How To Make Jello With Gelatin

Homemade jello is simple to make and is a great way to get grass-fed gelatin into your diet! In addition, this recipe is paleo-friendly and Whole30 approved!

Jello is one of those foods that make me think of my childhood. I don't know what it is about eating something sweet and jiggly that tastes so good. My kids hadn't had the same jello I had when I was young, but instead enjoy fresh, homemade jello made with fruit juice and gelatin powder. Homemade jello is so easy to make, versatile, and is healthier than using boxed stuff.

How To Make Jello From Scratch

Ingredients: For this recipe, you'll need two cups of juice, one tablespoon of gelatin powder, and honey (optional).

To begin, you'll need to heat 1 3/4 cups of juice in a small saucepan. While the liquid is heating up, you'll need to bloom the gelatin. To do this, in a small bowl, will mix one tablespoon of gelatin with 1/4 cup of orange juice. Then, let the gelatin expand and "bloom" in the fluid.

Once the juice has come to a simmer, remove it from the heat. Now, scoop the bloomed gelatin mixture into the saucepan. Whisk until the gelatin has dissolved. If you're adding in honey or any other sweetener, now is the time to add it. Stir again until the honey dissolves.

Carefully pour the jello mixture into jars, cups, jello molds, or a glass pan. Cover with a lid and place in the fridge for 2-4 hours, or until the jello is set.

Once the Jell-O is set, you can serve it as a dessert or a snack. I like to top mine with a dollop of whipped cream and topped with diced banana and mango!

FAQ

What kind of juice should I use to make homemade jello? Almost all fruit (or even veggie) juices will work for this recipe. Avoid using fresh pineapple, kiwi, and papaya juice, though. These fruits contain enzymes that break down the protein in gelatin and will not set correctly in homemade jello. I personally like to use orange juice and coconut water in my homemade jello.
Can I make vegan jello?Vegan jello is a little tricky but it's possible. I've tested homemade jello with agar agar with success. Follow the instructions as written but use 1 1/2 teaspoons of agar agar powder or flakes instead of powdered gelatin.
What type of gelatin do you recommend?I prefer to use grass-fed gelatin, but in a pinch, you can use the envelopes of Knox gelatin. My favorite brands of gelatin are Perfect Supplements and Great Lakes.
Can fresh fruit be added to this jello recipe? Absolutely! Mix in diced berries, blueberries, strawberries, whatever fruit you like right before pouring the mixture into molds or jars.
Can I make my jello keto?Yes, instead of juice use filtered water and use a flavored tea, or electrolyte mix and add it to the water mixture.
Can I use this recipe to make vodka jello shots? Yes, follow the instructions as written but instead of 2 cups of juice you will only use 1 1/2 cups. Heat the juice like the instructions say too, and bloom the gelatin in 1/2 cup of vodka instead of juice. Let the warm juice cool slightly before adding in the gelatin vodka mixture. Pour into small plastic cups, shot glasses, or molds and refrigerate for 2 hours.
How long does this keep? Homemade jello will keep for 5-7 days in the refrigerator.

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Jello Recipe (From Scratch)

Homemade jello made with fruit juice and grass-fed gelatin powder. You can make this recipe vegan with agar agar powder and keto-friendly with electrolyte powder.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes + 2 hours cooling
Yield: 8 4-ounce jars 1x
Category: Snacks
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

2 cups of juice, decided (I used orange juice)
*1 tablespoon gelatin powder or agar agar powder
(optional) 1 tablespoon honey

*If you'd like to make jello jugglers, you will want to add 1/2 tbs more gelatin to the recipe. This will ensure that the jello keeps its shape.

Instructions

Basic Jello Instructions:

Heat 1 3/4 cups of juice in a small saucepan.
While the liquid is heating up, you'll need to bloom the gelatin. To do this, in a small bowl, will mix one tablespoon of gelatin (or agar agar) with 1/4 cup of orange juice.
Let the gelatin expand and "bloom" in the fluid.
Once the juice has come to a simmer, remove it from the heat.
Scoop the bloomed gelatin mixture into the saucepan. Whisk until the gelatin has dissolved. If you're adding in honey or any other sweetener, now is the time to add it. Stir again until the honey dissolves.
Carefully pour the jello mixture into jars, jello molds, or a glass pan. Cover with a lid and place in the fridge for 2-4 hours, or until the jello is set.

Instructions for Keto Jello:

Mix 2 cups of water with a flavored electrolyte powder (use the label recommended per cup). Then follow the instructions above to make keto jello.

Instruction for Jello Shots:

Heat 1 and 1/2 cups of juice in a small saucepan.
In a separate bowl, mix 1/2 cup of vodka with one tablespoon of gelatin powder.
Once the juice has come to a simmer, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly.
Scoop the bloomed gelatin mixture into the saucepan. Whisk until the gelatin has dissolved. If you're adding in honey or any other sweetener, now is the time to add it. Stir again until the honey dissolves.
Carefully pour the jello shot mixture into jars, molds, or shot glasses. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours or until the jello is set.

Notes

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 4 ounces of Jello (4 servings per recipe)
Calories: 66
Sugar: 105g
Fat: 0
Saturated Fat: 0
Unsaturated Fat: 0
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 13g
Fiber: 0
Protein: 2.5g

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Tiffany - The Coconut Mama

I'm a mama, a cook, and a lover of all things coconut! I'm passionate about natural foods and a true believer in the health benefits of coconut oil. I use coconut products in all my baking and share my tutorials and recipes on my site with the hope of helping others to live healthier lives!

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