How to make candied grapes with Jello or Jolly Ranchers in strawberry, cotton candy, lemon, cherry and other flavors. Fresh fruit dessert enjoyed as is or frozen as a cold treat. A fat free dessert kids and adults both love.
Have you seen and wondered how to make candied grapes? It is way easier than you might think, and a delicious treat your kids will love. Pick up these 2 ingredients and make a load of this candy grapes recipe with your kids this weekend. They’ll think you’re a hero. (affiliate links present)
How to Make Jello Grapes
Maybe you’ve seen this trend on Pinterest or Tik Tok and wondered what all the hype was about. With just one bite you will be screaming from the rooftop too how amazing these are. I mean it is fruit so it’s healthier than a candy bar for sure. Not quite as good as right out of the bag but we gotta’ change things up when you’re in the throws of mom life right?? These little boxes aren’t just for making that jiggly treat anymore y’all.
We’ve used Jello to make our pistachio ambrosia recipe, great for potlucks or holidays. But if you’re having a barbecue these will surely be a real hit with all ages. Here’s how you make them…
with Jello
Ripe green grapes will already be sweeter in nature which is what you want. I do love red grapes too in general but they aren’t ideal for coating grapes with Jello.
with Sugar
If you didn’t have these little boxes at home and didn’t want to go to the store you could use granulated sugar instead. With this you can really taste the flavors of the fruit itself and not add another. If you already have cotton candy grapes at the store I would recommend just that since they’re already so sweet.
with Jolly Ranchers
If you wanted a super tart powder you could unwrap a bunch of these, put into a freezer bag and crush with a hammer or rolling pin. You want a sand-like texture so go at it hard until you do.
Ingredient Notes
You want a large bunch of grapes for the base of these. Green are my preference, when they are nice and firm. Red would work too but think that they have a stronger flavor that takes away from the tart mixture they are rolled in.
A bowl full of room temperature water or juice would even work is needed. This is to wet the outsides to get the sugar or crystals to stick well.
And then your Jello flavors or use these for sweet and sour patch candied grapes, even crushed green apple jolly rancher candies could be used
Toothpicks and a plate or baking sheet with parchment paper is what you need for equipment.
Can you use Kool Aid instead?
Someone asked if what we use to make Kool Aid paint would work the same, um no. Those don’t have any sugar in them so it wouldn’t be sweet at all and super tart. Just use what is suggested here for this quick and easy treat for your kiddos.
How to make cotton candy grapes – You just use this cotton candy sugar to coat the outside. Or just choose a few boxes from the grocery store in the baking aisle with all the other Jello packets.
Candied Grapes Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Bowl
- 1 plate
Ingredients
- 1 pound grapes, fresh, green is best
- 4-5 boxes Jello, different flavors, powder, or crush Jolly Ranchers into a sand like texture
- water
Instructions
- Remove stems from the grapes. Place them in a large bowl of water. Open the jello boxes, pour the powder into individual cups or bowls.
- Use a toothpick to dip each wet grape into the jello powder. Roll the grape to ensure it is completely covered. Place the grapes on a plate or baking sheet with parchment paper on top, then in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or more. (can sit in freezer, then when frozen, remove toothpicks, pour into a freezer bag, enjoy one at a time)
- Remove the toothpicks from the grapes and serve.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tips
First you’ll want to always rinse fruit under water. Since of course the stems are inedible let’s pull all of them off and dunk them into a bowl of water while you get the rest prepped. You just need a few small dishes to hold your powders. Choose a few so they are different colors and flavors of course.
After you roll the grapes in your flavor of gelatin desired you will need to still sit them on a flat surface separated so they don’t stick together for about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours to harden (similar to our homemade fruit snacks).. Then pull toothpicks out and you can transfer them into a freezer bag!
