Here’s a healthy gummy bear recipe that uses just fruit, honey, gelatin, and love. A tasty take on the classic (but kinda junky) kid’s candy.
Healthy Gummy Bear Recipe? Really?! Yes!
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Now that my kids are entering the real world and learning aboutpixie sticks and cotton candy (gasp!), they have stumbled upon the adorable Haribo Gummy Bear package in the checkout line. I remember munching on these as a kid myself. But, when I recently looked at the package’s ingredients, I knew there had to be a better way!
Haribo Gummy Bear Ingredients in U.S.
Glucose syrup (from wheat or corn), sugar, gelatin, dextrose (from wheat or corn), citric acid, corn starch, artificial and natural flavors, palm kernel oil, carnauba wax, white beeswax, yellow beeswax, yellow 5, red 40, and blue 1
But if you break it down,it’s really about:
- some form of sugar (not all are bad)
- some type of fruit flavoring (could use the real thing)
- and gelatin.
I’ve talked about the manybenefits of gelatin before.So, in the scheme of things, these gummy bears could actually be a healthy “treat” when compared with others.
Haribo Gummy Bear Ingredients in Germany
Interesting to note: in Germany, where Haribo isheadquartered, they don’t use food dyes for color. Instead they use plant and herbal extracts. (Europeans always get the food right!) Here’s a list of their ingredients:
Glucose syrup; sugar; gelatin; dextrose; fruit juice from concentrate: apple, strawberry, raspberry, orange, lemon, pineapple; citric acid, lemon, pineapple; citric acid; fruit and plant concentrates: nettle, apple, spinach, kiwi, orange, elderberry, lemon, mango, passionfruit, blackcurrant, aronia, grape; flavorings; glazing agents: white and yellow beeswax; carnauba wax; elderberry extract; fruit extract from carob; invert sugar syrup
So, my recipe takesthe more German approach: fruit concentrates (juice), gelatin, and sugar (in the form of honey.)
Note: This is a slightly “highermaintenance” recipe than most of the ones you’ll find on this site. I had a fun timemaking these with mykids, but I certainly wouldn’t be making these on a regular basis. Too much work! 🙂 But, for a road trip, Halloween, a birthday party, or just a fun activity to do with the family, this gummy bear recipe isgreat.
Healthy Gummy Bear Recipe using fruit and honey small handful by Mama Natural
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Healthy Gummy Bear Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup organic juice for each color
- For the red gummy bear: pomegranate or cherry juice (100% juice not diluted with sugar and water)
- For the orange gummy bear: I used peach/carrot juice combo. You can also use apricot nectar juice. I also added in 4-5 drops of Orange essential oil before adding to molds. This gives them a great flavor!
- For the yellow gummy bear: I used a combo of orange and pineapple juices. You can add Lemon essential oil before adding to mold for an authentic lemon-y flavor.
- For the clear gummy bear: I used a mix of pineapple juice andlemonade.
- 1/3 cup Vital Proteins beef gelatin
- 2 TB lemon juice
- 1/2 raw cup honey
- Gummy bear molds with droppers (where to buy)
Healthy Gummy Bear Recipe using fruit and honey platefull
Directions:
- Put your cold juice into a sauce pan.
- Add your 1/3 cup of gelatin.
- Let it sit for a minute or two so the gelatin can “bloom”. (This will help prevent a clumpy or gritty finished product!)
- Turn on the heat to low to medium till the gelatin dissolves.
- Turn off heat and let sit for a few minutesto cool down.
- Add your lemon juice and raw honey. Stir well.
- Use a syringe and suck up your juice concoction and push out into your gummy bear mold.
- Let sit for 5 minutes so it sets and then put in fridge for one hour. Remove bears and enjoy!
Final notes:
This gummy bear recipe will make at least 100 bears of each color and last in the fridge for at least one week. You can also leave out in room temperature for a few days (just don’t let them get above, say, 85° For you’ll have a big bear meltdown.)
How about you?
Do you like gummy bears? Would you ever make a treat like this for your kids? Share with us in the comments below.
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FAQs
SOLELY Organic Mango and Guava Whole Fruit Gummies (8 Boxes)
A staff favorite, these whole fruit gummies are made with fruit and vitamin C – that's it. They are free from added sugars or artificial coloring, and each yummy pouch has one whole serving of fruit.
