Watermelon Jelly and Custard (Dye-Free)

Enjoy this refreshing Watermelon Jelly and Custard dessert that layers homemade watermelon jello and a creamy vegan vanilla custard with fresh fruits. These custard and jelly pots are a naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and AIP/paleo fruit treat.

Watermelon Jelly and Custard Recipe

Whether you call it jelly or jello, you’ll be in love with this fun fruit snack! Unlike boxed jello and packaged custard desserts, my homemade version is completely refined sugar-free and dye-free, with no artificial flavorings.

I make the watermelon jelly with only freshly made watermelon juice, gelatin, and a pinch of salt.

💡Once you use a ripe watermelon, it’s naturally sweet without any added sweeteners!

I pair it with my creamy vanilla vegan custard from my Gluten Free Rhubarb Custard Tart and Lemon Custard with Strawberry Compote recipes. I mix in a medley of fresh fruits for added flavors and texture and top it with fresh blueberries.

This easy no-bake dessert is the perfect summer treat to beat the heat!

Want some more refreshing fruit treats? Try my Watermelon Mochi, Gluten Free Lemon Blueberry Bars, Mango Mochi, or Watermelon Fruit Jello recipes.

What You’ll Need

Watermelon Jelly

Vegan Custard & Fruits

⭐️ Use your choice of fresh fruits to mix with the custard and for topping, optional. I used grapes and bananas and topped with blueberries.

How To Make Watermelon Jelly and Custard

Step 1: Make Watermelon Juice

Blend watermelon in a blender and filter through a fine-mesh sieve or strainer to remove the pulp and any seeds. Measure out 2 cups of the watermelon juice.

Step 2: Prepare the Gelatin

Bloom the gelatin by pouring it into a small bowl with cold water and let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken.

Step 3: Make Watermelon Jelly

To a saucepan over medium heat, add watermelon juice and pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Then dissolve the gelatin mixture into the boiling watermelon juice, whisking frequently to avoid clumping.

Step 4: Set the Watermelon Jelly

Pour the jelly evenly into 2 glasses or 4 ramekins. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until set. If you want slanted layers, pour jelly into angled glasses or ramekins, as pictured below.

Step 5: Make the Custard

Follow the instructions as per my Lemon Custard with Strawberry Compote recipe.

Step 6: Add Fresh Fruit

Using 1/2 cup of any fresh fruit that you’d like, mix it into the custard.

Step 7: Layer the Watermelon Jelly and Custard

Once watermelon jelly is set, pour the custard with fruit into the serving dishes. Top with more fresh fruit if desired.

Tips & Tricks

Angle the Jelly

This is purely aesthetic! Follow the pictures to see how to angle the glasses against the wall of a container to let the jelly set at an angle.

Chill

Once you’ve assembled the dish you can return to the fridge for about 30 minutes for a fully chilled dessert. Extra refreshing!

Custard Tips

Follow the tips in my Lemon Custard with Strawberry Compote recipe for making the custard.

Flavor Variations

Try making the jello with other types of freshly made fruit juices.

For a lemon flavored custard, add 3-4 TBSP of lemon juice.

Storage Instructions

• Fridge: Cover unserved or leftover custard and jelly pots with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for 2-3 days. For longer storage or if making in advance, I recommend storing the two components separately.
  • Watermelon Jelly: Store in the serving glass or ramekin covered with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 1 week.
  • Custard: Store cooled custard in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Reheat slightly in the microwave and stir with a fork to break up any clumps or serve chilled if you prefer. Mix the custard with fresh fruit and top with fresh fruit (if desired) just before serving.
• I don’t recommend freezing this dish, either assembled or separately.

Watermelon Jelly and Custard Recipe (Dye-Free)

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• Author: Nicole Charles
• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 2–4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Enjoy this refreshing Watermelon Jelly and Custard dessert that layers homemade watermelon jello and a creamy vegan vanilla custard with fresh fruits. These custard and jelly pots are a naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and AIP/paleo fruit treat.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Watermelon Jelly

• 2 cups watermelon juice (about 4 cups cubed watermelon)
• 2 TBSP gelatin
• 1 cup cold water
• pinch of salt

Vegan Vanilla Custard

• 3 cups full fat coconut milk
• 6 TBSP arrowroot starch
• 6 TBSP maple syrup
• 3 tsp pure vanilla extract
• pinch of sea salt
• pinch of turmeric (optional, for color)
• 1/2 cup fresh fruit of choice plus more for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Make the watermelon juice by blending cubed watermelon in a high powered blender until it becomes a smooth liquid. Strain through a mesh sieve to remove pulp and seeds, then measure out 2 cups of watermelon juice. 
2. In a small bowl, pour the gelatin into the cold water and let sit for 5 minutes.
3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, add watermelon juice and pinch of salt and bring to a boil. 
4. Dissolve the gelatin mixture into the boiling watermelon juice, whisking frequently to avoid any clumping.
5. Pour the watermelon gelatin mixture into 2 glasses or 4 ramekins. If you want the layers slanted on a diagonal, angle the glasses or ramekins against the wall of a larger container before pouring in the mixture (as pictured in the photo). 
6. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight, noting that the longer the chill time, the firmer the watermelon jelly will be.
7. Make the custard as per the Lemon Custard recipe.
8. Once the custard has cooled, add 1/2 cup of fresh fruit if desired and mix together. 
9. Add the custard to the glasses of watermelon jelly. 
10. Top with fresh blueberries or other fresh fruit of choice, if desired. 

Notes

This recipe yields 2 small glasses or about 4 standard size ramekins.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Chill Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Stovetop, Assembled
• Cuisine: American

As the creator of an online dairy-free and gluten-free baking school, I understand how challenging it is to find dairy and gluten-free goods that taste as delicious as their conventional counterparts. With its sweet and creamy flavors and textures, you’ll love this Watermelon Jelly and Custard dessert! If you try it, I would appreciate it if you would give it a rating and review. Be sure to snap a picture of the finished product and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @healmedelicious and using the hashtag #healmedelicious.