How to Make Gummies with Jello (In Just 15 Minutes)?

Making your own gummies at home is surprisingly simple, and using Jello makes the process even faster. Whether you're preparing a fun treat for kids or experimenting with homemade candies using gummy molds, this method delivers chewy results with just a few ingredients.

Mix 1 packet of Jello, 2 tbsp unflavored gelatin, and 0.5 cup cold water. Let sit for 5 minutes, then heat gently until dissolved. Pour into molds and refrigerate for 1 hour. Once firm, remove and store in an airtight container.

We’ll now break down each step, explain ingredient variations, and cover tips for better texture and flavor.

You can use this easy technique alongside other candy recipes, perfect for silicone molds, to try new sweet creations.

Part 1- Tools & Ingredients to Make Jello Gummies at Home

Before we dive into the fun part, let's make sure we have all our tools and ingredients ready to go. 

A- Tools Checklist 

• Small saucepan
• Silicone dropper or spouted cup
• Candy or probe thermometer
• Silicone gummy molds

B- Ingredients Table

You only need the following 3 main ingredients to make your homemade Jello gummies:

Quick Note: Check the Bloom strength of the gelatin before choosing. Most recipes use 200-bloom gelatin. If you have 225-bloom, use about 16 grams; for 250-bloom, use about 15 grams. 

Before we start, knowing how to use silicone molds helps make gummy-making easier and your treats perfect. See our guide on using silicone molds for tips.

Part 2- How to Make Gummies with Jello: Step-by-Step

Let's walk through making these amazing gummies together. Just follow these simple steps, and you'll be a gummy pro in no time!

Step 1: Bloom the Gelatin 

Pour cold water into your small saucepan. Now, take your unflavored gelatin powder and sprinkle it as evenly as you can over the surface of the liquid. Don't stir it in just yet!

Let it sit quietly for about 5 minutes. You'll see it start to absorb the water and get all spongy and a bit wrinkly. This step is called "blooming," and it's super important because it helps the gelatin dissolve smoothly later, so you don't get any yucky clumps.

Step 2: Warm the Mixture Gently 

Once your gelatin has bloomed, it's time to add your box of flavored Jell-O powder to the saucepan. Give it a little stir.

Now, place the saucepan on your stove over low heat. Stir everything together gently and pretty much constantly. You want everything to dissolve completely and become a nice, smooth liquid.

Pro Tip: It's important not to let the mixture boil! If it boils, the gelatin can weaken, and your gummies might not set up properly. 

Step 3: Add Boosters & Flavors 

Add boosters and flavors of your choice to the mixture. 

• Add the corn syrup for that great chewiness
• Add citric acid if you want that sour zing

If you have any extra food coloring or flavor extracts you want to experiment with, now's the moment to add those too. Stir gently until everything is well combined.

Step 4: Fill the Molds 

Fill the molds with the mixture to give them a shape. If your silicone molds are brand new, add 1-2 drops before adding gummy material. 

After use, cleaning silicone molds well keeps them in good shape for perfect gummies every time. See our guide for quick cleaning tips.

Step 5: Chill to Set 

Once your molds are all filled up, it's time for them to chill out. Carefully place the filled gummy mold into your refrigerator. They'll need at least 20 minutes to set up. If your molds are deeper or your gummy shapes are bigger, they might take a bit longer, maybe up to an hour or two, to get perfectly firm. You can gently touch one to see if it’s firm and no longer sticky on top.

Part 3- Different Ways to Bring Versatility to Jell-O Gummies!

Want to try some fun twists to make your gummies even tastier and more special? Here are a few easy ideas to play around with:

1. Two-Tone Gummies 

Fill your little molds about halfway up with one color of your gummy mix. Pop them in the fridge for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, carefully pour your second color of gummy mix on top. Put them back in the fridge to fully set.

