If you love gummy bears but want a healthier alternative without artificial colors or flavors, you’re in for a treat! These Homemade Healthy Gummy Bears are naturally sweetened with fruit juice and honey, making them a fun and nutritious snack for both kids and adults. They’re easy to make, deliciously chewy, and packed with real fruit flavor.

gummy bears served in a white bowl.

This recipe was originally published in 2020; it was updated and re-published in February, 2025.

Did you eat gummy bears growing up? They were one of my favorite candies (spoiler alert: they still are)!

There is something just so satisfying about chewing up something small and sweet.

If you have the same craving or you want to make a healthy snack for your kids, then I think you’re really going to love these Homemade Healthy Gummy Bears!

Why You Need This Recipe

  • Skip the packaged gummy bears that are loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients.
  • These homemade gummy bears only have four ingredients and they are health-promoting to boot!
  • This is a healthy snack you can feel good about eating or serving to kids. Each serving has approximately 60 calories, 3 grams of protein, and 3% of the recommended intake of vitamin C.

Key Ingredients

ingredients for healthy gummy bears.
  • Pomegranate juice: I used bottled 100% pomegranate juice for this recipe, but you could also use other types of fruit juice. See my related article on how to freeze pomegranate seeds.
  • Honey: this is the sweetener that I used for my homemade gummy bears. If you don’t want to use honey, you could use maple syrup or your favorite liquid sweetener.
  • Unflavored gelatin: I recommend buying grass-fed beef gelatin to ensure you are getting a quality ingredient. Bonus: gelatin is high in collagen which can support gut health!

Please see the full recipe card at the end of this post for the exact measurements.

Step-By-Step Instructions

gummy bear molds with dropper.

Step One: Grab your gummy bear molds and lay them on a baking sheet. This will make it easier to put the molds in the refrigerator or the freezer.

ingredients for gummies in a saucepan.

Step Two: Combine the gummy ingredients in a small saucepan and slowly stir in the gelatin.

liquid mixture in gummy bear molds.

Step Three: Use a dropper to get the gummy bear mixture from the saucepan into the molds.

Then, refrigerator or freeze the molds to get the bears to set.

homemade gummy bears ready to be served.

Step Four: Remove the gummy bears from the molds and serve right away.

Or, transfer them to an airtight container with a lid and store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Serve them chilled or at room temperature.

pomegranate gummy bears served on a white plate.

Recipe Tips

  • If you want to make this gummy bear recipe at home, you can use whatever 100% fruit juice you have on hand or like. The proportions of juice, gelatin, and sweetener should remain the same.
  • I recommend storing the prepared gummy bears in the refrigerator to make sure they stay fresh. They should last up to a week.
  • The gummy bears will set very fast, about 20 minutes in the refrigerator or 10 minutes in the freezer.
  • To make different flavors other than pomegranate, you can substitute any other flavor of 100% juice, including orange juice, strawberry juice, blueberry juice, or cherry juice. Or, try using carrot mango juice to sneak in some veggies!
  • Be sure to use gelatin in this gummy candies recipe, not collagen peptides.

Recipe FAQs

Are gummy bears gluten-free?

Not all packaged gummy bears are gluten-free. But, yes, this recipe as written is gluten-free.

Are gummy bears vegan or vegetarian?

Gummy bears made with gelatin are not vegan or vegetarian.

Fun Variations to Try

Making homemade gummy bears means you can get creative with flavors and add health-boosting ingredients.

Whether you want an immune boost, tropical twist, or gut-friendly snack, these variations are fun and easy to make!

  • Immune-Boosting Elderberry Gummies – Apple or grape juice + elderberry syrup + honey + lemon + gelatin
  • Tropical Paradise Gummies – Pineapple or mango juice + coconut water + lime juice + honey + gelatin
  • Probiotic Gut-Healing Gummies – Pomegranate or blueberry juice + probiotic powder (stir in after heating) + honey + gelatin
  • Berry Antioxidant Gummies – Blended mixed berries + cranberry juice or grape juice + honey + gelatin (or use my Anti-Inflammatory Juice recipe as the base)
  • Creamy Coconut Gummies (Dairy-Free!) – Coconut or almond milk + vanilla + honey + cinnamon + gelatin
  • Chocolate Collagen Gummies – Coconut milk + cocoa powder + honey or maple syrup + sea salt + gelatin

Tips for Buying Healthy Packaged Gummy Bears

If you’re looking for a store-bought option but still want to keep it healthy, here are some key things to look for when choosing packaged gummy bears.

1. Check the Ingredients List

  • No Artificial Colors or Flavors – Look for natural options colored with fruit or vegetable juices (like beet, turmeric, or spirulina).
  • Real Fruit Juice or Puree – Some brands use real fruit instead of artificial flavors.
  • No High-Fructose Corn Syrup – Opt for natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or fruit juice.

2. Look for Quality Gelatin or Vegan Alternatives

  • Grass-Fed Gelatin – If you want the benefits of collagen, choose gummies made with high-quality, grass-fed gelatin.
  • Vegan Options – If you prefer plant-based, look for pectin-based gummies instead of gelatin.

3. Watch the Sugar Content

  • Lower Sugar Options – Some brands use excessive sugar; aim for options with less than 5g per serving or sweetened naturally.
  • No Artificial Sweeteners – Avoid sucralose, aspartame, and other synthetic sweeteners that may cause digestive discomfort.

4. Avoid Unnecessary Additives & Preservatives

  • No Artificial Preservatives – Stick to gummies with minimal ingredients and no synthetic stabilizers.
  • Organic & Non-GMO Options – If possible, choose certified organic brands to avoid pesticides and genetically modified ingredients.

More Healthy Snack Recipes You Might Like

Don’t Miss These Yummy Snack Lists!

10 Best Low FODMAP Snacks

9+ Gluten-Free Packaged Snacks for Travel

65+ Easy Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Snack Ideas

21 Low-Histamine Snacks to Make or Buy

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

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bowl of red healthy gummy bears on a table.

Healthy Gummy Bears (Sweetened Naturally)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 reviews

Print Recipe

If you love gummy bears but want a healthier alternative without artificial colors or flavors, you’re in for a treat! These Homemade Healthy Gummy Bears are naturally sweetened with fruit juice and honey, making them a fun and nutritious snack for both kids and adults. They’re easy to make, deliciously chewy, and packed with real fruit flavor.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 3/4 cup pomegranate juice (or juice of your flavor)
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 3 tablespoons gelatin

Instructions

  1. Lay out your molds on a baking sheet and set aside.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine the juice and honey. Turn the heat to low and whisk the ingredients together.
  3. Slowly, add the gelatin to the saucepan one tablespoon at a time, whisking the ingredients to help the gelatin to dissolve.
  4. Let the mixture come to a simmer and then turn off the heat. Stir in the lime juice, if you are using.
  5. Use a dropper to divide the mixture into the gummy bear molds. Place the molds into the refrigerator or freezer to set.
  6. Once the gummy bears have set, remove them from the molds and store them in a tightly-sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Notes

  1. The gummy bears will set very fast, about 20 minutes in the refrigerator or 10 minutes in the freezer.
  2. To make different flavors other than pomegranate, you can substitute any other flavor of 100% juice, including orange juice, blueberry juice, or cherry juice.
  3. Be sure to use gelatin in this recipe, not collagen peptides.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
  • Calories: 62
  • Sugar: 12.6 g
  • Sodium: 10.2 mg
  • Fat: 0.1 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 13.2 g
  • Fiber: 0.1 g
  • Protein: 3.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and is a certified holistic nutritionist. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send her a message through her contact form.