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Homemade 5-Ingredient Sour Fruit Gummies. Wow, it turns out that making gummies at home is shockingly easy. All you need is a jar of high-quality fruit jam, lemon juice or water, fruit pectin, and granulated sugar. I also add collagen for added protein, but this is optional! These come together in just minutes and are so yummy! They’re a fun treat for kids and adults. You’ll soon be addicted to these adorable homemade candies!
You all? How stinking cute are these fun fruit gummies? I love them!
When I was a kid, I never ate much candy, but I do remember loving those Sour Patch Kids. My brothers and I would beg my mom to get us some while we were in the grocery checkout line.
When I shared this idea with my mom, she immediately said you have to make homemade gummies!
We both thought these could be so fun for to add to your kid’s Easter baskets! Or to share with friends.
Here are the details
Step 1: the ingredients
You need a really great jar of jam. It can be any berry flavor, but my favorites are strawberry and blueberry. Then, fresh lemon juice. You can also use water, but I think the lemon adds a nice flavor. Then, fruit pectin is the ingredient that will turn the fruit into chewy, gummy candies.
You can also use gelatin, but after testing, I found the pectin to yield a more candy-like gummy bear.
Step 2: mix and boil
Now mix the jam with the lemon juice, then whisk in the pectin and collagen powder. Bring the fruit mixture to a boil and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. You want the fruit to be very glassy and look like syrup. See photos for some visuals!
The longer you cook the fruit, the thicker your gummies will be. I found 8-10 minutes to be the perfect amount of time
Step 3: the molds
I found gummy bear molds at Walmart. If my Walmart here in the mountains carries them, I would think that most stores would have them. But you can also order them online. The options for molds are endless, but I have to say I love the classic gummy bear!
If you don’t have any molds, you can use a square baking pan. Then, just cut the gummies into squares.
Pour the fruit mixture into the molds and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Step 4: pop the gummies out and coat in sugar
As the last step, pop the gummies out of the mold and coat them in sugar. The sugar is crucial for these sour gummies, but how much you add is up to you. Once coated, you can enjoy them immediately or keep them in the fridge.
Note that the gummies will release some of their moisture over time. It’s best to eat these within a day or two. But that’s not hard—these are addictive!
These cute fruit gummies take me back to being a kid. There’s nothing I love more than being a kid again. So fun!
Looking for other homemade versions of childhood favorites? Try some of these.
Giant Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tart
Healthier Homemade Somoas Cookies
Homemade Chocolate Fudge Pop Tarts
Lastly, if you make these Homemade 5 Ingredient Sour Fruit Gummies, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!x
Homemade 5 Ingredient Sour Fruit Gummies
Servings: 40 gummies
Calories Per Serving: 4 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 jar (13 ounce) strawberry, blackberry, or blueberry jam
- 3/4 cup lemon juice, or use water
- 2 tablespoons fruit pectin
- 2 tablespoons collagen (optional)
- granulated sugar, for coating add to your liking
Instructions
- 1. In a saucepan, mix the jam with the lemon juice/water. Sprinkle the pectin and collagen on top, then whisk into the fruit. 2. Place the pan on the stove over medium heat. Bring to a bubble and cook 12-15 minutes, until the pectin has dissolved and you have a very smooth, syrupy liquid that is starting to look jam like.3. Pour the mixture into the gummy bear molds or into a 9x9 parchment-lined baking dish. Refrigerate for 2 hours until completely set. 4. Pop the gummy bears out of the molds (or cut into small squares). Place the sugar in a bowl and toss the gummy bears in the sugar. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
The Fruit Pectin: I tested with both pectin and gelatin and whole both work well, I think using pectin give you a more candy like gummy bear.
*The calories were calculated without the sugar coating, as that is added to taste
This post was originally published on March 29, 2024
Have you used Agar Agar in place of the pectin?
Hi Diane,
So sorry, I have never tried that. Please let me know if I can help help in any other way! xx
Unfortunately, I had the same issue as some here…I boiled plenty (15 minutes at least) and froze overnight—they never set! I’m so sad for my kids! What can I do differently?
Hi Honey,
So very sorry to hear this. I’ve never tried freezing these, what happened in the freezer? Was the consistency like jam? Let me know how I can help!
I followed the recipe however the gummies didn’t set 😢
Hi Pamela,
Thanks for trying this recipe, so very sorry to hear the gummies didn’t set for you! My guess is the mixture needed to boil longer, you want a jam like texture.
I just made these with my daughter. We also did cupcake, doughnut and cookie molds and added edible sparkle dust. Love this. Simple and fun!
Hey Robin,
Wonderful! So glad to hear this recipe was a hit, thanks a bunch for making it! Happy Weekend!!
Hi, same amount of gelatin if you are using instead of pectin ?
Hey Ronnie! I would use the amount recommended on the package of gelatin. Each will vary! Hope you love the gummies!!
You said you tested them with gelatin also but preferred pectin. On an IG comment, you told someone gelatin works but that you don’t know amounts. How do you know gelatin works if you didn’t test it? If you did do it with both gelatin and pectin, would you be able to share why it didn’t work? Thanks for the insight!!
Hey Tracey,
I would use the amount recommended on the package of gelatin. Each will vary! Hope you love the gummies!!
I followed the directions exactly and they didn’t set. I tried a second batch and cooked step 2 longer, and they still didn’t set.
Hi Susie,
Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, I’m so sorry to hear they didn’t turn out for you! xx
Love all of your recipes, Tieghan! Unfortunately, I couldn’t get this to work for me and did boil it until jammy!
🙁 On the bright side, at least they taste good and give a sour punch!
Thanks so much, Cat! I am so sorry to hear they didn’t turn out for you. I wish I could figure out what is happening for some! So sorry!
Same here! I am not sure what would need to change but I’d love to hear ideas! The taste is wonderful.
We just made these and they turned out so well! My husband was out running errands so I had him pick up pectin and strawberry jam (it was Fresh Market brand), we skipped collagen, used lemon juice, and we made sure to let it all bubble at least 15 minutes. We have the very tiny molds and found if they weren’t packed full with jam then they ended up a little thin and tear when popping them out. Next time we will load them up! Thanks so much for this fun recipe!
Hey Stephanie,
Happy Sunday!! Thank you so much for making this recipe and your comment, love to hear it was enjoyed:) x
These are not setting. I think thr collagen is needed.
Hi Rae,
So sorry to hear this! How long did you boil for? Maybe it just needed a bit longer? Let me know how I can help! xx
Text says 8-10 min cooking time but directions say 12-15. Which is it?
Hi Cathy,
You will want to follow the instructions and do 12-15 minutes. Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xx
Is it necessary to stir the mixture constantly during this 12-15 minutes when it’s thickening?
Hi Christi,
Just a few stirs is good:)
I like sweet, not sour, so should I use water rather than lemon juice?
Hi Iorna,
Yes, that will work well for you. I hope you love this recipe! xx
The flavor is great but they never set up! I actually refrigerated them overnight, but they still had a jello consistency, wet and mushy.
Hi Saylor,
Thanks for trying this recipe and your feedback. So sorry they never set up! Next time, I would cook longer in step 2, I think that should help! xx
What’s with all the dead flowers strewn about?
Flavor was great but I couldn’t get them to actually become gummy texture. They completely fell apart and I had to throw them all out.
Hi Morgan,
Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, sorry to hear you had some issues. What do you mean they fell apart? Did they originally form? Let me know how I can help! xT
Approximately how many lemons do I need for this recipe?
Hey Jenn,
I would say about 4-5 lemons. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT