These low carb gummy bears are a fun sugar free and keto friendly snack that the whole family will enjoy! Watch the recipe video!
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I recently made a collection of the best low carb sweet snacks, and I included a recipe for gummy candy that I made AGES ago! I remembered how much I loved them and decided to make them again - but I really wanted to make low carb gummy BEARS, rather than just random shapes.
You might also like to check out my guide to low carb candy!
Watch my recipe video or scroll down for the full details and printable recipe card:
I went straight to Amazon (of course) and picked up a set of gummy bear molds. Each tray holds about 50 little bears, and the set comes with droppers too.
For these gummy bears you'll need sugar free Jello, some sachets of powdered unflavored gelatin (Knox or similar), and water.
Update: Try using Simply Delish Jel mix instead - it is aspartame free and doesn't contain any artificial flavors or colors!
Key Ingredients
This recipe only needs three simple ingredients, and each one has a job to do.
- Unflavored gelatin. This is what gives the bears their chew. The sugar free Jello already contains some gelatin, but on its own it only sets softly, like a dessert. Adding one envelope of plain gelatin firms the mixture up so the bears hold their shape when you pop them out of the mold and don't go sticky in a lunchbox. Knox is the easiest brand to find, and grass-fed beef gelatin works the same way.
- Sweetener. There's no added sweetener in the basic recipe, because the sugar free gelatin mix is already sweetened. Regular sugar free Jello uses aspartame, while Simply Delish uses erythritol and stevia, so pick whichever suits your family. If you make the bears with plain gelatin and a flavoring instead, add a few drops of liquid monk fruit or stevia to taste.
- Flavorings. The flavor and color come from the gelatin mix, so choose your favorites. Strawberry, lime and orange make a classic red, green and orange mix, and making a tray of each flavor gives you a bag of "real" looking gummy bears. A squeeze of lemon or lime juice, or a drop of flavor extract, brightens things up if you like a stronger taste.
How is this different from my Zero Carb Gummy Candy? The Zero Carb Gummy Candy is where it all started: the same basic trio of sugar free gelatin mix, plain gelatin and water, poured into larger silicone candy molds for fun random shapes. These gummy bears take that idea and make it bite-size. The little bear molds are filled with a dropper, the mixture uses just ¼ cup of water for a firmer, chewier bite that suits tiny shapes, and one packet makes a full tray of about 50 bears, so it's easy to split into 25-bear servings.
How to Make Keto and Low Carb Gummy Bears
Gently cook the Jello, gelatin and water in a small saucepan over a low heat, until all the crystals have dissolved.
Remove from the heat and use the dropper to fill the cavities. I place the silicone tray on a tray or chopping board first because it makes it easier to move around after it's filled!
Repeat with other flavors if using!
When all the cavities are complete, transfer the tray to the fridge for around 30 minutes until the bears are set. Pop the keto gummies out of the mold and enjoy!
A note on quantities: ¼ cup of water really doesn't seem like very much, but it's what you need to fill one of these trays of 50 bears. The bears have a pleasant chewy quality to them! If you prefer softer gummy bears, use ⅓ cup water instead - but bear in mind you'll have more liquid that you need for one tray, so you might like to use another tray or a different mold.
Helpful Tips
Keep the heat low. You only need to warm the mixture until the crystals disappear, which takes 2-3 minutes. Letting it boil can weaken the gelatin, and you'll end up with softer bears.
Work quickly with the dropper. The mixture starts to thicken as it cools. If it gets too thick to squeeze, pop the pan back on a very low heat for a few seconds and it will loosen right up.
Don't worry about overfilling. A little overflow between the bears is normal. Once they're set, any thin bits peel away easily, or you can scrape across the top of the mold with a knife before chilling.
Let the bears dry out for chewier gummies. For a texture closer to store-bought gummy bears, spread the set bears on a plate and leave them uncovered in the fridge for a day. They firm up and become less sticky.
Variations
- Sour gummy bears. Toss the set bears in citric acid and powdered sweetener, like my Low Carb Sour Gummy Bears.
