Sour Gummies

By
Elizabeth LaBau
Sweet Book of Candy Making Elizabeth LaBau
Elizabeth LaBau
A professional pastry chef, cookbook author, and writer, Elizabeth LaBau has published more than 600 articles on baking and candy making.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/17/22
Sour Gummies Candy

The Spruce / Loren Runion

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Cooling Time: 20 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
6 Calories
0g Fat
0g Carbs
1g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 6
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 6mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 0g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 3mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 0mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Sour gummy candies are simple to grab from the store, but they're also easy to make at home—and, you can customize to your taste by choosing your own flavors and shapes. This simple recipe is made with unflavored gelatin, flavored Jell-O, and Kool-Aid. It is the Kool-Aid that contributes the sourness; make sure you buy unsweetened, which will be mostly citric acid. Try to match complimentary Jell-O and Kool-Aid flavors and colors for the best taste and appearance.

You can use any shape of candy mold to make the gummies. If you do not have candy molds, you can simply make the sour gummy candies in a pan and then cut them into squares; or use cookie cutters to turn the candies into your desired shape. Another option is to make them in ice cube trays or any other silicone mold you may have around the house.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water

  • 3 envelopes unflavored gelatin

  • 2 packages Jell-O, any flavor

  • 1/2 packet unsweetened Kool-Aid, any flavor

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Sour Gummies ingredients

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  2. Prepare the candy molds or an 8 by 8-inch pan by spraying them lightly with cooking spray. Be sure to get in all the cracks and crevices if it's a detailed candy mold.

    candy mold sprayed lightly with cooking spray

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  3. Place the water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.

    water in a small saucepan

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  4. Immediately add the gelatin, Jell-O, and Kool-Aid, and stir vigorously until all of the powder has completely dissolved.

    gelatin, Jell-O, and Kool-Aid with water in a small saucepan

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  5. Pour the candy into the prepared pan or spoon it into the prepared molds.

    candy mixture in the candy molds

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  6. Place the pan or molds in the refrigerator to set for approximately 20 minutes. If you used candy molds, simply pop the gummy candy out of the molds. The candy in the pan can be cut into squares or a variety of shapes using cookie cutters.

    Sour Gummies in candy molds

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

Recipe Variation

Roll the candies in sugar to add a sweet crunch and counter some of the sourness.

How to Store Sour Gummies

Homemade gummy candies lack the preservatives that store-bought sour gummy candies have, so they are best stored in the refrigerator in a zip-top bag or airtight container.

Tips

  • Most of the Kool-Aid packets are unsweetened and require adding sugar when making the drink, but there are canisters of Kool-Aid powder that contain sugar. Be sure to use an unsweetened version.
  • To make a sugar-free candy, substitute sugar-free Jell-O.
  • Candy molds can be found in most craft or baking stores, or online.
  • If your sour gummy candies are sticking together, you can sprinkle a bit of powdered sugar or cornstarch on them prior to storing to prevent too much sticking.

Not Suitable for Vegetarians

If you are serving your candies to guests, remember that gelatin contains animal by-products and should not be consumed by vegetarians. For a ​vegetarian-friendly alternative, use agar powder in place of the gelatin. Agar powder is a natural thickener made from plants that are safe for vegetarians to consume.