It’s a myth that jelly squares make your hair and nails strong, but it is true that most brands still use gelatine (animal bones from abattoirs). Who wants that? You can make Japanese-style kanzen (just mix apple juice with agar flakes) or have a go at jelly recipes for vegan trifle. Or just serve with vegan ice-cream or custard.
Most vegan jelly recipes use agar of some kind (flakes or powder) which is a Japanese ingredient based on seaweed. Although people with thyroid issues should not eat seaweed, this is very mild so often is okay (check with your GP). Keep these recipes away from pets due to unsafe ingredients (read more on keeping people & pets safe in the kitchen).
Wibble makes good jelly packs in several flavours with natural ingredients: strawberry, raspberry, forest fruits or orange.
Just Wholefoods is another brand made with natural ingredients, and easy to make (no faffing around with adding hot then cold water). Just add the crystals to a jug, leave to cool and set. One pack serves 4 (1 pint). In raspberry, strawberry, lemon and tropical flavours. You could even add plant milk, to turn these into 70s-style ‘milk jellies’.
recipes to make your own vegan jelly
This strawberry jelly (Ruchi’s Kitchen) is made of just 4 ingredients (strawberries, sugar, agar extract and strawberry extract.
Vegan fruit jelly cake (Christie at Home) is a maple-sweetened agar dessert, based on an authentic Thai recipe. You can use other fruits, in season.
