How Many Calories Are in Vegan Jelly? A Comprehensive Guide

January 3, 2026 •

4 min read

One prepared serving of a low-sugar vegan jelly can contain as few as 6 calories, while others can be much higher. This wide variation means the answer to "how many calories are in vegan jelly?" is not straightforward and depends heavily on its ingredients.

Quick Summary

The calorie content of vegan jelly depends on its plant-based gelling agent, sweeteners, and additional ingredients. It can range from very low-calorie to similar levels as traditional jelly, depending on the brand and recipe used.

Key Points

Variable Calories: The number of calories in vegan jelly is not fixed; it depends heavily on the specific ingredients, particularly the sweeteners used.
Low-Calorie Gelling Agents: Vegan jelly is made with low-calorie, plant-based gelling agents like agar-agar or carrageenan, which contribute very few calories to the final product.
Sugars are Key: The calorie count is primarily determined by whether the jelly is sweetened with sugar, high-sugar fruit juice, or low/no-calorie sugar substitutes.
Calorie Comparison: Some sugar-free vegan jellies are significantly lower in calories than traditional sugary jellies, while naturally sweetened versions can be comparable.
Control with DIY: Making your own vegan jelly at home allows for total control over the ingredients, making it easy to create a low-calorie or sugar-free treat.
Label Reading: Always check nutrition labels to compare calories, sugar content, and ingredients across different vegan jelly products before purchasing.

What Influences Calories in Vegan Jelly?

Unlike traditional jelly, which relies on gelatin derived from animal collagen, vegan jelly uses plant-based alternatives. These gelling agents are typically very low in calories themselves. The most significant factors determining the final calorie count are the sweeteners and additional ingredients.

Gelling Agents

The core of vegan jelly is the gelling agent. The most common types include:

Agar-agar: A gelling agent derived from red seaweed. Agar-agar is very low in calories and high in fiber. A standard serving of agar-agar powder contains minimal calories, usually less than 15, which contributes negligibly to the final product's energy content.
Carrageenan: Also sourced from red seaweed, carrageenan can provide a different texture than agar-agar. Like agar-agar, it contributes minimal calories and functions primarily as a thickener.
Konjac Gum: Extracted from the konjac plant, this gum is another common gelling agent used in vegan products. It is also low in calories and can provide a very high-fiber texture.

Sweeteners and Other Ingredients

While the gelling agent provides the structure, the flavor and most of the calories come from the added liquids and sweeteners. This is where the calorie count can vary dramatically. For example:

Sugar-Sweetened: Vegan jelly mixes that use sugar or are made with high-sugar fruit juices will have a significantly higher calorie count. Some commercial sugar-sweetened vegan jellies can be around 78 calories per serving.
Sugar-Free or Low-Sugar: Many vegan jelly products are specifically designed to be low in sugar or use sugar alternatives like erythritol or stevia. These typically contain very few calories, sometimes as low as 6-20 calories per serving.
Added Fruit and Juices: Homemade or store-bought jellies made with fruit purees or concentrated juices will have calories proportional to the sugar in the fruit. While natural, this can still add up. Conversely, using diluted juice or a zero-calorie drink can keep the calories very low.
Protein Powder or Coconut Milk: Some recipes add ingredients for flavor and nutrition. A recipe from Myvegan includes fruit-flavored protein powder, resulting in a 50-calorie-per-serving jelly with added protein. Adding ingredients like coconut milk will also increase the fat and calorie count, changing the texture and nutritional profile.

Vegan vs. Traditional Jelly: A Calorie Comparison

To understand the calorie differences more clearly, let's compare some common options. The main distinction between vegan and traditional jelly is not inherently the calorie count, but rather the gelling agent used. As the table shows, the sugar content is the primary factor affecting calories in both categories.


