These Homemade Probiotic Gummies with collagen are made with only 5 ingredients. A gut-healthy treat that are great for both kids and adults! Use different kombucha flavors and create fun shapes to make these collagen gummies even more fun!
Gut Healing Gummies
Have you jumped on the kombucha train yet? The popularity of these probiotic-rich drinks has exploded over the last few years, and I’m not complaining at all! After all, with recipes like Citrus Kombucha Mezcal Cocktails and Homemade Fruit Kvass, it’s pretty clear I’ve been on board with this trend for years. In fact, I keep my fridge well-stocked with various kombuchas for all to enjoy! While I love these drinks, I know not everyone is a fan, especially kids.
To me, this is a shame because of how beneficial they are for our gut health! So, to make it easier for everyone to optimize their digestion, I created homemade gummies with probiotics! Not only do these collagen gummies contain probiotics, but they’re also made with gelatin for gut health. Plus, they can be made with a wide variety of flavors and shaped any way you’d like, making them super fun to eat! Who knew health could be both fun and tasty? Keep reading to learn more!
What are Probiotics?
So, you know that probiotics are good for you, but do you actually know what they are? Probiotics are live bacteria that exist in the gut. Contrary to what you might think upon hearing bacteria, probiotics are actually very beneficial and help regulate your microbiome. Put more simply, probiotics help regulate digestion. Read more about what they are and how they work here!
Health Benefits
Probiotics work to fight off bad bacteria in the gut and regulate digestion. As a result, their benefits include (Source):
- Preventing symptoms of Irritable Bowel Disease
- Preventing eczema in children
- Reducing symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Ingredients for Probiotic Gummies
Unlike other probiotic gummies for adults that are full of added sugars and fillers, these homemade gummies are made with 5 simple, natural ingredients that come together to create a light and refreshing flavor while also helping to heal your gut!
- Gelatin Powder – Using beef gelatin is crucial! Collagen hydrolysate or peptide powders will not allow the gummies to gel, meaning you’ll be left with just a puddle.
More on Gelatin – Consuming it in our diets can help form connective tissue in the body and provide elasticity in the skin. (Source) While we can make some of the amino acids found in the protein ourselves, it’s often not enough. As a result, it is common to supplement gelatin in meals.
- Kombucha – There are endless different types and flavors of kombucha to try. Any flavor you like best will work! Note – See below or recipe card for a substitute!
Nutrition Tip – Sugar is essential for the fermentation process of kombucha, but be sure to read the nutrition label of the kombucha you use! Some brands pack hefty doses of sugar well beyond the amount needed for fermentation. As a general rule of thumb, I aim to select options with 4-8 grams of sugar per serving.
- Berries – Raspberries or strawberries work best, but any fruit that can easily be pureed can be used, too. I would avoid using any kind of fruit with a core such as apples or pears.
- Sweeteners and Substitutes: For slightly sweeter gummies, substitute 1 cup of kombucha with pineapple juice. Or, replace the kombucha altogether with 2 cups of pineapple juice and 1-2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar! Adjust the amount of pineapple juice to suit your taste buds.
Nutrition Tip – Pineapple contains enzymes known as Bromelain which have been shown to reduce pain and swelling, reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis, improve digestion, and more! Read more here.
- Optional Honey – Similar to pineapple juice, honey adds an extra layer of sweetness to this recipe. Plus, the antioxidants help boost the nutritional value even more!
Why Gelatin is Good for You
- Improved Digestion – Glycine found in gelatin helps restore mucosal lining in the stomach which helps balance the amount of digestive enzymes and stomach acid. This helps prevent reflux, bloating, and indigestion.
- Protects Joints – Supplementing gelatin in your diet can help offset the effects of eroding collagen in the body. This reduces inflammation and lessens symptoms of arthritis.
- Improves Sleep – Research has shown that gelatin helps prevent feelings of sleepiness during the day while also improving the ability to fall asleep and quality of sleep achieved. (Source)
- Improved Cognition – The amino acids in gelatin act similarly to antidepressants working to boost mental clarity, creating a sense of calmness, and lower stress hormones.
- Improved Heart Health – Gelatin neutralizes the effects of methionine, a type of amino acid found in animal sources. Although beneficial in high amounts, high levels of methionine can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Therefore, by consuming gelatin, you can mitigate its negative side effects while reaping its benefits!
Collagen vs. Gelatin
Although they are often confused and provide many of the same benefits, collagen and gelatin are not the same things.
Collagen: Often referred to as “glue,” collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and helps form connective tissue, making tissue strong and resilient. (Source)
Gelatin: Also found in the body, gelatin is a cooked form of collagen.
How to Make Probiotic Gummies
I feel like people often assume that making homemade gummies is difficult to do or requires a million strange ingredients, but that couldn’t be any further from the truth! I’ll prove it with the simple steps below.
