How to Make Sugar-Free Gummy Bears at Home
Commercial sugar-free gummies are infamous for two things: maltitol (which causes extreme digestive distress) and hilarious Amazon reviews about said distress. These homemade gummies use allulose and gelatin — no stomach explosions required.
Why Make Your Own
- Control the sweetener: Allulose instead of maltitol = no GI issues
- Control the flavor: Real fruit juice, not artificial flavoring
- Fraction of the cost: A batch costs about $2 vs. $5+ for a bag
- Fun to make: Kids love helping (and eating the results)
The Basic Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fruit juice (any flavor — grape, cherry, orange, lemon)
- 3 tablespoons unflavored gelatin
- 2 tablespoons allulose
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Pour juice into a small saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin evenly over the surface. Let sit 5 minutes (this is called "blooming" — the gelatin absorbs liquid).
- Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until gelatin and allulose are completely dissolved. Do NOT boil — boiling destroys gelatin's setting power.
- Add food coloring if desired.
- Carefully pour or squeeze (using a dropper or squeeze bottle) into silicone gummy bear molds. A squeeze bottle gives the most control.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until fully set.
- Pop gummies out of molds. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Yield
About 50–60 small gummy bears (depending on mold size)
Nutrition (per 10 gummies)
- Calories: 20
- Sugar: 0g added (trace from fruit juice)
- Net carbs: 2g
- Protein: 4g (from gelatin!)
Flavor Variations
Strawberry
Use 1/2 cup strawberry juice (blend fresh strawberries and strain) + 1 tablespoon allulose + red food coloring.
Orange Creamsicle
Use 1/4 cup orange juice + 1/4 cup heavy cream + 2 tablespoons allulose. These are creamy and rich.
Sour Gummy Bears
After unmolding, toss in a mixture of 1 tablespoon citric acid + 1 tablespoon powdered allulose. The sour-sweet coating is addictive.
Lemon
Use 1/4 cup lemon juice + 1/4 cup water + 3 tablespoons allulose (lemon is tart). Yellow food coloring.
Mixed Berry
Blend mixed berries, strain, use the juice. Deep purple color, amazing flavor.
Cola Gummies
Use 1/2 cup sugar-free cola. The carbonation dissipates during heating but the flavor remains.
Vitamin C Gummies
Add 1/4 teaspoon ascorbic acid (vitamin C powder) to any recipe. Functional gummies!
Tips for Perfect Gummies
Texture
- More gelatin = firmer gummy. Standard recipe is soft and jiggly. For firmer bears, increase gelatin to 4 tablespoons.
- Less liquid = chewier. Reduce juice by 2 tablespoons for a chewier texture.
Molds
Silicone gummy bear molds are available everywhere (Amazon, craft stores). They pop out easily when the gummies are fully set. You can also use any silicone mold — hearts, stars, dinosaurs, whatever makes you happy.
Avoiding Bubbles
Pour slowly and at a slight angle. If bubbles form on the surface, pop them with a toothpick before the gummies set.
Speed Setting
Need them faster? Place molds in the freezer for 30 minutes instead of the fridge for 2 hours.
For Kids
This is an excellent project for kids:
- Let them choose the juice flavor
- Let them pour into molds (with supervision — the liquid is warm)
- Let them pop the gummies out of the molds
- Let them mix the sour coating
It teaches basic cooking skills and gives them ownership of a healthy snack. Kids who make their own gummy bears are much more enthusiastic about eating them than kids handed a bag of store-bought ones.
Storage
- Refrigerator: 2 weeks in an airtight container
- Room temperature: Not recommended — gelatin gummies soften and can melt in warm environments
- Freezer: Up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge.
Compared to Commercial Sugar-Free Gummies
| | Homemade (Allulose) | Commercial (Maltitol) |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar | 0g added | 0g added |
| Sweetener | Allulose | Maltitol |
| GI issues | None | SEVERE |
| Glycemic impact | None | Significant (GI 35) |
| Ingredients | 3–4 | 10+ |
| Cost per bag | ~$2 | $5+ |
| Flavor | Real fruit | Artificial |
The choice is clear. Homemade allulose gummy bears are cheaper, healthier, better tasting, and won't require you to stay near a bathroom for the rest of the day.