Made with 100% fruit juice, this Healthy Homemade Jello is naturally sweet, made without food dyes, and is a fun and yummy treat to make with your kids!

Homemade Jello

Jello is such a fun treat that kids of all ages have loved for generations.  A lot of parents worry about the artificial colors, flavors, and other ingredients that come along with the stuff in the box.  I love making my own treats from scratch which is why I love this healthy Homemade Jello recipe. I make mine with fruit juice, and I don’t even need to add sugar.  It’s cool, jiggly, and totally healthy!

red homemade jello in a white bowl with fresh raspberries

Ingredients for Homemade Jello:

  • Fruit Juice– look for 100% fruit juice. We used V8 Splash Strawberry Banana, Mango Orange, and Blueberry Pomegranate. You can use whatever juice you like, but avoid pineapple juice. It has an enzyme that will prevent it from setting.
  • Gelatin– for this recipe we used Knox brand powdered gelatin packets.
bowls of fruit juice for homemade jello

How to Make Homemade Jello

Gelatin is the secret ingredient that transforms simple fruit juice into this jiggly treat.  It takes all of 5 minutes to throw a batch together!

  • The first step is to pour half of your fruit juice into a large bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin over the entire surface of the juice and let it sit for about 5 minutes to soften the gelatin.
  • Heat the remaining 2 cups of juice in a small pot until it comes to a boil.
  • Pour the hot juice into the bowl with the gelatin and stir to combine. Stir until the gelatin is dissolved.
  • Pour into a 9×12 baking pan and refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.
  • Once firm, cut into cubes and serve!
process shots for how to make homemade jello

Best Tips for Getting Homemade Jello to Turn Out

  • Gelatin needs to ‘bloom’ first in cold liquid in order to thicken. It will only dissolve in hot liquid. This is why the recipe tells you to sprinkle on the cold juice first, and then add the hot juice after.
  • Fruit Juice.  There are so many healthier juices out on the market. There are so many delicious juice flavors to juice from, just make sure they are 100% fruit juice to avoid added sugars. Apple, cranberry, pomegranate, white grape, cherry, grape, orange are all delicious.
  • Homemade jello can be tricky to get out of the pan. You can spray the bottom of your pan first with non-stick cooking spray, or line your pan with parchment paper to easily lift it out.
bowls of healthy homemade jello in different flavors

Fun Variations for Homemade Jello

  • Make striped jello by making several different flavors and layer each on top of the other, letting each layer chill firm before adding the next.
  • Add in mini marshmallows, grapes, or other fresh fruit before chilling.
  • Cut your jello into shapes using a cookie cutter.
  • Serve in parfait glasses, layered with whipped cream or whipped topping.
  • Use a Jello mold for a pretty vintage presentation.
bowls of homemade jello on a wooden board with fresh fruit

Commonly Asked Questions About Homemade Jello

What type of gelatin can I use?

I like the Knox brand gelatin because it is easy to find and works every time. You can also use the Vital Proteins brand gelatin, or Great Lake brand gelatin.

Can I pour the mixture directly into the jello mold?

Yes – that definitely works. Just be aware that homemade jello can be a little softer that the boxed kind and so it needs to stay chilled to keep its form.

How much gelatin do I need if I’m using the Knox packets?

You need 2 tablespoons of gelatin per 4 cups of juice. Each Knox packet is 2 1/2 teaspoons, and per the box use 1 packet per tablespoon of gelatin needed.

What kind of fruit juice can I use?

I have tried apple, pomegranate, white grape, cherry, and cranberry. Other flavors that might be fun to try are mango, orange, peach, blueberry, or even veggie juice.

More of Our Favorite Homemade Treat Recipes:

  • 4 cups juice any kind except pineapple
  • 2 tablespoons gelatin powdered

  • Pour 2 cups of the juice into a bowl.  Sprinkle the gelatin over the entire surface of the juice and let sit for 5 minutes to soften.

  • Heat the remaining 2 cups of juice until it comes to a boil.

  • Pour the hot juice into the bowl and stir to combine and to dissolve the gelatin.

  • Pour into a 9x 12 baking pan.  Refrigerate until firm, at least several hours.

  • Slice into cubes, or cut with a small cookie cutter to make jello jigglers! Store in the refrigerator.

You can definitely use different flavors and combinations of juices.  Get creative and find flavors you love!  Just make sure to use 100% juice to avoid added sugar. 
For a firmer ‘jiggler’ use double the amount of gelatin.

Calories: 91kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 261mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg

 

Natalie Monson

I’m a registered dietitian, mom of 4, avid lover of food and strong promoter of healthy habits. Here you will find lots of delicious recipes full of fruits and veggies, tips for getting your kids to eat better and become intuitive eaters and lots of resources for feeding your family.

Learn More about Natalie