Homemade Healthy Gummies

These Homemade Healthy Gummies are the perfect boost for your gut health!

Homemade gummies weren’t exactly on my radar until my husband started a dedicated effort to improve his gut health. I suggested he try drinking some gelatin; after all, gelatin is said to help with everything from lowering inflammation to supporting good gut bacteria. Despite my efforts, he absolutely refused. He took one sip and immediately started gagging at the texture. Fail.

How could I fix that? Well, I figured if I could turn the gelatin into something fun and tasty, it would be a whole lot easier for him to get on board. That’s where these little homemade healthy gummies came in. All it took was three ingredients (in the shape of a cute little bear), and suddenly, my husband was happy to down gelatin like it’s his favorite snack.

And these little bears are one of my new favorite snacks, too. Not only are they delicious, but they’re rich in vitamin C, protein, and all the gut-boosting benefits of gelatin. They’re also super easy to make! So you can enjoy all the gummy bear goodness you loved as a kid, minus all the weird ingredients.

Are These Homemade Gummies Healthy?

These homemade gummy bears contain only three ingredients: gelatin, honey, and orange juice. Gelatin, as I’ve already covered, is often consumed for gut health. It’s made almost entirely of protein and boasts properties that also benefit brain, joint, and skin health. Orange juice, meanwhile, is rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants.

Honey is rich in antioxidants, too, though it sadly loses those properties when cooked. Still, it’s a great natural way to sweeten these gummies with something other than your standard processed white sugar.

Because they contain gelatin, which is derived from animal collagen, these gummies are not vegan- or vegetarian-friendly. If you’re looking for a plant-based alternative, I suggest looking for a gummy bear recipe that uses agar agar powder (derived from red algae) instead of gelatin.

Gummies: The Global Sensation

Gummy candy might seem like a more new-age treat, but it’s actually been around since at least the 1860s. By the 1920s, a German confectioner named Hans Riegel popularized adding fruit flavor to gelatin gummy candy, later in the shape of little bears. In a little over a decade, Riegel’s company—Haribo—went on to employ over 400 people. To this day, Haribo is the world’s leading manufacturer of gummy bears, producing over 100 million of them every day. Now that’s pretty sweet!

Serving Suggestions

Now that you’ve got some homemade gummy bears, use them in a fun Gummy Bear Shot! You can also use up your leftover gelatin to make some healthy Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies, or, if you’re feeling a bit more desserty, a luscious Vanilla Mousse or Panna Cotta.

Recipe