How to Make Gummy Worms

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: November 27, 2021 References

Gummy worms are delicious treats that can be both ghoulish and great. You can put gummy worms in 'mud' pudding, on top of ice cream, or just eat them by themselves. Making them yourself can be fun, and also cheaper than buying them in the store. You can also customize the color and flavor of your worms if you make them at home.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Mixing the Ingredients

1
Mix juice, sugar, and gelatin. In a large mixing bowl or saucepan, mix one cup of fruit juice with four packets of gelatin and two table spoons of sugar.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- A thin juice like cran-apple, grape, or cranberry works best.
- For a healthier version, you can leave the sugar out. The worms will not be as sweet.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
- Another low-sugar variation is to substitute one of the gelatin packets for a package of any flavor of sugar-free gelatin snacks.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
- You can also add any flavor of Kool-Aid to get different colors or tastes. This is optional.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
2
Add boiling water. Boil one cup of water on the stove, then add it to the mixture. Stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved. The liquid should be smooth and thick.^{[5]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Add cream. For opaque worms, add about two table spoons of cream or half and half. Stir it up.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- If you want translucent gummy worms, skip the cream. You may want to add a little more juice in step one if you decide not to use cream.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Forming the Worms

1
Create your mold. Stand up about 50 large straws in straight-sided jar, such as a one-quart mason jar.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Wide straws, such as those used for milkshakes, work best.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
- You may need to use a rubber band to keep the straws together and upright.^{[10]
  X
  Research source}
- Use more than one jar if necessary, to fit all 50 straws.
2
Prepare a cold-water bath. Place your jar of straws in a container, such as a casserole dish, containing about two inches of ice-cold water.^{[11]
X
Research source}
3
Pour in half of the mixture. Carefully and evenly pour half of your worm mixture into the straws. Fill them up about two inches.^{[12]
X
Research source}
4
Add food coloring. If you want multicolored gummy worms like the ones in stores, add a few drops of food coloring to the remaining mixture.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- If you don't care about having multicolored worms, you can skip this and the next step. Just pour all of the mixture into the straws.
5
Wait, then pour. Wait for the mixture in the straws to solidify. It should take ten to twenty minutes. Once the mixture in the straws is solid, add the rest. Pour as evenly as possible.^{[14]
X
Research source}
6
Let the worms sit overnight. Remove the jar from the ice bath and put it in the fridge to sit overnight.
7
Remove the straws. Pull the straws out of the jar. They may be difficult to remove because of the excess gummy material in the bottom.
- You can use a knife to score around the outside of edge of the straws to make removal easier.
8
Clear away excess gummy material. Use a knife to remove excess gummy material from the sides and ends of the straws. It should cut away easily.
- This material may not be shaped like worms, but it's still tasty! Don't let it go to waste!
9
Remove the worms from the straws. With your fingers or a rolling pin, squeeze the worms out of the straws. Work from the empty end down.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- The worms may be easier to remove if you run the straws under warm water for a few seconds.^{[16]
  X
  Research source} Don't do it too long or your worms may melt.
10
Eat and store. Eat some of your worms! You should store those that you aren't going to eat right away in the fridge in an airtight container.
- To be sure they don't stick together, you can lightly spray the worms with a little vegetable oil. Toss and refrigerate.^{[17]
  X
  Research source}

Community Q&A

Question

Do you have to use juice?

Community Answer

You can use water instead. However, you will still have to add something for the flavor. otherwise your gummies won't have any taste at all.
Question

What if I don't have gelatin?

Community Answer

If you don't have gelatin, you could use agar (a vegetarian geletin). There isn't much else you can do.
Question

How long do they keep in the fridge? I am planning to make them a day ahead, but two days ahead would work better for me.

Community Answer

Forming gelatin takes about six hours at the least. You probably want to make them the day before, however, they can be stored for about a week, so two days before would be fine.