Sour Watermelon Gummies {sour patch kid copycat}
These sour watermelon gummies taste like sour patch kids, but with fresh fruit! There are zero food colorings or artificial ingredients.
Sour gummies were always one of my favorite gas station candies! They’re chewy, sweet, sour, and nostalgic. I decided to try my hand at a homemade version, and it’s super yummy.
These sour patch copycats are a little different than the real thing. Sour patch gummies are sour, then sweet, as the sugar coating is also sour, but these gummies are sweet, and then have a sour aftertaste. The flavor profile is still there but with a more natural flavor progression rather than the artificial sweet/sour flavor you’d get from sour patch kids! Either way, they’re delicious!
Why you’ll love these Sour Watermelon Gummies
- They’re nostalgic. If you love gummies, these are gonna be right up your alley.
- They’re easy to make. Nothing too fancy to make these! They’re pretty straightforward in terms of making candy.
Recipe Ingredients
- Watermelon. The key ingredient!
- Lime Juice.
- Honey. I love sweetening these with no refined sugar.
- Vanilla Extract.
- Gelatin. This is not the same as collagen.
- Granulated sweetener. I use this one. The sweetener just adds the mouthfeel you get from sour patch gummies.
The Tools
- Food Processor.
- Fine Mesh Strainer.
- Gummy molds. I use these!
How to Make Sour Watermelon Gummies
Step one. Blend the watermelon and strain the juice. Add the gelatin and allow to bloom before heating on the stove.
Step two. Pour the mixture into the molds and allow to set in the fridge.
Step three. Coat the gummies in a granulated sweetener.
Step four. Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
- The sweetener is optional. They taste just as good without it! The sweetener is just added to mimic the mouthfeel you get from sour patch gummies.
- Use whatever mold you have. You technically don’t even need a mold. You can also use a glass storage container and just slice squares.
A note on the sweetener
The monk fruit sweetener is the closest look and feel to regular sugar, but it melts if you keep it in the fridge! If you do add the sweetener, please note that it won’t maintain the same texture during longer storage in the fridge.
How to dry homemade gummies
One way to help the sweetener stick to the gummies better is to dry them! Commercial gummies go through a drying process that we can easily mimic at home. Simply place your gummies on a wire rack and raise the rack using two glasses and put a small fan next to the rack. Turn on low and allow to dry for 90 minutes- 2 hours.
If you’re dealing with any time constraints, this step is optional, but keep in mind it is the best way to have the coating stick.
How to store homemade gummies
Simply store the gummies in the fridge in glass for 3-4 days.
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Sour Watermelon Gummies {sour patch kid copycat}
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Ingredients
- 3 cups cubed watermelon
- ¾ cup lime juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup gelatin
- Optional
- Granulated sweetener, like this
Instructions
- Add the watermelon to a blender or food processor and blend until fully liquid. Using a fine mesh strainer set over a medium pot, strain out the juice using a silicone spatula to push down the watermelon pulp. You should have about 1 1/2 cups of watermelon juice.
- Add the lime juice, honey, and vanilla to the watermelon juice. Whisk to combine.
- Sprinkle the gelatin over the watermelon mixture and lightly mix. Allow to harden for 2 minutes.
- Transfer the pot to the stove and heat over low heat for 3-4 minutes or until fully liquid.
- Carefully pour the gummy mixture into the mold (use a dropper for small molds) or into a large glass container.
- Transfer to the fridge for 4-6 hours or until fully set.
- Remove from the mold (slicing into squares if you used a glass container). Toss the gummies in a bowl with granulated sweetener if desired and serve chilled.
Ok this is such a fun recipe! Flavor is great! Mine add drying now but sneaked a taste. Question – if I wanted more of a gummy consistency vs. hello-like, could I just add more gelatin? Thanks for sharing!!
Yes that will make it more firm!
I see the storage is for only 3 to 4 days. Have you tried freezing them and taking them out as needed?
I’ve never tried it, but it may compromise the texture during the defrost process
Hi! I don’t have lime and was wondering if using lemon would have the same effect? Have you tried using lemon as a replacement? Thanks!!
Yes that’s fine!
¡Hi!
I want to make these since Sour patch kids are my sons favorite candy but I wanted to ask if maybe I can make these with sugar instead of the granulated sweetener?
You could or you could leave off! The granulated gives the most similar mouthfeel to Sour Patch Kids, but it is good without it.
What makes them sour? Sour patch copy?
Lime!
I used strawberries, juice of a lime and agave syrup. They are setting up now so I will take pictures when done. I’m always looking for recipes using whole foods so I’m really looking forward to serving these at my July 4 party, thank you!
Hope you enjoy!!
Why not just use real sugar? I have organic cane sugar…
You can leave the monk fruit sweetener off. They taste just as good without it! The sweetener is just added to mimic the mouthfeel you get from sour patch gummies.
I didn’t realize I needed the beef gelatin so I ended up getting the small knox gelatine packages. Will it still work and will I still need 1/4 c?
That should work!
Hi! I’m so glad you posted this when you did as I have freshly made watermelon juice in my fridge. Can’t wait to make these. Question: if I leave out the lime juice should I still put the honey and vanilla in? I’m on a low histamine diet and can’t tolerate lime but I still wanted to make these because I think they will be so good! Thanks!
If you leave the lime out, the gummies will loose their sour flavor, but the honey and vanilla will be needed to make a sweet watermelon gummy!
This sounds amazing. What other fruit would work with this recipe?
I wouldn’t recommend another fruit for this recipe, but try my recipes for homemade peach ring gummies and homemade fruit snacks!