Are you tired of store-bought jellies loaded with added sugars and artificial ingredients? Look no further! This watermelon jelly recipe will show you how to make your own delicious sugar free jelly at home.
Another great vegan jello recipe that is made with real fruit and naturally colored, is this dragonfruit jelly recipe. Some more dessets made with real fruits include these dragonfruit popsicles or this jackfruit sorbet recipe that doesn't require an ice cream maker! Or, if it's healthier desserts that you love, then why not try my super popular vegan magnum copycat recipe!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Store bought or packaged jelly is often loaded with tons of sugar and artificial sweeteners, which can be undesirable for some! This recipe is naturally sweet and uses fresh watermelon as the main ingredient, offering a healthier alternative.
The recipe can be made without any sugar at all but can be easily adjusted to suit your taste and preferences. I personally like to make this recipe with a very small amount of added sugar because I personally LOVE sweet desserts! The real watermelon juice will already naturally sweeten this dessert and therefore any added sugars are completely up to you! Alternatively, if you want additional sweetness but don't want the added calories, you can use natural sweeteners such as stevia or erythritol.
Not only is this watermelon jelly bursting with flavor, but it's also incredibly simple to make. With just a handful of ingredients and a few easy steps, you'll have a delightful homemade jelly that the whole family will love.
Another reason to love this recipe is that it is 100% vegan and plant based friendly! Traditional jelly uses gelatine, which is the crushed up bones of cows (gross!). Therefore vegan jello is much kinder to animals and our planet, with no comprise on flavour!
And lastly, lets not forget how cool and fun this recipe is! It's the perfect fun recipe to make for a kids party!
Say goodbye to store-bought jellies and give this fun and wholesome watermelon jelly recipe a try!
Benefits of making sugar free jelly
Making your own sugar-free jelly offers numerous benefits. By eliminating added sugars and artificial ingredients, you have full control over the sweetness and quality of the jelly. Lastly, making your own jelly allows you to experiment with different flavors and adjust the sweetness to suit your taste preferences.
Ingredients for watermelon jelly
To make this delightful watermelon jelly, you'll need the following ingredients:
- ½ fresh watermelon
- 2 tablespoon agar agar powder
- ½ cup sugar (can be adjusted to taste or substituted with a natural sweetener like stevia, monk fruit sweetener, or erythritol)
- 1 ¼ cup water (this is make sure the whole watermelon half is filled)
Step-by-step instructions for making watermelon jelly
To make this vegan jello follow these steps:
- Start by removing the flesh of the watermelon and blending it to create juice. Ensure there are no seeds in the juice.
- Pour the watermelon juice through a sieve to extract the fresh juice, leaving behind any pulp or solids.
- In a large pot, combine the watermelon juice, agar agar powder, sugar / natural sweetener (if using), and water. Stir to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Place the pot on the stove over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
- Once the mixture reaches a boil, remove it from the heat and pour it into the empty watermelon shell. This adds a fun and unique touch to the presentation of your jelly.
- Refrigerate the jelly for 3 to 4 hours, allowing it to set completely.
- Once set, slice the jelly into watermelon-shaped pieces, resembling real watermelon slices.
Tips for achieving the perfect consistency
To ensure your watermelon jelly turns out perfectly, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Use fresh, ripe watermelon for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
- Use a seedless watermelon. This will make the process much easier.
- Blend the watermelon thoroughly to extract as much juice as possible.
- Strain the juice to remove any pulp or solids, resulting in a smooth jelly.
- Stir continuously while boiling to prevent lumps from forming.
- Allow the jelly to set for the recommended time to achieve the desired consistency.
Variations and flavor combinations
While this recipe focuses on the deliciousness of watermelon jelly, feel free to experiment with different flavors and combinations. Variations and substitutions include:
- Add freshly squeezed lime juice for a tangy twist. Just be aware that adding ctirus fruits such as lemon or lime will make the jelly set more and you might need less agar agar powder.
- Mix in diced fresh fruits like berries or mango for added texture and flavor. This also adds to the uniqueness and fun look of this recipe!
- Add more or less sugar depending on your tastebuds.
- Instead of adding sugar you can do a 1:1 substitute with stevia powder, erythritol, or monk fruit sweetener.
Storage and shelf life of watermelon jelly
Store your homemade watermelon jelly in an airtight container in the refrigerator. How long the jelly lasts in the fridge is tricky question because clear jelly made with just fruit juice can't really go off. However, because this jelly is attached to the watermelon skin, I recommend that it is eaten within 1 week. This means thast it is good to make ahead of time for an upcoming party etc.
Watermelon Jelly
Ingredients
- ½ watermelon fresh whole watermelon halved
- 2 tablespoon agar agar powder
- 1¼ cup water
- ½ cup sugar optional
Instructions
- Start by removing the flesh of the watermelon and blending it to create juice. Ensure there are no seeds in the juice.
- Pour the watermelon juice through a sieve to extract the fresh juice, leaving behind any pulp or solids.
- In a large pot, combine the watermelon juice, agar agar powder, sugar / natural sweetener (if using), and water. Stir to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Place the pot on the stove over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
- Once the mixture reaches a boil, remove it from the heat and pour it into the empty watermelon shell. This adds a fun and unique touch to the presentation of your jelly.
- Refrigerate the jelly for 3 to 4 hours, allowing it to set completely.
- Once set, slice the jelly into watermelon-shaped pieces, resembling real watermelon slices.
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