This post is sponsored by the National Watermelon Board.
Homemade Sour Watermelon Fruit Chews. Gummies better known as “yummies” at our house are my toddler’s favorite food group.
And you should also know that he does not discriminate when it comes to yummies.
He gets excited about his gummy vitamins every morning, but to his frustration he can only have two… because ya know, toxicity. So this good mom found all the types of yummies… omega 3s, probiotics, vitamin D, multivitamin, you see, so he gets a handful now.
Hey, I’ll take what I can get and if he gets excited about taking his vitamins in the morning, and I’ll count that as a mom win.
He takes after me in that he LOVES sour candy, so when I set out to make homemade gummies I knew I had to make them sour. Little did I know at the time that this recipe for Homemade Sour Watermelon Fruit Chews would be a labor of love.
Seriously though, I’ve made this one over and over and over again to get it right. There are so many bad recipes out there for gummies on the inter webs, y’all. But this one works and tastes good! Scouts honor.
Aren’t they so pretty too?! And the pretty pink color is all thanks to watermelon juice. I love this recipe because you can make it year around. If watermelons aren’t in your market or if you want to keep this super simple, pick up watermelon juice found in the produce aisle…. most stores carry it now!
Making Homemade Sour Watermelon Fruit Chews is also a great way to use the whole watermelon IMHO! Juice your watermelon in a blender and then run it through a fine mesh sieve to extract the juice.
You can totally buy fruit chews made with fruit juice at the store, but I always love making our favorite processed snacks at home because then I know exactly what’s in our food and can make them our own!
Now that I’ve perfected this recipe for Homemade Sour Watermelon Fruit Chews…pretty sure I’m going to be making yummies on repeat.
More Watermelon Recipes to Love
Watermelon Pomegranate Salsa
Gyro Bowls with Pickled Watermelon Rind
Watermelon Oatmeal Smoothie + VIDEO
Watermelon Breakfast Pizza
Watermelon Cucumber Salad
PBJ Crumble Bars
Honey Lime Grilled Fruit Skewers
Homemade Sour Watermelon Fruit Chews
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 64+ standard sized gummies 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup 100% watermelon juice
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup gelatin
- 1 teaspoon citric acid (optional but recommended if you want a good sour flavor)
Instructions
- In small sauce pot heat watermelon juice, lemon juice and honey over medium low heat until starting to simmer.
- Working in small batches, sprinkle gelatin over warm juice and whisk until incorporated.
- Continue adding gelatin until all is mixed together; stir in citric acid. Reduce heat to low.
- Place silicone gummy molds on a baking sheet and carefully pour juice mixture into molds, use dropper if you wish. Be sure to remove air bubbles– see note below.
- For a quicker fill method, pour mixture into measuring cup with spout and slowly fill molds; remove any excess by using offset spatula and scraping across top of gummies in sweeping motion.
- Once molds are filled, place in freezer for 10 minutes until set. Remove gummies from molds and store in airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. Keep in refrigerator for longer shelf life.
Notes
I used 1 cup watermelon juice for pink chews and 3/4 watermelon juice + 1/4 concord grape juice for red chews.
Try to remove any air bubbles in when you pour mixture into molds by popping with finger or squeezing them back up into dropper. Using dropper will likely create more air bubbles. Although a little messier, the pour/spatula method requires less effort and will produce fewer air bubbles.
Hi Iโm Kristina LaRue, RD (registered dietitian nutritionist), Peloton addict and mama to two active and hungry boys. On Love & Zest, you’ll find healthy-ish recipes that fuel the whole family. I’m all about veggie-filled breakfast, meal prep recipes, healthier sweets, and easy weeknight dinners made in the Instant Pot or sheet pan.
Did you make one of my recipes?? Leave a review in the comments and tag @loveandzest #loveandzest on Instagram!
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Matt Freund says
These look so good. I love gummi bears too. This is a definate have to try on my list. Thanks for the great recipe.
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Riddhima Nair says
O my goodness! this all looks so amazing, thanks for sharing.
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Kristina LaRue, RD, CSSD says
thank you! hope you give them a try!
Cara says
When you say you can juice the whole watermelon….?
Kristina LaRue, RD, CSSD says
You can put watermelon flesh in blender and puree it, then I would strain it to remove some of the fiberous pulp.
Lindsey says
I have eczema so I have to watch what I eat so I avoid flare-ups but this looks lovely and safe to eat so I’m going to give it a try.
★★★★★
Kristina LaRue, RD, CSSD says
hope you enjoy them!
Deryn says
Well, these are just too cute!! I’ve never tried making my own gummies but it looks pretty easy and fun!
Tina says
The colors are soooo vibrant and striking! I want to make these now! Thanks for such a great recipe!
★★★★★
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
I’m not afraid to admit as an adult that I look forward to taking my chewy vits every morning too!! Haha, I always want more than I’m allowed as well! Loving these homemade chews, I would definitely grab a couple handfuls! They’re so cute and I adore anything sour, so these are right up my street!
Diana says
Mold*
Diana says
Hi, what mould did you use? Would love to see it please as I want to make these for my niece and nephew.
Veena Azmanov says
Wow it looks so cute. I really like! I definitely want to try this! Thanks for sharing this beautiful recipe!
★★★★★
Traci says
Wow! Never knew how easy these were to make! I need to grab my neighbor kids and do a kitchen project with them, and this could be it! Thanks for the inspiration ๐
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Brian Jones says
They look amazing, I never even considered making my own gummi bears at home, my head is now spinning with all the possibilities!
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Rebecca | Let's Eat Cake says
Oh my goodness. These are adorable!!!! And they sound so good! I love anything sour ๐
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