Healthy Elderberry Gelatin Gummies for Kids
Boost your child’s immunity this winter with homemade elderberry gelatin gummies. These gummies are packed with the immune-boosting power of elderberry and the gut-healing benefits of high-quality beef gelatin. They are a tasty way to keep your little ones healthy and happy.
Unlike store-bought gummy snacks filled with artificial ingredients and sugar, these gummies are made with wholesome, natural ingredients you can feel good about.

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I want to cut out processed foods as much as possible and know exactly what’s in the snacks my kids eat. That’s one reason I love making these homemade elderberry gummies for my family. We also love making our own peanut butter crackers, cheese crackers, and gelatin gummy bears!
The Benefits of Elderberry
Elderberry has long been celebrated as a natural remedy for boosting the immune system. It is especially beneficial for kids during cold and flu season. Rich in antioxidants and packed with vitamin C, elderberries help fight off harmful free radicals and support the body’s natural defenses.
Studies suggest that elderberry syrup can reduce the duration and severity of colds and flu, making it a go-to ingredient for winter wellness. Plus, its sweet and tangy flavor makes it an easy addition to snacks like these delicious gummies.
I love to get our elderberry syrup from Abby’s Elderberry. The Walker family raises elderberries on their 15 acre farm in Southern Indiana. Now you can get their fresh elderberry syrup from Azure Standard as well as their website.
Why Quality Beef Gelatin is a Superfood
High-quality beef gelatin is packed with health benefits. It’s rich in collagen, which supports healthy skin, hair, and nails, and can even help with growing strong bones and joints. Gelatin also helps to soothe the gut lining and promotes better digestion.
Incorporating gelatin into your child’s diet helps boost their protein intake in a way that’s enjoyable. Unlike sugary fruit snacks from the store, these homemade gummies provide a simple, nutrient-dense treat that your kids will love.
The Problem with Store-Bought Fruit Snacks
Parents are busy and it takes time to make homemade snacks. So does it really matter if you buy fruit snacks and other processed snacks for your kids from the store? I believe it does.
When you look at the ingredient list of most store-bought fruit snacks, it’s a bit alarming. Many are loaded with high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, and food dyes that don’t belong in a healthy diet.
Even the options that claim to be “natural” or “healthy” often contain more sugar than you’d expect. They might seem like a convenient choice, but they’re far from the nutritious snack we want for our kids.
Instead of offering your kids something that’s essentially candy, making your own elderberry gelatin gummies allows you to control what goes into their snack. You can ditch the unnecessary additives and focus on real, wholesome ingredients. You get to choose the type of juice, the amount of natural sweetener, and the quality of gelatin. Plus you are giving them immune support from the elderberry which is a very big deal!
I like to get these ingredients from Azure Standard which saves me so much money too! Read here about how I source a lot of my food from Azure Standard and save lots of money by doing so.

Ingredients for Elderberry Gelatin Gummies:
Juice: We enjoy cherry, pomegranate, and grape juice, but use any kind you like! Avoid papaya, pineapple, kiwi, or mango juice – an enzyme in them may not allow the gelatin to become firm.
Honey: As a natural sweetener, honey is not only delicious, but also provides anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. Honey also contributes to the soft chewiness of the gummies. I prefer to use raw honey. Maple syrup works also.
Gelatin: Unflavored, grass-fed gelatin is the healthiest option.
Elderberry Syrup: Abby’s Elderberry is our favorite kind!
Tools You May Need:
Heart or Gummy Bear Silicone Molds
How To Make Elderberry Gelatin Gummies:
Step 1: Add juice and elderberry syrup to a saucepan and gently and evenly sprinkle gelatin over the liquid. Gently mix with a spoon and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes. Do not heat up the mixture yet.

This process is called “blooming” the gelatin. Blooming gelatin is the process of hydrating gelatin in cold liquid before dissolving it in hot liquid. This process ensures the gelatin dissolves smoothly and prevents any clumping.

Step 2: Add honey to the mixture and turn the stove to medium-low heat. Make sure the mixture doesn’t boil. As the mixture warms up, it will turn into liquid.

Step 3: Turn off the heat and carefully pour the liquid into the molds. These fun Heart Silicone or Gummy Bear Silicone Molds come with a few droppers, but I prefer to pour the liquid into the molds using a glass measuring cup. Sometimes using the droppers can create a lot of bubbles.
Step 4: I let them sit out on the counter for an hour before putting them in the fridge. This way the juice doesn’t spill as I carry them to the fridge. Let them set in the fridge for a few hours, then pop the gummies out of the molds and enjoy! Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
You can experiment with different flavors of juice and make all kinds of different healthy gummies for your kids!

Tips
- Sprinkle the gelatin over the juice and elderberry mixture rather than dumping it in all at once.
- Add some lemon juice for a little tartness.
- Avoid juices like papaya, pineapple, kiwi, or mango, as they contain an enzyme that can prevent the gelatin setting up.
- If you don’t want to use honey, you should be able to substitute maple syrup.
- Fill the silicone molds fully for the best results.
- When transferring the gummy mixture to the refrigerator, I like to set my molds on a cookie sheet or similar tray just in case some of the liquid spills out.

