How to Melt Gummies: A Step-by-Step Guide

Do you love gummy candies? In addition to grabbing your favorite packs at grocery stores, have you ever tried making your own gummy bears at home?

Creating homemade gummies is fun. But as with other DIY projects, this fun activity requires some preparation. For example, you need to source ingredients like jello, gelatin powder, and fruit juice. Also, there are essential tools you should have, such as gummy bear molds. Getting all these things prepared might take quite a lot of time.

If you want to create your own gummies without starting from scratch, there's a simple solution - melt existing gummies and remold them! So, how to melt gummies? In this article, we will share a few efficient ways of gummy dissolution to help you make new gummy bears!

Why Gummies Can Be Easily Melted

Unlike hard candies and chocolates, gummies boast a chewy, elastic texture. So, you might be wondering, do gummies melt?

Have you ever been in such a situation? You left a pack of your favorite gummy snacks in your car or somewhere else under the sun. When you found it a couple of days later, these gummies turned gooey and sticky. That means the gummies can melt at high temperatures.

Most gummy candies are typically made from gelatin, sugar, corn syrup, water, flavorings, and colors. The first four ingredients play an essential role in melting gummies.

• Gelatin: A key ingredient in traditional gummy recipes. Gelatin is a soluble protein derived from animal tissues. When exposed to heat, the bonds between the protein strands break down. This causes gelatin to melt and gummies to dissolve.
• Sugar: Sugar is a carbohydrate with a low melting point. When heated, the solid crystals decompose and turn into a liquid. This further softens the gummies.
• Corn Syrup: Corn syrup is a sweetener in liquid form. When heated, the molecules in the syrup move around freely. This enables the syrup to become thinner.
• Water: The water content helps break down other ingredients. It also transfers heat throughout the gummy. This helps to cause gummies to become an even liquid.

However, THERE IS AN EXCEPTION TO EVERY RULE.

While most gummies can dissolve in heat, vegan and vegetarian ones are not that easy to melt. These gummies are typically formulated with pectin as a gelling agent instead of gelatin. Pectin imparts a firmer texture to gummies compared to gelatin-based ones. In addition, pectin's thermo-resistant properties make gummies require more time and heat to melt.

How to Melt Gummies: 4 Best Methods

After multiple attempts, we ended up with at least four ways to effectively melt gummies. Let's check them out!

1. Microwave Method

Using a microwave is the most straightforward and convenient way to dissolve your gummy bears. The microwave can precisely control the heating process, select the power levels, and set the timer based on how many gummies you want to melt. Besides, the device heats up quickly and distributes heat evenly onto gummies for even melting results.

EQUIPMENT:

• microwave
• microwave-safe bowl or glass bowl
• silicone spatula

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Place your gummies in a microwave-safe bowl or heat-resistant glass bowl.

2. Put the bowl in the microwave. Set the heat settings to the lowest (to prevent overheating).

3. Microwave the gummies for 15-30 seconds.

4. Take the bowl out of the microwave carefully. Stir the gummy mixture with a silicone spatula to check if it's fully melted.

5. If not, place the bowl back into the microwave. Heat for another 30 seconds until all the gummies are perfectly dissolved.

2. Double Boiler Method

A double boiler can be a good alternative if you don't have a microwave. This boiler consists of two pots: a larger saucepan-like one and a smaller one fitting inside. This method uses steam as a gentle, steady heat to melt your gummies in the smaller pan.

EQUIPMENT:

• double boiler
• gas cooktop
• spoon or spatula

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Fill the large bottom pan with an inch of water.

2. Place the gummies into the smaller pan.

3. Let the smaller pan nestle snugly on top of the larger one to prevent steam from escaping.

4. Turn on the gas cooktop to heat up the water in the bottom pan.

5. Simmer the water and keep the gas flame in control.

6. Stir the gummy mixture and allow it to melt perfectly.

7. Check the water-filled pan every now and then to prevent water from boiling dry.

3. Oven Method

Similar to the microwave, an oven can control the temperature and time for the gummy dissolution process. You can use the oven to melt gummies in two ways.

a. Melting directly in a new gummy mold

EQUIPMENT:

• oven
• 1 or more silicone gummy molds
• plastic scraper

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Pave a certain number of gummies over the gummy mold.

