I’m not a fan of most gummy vitamins since they’re full of sugar and other unhealthy ingredients. A yummy and healthy way to get that fun gummy texture though is to make your own! These great-tasting probiotic gummies are a hit with kids and provide good bacteria for the digestive tract.
Probiotic Gummy Pitfalls
Most of the probiotic gummies on the market are full of sugar, corn syrup, or sugar alcohols. The same goes for prebiotic gummies, fiber gummies, and any other kind of gummy supplement. While there are some health benefits, the other ingredients aren’t great for the immune system or digestive system.
I don’t think it’s too much to ask that my probiotic supplement not sabotage my gut health!
Kid’s probiotic gummies aren’t much better. The natural fruit flavors (like orange flavor) and added vitamin C make them a tempting option, but not something I feel great about giving my kids. Thankfully I’ve found an easy way to make my own daily probiotic gummies for digestive health.
Probiotic Strains
There are a lot of options out there when it comes to digestive support, but my favorite is always going to be real food. I try to get plenty of beneficial prebiotics + probiotics from fermented foods like kefir and kombucha. But sometimes it’s nice to have them in a fun gummy form, especially for kids.
For this recipe, I use milk kefir and/or yogurt. According to a 2022 study, milk kefir has quite a few beneficial probiotic strains. Yogurt is also full of healthy probiotics, including lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Bacillus coagulans.
Prefer to Buy It?
While I don’t recommend gummy supplements, here are some pre-made probiotic supplements I can get behind.
- Baby Probiotics Powder from Ther- Biotic
- Liquid Daily Probiotics for Kids from Probonix
- Probiotic and Antioxidant (spore-based) from Just Thrive
Benefits of Probiotics
Most of us know by now that probiotics are a good thing, but what exactly do they do? Probiotics help support immune health for general wellness. In addition to immune support, they’re also helpful for digestive issues, like bloating and constipation. Our ancestors thrived on natural probiotics from fermented foods and contact with probiotics in the soil. Chewable dietary supplements aren’t quite the same.
Rather than turning to a processed option, consider making a simple protein and probiotic-rich treat!
Gummy Probiotic Snacks: A Treat Kids Can Make
My kids love helping out in the kitchen. And this is a recipe I feel great about them making! They love the taste and I love that they’re getting protein, probiotics, and fruit. These gummies are naturally gluten-free and easily non-GMO. For a dairy or lactose-free version, try coconut milk yogurt.
Its minimal ingredient list includes:
- Frozen fruit: Choose berries for a boost of antioxidants and color without a lot of added sugar. Using frozen fruit that has defrosted provides a better texture and more intense flavor in this recipe. We prefer strawberries.
- Fresh or bottled organic juice: For natural sweetness and color. Some gummy brands use citric acid for tartness, but juice works just as well. We prefer grape, apple, or orange juice in this recipe.
- Gelatin: One of my favorite ingredients as it helps these treats gel. It also provides protein and amino acids like proline and glycine which help digestion and sleep. I use this one.
- Yogurt or kefir: Adds probiotics and a creaminess to the recipe. I like organic or homemade yogurt or milk kefir.
A Note on Gelatin
Some recipes use pectin to thicken, but I prefer grass-fed gelatin for the health benefits. Be sure to use gelatin, NOT collagen, or the recipe won’t thicken. It also helps to sprinkle the gelatin on top of half of the juice first. Let it “bloom” and absorb the liquid before adding it to the other ingredients. This goes a long way toward preventing gelatin clumps.
Gummy Making Tips
These are easiest to set in the fridge. I’ve found popping them in the freezer for about 10 minutes makes them easier to remove or cut. As long as they’re not in the freezer too long it doesn’t affect the texture.
Some people have issues with the gummy mixture setting up in the blender. It helps to use room-temperature yogurt or milk kefir and juice to prevent this.
Also, be sure to use frozen fruit that’s been completely thawed and strained. You could reserve the strained juice to use as part of the 2 cups of juice in the recipe.
Where Do I Get the Molds?
I usually get more questions about the molds for recipes like this than the actual recipe itself. I figured it deserved its own section this time! In honor of a certain movie my kids are obsessed with (hint: this one), I’ve used these themed molds in the past. But any silicone molds will work. Here’s more on why I’m okay using silicone for cold foods.
Probiotic Gummies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1½ cups frozen berries (defrosted, drained, and room temperature)
- 1½ cups plain yogurt (or milk kefir)
- 2 cups fruit juice
- ¼ cup honey (optional, or 1 TBSP lime juice)
- ¼ cup gelatin
Instructions
- Make sure the berries are completely thawed and drained. This recipe works best if the berries and yogurt are room temperature.