Recipe FAQ’s
The chewiness of gummies comes primarily from gelatin. Honey adds soft chewiness as well.
Gelatin is a protein derived from collagen. Collagen is a mostly flavorless, clear, jelly-type substance found in animal connective tissue. Collagen supports healthy skin, hair, and nails, and can even help with growing strong bones and joints. Collagen also helps to soothe the gut lining and promotes better digestion.
The best gelatin is grass-fed gelatin.
Our favorite is Abby’s Elderberry syrup but there are many kinds you can use. Make sure to choose one with minimal added sugar and natural ingredients. You can also make your own!
Homemade elderberry gummies should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and will last up to one week.
Yes, as long as your child is over one year old and doesn’t have any allergies to the ingredients. For younger children, you many want to consult with your pediatrician about elderberry dosage.
The recommended dosage depends on the strength of your elderberry syrup. Typically, 1-2 gummies per day is a good starting point for younger children, while older kids many enjoy 2-3 gummies. Always follow the dosage guidelines for your elderberry syrup.

More Benefits of Making Your Own Elderberry Gummies
You decide the ingredients – When you make your own gummies at home, you’re in complete control of the ingredients. Whether it’s using organic juice, or reducing the sugar content, you get to decide what goes into each batch. No more worrying about preservatives, artificial dyes, or unnecessary additives that sneak into store-bought snacks.
Cost-effective – Making your own gummies is surprisingly cost-effective. A few simple ingredients- juice, gelatin, and a sweetener- can go a long way. Instead of constantly buying boxes of fruit snacks that disappear quickly, you can whip up a batch of gummies at a fraction of the cost. Plus, once you have the basic ingredients on hand, you can make them as often as you like, experimenting with different flavors and shapes.
Fun to make – Your kids will love helping to make these! Getting them involved in the process- choosing the flavors, picking out fun molds, and helping to mix- turns snack time into a family activity. Not only are they excited to eat a healthy treat, but they also feel proud knowing they helped make it.
Winter Wellness Made Simple- Elderberry gummies are an easy and enjoyable way to keep your family’s immunity strong.
As busy parents, its rewarding to find quick and simple ways to provide healthy options for your kids. Making these gummies takes just a little time, but the impact it has on your family’s diet is well worth it.
These elderberry gummies are always a hit in our household. Try them out and let me know what you think!

Healthy Elderberry Gelatin Gummies for Kids
Equipment
- Heart Silicone Molds
- Gummy Bear Silicone Molds
Ingredients
- ½ cup juice of choice
- ½ cup elderberry syrup
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup gelatin unflavored and grass fed
Instructions
- Add juice and elderberry syrup to a saucepan and gently and evenly sprinkle gelatin over the juice. Gently mix with a spoon and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes. Do not heat up the mixture yet.
- Add honey to the mixture and turn the stove to medium-low heat. Make sure the mixture doesn’t boil. As the mixture warms up, it will turn into liquid.
- Turn off the heat and carefully pour the liquid into the molds. Heart or gummy bear silicone molds come with a few droppers, but I prefer to pour the liquid into the molds using a glass measuring cup. Sometimes using the droppers can create a lot of bubbles.
- Let them sit out on the counter for an hour before putting them in the fridge.
- Let them set in the fridge for a few hours, then pop the gummies out of the molds and enjoy! Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Sprinkle the gelatin over the juice and elderberry mixture rather than dumping it in all at once.
- Add some lemon juice for a little tartness.
- Avoid juices like papaya, pineapple, kiwi, or mango, as they contain an enzyme that can prevent the gelatin setting up.
- If you don’t want to use honey, you should be able to substitute maple syrup.
- Fill the silicone molds fully for the best results.
- When transferring the gummy mixture to the refrigerator, I like to set my molds on a cookie sheet or similar tray just in case some of the liquid spills out.
These sounds amazing Shannon! Thank you so much for the recipe! Quick question…last time I made the regular fuit gummies, my kids objected to the amount of gelatin I put in. Should I try maybe 1/2ing the amount of gelatin this time and see if that makes them more fruity and less gelatiny lol? I tasted that it was a bit much for me too. Using Azure’s gelatin by the way. Oh!!! The smoked goat cheese is our ABSOLUTE FAVORITE too!!! The kids cannot seem to get enough of it. Also their pepper jack with the fresh ground flour makes great crackers. Gives them a little kick but not too spicy. Love all your recipes!
Hi! Yes you could definitely try less gelatin, they might not pop out of the molds as easily but if that isn’t a big deal to you, yes try less gelatin. 🙂
I know I love the smoked cheese so much! It’s hard for me to eat any other kind of cheese now haha. And I’ve tried the pepper jack too and love it! If you try the gummies with less gelatin, let me know how they turn out 🙂