Everyone knows what jello is, but do you know about gelatin or even what gelatin substitutes you can use if a recipe calls for it and you don’t have any on hand? Gelatin is the key ingredient that gives jello its signature bounce and it’s also a crucial ingredient in many other foods, from custards to sauces and that delicious filling in many filled doughnuts.
Due to its use in many recipes, you may have come across it in an ingredient list and wondered if you can substitute gelatin. If you don’t consume animal products, you may also be looking for some vegan gelatin substitutes that allow you to make any recipe that calls for it.
The good news is that many different gelatin substitutes will do the job just fine. The better news? Most of them are plant-based. To discover what you can use instead of gelatin in your recipes, keep reading for 10 top substitutes.
Jump to Section
- What Is Gelatin?
- What Is the Purpose of Gelatin in Cooking and Baking?
- 10 Great Vegan Substitutes for Gelatin
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What Is Gelatin?
Gelatin is an odorless and tasteless clear substance made from animal protein that is used in baking applications. You'll generally see beef or pork gelatin, but some other varieties exist.
In terms of usage, gelatin is the main ingredient in jello that creates the signature bounciness, so it’s also a key ingredient if you’re making jello shots or other jello desserts. Gelatin is additionally found in dozens of other foods, from marshmallows and pudding to fillings, such as the filling in treats like Bavarian cream doughnuts.
Gelatin comes in two forms: sheets and powder. The choice of which form to use is usually defined by the specific recipe and how the gelatin will be incorporated. Luckily, both sheet and powdered gelatin can be substituted for something else in almost all recipes.
What Is the Purpose of Gelatin in Cooking and Baking?
The purpose of gelatin in baking is to provide structure and texture. Once gelatin is activated using water, it is typically incorporated with other recipe ingredients and then heated slightly. After heating the recipe ingredients, the gelatin will once again set to a solid as it cools, helping to provide support to the final product. A good example of how gelatin is used to provide structure in a recipe is a no-bake cheesecake or chewy treats like gummy bears.
If you’ve never worked with gelatin in a recipe, you might want to consider signing up for cooking classes near you to get some experience with how it works. Because this is a very specific ingredient, you may be able to get some instruction with online cooking classes and work with the ingredients right in your own kitchen.
10 Great Vegan Substitutes for Gelatin
1. Agar Agar
If you need a vegan gelatin substitute, agar agar is usually the best choice. This odorless and tasteless substance is made from red algae, making it both vegetarian and vegan. Agar agar will dissolve in water similar to gelatin, but it’s slightly less clear and a little less sturdy. This gelatin substitute is a good choice for desserts that don’t end up totally solid, such as custards, puddings or mousses.
This specialty product comes in powdered and flaked form, or even as a bar. Look for it in specialty markets that carry vegan products. To substitute agar agar for gelatin, you can use a 1:1 ratio if you have the powdered form. For agar agar flakes, you’ll need three times the amount of gelatin called for in your recipe.
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2. Carrageenan
Carrageenan, also known as Irish moss, is another good choice as a vegan gelatin substitute. As with agar agar, carrageenan is a plant-based alternative made from red seaweed versus red algae. This unfamiliar ingredient is widely used commercially in the production of ice cream and vegan dairy products.
Carrageenan comes in whole or powdered form. The powdered form is most useful as a gelatin substitute when you are making creamy desserts or jellies. Use the whole form if the goal is a sturdier result.
Substituting carrageenan for gelatin is a little tricky because carrageenan is measured by weight and not volume. One ounce of carrageenan will convert to one cup of liquid compared to gelatin, which takes one to three teaspoons of powder to produce one cup of liquid.
3. Cornstarch
Cornstarch is an ingredient familiar to most people and easier to find in stores than agar agar or carrageenan. But can cornstarch be used as a gelatin substitute? Yes, cornstarch can serve as a substitute for gelatin in certain applications.
Because it is a bit grainy, cornstarch is not ideal as a gelatin substitute in smooth, creamy recipes. It will work better in sauces or fruit spreads that are expected to have some texture. Cornstarch also needs to be simmered for several minutes in order for it to break down and get the gelatinous texture that acts as a substitute for gelatin.
To use cornstarch as a substitute for gelatin, combine equal amounts of cornstarch and water and mix thoroughly. You’ll need one to two tablespoons of cornstarch mix per cup of liquid in a recipe.
4. Xanthan Gum
Yes, this is one of those scary ingredients that you read about online, but it's actually naturally occurring and quite useful. It’s an additive to many shelf-stable food products and gluten-free foods. Xanthan gum is derived from corn and comes in a powdered form.
Xanthan Gum is easy to rehydrate for use as a vegan gelatin substitute. It will help to thicken recipes but it doesn’t gel the way some of the other substitutes will. In a pinch, you can use half the amount of gelatin called for by substituting xanthan gum and you’ll get a similar effect.
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5. Pectin
If you have ever made jams or jellies, you may already know that pectin is the substance that converts fresh fruits into jellies after cooking. Pectin occurs naturally in many fruits and is a soluble fiber, which means it brings a health benefit to foods as well. Pectin can also be purchased in a powdered or flake form to use as a substitute for gelatin.
There isn’t a tried-and-true ratio when substituting pectin for gelatin. You’ll have to do some experimentation and watch as you go to get the consistency right.
6. Guar Gum
Guar gum can be used as a gelatin substitute, though it’s not as reliable as some of the other alternatives listed above. Guar gum is a vegetable gum similar to xanthan and is 100% plant-based. To substitute guar gum for gelatin, you’ll only need a small amount. It takes just a half teaspoon of guar gum to thicken one cup of liquid.
7. Arrowroot Powder
Arrowroot is a starchy vegetable that is used to make arrowroot powder. Arrowroot powder is very similar to cornstarch and is also used as a thickener. To substitute arrowroot powder for gelatin, you can start with a 1:1 swap. Then, add a touch more arrowroot powder as you go to achieve the right consistency.
8. Instant Clear Jel
One of the best products to use as a gelatin substitute is instant clear jel. This product was specifically designed to be a plant-based gelatin substitute and it’s easy to use. Unlike gelatin and some of the other alternatives, instant clear jel does not require heating to produce results, making it a great choice for no-bake recipes. To substitute instant clear jel for gelatin, you’ll need about one tablespoon to thicken one cup of liquid.
9. Tapioca Starch
Tapioca starch is another vegetable powder that is fairly interchangeable with cornstarch or arrowroot powder. Follow the same 1:1 substitution ratio for gelatin replacement, and add more if needed. Both arrowroot and tapioca starch are good choices as cornstarch substitutes if you don’t have that or gelatin in the pantry.
10. Vegan Gel
Vegan gel is essentially the same thing as instant clear jel and is becoming more widely available in specialty markets. Vegan gels are a blend of various vegan ingredients versus being a single food product. Follow package directions when using a vegan gel as a substitute for gelatin.
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Despite being a fairly benign ingredient, gelatin plays a crucial role in many recipes, transforming ingredients into something with texture and structure. However, you may not always have it on hand and because gelatin is made from animal collagen, it isn’t appropriate for vegans, vegetarians or those who avoid beef or pork products.
Luckily, there are many plant-based products that will act as gelatin substitutes, like those on this list, so you don’t have to miss out on whipping up recipes that have gelatin as a primary ingredient.
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