2. Preheat the oven to around 95°F to 122°F (35°C to 50°C).

3. Place the silicone gummy mold in the preheated oven.

4. Melt the gummies for 3-4 minutes.

5. Monitor the melting process to prevent them from burning.

6. Check if all gummy mold holes are filled with the melted gummy mixture.

7. Once filled, remove the gummy mold from the oven.

8. Push the set gummies from the mold holes and use the scraper to trim off the extra part.

b. Melting in a bowl

EQUIPMENT:

• oven
• silicone bowl or oven-safe bowl
• spoon or spatula

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Place the gummies in the bowl.

2. Preheat the oven to around 95°F to 122°F (35°C to 50°C).

3. Put the bowl in the preheated oven.

4. Melt the gummies for 2-3 minutes.

5. Check on the gummies every now and then.

6. Take the bowl out of the oven when time's up.

7. Use the spatula to stir the gummy mixture to check if it's evenly melted.

4. Saucepan Method

Melting gummies directly in a small saucepan can be a mess-free method. You only need to put the gummy-filled saucepan over a stovetop and stir the gummies every now and then.

EQUIPMENT:

• saucepan
• stovetop
• spoon or spatula

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Pour the gummies into a saucepan with a plastic handle.

2. Place the gummy-filled saucepan over low heat.

3. Stir the gummy mixture every minute or so to evenly distribute the heat.

4. Once fully melted, decant the mixture into a new gummy mold and wait for it to set.

Tips and Tricks on How to Melt Gummies

Now that you've learned the efficient ways to melt gummies, here are some tips and tricks that will help you get the best melting results to create your new gummies.

• Separate your gummies by colors.

Do you know what color you will get if you mix multiple colors? Absolutely not a rainbow-like one! You will only be left with a muddy, brownish color.

I bet a gummy candy in such a color will neither look appealing nor appetizing. So, please make sure all gummy colors are separated. Do not mix and melt them together!

• Ensure all equipment is clean.

Before melting gummies, carefully check on all the tools you will use. Make sure each is clean, stain-free, and odor-free, especially fats and oils.

Kitchen utensils are easy to get oily or greasy. So, please clean them thoroughly before use. Because fat or oil will affect the texture, flavor, and consistency of the gummies during the melting process.

• Use slow and low heat to melt.

Since your gummies basically come with a high sugar content, using low heat will help prevent them from burning or scorching. In addition, gentle and slow heat ensures the gummies are melted and liquefied evenly.

So, do not overheat your gummies. Checking on them frequently allows you to control the process better.

• Be patient.

As mentioned above, using slow and low heat to melt gummies is highly recommended. This means the process might take long.

Even if you use a microwave or oven, chances are you will have to reheat the gummy mixture if it's not evenly melted. Also, if you melt gummies with a double boiler or saucepan, stirring the mixture every now and then may be required for the best results.

• Do not touch by bare hand.

Do not touch or taste the mixture when transferring or remolding the melted gummies. The melted gummies are extremely hot and may cause severe burns.

Use heat-proof tools to move the liquefied gummies into molds. Please place them in the fridge to cool and set. Do not remove the reshaped gummies from the molds or eat them until completely cooled.

Ready to take your gummy-making skills to the next level? Check out our other blog posts for expert tips, tricks, and inspiration.

• Do Gummy Bears Expire? Chewy Treats and Their Shelf Life
• How to Make Gummy Bears: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Make Gummy Bears Without Gelatin: Your Fun and Easy Guide
• Vitamin Gummies vs. Pills: Which One Should You Choose?
• A Quick Guide to Different Types of Gummies