Vegan Jello

 Have you been looking for a way to make vegan jello?  This is a simple and easy jello recipe that can be made in minutes with just a few simple ingredients.  With only fruit juice, agar agar (vegan gelatin), and some sugar (optional), you can make your own delicious homemade jello!

You’ll love this vegan jello recipe because it’s…

• quick and easy to make.
• free of all major allergens so everyone can enjoy it!
• made with real fruit juice.
• can easily be made refined sugar free.
• kid-friendly!

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Fruit Juice – most fruit juices will work.  Apple, grape, and cranberry juice work the best.  Orange will work as well, but it tends to come out firmer than the other juices.  Citrus juices like lemon, lime, pineapple, kiwi, and papaya juices will not set correctly.
• Agar Agar powder – this is a white powder made from seaweed.  It comes in powder or flakes, but the powder works better.  If you can only find the flakes, you will need to triple the amount of flakes.  (The best deals on agar agar are usually on Amazon or at your local Asian market.  It tends to be very expensive at natural food stores).  Note:  you can also use kappa-carrageenan instead of agar agar in equal amounts.  It is also derived from seaweed and works the same as agar agar, but tends to be more expensive and harder to find.
• Sugar – to sweeten the jello.  Sugar is optional, but if you want it to taste like traditional jello that you remember, it will require an added sweetener.  You can use any type of sugar or sweetener that you would like.

How to make vegan jello

1. Pour juice, sugar, and agar agar into a medium-sized saucepan and stir.
2. Turn on heat to medium and stir frequently with a whisk.
3. When the mixture begins to boil, turn the heat down and let it boil slowly for 5 minutes stirring occasionally.
4. Pour the jello mixture into individual serving glasses.
5. Refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours.

Can I make a vegan jello mold?

Yes!  You can use this jello in a mold and even add fruit!  However, vegan jello is not quite as jiggly and pliable as traditional jello.  I have found that if you double the agar agar add 1 tsp of tapioca starch to the mixture before cooking, it makes it firm enough and gives it a little more stretch to set in a jello mold and get it out again without breaking.

Can I add fruit to the jello?

Yes, you can add fruit to the jello once it starts to cool.  If you want the fruit to be suspended in the jello, you need to watch the jello carefully once it starts to cool.  After about 10-15 minutes, it will cool enough that it will start to thicken, but will still be a liquid.  It is at this point that you will want to add fruit or berries to the jello.  This way they will stay suspended in the jello and not sink to the bottom.

Note: Don’t add pineapple, papaya, or kiwi to the jello.  The enzymes in these fruits cause the jello not to set.  (You will also want to avoid using these fruit juices for the jello).

What else can I make with agar agar?

Don’t be afraid to buy a container of agar agar, you can use it to make lots of vegan treats like homemade vegan marshmallows, a firm meringue on a Vegan Lemon Meringue Pie or a Vegan S’mores Pie, or you can use it to make your own Homemade Vegan Cheese.

Subscribe to my email list to get my free eBook “The Beginner’s Guide to Homemade Vegan Staples” or if you are ready to fully dive into making your own vegan cheese, butter, yogurt, and more check out my cookbook, “The Ultimate Guide to Homemade Vegan Staples!”

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Vegan Jello

Prep Time

4 mins

Cook Time

6 mins

Total Time

10 mins

 

A quick and easy recipe for vegan jello made with fruit juice and agar agar.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: vegan jello, vegan jello mold

Servings: 4

Calories: 122 kcal

Author: Monica Davis | The Hidden Veggies

Ingredients

• 2 cups fruit juice like apple, grape, or cranberry
• 1/2 tsp agar agar or kappa carrageenan
• 1/3 cup sugar (optional)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Pour juice, sugar and agar agar into a medium-sized saucepan and stir.
2. Turn on heat to medium and stir frequently with a whisk.

3. When the mixture begins to boil, turn the heat down and let it boil slowly for 5 minutes stirring occasionally.

4. Pour the jello mixture into individual serving glasses.

5. Refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours.

Recipe Notes

To make jello in a mold:

• Double the amount of agar agar and add 1 tsp of tapioca starch to the mixture before cooking.  (This makes it firmer and stretchier to allow it to set in a jello mold and so that it can be removed without breaking).
• Use a silicone mold or spray the inside of a metal mold with a little oil to help it come out after it sets. 
• Allow it to sit for 2 hours in the refrigerator before taking out of the mold. 

Adding Fruit:

• If you want the fruit to be suspended in the jello, you need to watch the jello carefully once it starts to cool.  After about 10-15 minutes, it will cool enough that it will start to thicken, but will still be a liquid.  It is at this point that you will want to add fruit or berries to the jello.  This way they will stay suspended in the jello and not sink to the bottom.

Note: Don't add pineapple, papaya, or kiwi to the jello.  The enzymes in these fruits cause the jello not to set.  (You will also want to avoid using these fruit juices for the jello).

Nutrition Facts

Vegan Jello

Amount Per Serving (0.5 cup)

Calories 122 Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 5mg0%

Potassium 125mg4%

Carbohydrates 31g10%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 29g32%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 10mg1%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.