it’s being shown to affect the brain in way that scarily mimics Alzheimer’s.

          Anyways.

          Can’t wait to try this, but I’m wondering (to possibly save myself some frustration) how well this recipe stands up to being molded/shaped/cut? The younger ones like to take cookie cutters to their jello.

          Reply
        • Jennifer Quick

          April 1, 2015 at 11:15 AM

          A review is not a controlled study. I imagine you will not find any good studies on food additives in children because no one wants to experiment on them. Also, a lot of studies are observational, which means they’re reliant upon accurate self-reporting, which is an oxymoron (heavy on the moron, which is not sarcasm). Due to that, plus individual differences in metabolism, the best course of action is to see what bothers you or your child, or what improves the way you feel, and eat accordingly.

          As for relying on government agencies, after the recent Ebola virus debacle and the lack of any thoughtful and cohesive response on the part of the CDC and the public health system, I prefer to look at lots of data from lots of sources. No one source gives the full picture.

          Reply
        • Carole Powell

          May 16, 2015 at 5:11 PM

          Artificial sweeteners taste bad to me.

          Reply
        • Amanda

          February 2, 2016 at 4:34 AM

          5 stars
          Hmm if I had to choose a piece of fruit or a spoonful of chemical, I choose fruit, and you can have the chemical, then we’ll see who feels good.

          Reply
        • Lisa

          March 9, 2016 at 10:35 AM

          5 stars
          Paid big pharma shill… Your empty words don’t convince people anymore! They are educated and will not be fooled.

          Reply
        • Alison Hill

          June 4, 2016 at 8:44 PM

          The FDA has approved many things that later they unendorsed. Many people and doctors have successfully proven and sued drug, food and chemical companies that were FDA products. I’m glad we have the FDA but I do not feel they are extensive enough, if they were prevention would be the cause of the day. Too much is rushed through ND then side effects dealt with later. I can’t speak of all sugar substitutes but I know that my husband’s job at Shell chemical involved selling 10,000 gallons of acetone to the Nutrsweet ( aspartame) company a week. It was used to refine the consistency of the powder.
          Fruit juice squeezed from fruit with added water has fructose ( fruit sugar) in it . And while it can contain sugar , most fruit sugar has a lower glycimic index than cane sugar.

          Reply
    • William

      April 22, 2014 at 11:33 PM

      I’d rather eat a small amount of naturally occurring fruit sugar than even a microscopic amount of a chemical made in a factory, regardless of who says it’s safe.

      Reply
  6. Amy

    August 17, 2013 at 8:33 PM

    I’d like to try making homemade jello with water kefir, but I’m worried that the heat from the heat from the hot water will kill the probiotics. Am I worried for nothing, or is there a way to do it without killing the probiotics? Thanks

    Reply
    • Jennifer

      February 3, 2015 at 1:04 PM

      I was wondering the same thing! Does anyone know?

      Reply
    • Jon

      April 26, 2015 at 11:31 AM

      Temperature over 40 C will kill probiotic bacteria 🙁

      Reply
      • Katie

        February 16, 2016 at 8:29 PM

        4 stars
        This thread is older, but I just tried it so I thought I’d chime in 🙂 I heated the gelatin in water, whisked it well, then added water kefir a half cup at a time from the fridge. Because the water kefir was so cold, by the time it got all whisked in it was only lukewarm, I’m sure cool enough for the probiotics to survive (except maybe the very first half cup), and the jello came out great!

        Reply
        • Laura K

          March 16, 2016 at 2:11 PM

          Would love to see your full recipe! Did you include fruit for flavor but replace all the juice with water kefir? How much water for the initial dissolving of gelatin? Thanks in advance…

          Reply
          • Katie

            March 16, 2016 at 4:42 PM

            I just followed this recipe exactly, (1/4 cup cold water, 1/4 cup hot, then using water kefir in place of fruit juice) my water kefir is made with ginger, so it was kind of ginger-y. It would probably be delicious with additional fruit, but I was in a hurry 🙂

  7. Joanne

    June 21, 2013 at 9:49 AM

    I have made this a few times and it seems like a lot of the gelatin settles to the bottom while it is setting up. I just read on the general gelatin post that you let it sit with the cool water to “temper”. Should I do that here too? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      June 23, 2013 at 1:51 PM

      Yes… I”ve started doing this myself with all gelatin recipes. I temper in cool water (a small amount) and then mix with really hot water and then use…

      Reply
  8. Sommer

    March 16, 2013 at 11:46 PM

    Where do you buy your Kosher gelatin powder?

    Reply
    • Moriah lee

      November 23, 2015 at 10:41 PM

      According to the article she wrote, she gets her gelatin and collagen powder (as do I) from http://www.vitalproteins.com I am also extremely picky when buying things for my body so I can attest to them being a good, trustworthy source! (Though I’m sure that was evident since WM uses them 😉 )

      Reply
      • jean

        March 18, 2016 at 12:57 PM

        I went to the vitalproteins.com website…….is it the beef gelatin that I should be getting? Thank you.

        Reply
  9. Laci Hodges

    March 12, 2013 at 8:57 PM

    also, is there a difference in nutritional content between the pig and cow versions of the gelatin?

    Reply
  10. Laci Hodges

    March 12, 2013 at 8:51 PM

    have you ever had a problem with the smell of the gelatin? in the reviews on amazon some people complained of the unbearable smell of the gelatin when heated up. thoughts??

    Reply
    • des

      March 1, 2014 at 6:19 PM

      The smell is not appetizing, but goes away completely if you let the jello sit for a day. Also, at this concentration, while it does have a faint smell when first made, it doesn’t taste bad. My toddler eats it so fast, she doesn’t even notice, lol.

      Reply
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