Jelly is one of the sweetest and most versatile food products out there. It's perfect for breakfast, snack time, dessert, or even as a vehicle for mixing different foods.
And if you're vegan, jelly can be the best way to get your daily dose of protein and healthy fats.
In this post, you'll learn what vegan jelly is, how to know if jelly is vegan, and how to choose the best vegan jelly product and the best vegan jelly products.
What is vegan jelly?
Jelly is a fruit-flavored desert used as a salad dressing to make cakes, gravy, pancakes, biscuits, and yogurt. It's commonly used as a spread. It's also used as a thickening agent to make the jelly set. Vegan jelly is made from fruits and vegetable juice. Then, gelatin is added to give it that firm consistency. Jelly contains gelatin, made from bones, skin, and hides. That's why it's not vegan. However, you can make vegan jelly by substituting gelatin with agar-agar. In essence, vegan jelly is jelly that is made without adding animal products in it.
How do you know if jelly is vegan?
Sometimes people confuse jelly with jam. They are pretty similar in texture and taste, but they're different. They are both made from fruit juice, but the fruit juice used to make jam is not strained. So, it's difficult to tell whether a jelly is vegan or not. Jelly is made from fruit juice, sugar, and a gelling agent. Vegan jellies use a gelling agent called agar-agar, while non-vegan ones use a gelling agent called gelatin. So, it's essential to read the labels before buying vegan jelly.
How to choose the best vegan jelly product?
There's no need to be vegan to enjoy the delicious taste of vegan jelly products. In fact, they're perfect for anyone looking for a healthy and convenient snack. When choosing the best vegan jelly product, it's essential to consider the ingredients. Ensure the product is made from natural sources without GMOs or gluten. Source your jellies from renowned brands. Many online stores exist that sell vegan jelly products, but not all of them are authentic. Some may advertise that they sell vegan products, but they actually use animal products like gelatin to produce them. In essence, always do your own due diligence before you purchase any vegan jelly product. Additionally, be sure to read the reviews and compare prices before you make your purchase. You can get awesome vegan jelly products if you do your research well.
What are the benefits of vegan jelly?
Vegan jelly is a healthy and nutritious option that can be used as a replacement for regular jelly or in recipes where the jelly is called for. It is made from plant-based ingredients, so it is a vegan-friendly option. Additionally, vegan jelly products provide nutritional benefits like antioxidants and vitamins that help boost the immune system. So, if you're looking for a healthy and vegan-friendly jelly replacement or want to add some extra nutritional value to your diet, check out the best vegan jelly products in 2022.
Here are the Top 7 vegan jelly products to enjoy in 2022
A vegan lifestyle isn't just about abstaining from animal products. It's also about incorporating plant-based foods into your diet. One great way to do this is by using vegan jelly products. These products are versatile, gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, and dairy-free, making them perfect for people with dietary restrictions. Additionally, they're easy to store and portable, making them ideal for when you have a quick hunger attack. But that's not all; many vegan jelly products are also high in healthy fats and protein, making them a great way to add some nutrients to your diet without sacrificing flavor. So, vegan jelly products are a great option, whether you're looking for a healthy snack or an easy way to incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet.
1. Pioneer Valley Souvenir Boxed Gourmet Jam & Jelly Sampler Gift Set
The Pioneer Valley Souvenir Boxed Gourmet Jam & Jelly Sampler Gift Set is handcrafted in small batches using only the finest natural ingredients and traditional family recipes passed down through five generations. Their preserves are a treat for the taste buds.
They are committed to making the finest quality jams and jellies, so you will never find corn syrup, artificial colors, artificial flavors, or preservatives in their products. Instead, their jellies are made with wholesome quality fruit and pure cane sugar and are all-natural.
Their superfruits preserves are made from the finest fruits in the United States and contain nothing but fruit and sugar.
Many of their jams contain the vitamins and minerals you expect from fruit. In addition, their fruit contains sugar, pectin, and citric acid. Other varieties contain additional natural and artificial ingredients.
2. Crofter's Organic Strawberry Fruit Spread
This peachy-pink spread is made from organic strawberries and white grape juice. It's commonly used as a spread on toasts but can also be used to make cheesecakes, ice creams, and marinades. It's available in 10 oz jars and has no allergens, no added color, and no high fructose corn syrup. The strawberries used to make it are slightly smaller than the store-bought ones, so you'll see some little seeds in it, which gives it its slightly chunky texture. The Crofter's Organic Spread comes in different varieties. Besides strawberries, you can get Apricot, Morello Cherry, and Wild Blueberry varieties. Crofter understands that the fruit is what makes a great spread. So, they search the earth for the most flavorful fruit varieties that are carefully cultivated and tendered.
3. Dandelion Blossom Jelly, 5 oz - Vegan Honey Substitute
This vegan jelly is made from hand-picked West Virginia dandelions. It has a nectar-like taste, is made with low sugar, and no additives and preservatives are included. Below is a complete outline of the features of the vegan product:
Unique flavor – Recreate your breakfast with dandelion jelly for a distinctive gourmet flavor. You can combine this natural jelly with your favorite pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, or tea for an authentic old-world European classic.
Makes your food lively- Add a robust, savory blend of gourmet jelly to liven up your food. Thanks to its low-sugar blend, you can use this natural honey alternative in any recipe without raising your cholesterol or carbohydrate intake.
The incredibl
e flavor from fresh and original Ingredients – There are no artificial flavors, preservatives, or additives in this gourmet pantry essential. It has natural pectin and is created with hand-harvested West Virginia dandelions for a naturally lip-smacking sweetness in a jar.
It’s produced in the United States – The jams and jellies are made by a West Virginia-based US company whose goods are used efficiently and satisfactorily across North America.
These jams and jellies from the mountains are ideal for science experiments, community gardens, and environmental preservation.
Founded and owned by women - Since its inception in 1978, the company has been effectively owned and operated by women.
You are helping a WBENC-recognized small business by buying our organic gourmet jellies. By doing so, you may feel good about purchasing our product.
4. Simply Delish Natural Raspberry Jell Dessert
This brand of vegan jelly is made by a company called Simply Delish. It weighs 0.14 Pounds. The following features make this jelly the most sought-after dessert for vegans:
- It’s low-fat and sugar-free
If you want to enjoy your dessert without consuming extra fat and sugar, this is the suitable jelly for you. It's the perfect choice for satisfying your sweet tooth while keeping a healthy lifestyle.
- All-natural
It’s made with non-GMO ingredients. It has no preservatives or artificial colors.
- Certified and ready
Simply Delish Natural Raspberry Jell Dessert is entirely sugar-free, gluten-free, cholesterol-free, fat-free, and lactose-free. It's also halal and kosher certified.
- Variety
It's delicious and healthy and comes in various flavors, such as strawberry, raspberry, peach, and keto-friendly orange.
- Suitable for both children and adults
The fact that it's all-natural and has no preservatives and artificial colors added to it makes it an ideal dessert for children. Also, calories conscious adults will love this dessert. It's also certified by relevant health authorities in the United States, as evidenced on the product label. This makes it safe to eat. Specifically, the ingredients used to make this desert include carrageenan, Erythritol, potassium citrate, citric acid, natural flavor (raspberry), natural color (beet, beta carotene), stevia extract, and raspberry.
5. Walden Farms Variety Pack Fruit and Dipping Spread,
This vegan jelly spread allows you to satisfy your sweet cravings without indulging in so much sugar and carbs. It’s:
- Sugar and Calorie Free: To allow you to enjoy it without worrying about packing lots of sugar and calories. It's delicious and healthy and offers a fresh, top-quality taste that will enhance your bagel, toast, and other healthy snacks you love.
- Keto and Vegan Friendly: So you'll be sure that you're using a product that is free of meat, animal, and fat.
- Non-dairy: If you don’t want any dairy or dairy products in your diet, then this is the right jelly product for you.
- It’s a thick, spreadable jam: It's a blend of sweet jelly and traditional jam, which means it's easily spreadable and will taste great on your toast, homemade pastries, and any other snack and breakfast treat.
- Ideal for those following a strict diet plan: If you’re on a restrictive diet or have special dietary needs, this jelly spread is ideal for you. In other words, it’s ideal for vegans, vegetarians, and paleo and keto diets.
- It's made with Blueberry, Strawberry, and Raspberry grown at Walden Farms. So, you can be sure that the hand-picked fruits are original, delicious, and fresh.
Always refrigerate your dipping spread after opening to optimize its taste and extend its shelf life.