2. Gummies Made Only with Juice 

If you want to skip the Jell-O box and use just fruit juice, that’s easy! Use about 3/4 cup of your favorite juice (like apple, grape, or cranberry). Add about 1/4 cup of sugar, you can add more or less sugar depending on how sweet your juice is. 

3. Vegan or Halal Gummies

If you don’t want to use regular gelatin (which comes from animals), you can use something called agar-agar instead. It’s made from plants. Use about 1.5 teaspoons of agar-agar flakes for every cup of liquid. You’ll need to stir the agar-agar into your liquid and let it simmer (bubble gently) for about 2 minutes to get it working.

4. Sugar-Free or Keto Gummies 

Use a box of sugar-free Jell-O. Sometimes, sugar-free Jell-O can make gummies that shrink a little or aren't as soft. To help with this, you can try adding about 1.5 teaspoons of vegetable glycerine to your liquid mix.

5. Add Some Protein or Vitamins 

Want to sneak in a little something extra? You can gently mix in some clear (unflavored) whey protein powder or powdered vitamin C into your warm gummy mix. Again, make sure the mix isn't too hot (below 140°F or 60°C is best) so you don’t hurt the good stuff in the vitamins or protein.

6. CBD Infused Gummies 

If you'd like to make gummies with CBD, you can add your CBD oil or CBD powder when you add other extras (like corn syrup, as in Step 4 of the main recipe). Stir it in well so it spreads out evenly in all the gummy mix.

For a deeper look at gummy textures and ingredients, check out our full comparison of pectin vs. gelatin gummies for candy makers.

Part 4- Common Jello Gummies Issues and Their Solutions

Gummies not right? No worries. Here are easy tips.

If your gummies are too hard:

• Why it happened: You put in too much gelatin.
• How to fix it: Next time, use less gelatin.

If your gummies do not get firm:

• Why it happened:

• Maybe the mix was too sour. Some fresh fruit juice can stop gelatin.

• Or, the gelatin did not melt all the way.

• Or, your gummy mix boiled.

• How to fix it:

• Try to add a bit more gelatin next time.

• If you use those types of fruit, get juice from a store. Or cook the fresh fruit first.

• Make sure all the gelatin melts. It should not be grainy.

If your gummies feel sticky on top:

• Why it happened: The air is wet. Or they did not dry for long enough.

• How to fix it: Let them dry more on a wire rack. You can also roll them in cornstarch and fine sugar.

If your gummies look cloudy, not clear:

• Why it happened: The mix boiled. Or some bits did not melt. Or you did not scoop off the foam.

• How to fix it: Do not let the mix boil! Make sure all bits melt well. Scoop any foam off the top.

Storage & Shelf Life of Jello Gummies

Now, you've made gummies! Now, how do you store these little gems so they stay fresh and delicious?

• In the Fridge: Pop your cooled gummies into an airtight container. They’ll stay happy and yummy in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. This is the best way to store them if they haven't been air-dried for a long time.
• Cool Pantry: If you've thoroughly air-dried your gummies (so they have that firm, chewy, store-bought feel) and you've given them a light dusting of cornstarch/powdered sugar, you can store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry pantry (make sure it's below 70 °F / 21 °C). They should last for about 3–5 days this way. If it's warm or humid in your house, the fridge is still a safer bet.
• Gifting in Humid Areas: If you're boxing up your beautiful homemade gummies as gifts and you live somewhere humid (or it's a humid time of year), consider adding a small food-safe silica gel pack to the box (the kind you find in vitamin bottles or jerky packages – just make sure it says "food safe"!). This little pack will help absorb any extra moisture and keep your gummies from getting sticky.
• Quick Chew Test: Not sure if your gummies have dried enough to reach your ideal chewiness? Here’s a neat trick: take one gummy and pop it in the freezer for just 5 minutes. When you take it out, its texture will be a good preview of how chewy the rest of the batch will be once they're fully dried and cooled!

