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You aren’t reading this wrong. It’s possible to create a healthy homemade jello jigglers without the undientifiable ingredients, artificial sweetners, artificial colors and who-knows-what-else.
Healthy Homemade Jello Jigglers
I like recipe re-creations. It can be these jello jigglers, homemade strawberry milk, homemade icees, or even pancakes that taste like those cinnabon cinnamon rolls… I like dreaming up homemade versions that are healthier and just as much fun! -or more.
Growing up in Spain I wasn’t exposed to the world of jello. So, when I moved to America in my teens I couldn’t get enough of it. I don’t know if my kids have heard of jigglers somewhere or what… but my girl has been asking me to make them for a while now. Confession: I didn’t know what jello jigglers were until I had kids.
Since I’ve become a lot more “ingredient savvy” in the last decade, the brightly colored box doesn’t get mixed and jellied here. But yet, my girl insists that she too, must “get her jiggle on.” And I love finding easy swaps like this that allows my kids to enjoy the treats they love in a healthier way, so here we are!
Ingredients
The great thing about these homemade jello jigglers is that they are made with only three (real) ingredients instead of processed food. The measurements are in the printable recipe card, but first, check what you need:
- Gelatin: use unflavored plain gelatin or grass fed gelatin.
- Juice: my favorites are 100% grape or apple juice.
- Water: basic to make homemade jello.
How to Make Jello Jigglers with Fruit Juice
I like recipes like these jello jigglers because they give my kids and me the opportunity to get creative in the kitchen and spend time together making something they want. We had a blast making the jello jigglers! Check the steps:
- Prep the mixture
In a bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over half of the juice and let it sit for 10 minutes. - Simmer
Bring the remaining juice and the water to a simmer and pour this hot liquid over the gelatin mix and stir to combine. Hot liquid yields firm jello jigglers. - Chill
Pour the mixture into the baking sheet and let it chill at least 3 hours or overnight. - Cut into shapes
Time to cut jello jigglers! Use cookie cutters and cut as many shapes as possible.
Making the Shapes
Once the mixture is chilled enough, I dip the bottom of the pan in hot water for about 10 seconds for easy release and place the jello onto a cutting board. You can use your favorite cookie cutters to cut the jello jigglers. Any shape or size, it’s up to you!
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have jello jiggler leftovers, store them in an airtight container or zip bag in the fridge for up to 7 to 10 days. Jello doesn’t freeze well, so keep any leftovers in the refrigerator.
More Healthy Treats for Kids
Healthy treats that make you and the kids drool? Yes! I mean, who wouldn’t love these coconut brownie energy bites or homemade almond joy? Oh my! My kids also devour these no-bake chocolate chip blondies and these frozen yogurt bark! Wait, did I say “the kids”? Ok, I devour these treats too!
If you are looking for more fun ways to help your family transition into a healthier lifestyle, my Family KickStart Program is for you! It’s a 30-day plan that provides the recipes, meal plans, shopping lists and everything else you need to eat whole food as a whole family!
Healthy Jello Jigglers with Juice
Ingredients
- 2 cups 100% grape juice, or apple
- 2 cups water
- 1 ounce unflavored plain gelatin, (4 ¼-ounce envelopes) or
- 3 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon grass fed gelatin
Instructions
Prep the mixture:
- Pour 1 cup of the juice into a medium bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the juice and sit for 10 minutes to soften.
- Pour the remaining 3 cups of liquid into a saucepan and bring just to a simmer over medium heat. Remove from the heat, pour into the gelatin mixture, and stir to combine.
Chill:
- Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking pan, let cool, cover, and chill for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight.
Cut into shapes:
- To serve, dip the bottom of the pan in hot water for about 10 seconds, then invert onto a cutting board. Using the large and small cookie cutters, cut out as many shapes as possible.
Ned says
My kids loved these jigglers! Thank you so much for the recipe!!
Jennifer says
Would using lemonade work with these?
Laura Fuentes says
It would work!
Karen says
I made this with straight juice (4 cups all natural fruit punch) and it was delicious! Thanks!
Laura Fuentes says
straight juice will work too! glad it was great!
Elice says
I used the green can Great Lakes grassfed Gelatin. Maybe this vs. the orange can requires more ?