- Rainbow bears. Make one tray each of three or four different flavors and mix them together.
- Different shapes. Use any small silicone mold you have: worms, hearts, stars or holiday shapes all work.
- Extra fruity. Stir a teaspoon of lemon or lime juice into the pan to give the bears more of a tang.
Storing & Freezing
Keep the gummy bears in an airtight container in the fridge, where they'll stay good for up to a week. They soften and get sticky if left out in a warm room for long, so they're best kept chilled until you're ready to eat them.
I don't recommend freezing them. Gelatin candy tends to go watery and lose its chew once it thaws, and they're so quick to make that it's easier to whip up a fresh batch.
The cute little bears are great for a sweet treat!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are gummy bears keto?
Regular gummy bears are not. They're made with sugar and corn syrup, and a small handful has around 20g of carbs, which can use up a whole day's allowance on keto. Store-bought sugar free gummy bears are often sweetened with maltitol, which can raise blood sugar for some people and is well known for upsetting tummies. Homemade bears like these are a much better choice: a serving of 25 bears has about 3g net carbs.
What are keto fruit snacks?
Keto fruit snacks are chewy, fruit-flavored gummies made without sugar, so they fit into a low carb diet. Store-bought versions are usually sweetened with allulose, stevia or sugar alcohols and bulked up with fiber. You can easily make your own at home: these gummy bears are really keto fruit snacks in bear form, and you can pour the same mixture into any small mold to make fruit snack shapes for lunchboxes.
Check out my full list of zero carb desserts!
Check out my new recipe for low carb SOUR gummy bears!!!
More Low Carb Candy
If you loved these gummy bears, here are a few more sweet treats you might enjoy:
- Zero Carb Gummy Candy
- Low Carb Sour Gummy Bears
- Keto Gummies
- A Guide to Low Carb Candy
- The Best Low Carb Sweet Snacks
📖 Recipe
Keto Low Carb Gummy Bears
Ingredients
Equipment
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add the Jello, gelatin, and water to a small saucepan and stir. Place over a low heat and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes until all the crystals have dissolved. Don't let it boil.
- Set the silicone mold on a small tray or chopping board. Remove the pan from the heat and use the dropper to fill the cavities.
- When all the cavities are filled, transfer the tray to the fridge for around 30 minutes until the bears are set.
- Pop the gummy bears out of the mold and enjoy!
Nutrition
Video
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is my best approximation. Net carbs are calculated as the total grams carbs minus the total grams of fiber.
Ashy says
I made these but I didn't have the gummy bear mold, instead I used a small bunny mold with 12 slots.
It tasted great but was very very chewy. The whole packet of unflavored gelatin was too much. Next time I'll only add a half packet. I also did the 1/4 c water and had to add more, so I used 1/3 c and the texture was very chewy. I'm not sure if it's because my mold had bigger slots and that's why the texture was too much or just too much gelatin.
Georgina says
Yes I think it must be because of the bigger size. The little bear molds I used make 50 - so they're firm but there's not big enough to be super chewy!
Mary says
I made these but my gummies were very chewy.Wonder if I need to add more water
kim ballance says
On the nutrition info. for gummy bears it says 2 servings. Are the counts for 2 servings and what is a serving size? Or is a serving 2 gummy bears? Thanks.
Georgina says
The count is per serving, and one serving is 25 bears. 🙂
Tonya says
Do the gummy bears need to be kept in the fridge if not eating all immediately?
Georgina says
Great question! But I don't have an exact answer for you. I tested some of the bears I made for this recipe, keeping some of them in the fridge and some in a sealed container on the counter. After a few days SOME bears did form a bloom - but in both places! I'm going to try it again and be more scientific about it. I'll report back!
Tara says
I was wondering this as well?
Gia says
I kept mine in the fridge which we keep super cold and they kept for over a week:)
Kaity says
I followed the recipe as written and mine turned out more like jello for my liking. Definitely not stable at room temp, they turn to mush. Next time I’ll add more gelatin
Georgina says
I'm sorry that it didn't work out for you, Kaity.
