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 Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup cool water
- 1 TBSP pasture-raised gelatin green lid
- ¼ cup very hot water
- 1½ cups organic or fresh fruit juice of choice
- 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
Nutrition
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Ever made jello? Like the chemical laden stuff at the grocery store? Want to try this healthy version? Share below!
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Are there any red fruits i could juice to get a red color for valentins day?
Thanks
Mandi
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.
try elderberries or tart cherry juice or pomegranates..
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!
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!!
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!!
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.
Store bought jello has artificial dyes, artificial sweeteners and a lesser quality gelatin. It is definitely not as healthy.
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)
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)
Believe the FDA result of its “scientific” studies and follow their guidelines at your own health risk. I know I run the other way.
By the way, awesome recipe and great idea of using water kefir to make jello. Big thanks.
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!!!
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.
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!
Are you aware of how Sucralose and Aspartame are manufactured?
I’d like to know whose tree you are sitting in!
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?
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.
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.
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 🙂
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.
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.
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.
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
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/
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.
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.
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.
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.
Artificial sweeteners taste bad to me.
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.
Paid big pharma shill… Your empty words don’t convince people anymore! They are educated and will not be fooled.
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.
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.
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
I was wondering the same thing! Does anyone know?
Temperature over 40 C will kill probiotic bacteria 🙁
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!
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…
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 🙂
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!
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…
Where do you buy your Kosher gelatin powder?
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 😉 )
I went to the vitalproteins.com website…….is it the beef gelatin that I should be getting? Thank you.
also, is there a difference in nutritional content between the pig and cow versions of the gelatin?
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??
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.