Part 5- Molds You Can Use for Jello Gummies

While any food-safe silicone mold can technically work for gummies, using the right mold makes the process cleaner, quicker, and the final result much more appealing. Whether you prefer classic shapes or something more playful, the options below are ideal for homemade Jello gummies:

Round Silicone Mold – 475 Cavity

Great for making small, bite-sized gummies in bulk. Ideal for efficient batching.

Thick Worm Mold – 4ml

 If you're after a chewy, candy-store feel, these worm molds are fun and kid-friendly.

Thick Bear Mold – 3ml

 A nostalgic choice, great for replicating the classic gummy bear look at home.

THC Candy Mold

Ideal if you’re infusing your gummies for adult use. Includes professional-style cavity shapes.

Marijuana Leaf Mold – 3 Pack

Eye-catching leaf shapes for themed batches or novelty edibles.

Heart Candy Mold – Half Sheet

A great choice for holiday treats, gifts, or romantic themes.

Mushroom Mold – 4ml

Quirky and different. These molds are great for artistic or decorative batches.

No-Mold Method for Jello Gummies

So, you're super excited to make gummies, but you don't have any of those fancy silicone molds? Don't let that stop you! You can still make awesome gummies. Here's how:

• Prep Your Pan: Find a small loaf pan, a square baking dish (like an 8x8 inch pan if you're making a larger batch), or even a shallow glass food storage container. Lightly oil the inside of the pan. You can use a neutral-flavored cooking spray and then wipe out most of the excess with a paper towel, or just use a tiny bit of oil on a paper towel to grease it. This will stop the gummy mixture from sticking.
• Pour in the Mixture: Once your warm gummy mixture is ready (after Step 4 in the main recipe), carefully pour it into your prepared pan. Try to get it into an even layer.
• Chill Until Firm: Place the pan in the refrigerator and let it chill until the gummy mixture is completely firm. This might take an hour or two, depending on how thick your layer of gummy is. It should feel firm to the touch, like a big Jell-O jiggler.
• Unmold and Slice: Once it's totally set, you can carefully loosen the edges of the gummy slab from the sides of the pan using a thin spatula or your fingertips. Then, turn the pan upside down over a clean cutting board. The gummy slab should pop out!
• Get Creative with Shapes: Now the fun part! You can use a knife (lightly oiled if it's sticking) to slice the slab into little cubes or rectangles. Or, if you have mini cookie cutters (like tiny stars, hearts, or circles), you can use those to punch out fun shapes!

Conclusion

The final remarks are that creating your own Jello gummies is a delightfully easy and fun kitchen adventure! This guide has equipped you with everything: from gathering basic tools and ingredients to mastering the simple step-by-step process. You’ve learned how to customize flavors and textures, explore exciting variations like two-tone or CBD-infused treats, and confidently tackle any gummy hiccup with troubleshooting tips. Whether you use a simple saucepan or fancy molds, you now have the skills to whip up delicious, chewy gummies.

Ready to explore more? Learn how to make CBD gummies in our detailed guide for an extra twist on homemade treats.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Turn Jelly into Gummies?

To make jelly firmer like gummies, you need to add more gelatin (or another gelling agent) to it and let it set. Dissolve extra unflavored gelatin in a bit of liquid, warm your jelly, mix them, and chill in molds.

What Is the Ratio of Gelatin to Water for Gummies?

A common starting ratio is about 1 tablespoon of gelatin to 100ml (about 0.4 cups) of liquid for a basic gummy. For a firmer, chewier gummy like store-bought, you often need more gelatin, up to 1/4 cup per cup of liquid.

How Do You Make Gummy Bears with Jello and Gelatin? 

Combine Jello powder and unflavored gelatin with cold water/juice, let it bloom, then gently heat until dissolved (do not boil). Add any extra sweeteners or flavors, pour into molds, and chill until firm.

What Is the Best Gelling Agent for Gummies? 

Gelatin is the classic choice for its chewy, melt-in-the-mouth texture. Pectin is a great plant-based alternative, creating a softer, more jelly-like feel. Agar-agar also works for vegan options but gives a firmer bite.