Homemade Jello from scratch (keto, low calorie)
This sugar-free jello is bursting with real berry flavor and so easy to make.
Made with just 3 natural ingredients: berry juice, gelatin, and your chosen sweetener, it’s perfect for a light and healthy summer sweet treat.
Plus, it’s low-calorie, fat-free, and suits most dietary needs (dairy-free, gluten-free).
Best part? No baking required – just follow my instructions and enjoy delicious homemade jello anytime!
The recipe requires:
3 Ingredients
Active cooking time: 10 minutes
Chill time: 4 hours
Total cooking time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Table of Contents
Why you will love this!
- Great way to satisfy your sweet tooth with a healthy treat
- Only natural ingredients, no added sugar, artificial flavoring or artificial dyes
- Low in calories (40 cal) and carbs (6.2 g net carbs), a good choice for weight loss
- Dairy-free, fat-free and gluten-free
- Easy to make
- Just 3 simple ingredients
- Packed with nutrients and antioxidants
- No baking is required, ideal for a hot weather
Sugar-Free Jello Recipe
Ingredients
The ingredient list for this easy recipe includes:
Berry Juice (100% Natural): Choose unsweetened juice without added sugar or artificial ingredients or make your own juice from fresh fruit. Here’s a quick carb guide (per cup serving):
- Lemon Juice/Lime Juice: ~16g net carbs
- Strawberry Juice: ~18g net carbs
- Blueberry Juice: ~23g net carbs
- Cranberry Juice: ~30g net carbs
Plain, Sugar-Free Gelatin: Look for unflavored gelatin packets or sheets in the grocery store. (See instructions below for using gelatin.)
Low-carb sweetener: you can choose between erythritol, allulose, xylitol, monk fruit, or other low-carb sweetener of your choice.
- Paleo Sweetener: use natural sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar if you don’t restrict your carb intake.
Coconut oil/butter (optional) – lightly grease your mold for easy removal.
Equipment
To make homemade jello, you’ll need:
- Small Saucepan
- Whisk
- Mold
- Plastic wrap (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Bloom gelatin
First, we need to bloom gelatin, here is how to do that:
- Powdered Gelatin: Place gelatin granules in a bowl and pour in 150 ml (0.6 cup) of cold water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the gelatin is set.
- Gelatin Sheets: Submerge the sheets in a tall glass of cold water (the amount of water doesn’t matter). Wait until they soften, then gently squeeze out any excess water.
Step 2: Dissolve sweetener, add gelatin
Meanwhile, pour the berry juice into a saucepan and add erythritol. Turn on low heat and stir until the sweetener dissolves completely. Avoid boiling the mixture.
Once the sweetener dissolves, add the bloomed gelatin and stir frequently until it’s completely dissolved. Ensure the berry mixture with gelatin doesn’t boil.
Step 3: Chill jello
Grease the mold with coconut oil, then pour in the jello mixture.
Allow to cool down to room temperature. Then, refrigerate for several hours or until the jello is set. Setting time may vary, but it should be stable within a few hours.
Enjoy delicious homemade sugar-free jello!
Tips for the best results
- Dissolve gelatin in cold or ice water.
- Avoid letting the gelatin mixture boil, high heat breaks down the gelatin’s gelling power.
- Place the form/container in the freezer before adding the berry mixture. This will speed up the gelatin stabilization process.
- Cover the form with plastic wrap to prevent the surface from drying out. This helps to maintain the dessert’s moisture and freshness.
More keto gelatin recipes
Looking for more sugar-free desserts with gelatin? Here are some of my favorites:
FAQ
How to store sugar-free jello?
Store jello in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
What is better for keto diet: jello or gelatin?
For a low-carb diet, gelatin is a much better option than Jello. Here’s why:
- Sugar Content: regular jello mixes typically contain a significant amount of added sugar or artificial sweeteners, significantly spiking your sugar intake and potentially kicking you out of ketosis. Plain gelatin, on the other hand, is sugar-free, making it a clear winner for keeping your blood sugar levels in check, a crucial aspect of the ketogenic diet.
- Additives: Jello mixes often contain artificial colors, flavors, and thickeners. While some brands might offer sugar-free versions, these often include artificial sweeteners that can still affect your ketosis or might not be ideal for everyone on a low carb diet. Plain gelatin has no additives, allowing you more control over your ingredients.
- Protein Content: Gelatin is a source of protein, which can help with satiety and contribute to a healthy diet. This can be beneficial on a keto diet, where feeling full is important for managing cravings.
How Gelatin is beneficial for the health?
- Gelatin can be beneficial for joint, muscle, bone, skin, gut, hair and nail health.
- Gelatin is rich in protein and full of unique amino acids.
- Promotes the production of collagen.
- One tablespoon of gelatin contains 5-6 calories, 0 g carb, 1-2 g protein, 0 g fat.
What else can I use to make jello?
To make homemade jello you can use any liquid you like: electrolyte drink, coffee, tea, milk or even champagne, just follow the instructions and enjoy the result!
Nutritional Information
Sugar-free jello: nutritional information
Servings: 8
Total carbohydrate 6.2 g
Dietary fiber 0 g
Total sugars 6 g
Net carbs 6.2 g
Total fat 0 g
Saturated fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Potassium 33 mg
Disclaimer: The nutritional value provided is based on general information and should not be considered as a substitute for professional dietary advice or medical guidance. The values are derived from reputable sources, such as food databases or nutritional labels, but there may be variations in nutrient content depending on factors such as brand, preparation methods, and serving sizes.
Try these keto desserts next:
Sugar-free Jello
Homemade Sugar-Free Jello! This 3-ingredient healthy treat is bursting with flavor, low in calories, dairy-free & perfect for summer!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup (360 ml) Sugar-free, 100% natural Berry Juice (cranberry/lemon/strawberry/blueberry, etc.*)
- 80-100 g (1/3 cup -1/2 cup) Erythritol, regulate by taste
- 40 g (4 tbsp.) Gelatin sheets or granulated
- 150 ml (0.6 cup) Cold Water
- Coconut oil/butter (optional)
Instructions
1. Bloom the Gelatin:
- Powdered Gelatin: Place gelatin granules in a bowl and pour in 150 ml (0.6 cup) of cold water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the gelatin is set.
- Gelatin Sheets: Submerge the sheets in a tall glass of cold water (the amount of water doesn't matter). Wait until they soften, then gently squeeze out any excess water.
2. Meanwhile, pour the berry juice into a saucepan and add erythritol. Turn on low heat and stir until the sweetener dissolves completely. Avoid boiling the mixture.
3. Once the sweetener dissolves, add the bloomed gelatin and stir frequently until it's completely dissolved. Ensure the berry mixture with gelatin doesn't boil.
4. Grease the mold with coconut oil/butter, then pour in the berry mixture. Allow to cool down to room temperature. Then, refrigerate for several hours or until the jello is set. Setting time may vary, but it should be stable within a few hours. Slice it and enjoy healthy and delicious homemade jello!
Notes
Here are some juices with carb content (per cup serving):
- Lemon Juice/ Lime Juice: 16 g net carbs
- Strawberry Juice: 18 g net carbs
- Blueberry Juice: 23 g net carbs
- Cranberry Juice: 30 g net carb