This gummy bear recipe has the perfect chew and tastes just like real gummy bears. This recipe has been updated (12/05/2025) so it no longer includes sorbitol, making it even easier to make! The original recipe can still be found in the notes section of the recipe card.
The best part is, these do not need to be refrigerated. Just like real gummy bears, you can put these in a bag and eat them at any time.
There are some special ingredients in this recipe that you will probably have to buy ahead of time, though so be sure to check out the shopping list before you start.
If you want to take your homemade candy to the next level, try making kohakutou crystal gummy candy that looks just like precious gemstones.
What's In This Blog Post
Gummy Bear Ingredients
Before you get started, get your ingredients together. You will probably need to order some of these online, but shipping is fast and easy!
Granulated Sugar - The main sweetener in this recipe, which you probably already have
Water or flavored liquid like juice - I like to use water and then use candy flavorings and food coloring for my gummy bears, but you can use fruit juice and leave out the granulated sugar for a healthier option.
Glucose - Gives the gummy bears that chewy texture and keeps them nice and soft. You can also replace glucose with corn syrup, golden syrup, or honey for a more natural option.
Gelatin - Helps set the gummy bears and gives them a nice chew. You can replace gelatin with agar agar if you would like a vegetarian option, but be sure to follow the substitution suggestions on the box.
Citric Acid - This is actually really easy to find in grocery stores with the canning supplies. Citric acid is the sour taste from citrus fruits and gives gummy bears that tart flavor.
Candy Flavoring - I'm using Lorran oils candy flavoring, which can be found at stores that sell candy-making supplies like Michaels or Joann's. If you're using juice, you can leave this part out.
What tools do you need for this gummy bear recipe?
It's pretty hard to make gummy bears without a gummy bear mold! I got this one off of Amazon, and it came with three droppers as well. A great deal!
It's also a good idea to have a scale for measuring your ingredients. Using cups is not super accurate so your results may not turn out the same if you try to convert. Read my blog post on how to use a kitchen scale for baking.
The only other tools you will need are a medium-sized saucepan and some food coloring if you want to color your gummy bears.
Gummy Bear Instructions
Making the actual gummy bear recipe is super simple.
- Pour your gelatin into your water or juice and stir to combine. Let the gelatin absorb the liquid for 5 minutes.
- Combine together your sugar and water in your saucepan and bring it to a boil until it reaches 240ºF.
- Then add in your gelatin mixture and stir until it's all melted.
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in your corn syrup and the citric acid.
- Let your mixture sit for 5-10 minutes so the foam can rise to the surface.
- Scoop off your foam. If you don't scoop off the foam, it won't go away later. I just use a spoon.
- Divide your gummy bear mixture into three bowls. I poured mine through a strainer to remove any lumps of sugar or gelatin left behind.
- Next, add in your candy flavoring. I chose raspberry, strawberry, and tropical punch. My bottles came with a dropper, so I used about two full droppers per bowl. I guess about ½ teaspoon of flavoring.
- Then I added a drop of food coloring. Pink for the. strawberry, blue for the raspberry, and yellow for the tropical punch.
Making the gummy bears
I sprayed my mold with some grapeseed oil first so that the gummies come out nice and shiny, and it prevents sticking. Spray the molds, then turn them upside down on some paper towels to drain the excess oil.
All that's left to do is use the dropper tool to fill our mold. You should have just enough gummy bear mixture to fill all three of your molds to the top.
Put your molds into the fridge for 6-24 hours before unmolding them!
FAQ
You can make these gummy bears grown-up gummies by substituting the water for wine or vodka! Makes a great gift or treat for a party!
Other Gummy Recipes You Might Like
Wine Gummy Recipe
Beer Gummy Recipe
Homemade Jell-O Recipe
Recipe
Equipment
- Food Scale
- Gummy Bear Molds
Ingredients
- 225 grams juice or water
- 50 grams KNOX gelatin about 6 packets
- 160 grams sugar
- 60 grams water
- 200 grams corn syrup glucose, honey or golden syrup can be subbed
- 10 grams citric acid leave out if you're using alcohol
- ¼ teaspoon candy flavoring I used raspberry, strawberry and tropical punch
Instructions
- Combine gelatin, and juice (or water) in a heatproof container. Stir gently to combine. Let sit for 5 minutes to give your gelatin time to bloom.
- Combine the sugar and the water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Once the steam begins to disappear and the mixture begins to look thick and bubbly (around 240ºF) turn off the heat.
- Add in the gelatin mixture in chunks, the corn syrup, citric acid and the candy flavoring.
- Mix until everything is melted.
- Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes and allow the mixture to clear and foam to collect at the top. After 10 minutes the foam should be able to be easily scooped off the surface with a spoon.
- Transfer the mixture to a squeeze bottle and pipe into molds.
- Let your gummy bears chill in the fridge for 6 hours until the bears are set but 24 hours is best. Once they are set they can be stored at room temperature.
