Gelatin desserts, dry mix
Whole food · Sweets
Photo: Wikipedia
Gelatin dessert, dry mix is a vibrant, sugar-packed powder that transforms into a jiggly, translucent, and brightly flavored treat when hydrated. Its signature wobble and smooth, melt-in-the-mouth texture are iconic, making it a nostalgic staple for parties and picnics. Nutritionally, it's a concentrated source of quick energy from carbohydrates, providing 381 kcal and a hefty 86g of sugar per 100g of dry mix.
💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for its playful, wobbly texture and the burst of sweet, fruity flavor that instantly evokes childhood nostalgia and fun. Its versatility allows it to be a simple snack, a fancy layered dessert, or a creative ingredient in cocktails and fruit salads.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary downside is the very high sugar content, which can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, making it a poor choice for those managing diabetes or seeking sustained energy. To mitigate this, practice strict portion control (stick to a single 1/2-cup serving) and pair it with a source of protein or fat, like a handful of nuts or a slice of cheese, to slow sugar absorption.
Key benefits
- Provides quick, easily digestible energy from simple carbohydrates.
- Contains gelatin, a source of protein and the amino acid glycine.
- Extremely versatile base for creative flavors, colors, and molds.
- Shelf-stable and requires only water to prepare.
- Low in fat and contains no cholesterol.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The iconic 'Jell-O wiggle' was popularized in the 1960s by a marketing campaign that featured a 'Jell-O lady' demonstrating how to make a dessert so firm it could be eaten with a fork.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 1.0 g |
| Energy | 381 kcal |
| Energy | 1594 kj |
| Protein | 7.8 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.00 g |
| Ash | 0.70 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 90.5 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 86.0 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 3.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.13 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 2.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 141 mg |
| Potassium, K | 7.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 466 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.01 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.12 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 6.7 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.04 mg |
| Niacin | 0.01 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.01 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 3.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 3.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 3.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 3.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.00 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.00 g |
| Threonine | 0.15 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.12 g |
| Leucine | 0.25 g |
| Lysine | 0.35 g |
| Methionine | 0.06 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.18 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.03 g |
| Valine | 0.21 g |
| Arginine | 0.68 g |
| Histidine | 0.07 g |
| Alanine | 0.82 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.54 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.89 g |
| Glycine | 1.9 g |
| Proline | 1.3 g |
| Serine | 0.27 g |
FAQ
Is gelatin dessert mix the same as plain gelatin powder?
No. Dry mix is a complete product containing gelatin, sugar, flavorings, and often artificial colors. Plain gelatin powder is unflavored and unsweetened, used as a setting agent in both sweet and savory dishes.
Can I use this mix to make gummy candies?
Yes, but you'll need to use a higher ratio of mix to water than for a wobbly dessert to achieve a firmer, chewier texture. You may also need to cook it down further to evaporate excess water.
Why does my gelatin dessert sometimes not set properly?
Common reasons include not dissolving the powder completely in hot water, using too much water, or not allowing enough chilling time (usually 4+ hours). Ensure the powder is fully dissolved before adding cold water.