Does Walmart Have Vegan Jello? Brands, Alternatives, and Shopping Tips

January 10, 2026 •

4 min read

Jell-O, the popular brand name for gelatin dessert, is primarily made from animal collagen, meaning it is not vegan or vegetarian. Many shoppers on a plant-based diet wonder if they can find suitable alternatives at major grocery stores like Walmart to recreate this classic jiggly dessert.

Quick Summary

Walmart carries vegan-friendly jel dessert mixes and alternatives, such as products from Simply Delish and Bakol, which use plant-based gelling agents instead of animal gelatin. Shoppers can also find agar-agar powder, a seaweed derivative, in the store to create DIY vegan gelatin desserts.

Key Points

Vegan Alternatives Available: Walmart sells plant-based jel dessert mixes from brands like Simply Delish and Bakol, typically in the baking or special diet sections.
DIY with Agar-Agar: For homemade vegan jello, Walmart carries agar-agar powder, a seaweed-based gelatin substitute, in the baking aisle.
Jell-O is Not Vegan: The standard Jell-O brand contains animal-derived gelatin and is not suitable for a vegan diet.
Online vs. In-Store Shopping: While some vegan options may be in-store, online shopping through Walmart.com often provides a wider selection of plant-based mixes and ingredients.
Check Ingredients: Always check the product label for the gelling agent, looking for plant-based sources like agar-agar or carrageenan rather than animal gelatin.
Texture Differences: Agar-agar-based jello typically has a firmer, less wobbly texture than traditional gelatin, but it sets quickly at room temperature.

For those following a plant-based diet, finding a vegan version of classic gelatin dessert can be a challenge. While the name-brand Jell-O is not vegan due to its animal-derived gelatin content, Walmart does stock several excellent plant-based alternatives and ingredients for making your own jiggly treats. By knowing which brands to look for and where to find them, you can satisfy your craving for this nostalgic dessert without compromising your values.

Plant-Based Jel Dessert Mixes at Walmart

One of the easiest ways to get vegan jello is by purchasing a pre-packaged mix from brands that specifically cater to plant-based lifestyles. These products are designed to be prepared in a similar way to traditional gelatin mixes but use plant-based gelling agents instead. Walmart is known to carry a few of these brands, though availability can vary by location.

Simply Delish Jel Dessert

Simply Delish is a brand that frequently appears on Walmart's website and sometimes on shelves. Their jel dessert is a popular choice for vegans as it is made with a natural, plant-based gelling agent. Key features include:

Sugar-free and low-calorie: It is sweetened with erythritol and stevia, making it suitable for those watching their sugar intake.
Gluten-free and keto-friendly: The mixes are free from gluten and have zero net carbs.
Varied flavors: Common flavors include strawberry, peach, orange, and raspberry.

Bakol Jel Dessert

Bakol offers another all-natural, vegan jel dessert mix that is often available at Walmart. This brand is also gluten-free and non-GMO, and it provides a great texture comparable to traditional gelatin. Bakol mixes are a reliable option for making vegan gelatin at home.

How to Make DIY Vegan Jello with Walmart Ingredients

If you prefer to make your own from scratch, Walmart carries the key ingredient you need: agar-agar powder. Agar-agar is a gelling agent derived from red algae and is a common substitute for animal-based gelatin in vegan cooking.

Finding Agar-Agar Powder

At Walmart, you can find agar-agar powder in the baking aisle, often near the regular gelatin or specialty flours. Search results have confirmed the availability of brands like NatureJam and NOW Foods Agar Powder online and potentially in stores.

A simple recipe for DIY vegan jello:

Gather ingredients: You will need agar-agar powder, your preferred fruit juice (such as grape, orange, or berry), and a sweetener if desired (like sugar or maple syrup).
Combine and boil: In a saucepan, whisk together the agar-agar powder and cold fruit juice. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 2-5 minutes, stirring continuously to fully dissolve the agar. Note that agar sets much more firmly and faster than gelatin, so precise measurements are important.
Pour and set: Pour the mixture into a dish or molds and let it cool. Agar-agar sets at room temperature, but chilling it in the refrigerator for at least two hours will give it a firmer consistency.

Pre-Made Jelly Cups and Snacks

For a convenient, grab-and-go option, some pre-made fruit jelly cups available at Walmart are also vegan. However, it's crucial to check the ingredient list carefully, as many contain traditional gelatin. Always check the ingredients list for items that are specifically marketed as vegan or free from animal products.

Funtasty Jelly Cups

Some Funtasty Jelly Cups are advertised as vegan-friendly and made with coconut chunks, though they might be primarily found online. Always verify the ingredients before purchasing.

Comparative Look: Vegan Jello vs. Traditional Jell-O


Feature	Vegan Jel (e.g., Simply Delish, Bakol)	Traditional Jell-O (Kraft Heinz)
Gelling Agent	Plant-based ingredients like agar-agar (red algae) or carrageenan (seaweed).	Animal-derived collagen, typically from cow or pig hides and bones.
Primary Ingredients	Gelling agent, natural flavors, sweeteners (sugar or alternatives).	Gelatin, sugar or artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, and food coloring.
Availability at Walmart	Often available through Walmart's website; in-store availability may be limited to larger locations or baking aisles.	Widely available in all Walmart stores and online.
Texture	Generally firmer and less bouncy or "jiggly" than traditional gelatin. Sets at room temperature.	Elastic, jiggly, and bouncy texture. Requires refrigeration to set.
Preparation	Easy to prepare, requires boiling water and chilling.	Very easy to prepare by mixing with boiling water and chilling.
Dietary Compliance	Suitable for vegans, vegetarians, and many following kosher or halal diets.	Not suitable for vegans, vegetarians, or many following kosher or halal diets due to animal-based ingredients.

Conclusion

While the popular Jell-O brand found at Walmart is not vegan, the store does provide ample options for a plant-based diet. For those who enjoy a quick and easy dessert, pre-packaged mixes from brands like Simply Delish and Bakol are a convenient solution that uses plant-based thickeners. If you prefer to have more control over the ingredients, agar-agar powder is a readily available and effective substitute for creating your own vegan jello from scratch using fruit juice. With a little searching, you can easily find a satisfying vegan gelatin alternative on Walmart's shelves or website. To further explore the difference between traditional and plant-based desserts, consider learning more about the origins of gelatin itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Walmart carries vegan jel dessert mixes from brands such as Bakol and Simply Delish, which can often be found in the baking, health food, or special diet sections of the store, and are widely available on Walmart.com.

No, brand-name Jell-O is not vegan because it is made with animal-derived collagen, which is used as the gelling agent.

Yes, you can purchase agar-agar powder at Walmart to make your own vegan gelatin from scratch. It is derived from seaweed and can be found in the baking aisle.

Start by checking the baking aisle where traditional gelatin is sold. If you don't find it there, check the specialty health foods section, international foods aisle, or search on Walmart.com to order directly.

Agar-agar is a thickening and gelling agent made from red algae. It is a perfect substitute for animal-based gelatin in vegan recipes because it creates a firm, gel-like consistency when heated and cooled.

Unlike the gelatin desserts, Jell-O brand instant pudding mixes typically do not contain gelatin. They use cornstarch and other thickeners. However, they are still not vegan because they require dairy milk for preparation.

Vegan jello made with agar-agar tends to be firmer and less jiggly than its animal-based counterpart. It sets more quickly, and some find it to have a slightly different mouthfeel, but it is an effective and enjoyable alternative.