- Combine. To begin, combine the kombucha and fruit juice in a blender along with honey and fruit, and blend them until they are smooth and well-combined. Adjust the taste as desired, adding more or less fruit depending on how sweet you want your gummies.
Pro-Tip: If you don’t have a blender, puree the fruit with a food processor or hand blender, and combine it with the other ingredients.
- Heat. Place the blended mixture in a small saucepan, and heat it over medium-low heat until it starts to simmer.
Baking Tip: Do not let the mixture come to a boil! You want the water to be just warm enough to dissolve the gelatin. If it becomes too warm it will caramelize the honey, causing it to clump with the gelatin.
- Scatter. Whisking constantly, scatter the gelatin powder over the fruit and kombucha mixture. If the gelatin begins to clump after being added, transfer it back to the blender (or use an immersion blender), and blend the ingredients until they are smooth again.
- Blend. Add the probiotic mixture back to the saucepan, and heat it on low for another minute.
- Mold. Pour the mixture into molds of your choice or a lined baking dish.
- Chill. Place the gummy mixture in the fridge to chill for 2 hours. Or, pop it in the freezer for 30 minutes to harden. Just make sure to thaw them before consuming!
Fun Shapes and Sizes
For this recipe, we made both cubes and bears, but feel free to experiment with different shapes and sizes! To do so, use molds, baking tins, ice cube trays, and more. A few of my favorite tools include:
Secret Tips for Better Gummies
Hydrate the Gelatin. To prevent the gelatin from clumping in the gummy mixture, try hydrating it first. To do so, mix it with a cool liquid such as water or juice before adding it to the saucepan.
Work Quickly. As soon as the gelatin begins to cool, it will start to set. So, be sure to work quickly! I like to have my molds next to me so I don’t have to waste time preparing them once the gelatin mixture is ready.
Avoid Protease. Certain foods such as mango, papaya, figs, and guava contain a protein enzyme known as protease that could prevent the gelatin from gelling. If using these fruits, try cooking them first! Learn more about the process here.
Common Questions
Given that these gummies are made without preservatives, it’s best to store them in an airtight container either at room temperature or in the fridge.
Technically, no. However, for longer-lasting probiotic gummies for adults, you can keep them in the fridge for up to 2-3 weeks (versus 2-3 days).
To keep your gummies from sticking together once stored, lightly coat them in cornstarch or potato starch before adding them to a sealable bag or container.
Gut-Healthy Homemade Gummies Recipe
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These homemade gummies are made with kombucha and fresh fruit for an easy snack that is nutritious and gut-friendly!
Ingredients
- 2 cups kombucha or 1 cup kombucha + 1 cup pineapple juice (or other juice of choice) *See notes for kombucha substitutes
- ⅓ – ½ cup honey
- 1 cup raspberries or strawberries
- 8 Tablespoons grass-fed gelatin powder (See notes)
Instructions
- Combine the kombucha and/or fruit juice in a blender with the fruit and honey. Blend until the ingredients are well-combined. (See notes)
- Place the blended mixture in a small saucepan.
- Heat the mixture over medium-low heat until it starts to simmer. Do not let it come to a boil!
- Scatter the gelatin over the mixture, whisking continuously. If the mixture starts to clump after adding all of the gelatin, transfer it back to the blender (or use an immersion blender), and blend until combined.
- Return the mixture back to the saucepan, and heat on low for another minute.
- Working quickly but gently, pour the kombucha and collagen mixture into molds or a lined brownie baking dish.
- Place the mixture in the fridge to chill for 2 hours, or place it in the freezer for 30 minutes or until it is hardened.
- Once hardened, pop the gummies out of the molds. Or, if using a baking dish, flip it over on a cutting board, and slice gummies into 1-inch cubic squares.
- These gummies are best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
For a kombucha-free option, replace the kombucha with pineapple juice and 1-2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar.
Do not use collagen hydrolysate or peptides as they will not gel. Make sure you are using grass-fed beef gelatin or collagen.
No blender? Use an immersion blender instead.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- chill time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 7.2 g
- Sodium: 4.5 mg
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11.1 g
- Fiber: 0.9 g
- Protein: 0.9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
how many of these should you eat? my 3 year old is suffering from constipation. Rather than buy fiver gummies I wanted to try a homemade alternative. Should she eat 1 or 2 a day like fiber gummies or is this a snack she should eat a handful each day like you would get in a fruit snack package. Thank you.
Great question! I would say 3 gummies for kids. Have you tried my digest pudding for constipation?
Are you able to use regular gelatin packets? or is there a vegan corn free option?
Do you mean like jello gelatin packs?
