Homemade Vegan Jello Recipe
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Jello is such a childhood memory for me. I always loved the red and hated the orange. Making it at home can be pretty easy but making sure it is vegan requires a little knowledge!
Traditional jello is made with gelatin, which you may or may not know is not vegan. Luckily for us, there is a plant based alternative! Agar Agar is derived from seaweed, and is a gelatinous substance that is perfect for making vegan jello.
Ingredients
There’s only a few simple ingredients needed to make vegan jello, and they are very customizable! Here’s what you need:
- Juice
- Agar agar powder
- Sweetener
How to Make Vegan Jello
The process for making plant based jello is very similar to the packaged version you may be familiar with. Here’s what to do:
- Boil all ingredients, whisking constantly.
- Pour into a prepared dish and refrigerate until set.
- Serve!
Flavor suggestions
The beauty of this recipe is just how versatile it is! Mix thing up a try a different flavor every time. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
- Grape
- Mango
- Raspberry
- Apple
- Cranberry
- Lemonade, or flavored lemonade
- Limeade
- Fruit Punch
- Peach
- Grapefruit
- Orange
Tips and tricks
As easy as this recipe is, there are still a few hints to help you get the best results possible:
- The color of your jello will depend on the color of your juice. If the color isn’t vibrant enough, you can also use 2-3 drops of food coloring.
- The jello will taste like the juice you use. If it isn’t sweet enough, add in a sweetener of choice like maple syrup, honey (not vegan) or your choice of sugar.
- If you use agar agar flakes instead of the powder, you will need approximately twice as much. This isn’t exact so you may need to experiment with the texture you prefer.
- Using half water half juice is a popular method, but we weren’t a big fan. Feel free to try it out though.
- Line the pan with parchment paper to make it easier to lift out after it cools.
- Keep this vegan jello in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It will melt at room temperature.
- Jello is not ideal for freezing, as the texture will change.
Common Questions
Is there a vegan jello?
Yes! There are a number of store bought vegan jello options. But, it is so easy to make your own at home with just juice and agar agar!
What is agar agar?
Agar agar is a gelatinous substance that is derived from seaweed. It is used as a vegan alternative to gelatin, and can also be used to thicken soups or make jams, pudding, or custards.
What do vegans use instead of gelatin?
Agar agar is a plant based alternative for gelatin that is widely used.
More Vegan Kid Friendly Recipes
Keeping kids full and happy on a plant based diet is easy when you have the right recipes on hand! Here are some of our favorite kid tested and approved plant based recipes:
Homemade Vegan Jello Recipe
This homemade vegan jello turns fruit juice, agar agar, and a little sweetener into a colorful snack my entire family can enjoy. It is naturally gelatin-free, easy to customize, and only has 5 minutes of prep before the fridge sets it to a delightful wobbly dessert.
Servings: 8
Calories: 94kcal
Ingredients
- 4 cups juice of choice , see note
- 3-4 teaspoons agar agar powder , see note
- ¼ cup tablespoons sweetener , optional for sweeter flavor
Instructions
- Prepare a square baking dish (8 or 9 inches) with oil/spray or parchment paper. I like parchment because it is easy to lift out after it cools.
- Put all ingredients into a pot and bring to a boil, constantly whisking to avoid the agar agar from clumping. About 3-5 minutes.4 cups juice of choice, 3-4 teaspoons agar agar powder, ¼ cup tablespoons sweetener
- Once it is boiling, allow it to boil for about 2 minutes and remove from heat.
- Pour into the prepared baking dish and put in the fridge to set. It takes about 2 hours for it to be fully set and ready to eat.
- Serve!
Notes
- My #1 Secret Tip for this vegan jello recipe is to bring the mixture to a full boil and keep whisking the entire time. Agar agar needs heat to activate properly, so rushing this step can leave you with jello that never fully sets or has little lumps throughout.
- Choose vibrant juice: The color of the finished jello comes directly from the juice you use. Which is why I like choosing naturally vibrant juices such as grape, raspberry, fruit punch, or mango for the brightest results.
- Powder works best: I always use agar agar powder instead of flakes. It dissolves more quickly and gives me a smoother, more consistent texture.
- Taste before heating: Tasting the juice before adding the agar agar helps me determine if I need a little more sweetness. I stir in maple syrup or sugar before bringing everything to a boil.
- Cool before cutting: I wait until the jello is completely chilled before slicing it into cubes. This gives me clean edges and helps the pieces keep their shape.
- Use parchment: Lining the pan with parchment paper makes lifting out the finished jello much easier than trying to scoop it directly from the dish.
Nutrition
Calories: 94kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 154mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg
