These homemade elderberry gummies are a delicious way to access the herbal properties of elderberries. Elderberry gummies are easy to make, especially if you already have elderberry syrup on hand. Kids and adults both love them!
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Everything Elderberry Book
This recipe for elderberry gummies comes from the book Everything Elderberry by Susannah Shmurak of Healthy Green Savvy.
Everything Elderberry is an excellent book that gives you all the information you would ever want to know about this amazing plant.
It includes information on how to grow and forage elderberries, along with plenty of elderberry recipes for food and herbal support.
Get more winter wellness recipes for teas, infusions, syrups, honey ferments, oxymels, and gummies in my ebook Herbal Immune Support: Homemade Recipes for Wellness!
Elderberry Gummies Recipe
This recipe for elderberry gummies is simple to make and comes together quickly.
It uses elderberry syrup as the base, so you will need to have that on hand before you begin.
Either store-bought or homemade elderberry syrup will work. If you use store-bought try to get one that is made with real honey rather than sugar, like this one from Honey Gardens.
You will also need grass fed gelatin, which contains more nutrients than regular gelatin.
If you are a vegetarian or vegan, you can use agar agar powder instead of gelatin, but you will need to adjust the amount.
This recipe calls for juice without any added sugar. I used organic apple juice, but pomegranate or cherry work well too.
If you would like more potent gummies you can use all elderberry syrup and omit the juice, but keep that in mind when you go to use them as they will be stronger.
The last thing that is nice to have is gummy bear molds (or other fun shapes) and a dropper. I used this gummy mold set with various animals and worms.
My 3 year old thought the worms were the coolest!
You don’t have to use gummy molds though, the mixture can also be poured into a pan and cut into squares or other shapes.
Make the Elderberry Gummies Mix
First, if you are using gummy molds, get them ready by putting them on a baking sheet that will fit in the refrigerator.
Sprinkle the gelatin over the juice and allow it to sit for a few minutes to hydrate.
Warm the elderberry syrup in a pot over low heat. You want it hot but not boiling.
Add the gelatin and juice mixture to the syrup, whisking until completely dissolved.
When the gelatin has completely dissolved, remove it from the heat and let it sit to cool slightly for a few minutes before putting it into the molds.
Don’t let it sit for too long or it will start to firm up.
Fill the Gummy Molds
If you are using small gummy molds, a dropper works best to fill them, but you do need to work fairly quickly as the mixture will start to firm up as it cools.
If you have a steady hand or are using larger molds you can also try pouring the mixture directly into the molds.
Instead of using molds, you can also pour the mixture into a parchment lined pan and cut out squares or other shapes after it has set up.
Refrigerate the Elderberry Gummies
Put the elderberry gummies into the refrigerator for about an hour or until they are set.
Pop the gummies out of the mold, or cut them into shapes if you poured the mixture into a pan.
Store the gummies in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
How to Use Elderberry Gummies
Studies have shown that elderberries have a significant effect on reducing the duration of colds and their associated symptoms. These elderberry gummies are delicious and are a convenient way to incorporate this helpful herb when you need it.
Depending on the size of your gummies, take 1-3 per day as needed.
A small child will only need 1-2 gummies per day. Kids love them!
Elderberries contain polyphenols and lectins, which have been shown to give them the ability to inhibit coronaviruses. Although further studies are needed, the antiviral properties of elderberries have also been linked to reducing the duration of influenza.
Elderberry works best in this situation and really shouldn’t be taken daily as a preventative.
For that reason I only make these gummies during times when I think we will need them. They are easy to make and come together quickly as long as you already have all of the ingredients.
Elderberry popsicles are a better choice to always have on hand as they will last for months in the freezer.
Another option is to make elderberry syrup and freeze a portion of it, then you will have some ready to use when needed.
More Elderberry Recipes
Here are some more things you can make with elderberries and elderberry syrup!
- Elderberry Tincture
- Elderberry Popsicles
- Fermented Elderberry Honey
- Fermented Elderberry Soda
- Elderberry Mead
- Elderberry Cocktail
- Elderberry Kombucha
For even more elderberry recipes, see my post with 70+ Elderberry Recipes & Remedies for Food & Health!
Homemade Elderberry Gummies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp grass fed gelatin
- 1/2 cup room temperature juice no sugar added apple, pomegranate, or cherry work well
- 1/2 cup elderberry syrup
Instructions
- If you are using gummy molds, get them ready by putting them on a baking sheet that will fit in the refrigerator.
- Sprinkle the gelatin over the juice and allow it to sit for a few minutes to hydrate.
- Warm the elderberry syrup in a pot over low heat. You want it hot but not boiling.
- Add the gelatin and juice mixture to the syrup, whisking until completely dissolved.
- When the gelatin has completely dissolved, remove it from the heat and let it sit to cool slightly for a few minutes before putting it into the molds. Don’t let it sit for too long or it will start to firm up.
- Fill the gummy molds using a dropper or by carefully pouring the mixture.
- Put the elderberry gummies into the refrigerator for about an hour or until they are set.
- Pop the gummies out of the mold and store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- If you would like more potent gummies you can use all elderberry syrup and omit the juice, but keep that in mind when you go to use them as they will be stronger.
- If you are vegetarian or vegan you can use agar agar powder instead of gelatin, but you will need to adjust the amount (read the label on the package).
- Instead of using gummy molds, you can also pour the mixture into a parchment lined pan and cut out squares or other shapes after it has set up.
- Depending on the size of your gummies, take 1-3 per day when you are feeling sick or after potentially being exposed to an illness. A small child will only need 1-2 gummies per day.
- This recipe for elderberry gummies comes from the book Everything Elderberry by Susannah Shmurak of Healthy Green Saavy.
What would need to be added to give them a shelf life instead of keeping in refrigerator I wonder?
I’m really not sure, sorry!
Hi there, these look great! Could I use all elderberry syrup instead of adding juice? Just don’t have any in hand, so was curious if anyone has tried it that way with success?
It may be too thick. I would just use water in place of juice, if needed.
Hi – Do you know if I can substitue chokecherry syrup instead of elderberry? Thanks!
Of course!
I can’t wait to share this with my daughter who wants to convert my elderberry syrup to gummies for the children.
But I would like to share a warning. While the preschoolers had no problems with the gummies, my baby granddaughter (1 or 2 yrs) popped a worm into her mouth and it completely filled her airway. Luckily when she started choking, my daughter could reach the end still in her mouth and was able to pull it out.
Please, use the smaller gummies for very young, or cut up larger ones.
For children, this looks nice and it’s also nice. Here’s another reason to treat children and family.
Can these be frozen to last longer?
Sure, that should work fine!