Jelly Type	Typical Calories Per Serving (approx.)	Primary Gelling Agent	Sweetener Used	Notes
Traditional Sugary Jell-O	70-80 kcal	Gelatin (animal-based)	Sugar	High in sugar and calories.
Traditional Sugar-Free Jell-O	~10 kcal	Gelatin (animal-based)	Artificial sweeteners	Very low in calories, but not vegan.
Sugar-Free Vegan Jelly	6-20 kcal	Agar-agar, Carrageenan	Sugar substitutes	Vegan and very low calorie, excellent for weight management.
Homemade Vegan Juice Jelly	20-60+ kcal	Agar-agar, Konjac gum	Fruit juice	Calories vary depending on the sweetness and type of juice.
High-Protein Vegan Jelly	~50 kcal	Agar-agar	Fruit juice, protein powder	Higher in calories due to protein content.

Making Your Own Low-Calorie Vegan Jelly

For those who want ultimate control over their dessert's nutritional content, making vegan jelly at home is the best option. Here is a simple approach to create a low-calorie version:

Ingredients:

4 cups of a zero-calorie fruit-flavored drink or diluted fruit juice
1 tablespoon of agar-agar powder (or 3 tablespoons of flakes)
Optional: Stevia or monk fruit extract for additional sweetness
Optional: Fresh or frozen berries for flavor and texture

Instructions:

In a saucepan, bring the liquid of your choice to a boil.
Whisk in the agar-agar powder and simmer for 1-2 minutes, whisking constantly to ensure it dissolves fully. If using flakes, simmer for 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in any optional sweeteners or fruits.
Pour the mixture into molds or a dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until set.

By following this method, you can enjoy a delicious, fruity jelly with minimal calories.

How to Choose a Vegan Jelly for Your Needs

When navigating the wide world of vegan jellies, it's important to be an informed consumer. Consider the following tips based on your dietary goals:

For Weight Management

If you are counting calories or aiming for weight loss, stick to options that are explicitly labeled as "sugar-free" or "low-calorie." These products will use sugar substitutes and have a calorie count similar to traditional sugar-free Jell-O, making them a satisfying, guilt-free treat.

For a More Natural Treat

If you prefer to avoid artificial ingredients, look for products sweetened with fruit juice or natural sugar. Be aware that the calorie count will be higher, but you'll avoid synthetic additives. Making your own at home using 100% fruit juice is the most natural way to go.

Check the Labels

Always read the nutrition facts panel carefully. The calories per serving, sugar content, and type of sweetener will be clearly listed. Compare a few different brands to find one that aligns with your health and diet goals.

Conclusion

The question of how many calories are in vegan jelly has no single answer, as the calorie content varies greatly based on the gelling agent, sweeteners, and other additives used. While the gelling agents like agar-agar and carrageenan are inherently low-calorie, added sugars from fruit juices or other ingredients can increase the final count. For those on a diet, low-sugar or homemade vegan jellies are an excellent option for a light, refreshing dessert. By understanding the key ingredients and reading labels, you can easily find or create a vegan jelly that perfectly fits your nutritional needs. For more information on the health benefits of agar-agar, a common vegan gelling agent, you can consult resources like Dr. Axe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. While vegan jelly can be made very low in calories, the final count depends on the sweeteners used. Options made with fruit juice or sugar will be higher in calories than those using sugar substitutes.

Vegan jelly uses plant-based gelling agents. The most common are agar-agar (derived from seaweed), carrageenan (also from red seaweed), and konjac gum (from the konjac plant).

Calorie counts can be similar or drastically different. Sugar-free vegan jelly can be as low as 6-20 calories, comparable to sugar-free Jell-O (around 10 calories). However, regular Jell-O (70-80 calories) can be higher than many sugar-sweetened vegan options.

Yes, especially sugar-free or homemade low-calorie versions. They can be a satisfying, low-energy-density dessert that helps curb sweet cravings, but weight loss depends on your overall dietary intake.

Yes, agar-agar is very low in calories. It is primarily a source of fiber, contributing very few calories to a typical serving of jelly.

To make a low-calorie vegan jelly, use a zero-calorie drink or diluted fruit juice, combined with agar-agar powder. You can add a natural, no-calorie sweetener like stevia for extra sweetness.

Many grocery stores carry vegan jelly powders, often alongside regular baking supplies or in the health food aisle. Some brands, like Wibble or Simply Delish, are available online or in specialty stores.