What are the 3 main ingredients in gummy bears? ›
Ingredients and production
The traditional gummy bear is made from a mixture of sugar, glucose syrup, starch, flavoring, food coloring, citric acid and gelatin. However, recipes vary, such as organic candy, those suitable for vegetarians or those following religious dietary laws.
Can gummy bears be healthy? ›
While these fruity treats may not be the healthiest option for a snack, they do offer some surprising health benefits for children. Gummy bears are a great snack for those who want something sweet and satisfying — they don't contain any added sugar, and they're a good source of fibre to keep you feeling full.
What is the sugar substitute in gummy bears? ›
Consuming excessive amounts of sugar-free gummy bears can potentially be dangerous due to the sugar substitute used in them called "Lycasin".
What is the healthiest fruit? ›
Blueberries take the title of healthiest fruit. Blueberries' stunning hue comes from their anthocyanins — an antioxidant believed to be responsible for their numerous health benefits. Long-term studies suggest that including blueberries in your regular lineup may lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
What are sugar free gummy bears made of? ›
The very first ingredient in the Harbio sugar free gummy bears is Lycasin. It is a syrup that consists almost entirely of maltitol, which is a polyol, aka, sugar alcohol. There are many other polyols too, which you have surely seen on labels, like sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, and so on.
How do you preserve homemade gummy bears? ›
Cool and Dry Location: Keep the gummies in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight or sources of heat. Excessive heat and humidity can accelerate spoilage. Refrigeration: If you live in a warm or humid climate, refrigeration can help prolong the shelf life of homemade gummies.
What part of the pig is in gummy bears? ›
Two of the major ingredients in gummy candies are gelatin and carnauba wax. Gelatin is made from the cartilage, bones, hooves, or skin of slaughtered pigs, and sometimes other animals. “Carnauba wax, a key ingredient in car wax that produces a brilliant shine, is also found in gummy bears and fruit-flavored snacks.
What are the disadvantages of eating gummies? ›
"Although convenient and tasty, gummy vitamins may contain added sugars and calories, which can contribute to weight gain and dental issues if consumed excessively," says Prude.
Is it OK to eat gummy bears everyday? ›
What are the consequences of consuming excessive amounts of gummy bears? Consuming excessive amounts of gummy bears can have negative consequences such as flatulence, gut-churning, diarrhoea, cardiovascular disease, gaining weight and diabetes type 2.
It is important to understand that fruit snacks are not a fruit substitute and have been classified by nutritionists as being slightly better than gummies. Many fruit snacks are artificially flavored and packed with added sugars and artificial colors and have little to no vitamin content.
Are there gummies without sugar? ›
Yes. Nature Made® Zero Sugar gummies‡ have the same benefits and great taste as regular gummies but instead have zero grams of sugar per serving.
How do you get sugar to stick to homemade gummies? ›
If your sugar coating dissolves quickly, it's often because candies are coated while still warm. Ensure your gummies are completely cooled before adding the coating. Also, avoid excessive moisture and remember, sugars melt but the sour layer from citric acid doesn't.
Do gummy bears raise blood sugar? ›
The main ingredients in gummy bears are sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin. The body quickly absorbs all these ingredients, leading to a rapid spike in blood sugar levels. Sure, they also contain some protein, but their overall consumption can harm you with the risk of diabetes due to high glucose and sucrose levels.
Are gummy vitamins better for you than pills? ›
However, gummies may not provide all the benefits of traditional vitamin pills or tablets. “While they may be more convenient, the downside of gummy vitamins may outweigh the benefits,“ says Zariah Chappell, MD, a family medicine physician at Scripps Coastal Medical Center San Marcos.
Are smart sweets actually healthy? ›
Are SmartSweets Healthy? While SmartSweets are made with more “natural” ingredients you can actually pronounce, they're still not incredibly nutritious. The sweeteners used, although not technically artificial, aren't sugar, and don't act like sugar in the body.
What is a healthy snack instead of candy? ›
Fresh fruit: A sweet and juicy piece of fruit like an apple, banana, or grapes can be a great alternative to candy. Dried fruit: Dried apricots, figs, or dates are a great source of natural sugar and fiber. Yogurt: Plain or Greek yogurt with some honey and fresh fruit can be a sweet and nutritious snack.
Do vitamin gummies work better? ›
Are gummy vitamins effective? While they're as effective as traditional vitamins in delivering key nutrients, there are some disadvantages—including the fact that it can be harder for manufacturers to get as many vitamins and minerals in gummies.
