Jello is one of those foods that we all love. It’s probably one of the first Jell-O recipes you tried as a kid or maybe even now as an adult.
No matter how many different types of Jell-O you’ve had, there is always that one thing that keeps throwing you off: the watery jello! You end up with a soft, runny consistency and it just doesn’t seem right.
To make your gelatin desserts more consistent, read on to learn how to fix watery jello.
What is watery jello?
Watery jello is the result of too much liquid being added to the gelatin. It’s usually right after you add the liquid to the dry ingredients, but not long enough to let the dry ingredients absorb any liquid.
You can tell when the gelatin is too watery by the look and consistency of the dessert. Watery jello will be runny, not have super defined edges, and have a watery texture. The edges of your desserts may even look like you’ve left the bowl a few seconds too long to whip up a batch.
Watery jello does not set, so it’s best to simply throw it away.
Signs of watery jello
– The edges are not jiggly – The sides are still gelatinous but the top is set – The jello is runny with a watery texture – The sides are clearly separated from the top – The jello doesn’t look like Jell-O
Why does gelatin turn watery?
Gelatin is an interesting ingredient. It’s made from animal collagen, which is a protein. Collagen is what gives skin, nails, and ligaments their strength.
Gelatin is made by dissolving collagen in water and also other ingredients to add color and sweetness. Gelatin is a very hygroscopic (read: absorbs a lot of water) ingredient. This means that the gelatin absorbs water from the air and changes consistency. There is nothing you can do to prevent this. You can, however, make sure it doesn’t happen in your kitchen.
Add more gelatin or corn starch to make it set
The gelatin in your Jell-O may have been watered down when you added the liquid. If this is the case, more gelatin or corn starch should help it set. Remember that gelatin is an absorbent ingredient, so you want to make sure it’s completely saturated
If your Jell-O doesn’t seem to be setting, try stirring in a few more tablespoons of corn starch or gelatin. Also, don’t keep scooping out the water; you want the gelatin to absorb as much water as possible.
Add sweetener to make it taste better
If your Jell-O is too watery and you want to add some sweetness to make it taste better, you can add some sweetener. This helps to balance out the watery taste of the gelatin.
If watery jello is a result of not letting the gelatin set, you can try adding a bit of sweetener to make it taste better.
You can also try adding a sweetener during the initial step of gelatin making, as the gelatin will already be sweet.
Cool your gelatin before you mix in the other ingredients
You’ve probably heard that you should cool your gelatin before adding the other ingredients. This will help the gelatin to set faster and give you a more consistent texture.
Try putting your gelatin in the fridge for about 30 minutes before adding the other ingredients to make it set faster.
Final Tips
The best way to fix watery jello is to try to avoid over-watered gelatin in the first place. If you don’t let the gelatin sit long enough in the water, it won’t turn into Jell-O. If it is too watery, try to add more gelatin or corn starch to help it set. If your Jell-O just isn’t sweet enough, try adding some sweeteners such as honey or simple syrup. If your Jell-O is just too watery, try chilling the bowl or adding more gelatin or corn starch
We hope you’ve learned how to fix watery jello and can now enjoy your gelatin desserts with confidence!
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