These are great! Would adding a squeeze of lemon/lime be enough citric acid/act as a preservative to have these last longer??
Not sure! That’s a great question. I would keep them in fridge to last longer. Hope that helps!
But doesn’t cooking the Kombucha kill all the probiotics?
Slightly yes, but not all of it. YOu can add a probiotic capsule (the inside of it) to the batter before molding if you’d like!
Fantastic! Who knew how easy these are to make! Love them.
What an absolute treat these are! Loved this idea so much and will continue to make them.
So glad! What flavor did you make?
I can’t believe I was nervous to make these. They are SO simple to make and yummy too!
Right? I agree!
I am SO glad I found this post! We bought some gummy bear molds around the holidays and had so much fun making a batch. I am so tickled to have found your recipes to make healthy versions. My daughter and I will have lots of fun with these. Thank you!
Oh fun! What flavor did she try?
Why don’t you use the regular water in your pan to heat the gelatin?
That’s so smart! I love the idea of having all those things together in something like jello that seems like a tasty snack! Here’s a couple articles on probiotics and gut health that have been helpful to me in dealing with my adrenal fatigue:
https://www.drlam.com/blog/microbiome-gut-flora/23823/
https://www.drlam.com/blog/healthy-microbiome-adrenal-fatigue-part-1/21862/
https://www.drlam.com/blog/benefits-from-probiotics/5702/
I can’t wait to try this. Thank you for sharing. What can I use instead of the Kombucha? I’m on a sugar free diet and are not allowed fermented foods. Thank you.
Try it with sparking lemon or raspberry water. That works too!
You are just a wealth of knowledge, and I love that about you. I’m also incredible grateful for my stomach of steel. Actually I call him Poncho the Paunch. I think I’ll thank him today for being so rock solid for me.
You are such a great sharer!!!! So helpful for so many!!!!!! Easy recipe too! 🙂
I need to try this!
Ah – this post makes me wish I liked jello! But a fabulous reminder to start rotating bone broth in my diet again – it has been on my radar for years now, but I have yet to make it a regular part of my diet.
yum! this does look really good! i actually made jello the other day for the first time in years. this looks better. and way healthier lol
This recipe looks great, thanks for sharing it!
I learn something every time I read your blog. I, sadly, don’t pay as much attention to my food/nutrition as I should. You are definitely making me reconsider.
one day at a time we learn, and it totally depends on what’s “healthy” for us, ya know?
You are quite clever with this one. I haven’t made jello in forever but I did just by the green great lakes gelatin! I’ve just been adding it to smoothies, water and oatmeal but other ways that I can use it?
the green one does dissolve in everything, which means you can use it in a lot! smoothies, coffee, yogurt, baking, etc. it’s a nutritional PERK for sure! The red can will make jellies for you.
Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes and I are constantly having a manage a trois. I have to say that it’s 50/50 when it comes to fun… Ha!
You are brilliant. I just recently started playing around with gelatin, and I’m kind of in love with it… even more so now that you so kindly informed me that it’s good for gut health. I would have never thought to make a jello with kombucha, but I’m tempted to try it out!
Kombucha? In jello?! Why didn’t I think of that 🙂 I had no idea jello was so good for your insides, I guess you really do learn something new everyday.
we love these too for gut health!! and love this recipe we will have to try it out!!
thanks for the link too 🙂 xoxo
i’ve been using glutamine lately but would really love to try that gelatin!
oh you would love! L-glutamine is great for gut lining but i find gelatin is what really helps soothe as well.
I am on amazon buying the gelatin right now so I can make this. I heart you, bro.
Love me some Jello!! I feel like I learn something new every time I read your posts!
Also, I was tested for parasites last week and came back NEGATIVE…so I still don’t know what’s wrong with me. Doc wanted to start with parasite testing and then go from there…Next appointment isn’t for two weeks so it’ll be a struggle but hopefully I find out soon! 🙂
That gelatin has everything I should be eating in it haha MAKING ASAP.
oh go for it! then report back, k?
Love this! The Jello looks YUM! I’ve never really experimented much with gut health supplements – mostly because I haven’t had many issues with it. But, I’m sure I could always help it out since like you said, our world isn’t perfect.
I have yet to get on the gelatin bandwagon but I know I should! Think we can get Bill Crosby to do a Jiggler commercial for you!?
Woo hoo to this post!! Drinking Kombucha, slowly down my body tells me to instead of ignore the “exhaustion” signs & sleeping 8-10 hours!
love that! xxoo rest up mama!
I make my own gelatin with that too! I have never thought to use emergen’c though. I do have some packets at work, and will definitely bring them home next time I actually go in to work. 😀
do it! and report back, mmm k?
I read about how healthy gelatin can be for skin, hair and nails this weekend and was looking for a recipe!