Valerie Stevens says
Use agar-agar instead of gelatin. It will stay stable at room temp. Should be able to order online somewhere. While I use it in the lab (microbiologist ) to make semi solid medium, it was discovered by a microbiologist having the same issue w gelatin and incubation temps when his wife told him to use the seaweed extract for felling room temp preserves. Agar- agar. Food grade and made from seaweed so it’s vegan and kosher too. ????
Holly says
Valerie, should we use the same amount of agar to gelatin?
Ash says
Ahhhh this are lovely, i added a pinch of malic acid to orange jelly bears and they were deliciously tart 🙂 Thank you very much!
Georgina says
So glad you liked them!!!
Jordan says
How would you know if you put too much gelatin ?
Jonathan says
I don’t think these are keto. What sweetener is used in the jello?
Wes says
Sugar free Jell-o is Keto, it's sweetened with Aspartame and has zero carbs.
Candy says
Aspartame raises insulin levels. Sorry, not keto. And aspartame is poison. Nutritional keto followers do not use it.
Mary Post says
You are incorrect about Aspartame raising insulin levels. Please read this article from Joslin Diabetes Center https://www.joslin.org/info/correcting_internet_myths_about_aspartame.html It debunks the myths about Aspartame. So much misinformation out there. Aspartame is made up of two amino acids called aspartic acid and the methyl ester of phenylalanine. Amino acids and methyl esters are found naturally in foods like milk, meats, fruits and vegetables. When digested, the body handles the amino acids in aspartame in the same way as those in foods we eat daily.
Trish says
I agree. However, I just read that the maltodextrin in products, like the sugar-free jello raise insulin levels. Thanks for the recipe ????
Victoria says
While these may be sugar-free, they aren't Keto, as the SF Jello contains Maltodextrin which has a Glycemic Index of 110 (where sugar's GI is 64). It's possible that it's in low enough quantities that it may not adversely effect insulin in *most* people, but Maltodextrin is not keto.
Gaellyn says
Might want to try Royal brand instead of Jello brand. Royal as less than 2% Maltodextrine - which tuned into 300 gummies bear make the impact lower for sure.
Sarah says
Most flavors of Great Value Brand SF Gelatin does not contain Maltodextrin just Aspartame. So the berry flavors are safe but orange and peach do contain Malto. Just double check your ingredient list of that brand before you chuck it in the cart. :]
I do wish Walmart would create some different flavors for the SF. I would like blue raspberry or watermelon Jellos.
Ayla says
Is that right? 20cals for two gummies?
Teri says
No, a there are 2 servings in the batch Nd the batch makes 50 bears so 25 bears is a serving @ 20 calories
Jarrett Plummer says
Tried all flavors and most came out good. I too didn’t find a gummy bear mold but instead a coke bottle and little sunflower molds at Walmart in the kids bday section. I did the directions to a tee and noticed a little more jello affect as well so I lessened the amount of water and it seemed to firm up nice and tons of flavor. Thank you for the awesome idea.
Vivian Minyard says
They do sell it at Michael’s but they just don’t have dropper,you can just improvise the dropper.
Shelly Greene says
I want to make today!! However I do not have molds. What can this girl use???????
Georgina says
I guess you could line a small baking pan with plastic wrap and make one huge gummy square (or rectangle!), then cut it up into smaller pieces? Or you could try a few small ramekins if you only want to make one batch of the recipe? I hope you find something!
Lee-Anna says
Hi There! Just wondering if you had any updates on storage? I have a food saver and the attachment for mason jars. I was thinking about storing mine in vacuum sealed mason jars in the fridge. Admittedly, I am on a fruit gummy kick so they may not last more than a few days...
Carrie Valentin says
I want to use grass fed beef ingredients. What do I buy??
Georgina says
I'm afraid I haven't tried with the recipe with those ingredients, so I couldn't tell you the best place to buy them!
Jenny says
I am wanting to make these sour. What would suggest. I bought citric acid but don't know how much to put in. Thank you
Georgina says
Sorry, I haven't developed a sour gummy recipe - yet!
