These homemade elderberry gummies are a simple, kid-friendly way to support your family’s immune system—without the struggle of taking syrup. Made using elderberry syrup and just a few wholesome ingredients, this easy recipe turns a traditional immune booster into a fun, chewable treat kids actually enjoy. Perfect for busy families, these elderberry gummies come together quickly and are a great option during cold and flu season.
Why You’ll Love These Homemade Elderberry Gummies
These homemade elderberry gummies are kid-friendly and easy to take, making them a stress-free way to support immunity—especially for little ones who resist traditional syrups. Because they’re made from real elderberry syrup, you still get all the familiar benefits you trust, just in a more enjoyable form. Perfect for busy families, this recipe comes together quickly, stores well in the fridge, and makes it easy to keep an immune-boosting routine going even on your busiest days.
Benefits of Elderberry Gummies for Kids
Many families turn to elderberry gummies for immune-supporting benefits during cold and flu season. While research is still emerging, elderberry has been used traditionally to support respiratory wellness and contains vitamins and antioxidants that are part of a healthy diet. Turning your homemade elderberry syrup into gummies makes it easier for kids to take consistently — especially when compared with tart syrup or pills — and offers a gentler alternative to many store-bought supplements.
Key Benefits
- Immune-Boosting Support During Cold and Flu Season
Some clinical trials suggest that elderberry extracts may help reduce the duration and severity of cold and influenza symptoms when taken early, shortening how long people feel sick. - High in Antioxidants & Nutrients
Elderberries are rich in vitamin C and plant antioxidants like anthocyanins, which help neutralize free radicals — compounds that can wear down the immune system over time. - Gentle Alternative to Store-Bought Supplements
Making gummies from your own elderberry syrup lets you control what goes into them — avoiding added fillers, artificial ingredients, and unknown dosages often found in commercial products. This makes them especially appealing for families looking for a more wholesome option. - Why Gummies Are Easier Than Elderberry Syrup
Kids often resist bitter or sour syrups, especially during busy mornings or school days. Gummies are familiar, chewable, and typically more enjoyable for little tastebuds — meaning you’re more likely to see consistent use. - Antioxidant & Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Elderberry compounds like anthocyanins have shown antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in lab studies, which support overall cellular health
NOTE: It is not recommended for children under 1 years old to consume honey, which is often in elderberry syrup. Also please note that I am not a medical professional nor is this intended to be medical advice.
How to Make Elderberry Gummies From Syrup
Supplies
- Gummy molds of choice. We love the high-quality silicone gummy molds from The Bulk Barn. The moulds we use hold 1 tsp or 1/2 a tsp exactly which makes dosing easier to figure out. Dino Gummy Moulds
- 2-cup liquid measuring cup
- Small saucepan or pot
- Droppers or a mini baster (our gummy molds came with a handy dropper!)
- Baking sheet, tray, or platter large enough to hold the gummy molds, but small enough to fit in the refrigerator
The amount of bears you’ll get from this elderberry gummies recipe depends on the molds you use. The recipe yields about
1 1/2 cups of liquid total. That will fill just over 6 of these fun Dino Gummy Moulds.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup of elderberry syrup, either homemade or store bought. See our easy step-by-step elderberry syrup recipe here, or buy our favorite organic elderberry syrup here. At least 1/4 cup of the elderberry syrup must be cool or cold, so refrigerate some as needed.
- 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp) of gelatin powder, such as this high-quality grass fed gelatin. To make vegan elderberry gummies, you can substitute with 4 to 5 teaspoons of agar agar powder instead (though most elderberry syrup also contains honey).
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice will help extend the shelf life. However, if you use lemon juice, I recommend adding honey to help sweeten the gummies.
- 2 tablespoons of raw organic local honey this will help to reduce the bitterness from the lemon juice and make the gummies sweeter.
Instructions
1) Prepare Supplies
- First, get all of your supplies and ingredients out and ready. Once the elderberry syrup is mixed with gelatin and removed from the heat, it will start to set – so you’ll want to be prepared to work fairly quick!
- If you are using silicone gummy molds, put them on a baking sheet, platter, or tray that will fit inside the refrigerator. This makes it much easier to move the otherwise floppy molds once they’re full of liquid.