Video
Notes
* 3 tablespoons sorbitol
* 8 ounces corn syrup (glucose, honey, or golden syrup can be substituted)
* 6 ounces cool water (fruit juice, wine, or vodka can be substituted)
* 44 grams KNOX gelatin (about 6 packets)
* 2 teaspoons citric acid (leave out if using alcohol)
* 1 ½ teaspoons candy flavoring (raspberry, strawberry, tropical punch, etc.) **Instructions** 1. Combine the gelatin and water (or flavored liquid) in a heatproof container. Stir gently to combine. Let sit for 5 minutes to allow the gelatin to bloom. 2. In a medium saucepan, combine the corn syrup, sugar, and sorbitol. Stir gently to combine, then bring to a simmer over medium–high heat. 3. Once simmering, wash down the sides of the pan with water using a clean pastry brush to dissolve any stray grains of sugar. 4. Remove the mixture from the heat. Add the citric acid and stir in the bloomed gelatin mixture with a spatula until the gelatin is fully melted. 5. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to allow it to clarify and for any foam to rise. After 10 minutes, skim the foam off the surface with a spoon. 6. Strain the liquid and divide it into bowls as needed. Add food coloring and candy flavoring to each portion. (Example: pink, blue, yellow.) 7. Lightly oil your gummy molds and wipe out the excess. Pour the mixture into the prepared molds. 8. Chill the molds in the refrigerator for **6 hours minimum**, or ideally **24 hours** for best texture. Once set, the gummies can be stored at room temperature. --
Keith Milo says
Can I use flavored jello along with the in flavored gelatin for flavor?
Elizabeth Marek says
You could mix up some flavored jell-o and use it as a replacement for the liquid in this recipe
Victoria Rodriguez says
Can you sub knox gelatin for another brand of powder gelatin?
Elizabeth Marek says
Probably but I haven't used any other brands so I can't say if the ratios would be the same
Eli says
Do you have any suggestions for where to buy Sorbitol and Candy flavor? Would just Amazon be fine?
Elizabeth Marek says
Thats where I got mine 😀
Herb Greenbloom says
just a head's up... you forgot to add the cannabis
Elizabeth Marek says
haha! I knew I forgot something 😉
Claire Ceballos says
Hi - going to try your recipe but wasn't sure what you recommend to prevent the gummies from sticking....can you just use PAM or is there something else you recommend?
Elizabeth Marek says
I sprayed mine with coconut oil but any oil will work
Lise says
Hi, I tried this recipe and the bears turned out super sticky. It was difficult to get them out of the mold and they kept sticking to my fingers and any container I put them in. Any tips? Would it help if I added coconut oil to the mix? Thanks
Elizabeth Marek says
Make sure you oil the molds and coat the bears in the oil to keep them from being too sticky.
Jack Napier says
Looking forward to trying out this recipe with the kiddos, but I have a quick question. Do I have to use candy oil flavoring, or will any extract basically work? Just trying to use what I have on hand if possible.
Elizabeth Marek says
Any flavoring will work! Give the liquid a taste before adding gelatin to make sure the taste is what you want 🙂
Tommy says
First of all I live in a medical marijuana state and am a medical marijuana card holder, so I'm not breaking any laws. Do you think I could use your recipe and still add infused coconut oil without messing up the recipe?
Elizabeth Marek says
I am not sure about coconut oil, I would do a test first since there isn't any oil in the recipe.
Kristin says
I cannot wait to make these! I have a question...I've seen recipes where they cook the sugar mixture to about 130...and when it drops to 120 to add in the gelatin mixture. Im asking if I wanted to make a gigantic batch.
Elizabeth Marek says
I Probably because gelatin weakens at hight temperatures so if you're making big batches you might want to pay attention to the temperature.
Princess L Banks says
I just made these today and they turned out wonderful!!!
If I wanted to make a sugar-free version, what would be the best substitute?
Thank you!
Elizabeth Marek says
I would use swerve
Andrea says
Can citric acid used for canning tomatoes work?
Elizabeth Marek says
Yes that is the same thing 🙂 Its basically powdered lemon
Danielle and Dustin says
We have used the recipe twice now and it make perfect gummies each time. We like to toss them in corn start to give them a nice dry texture.
Viola says
Thanks this is definitely the best recipe out there (and I have tried the majority). However, I found that I had to dust them to keep them from sticking to each other).
I am going to try another round and add an additional packet of gelatin to see if that helps with firming them up a bit more. Overall my family can't stop eating them.
Viola says
This is bar far the best recipe that I have found. The texture is really close to the “real gummies”. I have one question... will they stay sticky or will the harden the longer that they set?
Elizabeth Marek says
They definitely get firmer over time but mine don't last that long haha!
Becky says
My 2 yr old is addicted to gummy fruit snacks. I would LOVE to make these instead of buying them - I know exactly what's going in, less packaging, etc. My question is, could I skip using a mold, pour it into a pan & cut it into small bits instead? The shapes aren't a big deal. Thanks!
Elizabeth Marek says
oh yea! Absolutely. The only thing is that they are a little sticky so it might hard to cut them. Maybe an oiled knife?