Yasmin says
Hi. Try 1/4 cup citric acid. (if making the 50+ batch, make them as normal then press them in a mix of 1/4 citric acid and 1/4 cup sugar and it turns them sour) I know this part isn't sugar free but I guess sweetener would work as well but I'm unsure.
Yasmin says
1/4 teaspoon sorry! Just citric acid.
pam says
1/4 tsp of citric acid will make them a little sour . Don't use more than 1/4 tsp, or it will make the gummies "melty"
Joyce says
Thank you thank you been looking for a gummy bear/fruit snack type snack these are perfect
Peggy says
Thanks so much for this recipes. These are the kinds of things that keep a person going.
Suzanne says
I would use real grass-fed beef gelatin from Vital Proteins, Great Lakes or another comparable company instead of Knox (made from non grass-fed beef and processed ingredients, chemicals). It will cost a bit more but it's so worth it for your health.
Freida says
The printable recipe does not tell what to do with the gelatin.
Georgina says
Whoops - sorry about that! It should have been in step one. I've now added it - thanks!
Melissa says
Pineapple gummy bears are my favorite, but it's impossible to find sugar free pineapple. How can I adjust so I can use unflavored gelatin only, so I'm able to use pineapple extract instead? I'm assuming I'll also need to add Stevia?
Georgina says
Sorry, I don't have a quick answer for you - I'd have to do a lot of recipe testing first before I got the quantities right for a version with no Jello powder as a base. If you experiment and find a winning combination, let me know!
Patti says
Pineapple and mago are my favorite gummies. I plan on experimenting with different flavors and gelatin this week. I will let you know how it goes!
Kandybro says
These come out more like jello. You need to use like 3 or 4 times the unflavored gelatin. Huge disappointment but I'm trying something I saw on another recipe, says to let them sit out a few days to dry out to get that chewy candy consistency. If you're expecting gummy candy then you'll be disappointed but if you're ok with jello bites then this recipe isnt bad
Georgina says
How much water did you use?
Lacey says
I used sf Jello strawberry and 1/4 cup water. Was disappointed because they aren’t really chewy like a real gummy bear would be and they kind of melt in your mouth at the end like Jello. Not horrible, but not what I hoped for.
Julia Stearns @ Healthirony says
Wow! This is fantastic. I bet these keto low carb gummy bears would be scrumptious and amazing for kids. Will definitely try them for my son.
Jill Roberts @ Wellnessgeeky.com says
These gummy bears are so Instagrammable and adorable! As you know I made it a short while ago and it was lovely! Thx for sharing!
Linda Gillard says
You can buy the gummy bear molds on amazon...lots of them. I use sugar free juice (from kids juice boxes) instead of water. I figured that it would be approx. 11 carbs per 100 bears. I also added 1 tbsp. of Swerve sweetener. Yummy.
Arnie says
They turned out very good. Quite flavorful and not too chewy. Love them and will always make more.
Dai says
Just a quick note. While I haven’t made the gummies yet (will be making them this afternoon with my son), I found the moulds for the shape (along with a variety of other fun shapes) at Michael’s.
Have fun!
Cavet Smith says
I have used this recipe numerous times and the results are always great!
Connie says
Guess I'm too slow or did something else wrong. Followed recipe & used molds & droppers from Amazon you suggested. Stirred in pot, not long, since started to solidify immediately!
Only made it abt 2 rows & jello was so solid droppers were stopped up. Had to add more water & still had a hard time filling the rest of the tray before too solid again. Came out cute, but even aft 1hr in fridge, had barely any chew, more like regular jello. Knit & crochet, so hands pretty quick & steady, but, this just didn't go well.
Help, grandkids want Gumies!
Tracy says
Just how do we need to store these so they stay good as long as possible? Fridge ? And how long would that be?
Hank says
What size packet of jello mix did you use?
Thanks
Georgina says
The regular 0.3 oz box.
Abbi says
These are awesome!!! Had a super fun time making with my 4 yo! We made 3 batches at a time and added 1/2 kool-aid packet to make sour, turned out super yummy!!