Homemade Jello Recipe Review (2024)

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Are you thinking this is just plain old jello?

WRONG! This is not just jello made from a box with additives I don't want my kids to have and full of sugar.

This is also NOT sugar free jello with those yucky fake sweeteners either.

This is pure juice, no added sugar that I buy my kids mixed with plain gelatin and chilled. THAT.IS.IT.

This recipe is not my own creative idea and I never would have though about doing it until I saw it on Pinterest first, recipe from Smitten Kitten.

So simple. So easy. Two ingredients or make that 3 if you count water.

MY kids LOVED it and I didn't any honey either. To be honest I didn't think they were going to like it, but I wanted to try it with just their juice and nothing more. It really wasn't very sweet, yet they loved it.

The recipe can be viewed here. Mine made 28 little mini muffin jello's. They were a bit tricky to get out of the muffin pan, so next time I just might let them chill in a large casserole dish and then cut them up.

Nutrition Info based on 130 calories for 8 ounces of no sugar added juice.

Servings: 28 mini jello muffins* Calories: 11* Fat: 0* Fiber: 0 Carbs: 2g* Protein: 0* Points+: 0

Some other yummy snacks my kids love; Baked Apple Crisp Chips, Garlic Parmesan Roasted Chickpeas, Whole Wheat Banana Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins.

What do you think? Think the kids will go for it?

Homemade Jello Recipe Review (4)

About Brenda

Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & Refined carb free for 17 years and has written 2 cookbooks, Sugar-Free Mom, and Naturally Keto and her 3rd book The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, is a four part program to help you detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar and lose weight all while eating a delicious, nutrient dense whole foods. Meal plan offers two tracks to follow, low carb or keto. She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and Sugar Free Tribe weight loss membership. Learn more.

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  1. Jenny

    Could someone please write the recipe for this because there is something wrong with that page.

    Reply

    • Joyce Rafik

      Please need the recipe also
      Page is not working

    • ROMEO

      Here you go:

      The trick is to use a juice with ingredients you approve of and set it in a plain gelatin. These cubes are not only healthier, but they're also just as easy to make as the boxed stuff.

      2 cups of your kid's favorite no-sugar added juice
      2 packets of unflavored gelatin
      1 tablespoon sugar or honey (optional)

      Pour 1/2 cup of juice in a bowl and sprinkle gelatin over it. While this sits, heat the remaining juice to boil (can do this in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes). Pour hot juice over juice and gelatin mixture and stir, adding in extra sugar if desired. Pour mixture into the bottom of a loaf pan and chill for three hours, or until firm. Cut into squares.

      Kids can help: Measure, mix

      Extras: Pour mixture into miniature or regular-sized muffin tins for different shapes.

      Nutrition Info based on 130 calories for 8 ounces of no sugar added juice.

      Servings: 28 mini jello muffins* Calories: 11* Fat: 0* Fiber: 0 Carbs: 2g* Protein: 0* Points+: 0

  2. Kirsti Benjamin

    I can't get the recipe for some reason. There seems to be an error when I click on the link. It can't be too difficult with three ingredients, but the quantity of each would be helpful!!! Thanks so much!

  3. Casey

    In the recipe it says to use 2 packets of unflavored gelatin, but I was wondering what size (oz.) of packets to use. I have seen a couple of different sizes. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Karen

      I think a packet is 1 tablespoon.

  4. Kelly

    I have done these before but I use Kool-Aid mix and liquid stevia. It is a bit hard to get the right amount of sweetness, but they end up tasty and quite nice if you are trying to avoid sugar.

    Reply

  5. Amy

    This was so easy and delicious! I can't believe it took me this long to try it. We made it with orange juice and it was great. We also used three-four packets of children's emergen-c for grape and fruit punch flavor. Unfortunately the grape does have both sugar and stevia but I think the adult flavors have only stevia. Thank you for a great recipe!

    Reply

  6. Margaret

    Did you try to put the tray in the sink with some hot tap water?

    Reply

    • Brenda

      No I didn't thanks! Will try next time!

  7. MgMama

    I love this idea, I bet my kids would love this!

    Reply

  8. The Better Baker

    Looks yummy - I've done that before and have to wonder why I don't do it more often??? Thanks for sharing -

    Reply

  9. Tracy

    If you grease your muffin tin they will come out easily!

    Reply

    • Brenda

      I sprayed it with nonstick cooking spray then when it was chilled I used a butter knife around the sides. I used a spoon to get under the bottom and pop them out.

  10. Jenn L @ Peas and Crayons

    SO COOL!!!!! I'm passing this on to a friend - shes a jello fanatic! =)

    Reply

  11. Amy

    Shoot I wish I had some juice so I could try these...
    If these are like jigglers then spray a bit of oil in the muffin tins before you add jello. They will slide right out.

    Reply

    • Brenda bennett

      I actually did spray them with cooking spray but they still stuck a bit, not too bad.

  12. Kim Goldthwait

    It might be fun to make them in the shaped ice cube trays. You know the ones with hearts etc. Or I wonder... Is the consistency good enough to make them on a cookie sheet and cut them with cookie cutters? I will try and let you know 🙂

    Reply

  13. Jennifer

    Lovely!! We make Jello with the juice from our juicer. Fun!!! What kind of juice did you use?