2) Gently Heat Elderberry Syrup and Water
- Add 1 cup of elderberry syrup in a small pot on the stovetop on medium-low heat.
- Do not use all of elderberry syrup; reserve 1/4 cup for the next step.
- Do not boil the mixture. Heat until very warm, but not boiling.
3) Mix Gelatin
- In a separate small bowl or a 2-cup glass measuring cup, mix 1/4 cup gelatin powder with the remaining 1/4 cup of cold or cool elderberry syrup. Stir until combined. Allow the thick paste to sit for a few minutes.
- This process is called “blooming” or activating the gelatin, and should be done with cool liquid, not hot. It helps to fully dissolve the gelatin and ensure the final mixture doesn’t have lumps.
- If you’re using agar agar, skip this step and mix it directly into the hot elderberry syrup and water (or juice) mixture on the stove.
4) Combine
- Next, combine the hot (not boiling*) elderberry syrup and water with the gelatin mixture. You can do this in the pot on the stovetop, or pour the content of the pot right into the glass measuring cup with the gelatin.
- Stir or whisk until the mixture is completely smooth.
- Finally, add the lemon juice, honey and stir well.
*NOTE: Boiling gelatin can deactivate or ruin it’s gelling abilities.
5) Pour and Refrigerate
- While it is still warm, carefully pour the mixture into your gummy molds, filling each cavity to the top. Using a dropper or mini baster helps a lot!
- If the mixture starts to set, I found it helps to place the glass measuring cup (or small bowl) inside a bowl of hot water to keep it warm while I work.
- Transfer the baking sheet of gummy molds to the refrigerator to chill for an hour or two, or until they become firm.
- Now pop them out of the molds and enjoy your homemade elderberry gummies! See storage tips below.
Storage
Store your homemade elderberry gummies in the refrigerator in an air tight container, such as a glass food storage container with a tight-fitting lid. If left at out room temperature, gelatin can soften, degrade or spoil.
To prevent them from sticking together, store the gummies in single layers between parchment paper or waxed paper. See notes about use and serving size below.
Shelf Life
How long do homemade elderberry gummies last?
When stored under ideal conditions (in the fridge in an air-tight container), homemade elderberry gummies will stay good for about two weeks. Adding acidic lemon juice and fruit juice can help extend their shelf life by a week or two. Discard if mold develops.
More Immune-Boosting Recipes You’ll Love
Equipment
- Gummy molds of choice
- glass measuring cup
- small sauce pan
- dropper or mini baster
- cookie sheet
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups Homemade Elderberry Syrup ¼ cup needs to be cold
- ¼ cup Beef or lard gelatin use 5 tsp of agar agar to make vegan gummies
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Get all your supplies out and ready, and place the gummy molds on a baking sheet or tray that will fit inside the refrigerator.
- Put 1 cup of elderberry syrup in a small pot on the stovetop on medium-low heat. Heat, but do not boil.
- In a separate small bowl or a 2-cup glass measuring cup, mix 1/4 cup gelatin powder with the remaining 1/4 cup of cold or cool elderberry syrup. Stir until combined. (If you're using agar powder, skip this step and mix it directly into the hot elderberry syrup on the stove.)
- Next, combine the hot (not boiling) elderberry syrup with the gelatin mixture. You can do this in the pot on the stovetop, or pour the contents of the pot right into the glass measuring cup with the gelatin. Stir or whisk until the mixture is completely smooth.
- Add lemon juice and honey now. Stir to combine. Add more honey if you want a sweeter gummy.
- While it is still warm, carefully pour the mixture into your gummy moulds. Using a dropper or mini baster helps a lot and makes this quicker.
- Transfer the baking sheet of gummy moulds to the refrigerator to chill for an hour or two, or until they become firm.
- Pop them out of the moulds and enjoy your homemade elderberry gummies!
- Store in the refrigerator in an air tight container with a lid between layers between parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.
- Homemade gummies generally stay good for about two weeks in the refrigerator. If you used lemon juice + fruit juice, they should last a bit longer. Discard if mold develops.
Notes
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