You know I LOVE everything about this post! Gut health is so important. Bone broth was a game-changer for me in my health journey, but we don’t always want soup in the middle of summer 😉 This looks like a fantastic recipe my friend! xo
“Our “humanness” can get in the way proper gut health” – I so agree – but reading Hippocrates quote leaves me thinking my knee joint pain started in ma gut??? Wait – but gelatin can help with that too! I so need this in ma life – thanks Lindsay!
totally could be! knee pain is a sign of weak liver, well according to Chinese medicine
I keep wanting to experiment with gelatin. Brilliant with the Emergen-C jello. 🙂 LOVE YA FRIEND!
i knew you’d love!! so good!
You are a genius!
This is great Lindsay. I bought some gelatin and had no idea how to use it. I had intentions to make some gut-healthy jello.
perfect! get jiggin! haha
I don’t do gelatin, but I’m glad that you found a combination that works for you. I do need to get on the kombucha bandwagon though.
i use agar agar sometimes too! i love it!
Thanks for the tip Lindsay. I so rarely make anything that needs gelatin that I’ve never tried agar agar. I’m going to look into it.
What a cute t-shirt (#runner)! Where did you find that?
i actually got it for pavement runner! he sells them!
I had NO CLUE that gelatin was good for gut health… I need to make this, stat!
Sounds great–I’d love to try this! Can you clarify the recipe though? There’s no mention of when to add the Emergen-C or the stevia. Also, the ingredients list calls for one cup water….is it really two cups? Thanks!
I’ll clarify that, thx for noticing! Whoops! Yes I’d add another cup water for more than 2 tbsp gelatin. Add the emergenc to cold water mix then add stevia if desired. Let me know if that helps?
This is great! Plus any excuse to get Kombucha just works for me!
you are a wealth of knowledge! vaca is over…kombu brewing time!!
must try this!! perfect post for today when my brain is on gut health :)! i need to get some more gelatin anyway. i might just have to add quercetin to my order – never tried it before.
Never knew this about gelatin. I did start to incorporate the adrenal supplements you recommended a few times a week & have noticed much improvement I’m my fatigue level.
That’s Awesome! glad they are helping!
Love it! I’ve been curious about gelatin but have yet to purchase any. I drink kombucha daily and bone broth occasionally. I need to get better about that one, too 🙂
oh you will love jacyln!
I’ve used Quercetin for other reasons, didn’t know it had a “gut” function too — cool
That’s such a great quote, and I LOVED your post for Jill! Something most people don’t know much about- it’s certainly not coming from our doctors.
Jello reminds me of being a kid. I like the sounds of this grown-up version!
Girl, this is such a coincidence because I was playing with gelatin this weekend too! I’m posting the recipe for some L-glutamine infused gummies on Wednesday, and unfortunately I couldn’t get Great Lakes gelatin like you (well, I can Amazon it but it’s spendy!) but found an organic brand that I think is the next best thing. Great post!
oh i can’t wait for you recipe!! love the L-glutamine addition
Very interesting stuff! I haven’t been much into gut health per say but worth a shot!
i use the jello for post workout! Justin would love!
I really am with you on that Hippocrates statement. Yes it is bold but I think there is so much research now to support this as true. It is so important to heal our guts. I am STILL in the process of doing this and to be honest I think it is a daily on going commitment and process. Like you said there are parts that are out of our control like the environment we can do as much as we can 🙂 Also stress is such a big factor – I think half my gut problems stem from being a little bit of a stress head! – Hello yoga and meditation!! 🙂
Recipe looks awesome – I have not used gelatin yet but I hear the benefits are brilliant!!
totally! stress these days is so out of control, but by our control!
I SO agree that the gut’s health is the top priority!
It was amazing when I FINALLY stopped taking laxatives and my gut recovered, how MUCH my overall health increased.
LOLOLOL.
Ask my mum what she requested me to bring packages of when I returned from America. Emergen-C’s. She thing’s its like liquid gold or something. I need to read more into gelatin- I’ve been hearing great things!
dude! i have a ton!!! i can send her some
You know I love this! Honestly, my gut has never been happier 🙂
and that makes me happy!
Well that’s pretty darn clever. I honestly don’t take anything for anything. You have provided so much information and so many recipe and cocktail ideas here on the bloggie; I need to take a weekend and just brainstorm with all of it. 😀
Forreal, the gut has been considered the source of most ailments, including ones personality or fate, for the longest time! This is something that is so interesting to me.
http://katerinamichouli.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/personality-and-individual-differences.gif
let me know if you brainstorm anymore! I’m always interested in more gut health!
OHMIGAWD!!!!! This looks amazing, easy to make, good for you and dare I say my kids might eat it! This just made my day. I need to find supplies so I can make pronto.
you would love! i had it for breakfast. LOL