3 Ingredient Healthy Orange Jello (Naturally Sweetened)
This healthy orange jello recipe has no refined sugar and is made with beef gelatin, making it gut health friendly too! All you need are 3 ingredients plus a little honey (if you want it sweeter) to make a kid friendly snack or dessert. Skip the box mixes and try this recipe today!
I first began using gelatin when I made my healthy marshmallow recipe to replace conventional, store bought marshmallows. Later, we had an illness hit the house, I started looking into making our own jello since I couldn’t find any dye free, artificial sugar free, and refined sugar free options. No one needs artificial ingredients when they’re already sick!
My enthusiasm for using gelatin only increased as I battled with some health issues. It helped satisfy my sweet tooth while supporting my body. I even bought gummy bear molds to make them into gummies for my kids (and they never last!)
If it’s close to the holidays, you may also enjoy making my healthy homemade cranberry-orange jello! It’s the perfect combination of tart and sweet.
what is gelatin?
Gelatin is made from cattle hide, bones, and connective tissue. It’s naturally rich in collagen and amino acids that support own connective tissues, hair, joints, skin, and gut lining. When mixed with liquid, it becomes a natural thickener that gels as it cools.
what makes gelatin healthy?
Beef gelatin provides many nourishing amino acids we miss in today’s diets. Since most of us no longer make homemade bone broth or cook with bones, gelatin helps fill in those gaps. Some potential benefits of beef gelatin include:
- supporting natural joint health
- helping maintain a healthy gut lining and may reduce symptoms of leaky gut
- promoting hair, nail, and skin health
- supporting healthy sleep patterns
ingredients you’ll need
- beef gelatin – I like to get mine from Azure Standard or Thrive Market.
- orange juice – Make sure the only ingredient is “oranges” to avoid additives and extra sugar
- water – for blooming your gelatin
- optional: honey – if you prefer your jello a little sweeter
how to make healthy homemade orange jello
Making homemade jello is very quick and simple.
- Bloom the gelatin in your water.
- Warm (do not boil) half the orange juice and honey, if using, in a pot.
- Once warm, whisk in the bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved and no chunks remain.
- Stir in the remaining orange juice.
- Chill for 20 minutes in the freezer or 3 hours in the fridge.
- Enjoy!
how do I get rid of the bubbles on my jello before it sets?
You have a couple of options.
- Allow your homemade jello to sit at room temp for 5-10 minutes so the bubbles can naturally rise and pop before setting.
- Use a spoon to lightly skim any remaining bubbles off the top before chilling.
can I make healthy homemade gummy bears with this recipe?
Yes! In fact, I normally use some of the mixture to make gummy bears for my children and then pour the rest in a glass pan to set. Use a dropper or turkey baster to fill in the little gummy bear molds.
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healthy orange gelatin recipe
This healthy homemade orange jello is a kid friendly snack, dessert, or great to make in times of illness within your home!
Ingredients
- 2 cups orange juice
- ¼ cup water
- 2–3 tbsp honey (optional, depending on your juice)
- 3 tbsp beef gelatin
Instructions
- Add ¼ cup water to a bowl and bloom gelatin.
- Heat 1 cup orange juice with honey until warm.
- Stir in bloomed gelatin.
- Add the remaining 1 cup orange juice (keeps the flavor fresh).
- Chill until set, about 20 minutes in the freezer or 3 hours in the fridge