6. Homemade vegan strawberry jelly
If store-bought vegan jellies are not your thing, you can make one at home. The easiest and most popular homemade jelly is the Vegan Strawberry Jelly. Kids and adults like it because it’s made of all-natural ingredients, and it doesn't involve the use of additives and artificial colors and flavors. This makes it safe and healthy for consumption. Plus, it's full-flavored, superbly attractive, and awesomely fresh. Besides being full of fun and flavor, the homemade vegan strawberry jelly is gelatin-free and entirely vegan. It's a healthy option for your precious little ones because it's gelatin-free and made with fresh fruits.
How to make vegan strawberry jelly at home
Ingredients
- Strawberries: Select the best strawberries, preferably organic and fresh ones without bruises. For the best results in color and flavor, choose the ripe and sweet strawberries.
- Agar-agar: Typically, people use gelatin to make this jelly. But because it's vegan, substitute it with Agar-agar, a vegetable gelling agent.
- Sugar: Organic, raw, unrefined cane sugar is the best because it has no additives and artificial preservatives. Plus, it's gluten-free and vegan.
- Strawberry extract: This enhances the color of the strawberry jelly.
Procedure
Prepare the strawberry juice
Wash your strawberries thoroughly and hull them. Then, place them in a saucepan containing sugar and water. Let the strawberries simmer for about 30 minutes over medium heat.
Strain the solution
When the strawberries become mushy and soft, strain the juice in a saucepan using a sieve and muslin cloth. Press down the strawberries using a spoon to release all the juices. You should obtain a clear liquid after straining if it's not clear, strain again.
Boil the strawberry juice
Heat the strawberry juice to boiling point. Add the sugar and stir until it dissolves in the juice. Add the Agar-agar and allow the solution to boil over medium heat for about 3 minutes. Now crank up the heat and allow the solution to reach boiling point. To know if the strawberry jelly has boiled sufficiently, dip a spoon into it. The jelly should stick to the back of the spoon. Please turn off the heat, add the strawberry extract and stir it. The extract will mask the small of the agar-agar. It will also add flavor to the jelly.
Allow the jelly to set
Allow the strawberry jelly to cool. Continue stirring as the agar-agar starts to set. Pour the jelly into small cups and transfer them to the refrigerator to set. The jelly will require a couple of hours to set. But it’s a good idea to let them sit in the refrigerator overnight. If your strawberry jelly sways slightly, it’s made properly.
The strawberry jelly must not have bubbles before putting them in the cups and transferring them to the refrigerator. If you allow the bubbles to exist, they will set with the jelly giving them an unsightly appearance.
And that’s how you make vegan strawberry jelly at home.
7. Friend In Cheeses Rosehip Jam - Gluten-Free Rosehip Jelly & Jam Preserves
This vegan jelly is manufactured by Friend In Cheeses Jam Company based in California. These features make Gluten-Free Rosehip Jelly & Jam Preserves one of the most sought-after vegan spreads in the world:
The company uses the finest ingredients available to make this vegan jelly. It’s 100% vegan and gluten-free, making it an ideal jelly option for vegans and vegetarians.
It's specially made for cheese. The combination of floral-fruity- fragrant-sweet-tangy flavors in the jelly allows it to perfectly pair with your favorite cheese, including chevre & spring cheeses, petite breakfast cheese, and crumpets & almond butter Sammy. Of course, you can also enjoy it with your toast, croissant, or English crumpets.
- Made for the cheese board
This jelly can dramatically turn your cheese board preparation into an excellent experience.
- A healthy and safe vegan jelly
The company is committed to running a sustainable business. That's why they source their ingredients from local, organic farmers. That means you can be sure you'll get healthy and safe products.
- Mind-blowing flavor profile
This jelly offers a unique mix of sweet, tart, and tang flavors. Its unique flavor is derived from some ingredients used to make it, such as rooibos tea, orange peel, white grape juice, star anise, and cinnamon.
Bonus vegan jelly product
Salted caramel brownies
Brownies are a classic dessert, and salted caramel is a trendy flavor. But, let's face it: brownies are great for any occasion. They're easy to make, especially if you have a box of the mix at home. Brownies are also perfect for kids and adults alike.
If you've never tried vegan jellies, this is the product for you. If you want something that tastes like chocolate but isn't as sweet as ice cream or cake, vegan jellies are ideal because they're made from fruit juice instead of dairy products.
Conclusion
Vegan jelly is a great way to enjoy the taste and texture of jelly without harming any animals.
By choosing the best vegan jelly products, you can ensure that you're getting high-quality products that will benefit your health and the environment.
So, check out our Top 7 vegan jelly products in 2022 above and enjoy!