    Reply

Homemade Jello Recipe Review (2024)

FAQs

Can you use juice instead of water to make Jell-O? ›

This recipe works best with sweet juices, like grape juice or apple-cranberry juice. For a sweeter result, you can replace the boiled water with an extra 1/2 cup of juice that has been heated to a boil in a small saucepan. (So you'd use 4 cups juice in total.)

What brand of Jell-O is healthy? ›

I like Vital Proteins brand grass-fed gelatin (in the GREEN container), which I can find at Sprouts, on Amazon, or health stores, like Whole Foods. Great Lakes is another good brand I've tried (from Thrive Market or Amazon).

Can I add collagen to Jell-O? ›

By adding a scoop of collagen to your instant jello, you get in all of the benefits of collagen for your hair and skin, and an added bonus of 19g more of protein. The best part? You can't even taste it!

How long is homemade Jell-O good for in the fridge? ›

Once prepared, Jello's quality and safety begin to change. Prepared Jello, when kept sealed and refrigerated, typically lasts for 7 to 10 days. Consistent refrigeration at or below 40°F (4°C) is essential to maintain its freshness and prevent the growth of bacteria.

Can you use pineapple juice instead of water in Jell-O? ›

Bromolain in pineapple, papain in papaya and actinidin in kiwi are all enzymes capable of breaking down proteins, hence the warning that these fruits cannot be used in Jell-O. But canned fruits are fine because the pasteurization process they undergo destroys the proteolytic enzymes.

Does the water have to be hot to make Jell-O? ›

Conclusion. In conclusion, the science behind gelatin's need for cold water when mixing is all about preserving its unique gelling properties. By hydrating the gelatin in cold water first, you can ensure a smooth, lump-free solution that will form a perfect gel upon cooling.

Why is Jell-O no longer popular? ›

Jell-O shifted to single-serve cups and more convenient options as competition for snacks and desserts grew. Kraft in the early 2000's shifted the focus of Jell-O's advertising away from kids and toward adults. It pitched sugar-free Jell-O, for example, as a treat for Atkins dieters.

Why do hospitals give you Jell-O? ›

There are a few reasons: Jell-O is easy to swallow and digest, making it suitable for patients who have difficulty eating solid foods or have digestive issues. It's smooth texture and mild flavor make it more tolerable for those with sensitive stomachs or who are recovering from surgery.

Why do doctors recommend Jell-O? ›

Gelatin is a protein that may promote skin, joint, hair, nail, and gut health. It also provides essential amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, which can provide potent health benefits. The protein and amino acids in gelatin can help the body build more collagen, a vital element in healthy skin.

Is Jello good for your joints? ›

Ease achy joints: The body can use gelatin's amino acids to rebuild collagen, cartilage, and connective tissues in joints. Research shows that athletes who take gelatin experience less pain in their joints.

Is Knox gelatin the same as collagen? ›

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, and gelatin is a degraded form of collagen. Therefore, they have virtually identical nutritional profiles and may both improve joint, skin, gut, hair, and bone health. However, they're used for distinct purposes due to differences in their chemical structure.

What are the side effects of taking gelatin? ›

When taken by mouth: Gelatin is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used in larger amounts as medicine, short-term. But taking high doses of 15 grams daily might increase the risk for side effects, including sore throat, swollen gums, and mouth sores.

What can you do with expired Jello? ›

Originally Answered: Can you use expired jello or pudding mix for something else like making a cake with it instead of throwing it away? Yes you can,the expiry dates on products like this are usually BBE, Which means Best Before,so as long it's not USE BY,it's quite ok to use,but it may not taste as good.

What kind of vodka should I use for Jello shots? ›

Tips and Tricks for Vodka Jello Shots:

Use a flavored vodka (like vanilla vodka or watermelon vodka) to add another layer of flavor to your shot. Experiment with different jell-o flavors such as orange jello, lime jello and blue jello to create a rainbow of colors.

What's the difference between jelly and Jello? ›

In the United States and Canada, jelly is often called 'Jell-O'. Jell-O is a brand of gelatin that has become a generic, or typical, name for gelatin desert. In Commonwealth Nations like the United Kingdom and New Zealand, almost all gelatin is called jelly. Also, it is spelled gelatine.

What can I use instead of water for jello? ›

Prepare jello substituting lemon lime soda for the 1 cup cold water called for in the package directions. Chill until firm.

Will jello set with pineapple juice? ›

Jell-O and other gelatins get their structure from links formed between chains of collagen, which is a protein. When you add pineapple to Jell-O, the enzymes break the links in the collagen as fast as they form, so the gelatin never sets up.

Can you replace the water in jello with milk? ›

Dissolve the jello, then use the milk instead of water for the added cold water. The milk jello will set on top making a foamy layer. I use to do this to make dessert look fancy for my kids when I only had a budget for jello.

Can I use milk instead of water to make jelly? ›

Check the ingredients of your jello pack. 2 Milk proteins denature at around 70 C, which can have unfortunate implications for the results. I would suggest dissolving the jello in a small amount of boiling water first, then once it has all dissolved, make up the remaining volume with cold milk.

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