- Place the berries and yogurt or kefir, in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour half of the juice into a medium-sized stainless steel bowl or glass baking dish.
- Sprinkle the gelatin over the surface of the juice and allow it to bloom for 5-10 minutes.
- While the gelatin is blooming, pour the other half of the juice into a small saucepan and bring it to a simmer.
- When the juice in the saucepan is heated, remove it from the heat and stir in the honey or lime juice, if using.
- Add the warmed juice to the cool juice with the gelatin and whisk until smooth.
- Immediately pour the juice and gelatin mixture into the blender with the fruit and yogurt.
- Blend on LOW speed until just combined.
- Pour into silicone molds or into a greased glass baking dish and place in the refrigerator until the gelatin has set.
- Serve when cool.
Notes
- Make sure you are using gelatin in order to create the gelling effect. Not collagen peptides.
- If you have trouble removing the gummies from the silicone molds, stick them in the freezer until firm. It won’t affect the texture.
- Store in refrigerator for up to a week (they may last longer, but they’ve always been eaten faster than that in my house so I can only vouch for a week).
Nutrition
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What recipes do you like to make with your kids? Leave a comment and let me know!
I read that if you use sugar with your yoghurt it cancels out the probiotic effects. Do you know if that is true? There would be some sugar in the fruit and any sweetener you add.
Hi Katie. Can I use vital proteins collagen peptides ( the blue one) instead of gelatin. Would it work the same as gelatin.
No, it won’t work for this recipe because it won’t gel..
Katie, I tried this last night and before I could get it out of the blender, it set up completely (I used my lowest speed possible); there was NO pouring into my molds :(. Yours works in the blender fine and still pours? I am still struggling to find a recipe we all like. Every batch of homemade gummies I have made, have ended up such a weird texture, that no one wants to eat them :(. Can you increase the liquid to help, or are these ratios essential?
Thanks for any help you can offer!
You can definitely increase the liquid, that will make it easier to pour and possibly change the texture enough for your family to like them.
I, too, appreciate your posts and refer you to others for important, thoughtful information. Thank you so much! We have been big fans of making gummies since you posted the recipe for tangerine ones several years back.
Is there a reason you switched from calling them gummies to using the word jello as in jello snacks? Jell-o is a brand name to me–a product that is laden with sugar and dye, something we do not eat. Just wondering.
thanks.
It’s a term that more people are familiar with, so it’s a nice introduction to the real-food lifestyle for many 🙂
Ah–that makes sense. Thank you.
Hi!!!! Thanks for all of the amazing info you share…. I so appreciate your time and concern. I wanted to know how I could substitute the beef gelatin, because my family and I do not consume beef or pork. Also we have gone astray with our healthy and organic eating:( Do you have any suggestions or ideas (maybe prior posts) to jumpstart healthy eating and school lunch prep for children or families that are getting back into the swing of healthy eating?
This post should help: https://wellnessmama.com/76599/healthy-school-lunch-ideas/
Would it be possible to make this recipe using agar agar powder in place of the gelatin, as a vegetarian option? I’d like to make a healthy jelly for my son, but we can only have halaal gelatin, which is hard to come by… Not sure how much of the powder if have to use though. I guess it would have to be a trial and error thing…
I love the idea of the probiotic snacks, However my son, his wife and their little guys are all Vegan. I’d love to make these for them, but don’t know what I could use in place of animal bases gelatin?
You can try agar-agar, which is plant based, in place of beef gelitan and coconut yogurt instead of dairy. The ratios will likely change quite so I recommend experimenting in small batches to get a good result.
Yes, Katie, I agree with Kimberley: I have never said it, but really should have: you have researched and given all of us SO MANY great recipes and articles for thought!!!
THANK YOU!!!
Your articles are wonderfully full of recipes and great ideas.
We think a lot alike!
Thank you, again.
Just got my first bag of protein essentials and I was so excited to try this recipe since it’s hard to find snack foods or even just breakfast foods that aren’t grain based and acidic. When I read the recipe I was wondering how long it would take to firm up, then I went and made it with just-from-the-freezer dark cherries, yoghurt, kefir and coconut water and “poof” instant jelled snack! I was able to get Jabba the Hut to lay somewhat flat in a dish for the fridge, but no silicone molds could contain him this time. Next time I’ll defrost fully if I want some semblance of form and beauty! 🙂 Thanks for all the great info. I was wondering about silicone baking mats, too, and appreciate your take on them.
Thank you so much. I bought the gelatin. All is can say is WOW on the aminos that are in it! It will be fun to see what else I can put it into as I’ve never used gelatin before. My hair has thinned a bit because I’ve been anemic several times over the last several years, but that’s another story! Looks like it might help my hair, too.