Sugar-Free Gummy Bears

For a sweet treat without the guilt, try these sugar-free gummy bears!

Giving up sugar doesn’t mean saying goodbye to gummy bears.

With this recipe, you’ll get to enjoy your favorite sweet snack in a healthier way.

As much as I love gummy bears, I know they’re not good for me.

They’re full of sugar and additives that can be harmful to the body.

This is why I’m so grateful to have chanced upon this easy, four-ingredient recipe for sugar-free gummy bears.

I honestly had no idea gummy bears were this easy to make. 

Trying to cut back on sugar but need to satisfy your sweet tooth?

No problem, these sugar-free gummy bears are here to scratch that itch.

Sugar-Free Gummy Bears 

While there are sugar-free gummy bears available in grocery stores, even those “healthy” alternatives are packed with artificial sweeteners.

So for an even healthier version, just make them at home!

They’re just as tasty, but a lot more wholesome than store-bought.

You’ll get to make as many flavors and colors as you want. You can even make them in any shape you please!

Silicone molds come in hundreds of shapes, and you can easily order them on Amazon.

Ingredients

The recipe only requires four basic ingredients. Who knew making gummy bears at home was this easy?

• Unflavored Gelatin: The key to getting that lovely gummy texture is to use a LOT of gelatin. I’m talking three packages of gelatin to 1/3 cup of water! 

• Stevia Powder: Any sweetener works. Adjust the amount to suit your taste.

• Soft Drink Mix: I use Kool-Aid®, but sugar-free Jell-O® works really well, too. Use your favorite flavor! I’ve tried this recipe with lime, orange, raspberry, and pineapple, and they all turned out amazing. 

• Cold Water: For dissolving the gelatin and soft drink mix in. If you don’t want to use a soft drink mix, replace water with real fruit juice or brewed fruit tea.

How Do You Make Sugar-Free Gummy Bears?

Making sugar-free gummy bears is easier than you might think. Just follow these simple steps:

1. PREPARE. Place the silicone molds on top of baking sheets to make them easier to care. Then, fill a saucepan about halfway with water and boil it.

2. MAKE THE GELATIN. Pour cold water and gelatin powder into a heat-proof container taller and smaller around than the saucepan. (You’ll submerge it later.) Stir well until all the gelatin dissolves.

3. ADD THE SWEETENER. Add your choice of sweetener and the soft drink mix. Stir until combined.

4. SUBMERGE. Place the container with the gelatin into the boiling water. Ensure the top doesn’t go beneath the water. Stir well until it becomes syrupy.

5. FILL THE MOLDS. Remove the syrupy mixture from heat and fill the wells of the molds with the mixture. (A dropper or syringe is best for this.)

6. CHILL. Place the molds in the fridge for at least 1 hour (or until they’re firm). Alternatively, you can freeze them until firm. (About 15 to 20 minutes.)

7. POP & SERVE. Pop the solid gummies out of the molds and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Gummies 

Making any kind of candy can be intimidating. Here are some tips to help you feel more comfortable:

• Don’t forget the baking sheets. It’s important that you place the silicone molds on baking sheets before filling them. This will make them much easier to transport.

• Remember to taste test. Taste the mixture before submerging it in the boiling water. Adjust the amount of sugar and drink mix until you get the flavor you like.

• Add food coloring. Add food coloring to the gelatin mixture to change its color. You can pour the mixture into separate bowls to create as many colors as you like. You can even make dual-colored gummies. Simply fill the molds with two droppers containing different colors of gelatin. Work fast, though!

• A tip on filling. If using a dropper, squeeze the bulb and submerge the tip vertically in the mixture. Relax your hold on the bulb to fill the tube with liquid. Place the tip against the mold at a 30 to 45-degree angle to release the liquid.

• Avoid bubbles! If there are bubbles at the tip of the dropper, your gummies will have bubbles, too.

• Make other shapes. Apart from bears, you can use the same recipe to make other gummy shapes! Silicone molds come in various fun shapes – worms included! If you don’t have molds, pour the gelatin mixture into a loaf pan. Once it sets, make long and thin slices with a pizza cutter for “worms.”  

• Experiment with flavors. Just because these gummies are sugar-free doesn’t mean they’re boring. Make different flavors by using various soft drink mixes. 

• Storage tips. Store the gummies in the fridge in a sealed container to retain their gummy texture. They’ll stay fresh for up to a month. For a longer shelf-life, store them in the freezer in Ziplock bags for up to 6 months.