How to Make Elderberry Gummies at Home (two options one Vegan with Agar Agar one Not Vegan with Gelatin)
- Benjamin Machlitt
- Sep 9, 2025
- 4 min read
If you love the health benefits of elderberry syrup, you’ll love turning it into delicious, chewy elderberry gummies. They’re a fun and tasty way to support your immune system, and they make it easy to get a daily dose of antioxidants, vitamins, and wellness support.
In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make elderberry syrup gummies with two different options: a traditional version using beef gelatin for that classic chewy gummy bear texture, and a plant-based version using agar agar for a vegan-friendly alternative.
Best of all, this recipe uses 12 fl oz of Popple Tree Creek Farms American elderberry syrup, so you know you’re getting the purest immune support, never imported, never from concentrate.
Why Make Elderberry Gummies?
Immune Support Made Easy: Elderberry gummies are a convenient way to help support your immune system during cold and flu season.
Kid-Friendly Option: Many kids love gummies more than liquid syrups, making it easier to keep wellness routines consistent.
Customizable: You can adjust tartness, sweetness, and firmness depending on your preference.
Why Make Homemade Elderberry Gummies Instead of Buying Them?
The benefits of having your own homemade elderberry gummies recipe are:
Quality Control: As long as you use a top-quality elderberry syrup (or make your own from scratch using this elderberry syrup recipe), you know exactly what's going into your gummies.
Ingredient Control: You can decide if you want to use gelatin or agar agar. You can decide how much (and what kind) of sweetener you want to use.
No Unnecessary Ingredients: You can skip fillers and preservatives that store brands have to include to make their products last longer on the shelves.
Better Dosage: If you use a great syrup like ours, you can ensure you're getting a high quality dosage, instead of watered down store brands.
Fun to Make: They aren't too difficult to make, and really fun!
Read more: How to Choose Your Elderberry Products
Elderberry Gummy Recipe (12 fl oz Syrup Batch)
This recipe makes about 120–140 small gummies, depending on the size of your molds.
+Can be poured in to a sheet pan and cut into pieces when done.
Option 1: Elderberry Gummies with Beef Gelatin
Ingredients:
3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (adds tartness + natural preservative)
4–5 Tbsp beef gelatin powder (grass-fed preferred)
2–3 Tbsp raw honey (optional, for extra sweetness)
Instructions:
Pour elderberry syrup and lemon juice into a small saucepan (do not heat yet).
Sprinkle gelatin evenly over the surface and let it bloom for 3–5 minutes.
Warm gently on low heat, stirring until gelatin dissolves completely (do not boil).
Remove from heat, stir in honey if using.
Pour mixture into silicone molds or a parchment-lined pan.
Refrigerate for 2–3 hours until firm.
Pop gummies out of molds (or cut into cubes if using a pan).
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Option 2: Elderberry Gummies with Agar Agar (Vegan)
Ingredients:
3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 ½ tsp agar agar powder (not flakes)
2 Tbsp raw honey or maple syrup (optional)
Instructions:
Combine elderberry syrup and lemon juice in a saucepan.
Whisk in agar agar powder and let sit for 2 minutes.
Bring mixture to a gentle boil, whisking constantly. Simmer 2–3 minutes to activate agar.
Remove from heat, stir in honey or maple syrup if using.
Quickly pour into molds or a lined pan (agar sets fast).
Let cool 30–60 minutes at room temperature, then refrigerate for 1 hour.
Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Extra Tips for Perfect DIY Elderberry Gummies
Boost Nutrition: Stir in 1 tsp vitamin C powder (ascorbic acid) after heating to enhance immune support.
Texture Control: More gelatin = firmer chew. More agar = firmer but can turn brittle if overdone.
Kid-Friendly Shapes: Use fun silicone molds (bears, stars, hearts) to make portion control easy.
Storage: Always refrigerate gummies since they’re made with fresh elderberry syrup.
Why Use Popple Tree Creek Farms Elderberry Syrup?
Our gummies start with American elderberry syrup, made from fresh-frozen elderberries grown here in northern Minnesota. Unlike most elderberry products on the market (which use dried, imported European elderberries), ours are never from concentrate, never imported, and always made in small batches.
That means every gummy is packed with authentic, farm-grown immune support you can trust.
Gelatin vs Agar Agar Elderberry Gummies: Which Is Better?
If you grew up loving gummy bears, the gelatin version is probably going to feel the most familiar. It has that soft, chewy texture most people expect from a gummy.
The agar agar version is great if you’re plant-based or avoiding animal products, but the texture is a little different - firmer and more jelly-like.
Honestly, both work well. It mostly comes down to your dietary preference and the texture you enjoy most.
Feature | Gelatin Gummies | Agar Agar Gummies |
Texture | Soft, chewy, classic gummy texture | Firmer, slightly jelly-like |
Dietary Needs | Not vegetarian/vegan | Vegan-friendly |
Protein Content | Contains protein/collagen from gelatin | No protein |
Ease of Use | Easier for beginners | Sets quickly and can be trickier |
Shelf Life | Usually lasts slightly longer | Best eaten sooner |
Taste | More neutral, traditional gummy feel | Slightly firmer bite |
Best For | Kids, classic gummy lovers | Plant-based diets |
Final Thoughts
Elderberry gummies are a fun, healthy, and effective way to get the wellness benefits of elderberry every day. Whether you choose the traditional beef gelatin recipe or the vegan agar agar recipe, you’ll have a family-friendly treat that supports your immune system with every bite.
👉 Ready to try this recipe? Grab a bottle of Popple Tree Creek Farms American elderberry syrup today and turn it into gummies your whole family will love.
