Gelatin Substitutes

Out of gelatin? These are the swaps that actually work, with conversion ratios for any recipe size and notes on how each one changes the result.

Need to convert gelatin between cups, grams, or ounces first? Open the gelatin converter.

What to use instead of gelatin

  • Agar-Agar

    Ingredient swap

    1 tsp powdered gelatin = 1 tsp agar-agar powder

    Agar-agar sets firmer than gelatin and holds at room temperature without refrigeration. It is a good match for jellies and vegan-friendly mousses, though the texture is slightly stiffer and more brittle than a gelatin set.

    See agar-agar substitutes →

  • Pectin

    Ingredient swap

    Use pectin only for jams and jellies, not for mousse or panna cotta

    Pectin requires sugar and acid to gel and will not set a cream-based dessert. It is a workable substitute only where the recipe already contains both, such as fruit jams, jellies, and gummies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I substitute for gelatin?
There are 2 workable substitutes for gelatin, depending on what you have on hand and which property of gelatin matters most for your recipe. The closest swap is usually 1 tsp powdered gelatin = 1 tsp agar-agar powder. Each option below lists the conversion ratio for any recipe size, plus notes on how the swap changes the texture, flavour, rise, or browning.
Will substituting gelatin change how my recipe turns out?
Yes, every swap trades one property for another: fat content, moisture, acidity, or protein. The notes on each substitute describe what changes in texture, flavour, rise, or browning, so you can choose the swap that matters least for your recipe. Open the gelatin converter
How do I measure gelatin accurately?
Weighing in grams is more reliable than scooping cups, especially when a substitute has a different density from what the recipe expects. The gelatin converter on this site converts between cups, grams, ounces, tablespoons, and teaspoons, so you can scale a recipe up or down without losing the ratio. Open the gelatin converter

Other ingredient and produce substitutes

Find what to use instead of: