Making perfect gummy candy isn’t just about adding gelatin or agar—it’s about balancing the right ingredients to get the desired chew, elasticity, and firmness. Whether you’re crafting soft, bouncy gummy bears, firm jelly candies, or plant-based alternatives, the right combination of gelatin, pectin, or agar is essential.
This Gummy Candy Texture Guide helps you customize your recipe by calculating the exact amount of gelling agents needed to achieve the perfect texture.
💡 Simply enter your batch size and desired texture, and the calculator will provide the exact ingredient ratios!
1️⃣ Choose Your Gelling Agent:
2️⃣ Select Your Desired Texture:
3️⃣ Enter Your Batch Size:
4️⃣ Get Instant Results:
✔ Gelatin – The most common gelling agent for gummies, creating a soft, chewy, and elastic texture. Works best with animal-based recipes.
✔ Pectin – A plant-based gelling agent derived from fruit, ideal for firmer gummies and fruit jellies. Requires acidity and sugar to activate.
✔ Agar-Agar – A vegan alternative that sets firmer than gelatin, creating solid, breakable gummies with a slightly brittle texture.
| Texture Type | Gelatin (%) | Pectin (%) | Agar (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft & Bouncy | 2%–3% | 0.8%–1.2% | 0.5%–1.0% |
| Chewy & Stretchy | 3%–5% | 1.2%–1.8% | 1.0%–1.5% |
| Firm & Jelly-Like | 5%–7% | 1.8%–2.5% | 1.5%–2.5% |
💡 Example: If you have 500ml of liquid and want chewy gummies with gelatin, the calculator will suggest 3%–5% gelatin, which means 15g–25g of gelatin.
✔ Hydrate gelatin properly by blooming it in cold water before heating.
✔ For pectin-based gummies, ensure there’s enough acidity (like lemon juice) to activate gelling.
✔ Agar must be boiled to fully activate—never just mix it into cold liquid.
✔ Control sugar levels—higher sugar content creates firmer, more stable gummies.
Adjust the firmness of your gummy bears with the right balance of gelatin, pectin, or agar. Simply enter your batch size, select your texture, and get instant recommendations!
