These immune-boosting gummy bears are loaded with vitamins and taste delicious. Learn how to make these kid-approved gummy bears, plus 4 other flavors.
Every fall, I make elderberry syrup for my family to boost our immune systems. It’s loaded with vitamins A, B, and C making it great for stimulating the immune system and keeping us healthy throughout cold and flu season. I shared my elderberry syrup recipe in a recent blog post. If you missed it, click HERE.
Most often, I just give my kids elderberry syrup by the teaspoon; in fact, my kids love the stuff and request it as a topping on their pancakes. Occasionally I make elderberry gummy bears for an extra special treat. They love them, and it makes giving them their daily dose even easier.
Another great way to keep your kids’ immune system boosted and germs at bay is by making natural hand sanitizer to keep with you while you are out and about. I have been using this spray for 7 years and notice that my kids seem to catch way less of the “junk” going around.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure HERE.
Prep silicon molds or glass pan with coconut oil to prevent sticking.
Add 1/2 of a cup of elderberry syrup to a glass bowl and whisk in gelatin.
Add hot water into the mixture and continue whisking until well incorporated and smooth. Be sure the water isn’t boiling, just hot.
Pour the rest of the elderberry syrup into the mixture and whisk together.
Add the elderberry mixture into the silicone molds or glass pan. Place in the refrigerator for 3-5 hours or until completely set.
Pop the gummy bears out of the molds and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
NOTE: If you are using a 9 by 13 pan after the mixture is set up, you can cut it into little pieces with a cookie-cutter. Store in the glass pan in the refrigerator with an airtight lid.
HOW TO USE YOUR IMMUNE BOOSTING GUMMY BEARS
You can take these immune-boosting gummy bears when you have been exposed to germs or been in crowded places to help prevent illness. Or you can take them when you aren’t feeling well to boost the immune system and help you to feel better quicker.
For immune support when preventing: Children can take 1-3 gummy bears a day and adults (yes, adults can take these too!) can take 3-6 gummy bears a day.
For immune support when sick: Children can take 1 gummy bear 4 times a day and adults can take 8 gummy bears a day.
OTHER GUMMY BEAR RECIPES
Why do all kids love fruit snacks? I remember devouring them when I was a kid and now I would totally prefer chocolate. Probably the fun shapes or bright colors make them appealing to children. Unfortunately, like most processed kid snacks, they are full of sugar, artificial food dye, and high fructose syrup.
I found out that making your own gummy bears is simple and healthy! Using a similar recipe to the one I shared above, you can make these with any juice or pureed fruit to make different flavors and colors. Here are some of our favorites!
Grape Gummy Bears
1 cup organic grape juice (make sure it has no added sugar)
1 tablespoon lemon juice or 1 drop lemon essential oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice or 1 drop lemon essential oil
2 tablespoons honey (use local raw honey)
3 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
Gummy Bear molds
Strawberry Gummy Bears
1 cup of pureed strawberries ( Add 2/3 cups thawed strawberries and 1/3 cup water to a blender and blend until liquid)
1 tablespoon lemon juice or 1 drop lemon essential oil
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
Gummy Bear molds
Blueberry Gummy Bears
1 cup of pureed blueberries ( Add 2/3 cups thawed blueberries and 1/3 cup water to a blender and blend until liquid)
1 tablespoon lemon juice or 1 drop lemon essential oil
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
Gummy Bear molds
HOMEMADE GUMMY BEAR INSTRUCTIONS
Prep silicon molds or glass pan with coconut oil to prevent sticking.
Add 1/2 of a cup of elderberry syrup to a glass bowl and whisk in gelatin.
Add hot water into the mixture and continue whisking until well incorporated and smooth. Be sure the water isn’t boiling, just hot.
Pour the rest of the elderberry syrup into the mixture and whisk together.
Add the elderberry mixture into the silicone molds or glass pan. Place in the refrigerator for 3-5 hours or until completely set.
Pop the gummy bears out of the molds and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
NOTE: If you are using a 9 by 13 pan after the mixture is set up, you can cut it into little pieces or with a cookie cutter. Store in the glass pan in the refrigerator with an airtight lid.
WHY HOMEMADE GUMMY BEARS
Like most moms, I like to feed my kids healthy. I strive for fresh fruit and vegetables, healthy proteins, and mostly organic when it comes to feeding my children. My kids aren’t picky and will eat just about anything, and they eat A LOT. Most days, they are asking for a snack minutes after finishing a meal; well at least it feels that quick.
Almost every day, I declare, “THE KITCHEN IS CLOSED” at some point because I am sick of cooking. I love to have healthy snacks ready for them when they demand a snack. In a perfect world, I would have the fridge stocked with homemade gummies, fresh sliced fruits, homemade guacamole…you get the point.
I love these gummy bears because they are healthy and made with grass-fed unflavored gelatin making them filling and high in protein. My kids love eating them and they enjoy making them.
With every gummy bear, they are getting the nutrition from fruits, gelatin, and raw honey.
Have you ever made gummy bears in your house? What was your favorite flavor? Let me know in the comments below!
Prep silicone molds or glass pan with coconut oil to prevent sticking.
Add 1/2 of a cup of elderberry syrup to a glass bowl. Whisk in gelatin.
Add hot water into the mixture and continue whisking until well incorporated and smooth. Be sure the water isn’t boiling, just hot.
Pour the rest of the elderberry syrup into the mixture and continue to whisk.
Put the elderberry mixture into the silicone molds or glass pan. Place in the refrigerator for 3-5 hours or until completely set.
Pop the gummy bears out of the molds and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Video
Notes
If you are using a 9 by 13 pan after the mixture is set up, you can cut it into little pieces with a cookie-cutter.Store in the glass pan in the refrigerator with an airtight lid.
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With the other flavors like strawberry and blueberry, do we need to use hot water, too? Thanks!
Yes, you would.
Hi, The gelatin you recommend is out of stock. What other gelatins do you recommend? Thank you so much for sharing this recipe and idea!
Thanks, I’ll have to change that! Any that are made with beef gelatin are my favorites for health!