Laura Fuentes says
The green great lakes is a dissolving gelatin Elice. It doesn’t solidify. The Orange can is the solidifying gelatin. I drink the green daily.
Elice says
I did something wrong. I made this last night and it still isn’t set at 9:30 this morning :(. How can I salvage it? This non gmo juice is expensive. Only thing I can think of is it ended up boiling and not just simmer because I didn’t watch close enough.
Laura Fuentes says
I’m not sure where you went wrong. The only way things go wrong with making gelatin is by not using enough of it.
jen says
Old threat, but enzymes mean pineapple juice (and possibly some other fruit juices) will not set up with gelatin. It’s possible the juice used here included pineapple juice.
Laura Fuentes says
We did not use pineapple juice in this recipe. We usually only use grape or apple and it works perfectly.
Andrea says
Have you tried using this recipe in a silicone mold?
Laura Fuentes says
I have not. I’m sure it would work though
Wendy says
I have made these in all kinds of various silicone molds. They come out great! My kids love them. It does help to spray them with olive oil spray before you pour the gelatin in so they don’t stick, especially if the mold has a lot of contours that make it harder to get out.
Laura Fuentes says
thanks for the tip Wendy!
Tasha says
Can you use any other juice (pineapple, mango, white grape, mixed fruit, etc.) or does the receipe only work with those two flavors. I really want to make these for my son’s pre-school class, but I want to give them options.
Thanks!
Laura Fuentes says
You can make this with any juice. the purple color is what stands out with the grape juice of course!
mel says
You cannot use pineapple juice as it contains enzymes that prevent the gelatin from setting up…but most other juice works great!
Christy says
So the kids thought they didn’t have much flavor so I remade them with all juice and no water and it made a huge difference. Really yummy. I do have a question though, soda is a treat that is only given when sick and I was asked to make Coca-Cola jigglers. Do you think it would work?
Christy says
Just made these for my very sick little girl who doesn’t seem to want to eat or drink anything but she’s loving these. So glad I found this. Thanks a bunch.
Laura Fuentes says
I hope she feels better soon!
Kelly Planko says
So then, how many Tablespoons?
Kelly Planko says
Thx, that’s exactly what I have and love it!!
Laura Fuentes says
Me too! It’s what I used to make the homemade marshmallows too.
Kelly Planko says
Can you use grass fed gelatin?
Laura Fuentes says
Kelly, absolutely. this is what I use.
Meredith says
Sorry, Laura, would you mind clarifying the gelatin quantity again? The recipe says 41/4 ounces, but the comments say both 4 – 1/2 ounce packets AND a 1 ounce box. Should it be a total of four 1/2 ounce packets (totaling 2 ounces) or four 1/4 ounce packets (totaling 1 ounce)? I am planning to make these for my kids’ holiday party at school and want to make sure I don’t over/under gelatin them!
Thank you for the clarification (and the recipe)!
Laura Fuentes says
A typical box has 4 packets with 1/2 ounce in each packet. therefore, use 4 (1/2) ounce packages. The spacing in the recipe is funny (sorry i can’t fix the code) but you get what i mean right?
Dawn says
I can’t wait to try this, but I want to clarify something first. How many ounces of gelatine are you using? It looks to me like the recipe calls for 4 packages of gelatin at 1/2 ounce each. Making the total 2 ounces of gelatin. Is that correct? Or am I reading it wrong? I bought a box of Know gelatin with 4 envelopes in it and am not sure if I should use all 4 envelopes. Box says 1 ounce on it. Thank you!!
Laura Fuentes says
Well, you beat me Dawn! I bought a box too and used all 4. I’ve changed the recipe to reflect 4, 1/2 oz envelopes. thank you for catching that!
Carla says
I can not wait to make these. My kids are going to be so excited.
Laura Fuentes says
Awesome!
Amy says
I was just wondering what all the items in the baking kit are? It looks like a super cute gift idea. We’ll be trying out the jigglers soon too! 🙂
Laura Fuentes says
Hi Amy! the baking kit has another really cute baking book and mini bread liners (think of them as the size of two cupcakes). I thought the same thing, they would make a great gift!