If you’re looking for a festive, colorful, and downright delightful treat to brighten your holiday table, this Christmas Jello Balls Recipe is your new go-to! These little bites combine vibrant red and green jello, creamy Greek yogurt, and the tropical crunch of desiccated coconut to create an irresistible sweet that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or just a joyful family dessert, these jello balls are a fresh twist on classic holiday flavors with a wonderfully light texture that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with the Christmas Jello Balls Recipe is a breeze, thanks to a handful of simple ingredients that work harmoniously to deliver bright colors, creamy textures, and a refreshing bite. Each component plays a key role in turning this recipe into a festive masterpiece.
- Strawberry Jello (3 ounces): Provides that gorgeous red color and sweet, fruity flavor essential for the holiday vibe.
- Lime Jello (3 ounces): Adds a zesty green hue and a tangy contrast that balances the sweetness.
- Sweetened Desiccated or Finely Chopped Coconut (6 ½ cups, divided): Offers a subtle tropical flavor and a delicate, chewy coating that keeps each ball perfectly moist.
- Plain Greek Yogurt (1 ½ cups, divided): Lends creaminess and a slight tang that complements the fruity jellos and adds a lovely texture.
How to Make Christmas Jello Balls Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Start by lining two 9×13 baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple prep keeps your jello balls from sticking and makes cleanup a snap, so you can focus on the fun part: mixing and rolling!
Step 2: Mix the Red Jello Mixture
In a medium bowl, combine ¾ cup of the plain Greek yogurt with the full 3-ounce packet of strawberry jello and 2 ½ cups of the coconut. Stir everything until it’s fully mixed, creating a sweet and tangy red base with a lovely coconut texture.
Step 3: Prep Coconut for Rolling
Pour about ¾ cup of the coconut into a small bowl; this will be used to coat the red jello balls later, giving them that delightful coconut crunch and helping them hold their shape.
Step 4: Shape and Roll the Red Balls
Put on some gloves to keep things tidy, then scoop slightly heaping ½ tablespoons of the red mixture. Roll each scoop into a smooth ball. Next, coat each ball thoroughly in the bowl of coconut you prepared, and transfer them to one of your parchment-lined baking sheets. This step is crucial for the perfect texture and festive look.
Step 5: Repeat for the Green Jello
For the lime jello balls, repeat the mixing and rolling process. Combine ¾ cup of yogurt, the lime jello, and 2 ½ cups of the coconut in a clean bowl. Remember to swap out the coconut for rolling with a fresh ¾ cup, so the green and red colors don’t mix and stay vibrant.
Step 6: Chill Until Set
Once all your red and green jello balls are formed and coated, place the trays in the fridge. Let them chill for at least 2 hours until they’re firm and ready to serve. The wait is totally worth it when you see those festive colors shining back at you!
How to Serve Christmas Jello Balls Recipe
Garnishes
Brighten up your Christmas Jello Balls Recipe with a sprinkling of fresh mint leaves or a few edible silver pearls for an extra touch of holiday sparkle. These garnishes not only look fantastic but add a subtle freshness that balances the sweetness beautifully.
Side Dishes
Pair your jello balls with light finger foods like mini mince pies or a simple cheese platter for a varied holiday spread. Their refreshing texture and flavor make them an ideal palate cleanser amidst richer dishes.
Creative Ways to Present
For a show-stopping presentation, serve the jello balls in a clear glass bowl layered with fresh cranberries or pomegranate seeds. Alternatively, thread them on festive skewers alternating with small marshmallows or berries to create edible holiday kebabs that delight both the eyes and the taste buds.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Christmas Jello Balls Recipe fresh by placing them in an airtight container and storing them in the refrigerator. They’ll stay deliciously ready to enjoy for up to 3 days, making them perfect for preparing ahead of holiday gatherings.
Freezing
While freezing isn’t recommended for this recipe because it can affect the texture of the yogurt and jello, if you must, wrap each ball individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. Thaw gently in the fridge before serving, though expect a slight change in consistency.
Reheating
No heating is needed for these jello balls—their cool, refreshing nature is part of their charm. Serving them chilled is essential to maintain their perfect texture and festive appeal.
FAQs
Can I use other flavors of jello for this recipe?
Absolutely! While strawberry and lime create the classic Christmas colors, feel free to experiment with flavors like raspberry and lemon or even orange and lime to match different themes or personal taste.
Is it necessary to use Greek yogurt, or can I substitute it?
Greek yogurt adds creaminess and a slight tang that balances the jello’s sweetness. You can substitute with regular plain yogurt, but the texture might be a bit softer, and the balls may not hold their shape as well.
Can I make these jello balls vegan?
Yes! Use a plant-based yogurt alternative and a vegan gelatin substitute like agar-agar. The texture will be similar, though the setting times may vary slightly.
How long will these jello balls keep in the fridge?
Stored in an airtight container, they are best eaten within 3 days to enjoy the freshest taste and best texture.
What’s the best way to serve these at a party?
Arrange them on a festive platter with holiday-themed toothpicks or in small candy cups for easy, mess-free serving. They also pair wonderfully alongside other finger foods and desserts.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Jello Balls Recipe is such a joyful and easy way to add color, flavor, and a bit of whimsy to your holiday celebrations. I promise once you try these, they’ll become a seasonal staple, loved by kids and adults alike. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and make some memories with these festive little bites that truly taste like holiday magic!
Print
Christmas Jello Balls Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 58 balls
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Festive and colorful Christmas Jello Balls made with strawberry and lime jello, Greek yogurt, and coconut. These no-bake treats are refreshing, creamy, and coated in coconut for a delightful chewy texture, perfect for holiday gatherings or parties.
Ingredients
Red Jello Balls
- 1 (3 ounce) package Strawberry Jello
- ¾ cup Plain Greek Yogurt
- 2 ½ cups Sweetened Desiccated or Finely Chopped Coconut
Green Jello Balls
- 1 (3 ounce) package Lime Jello
- ¾ cup Plain Greek Yogurt
- 2 ½ cups Sweetened Desiccated or Finely Chopped Coconut
For Rolling
- About ¾ cup Sweetened Desiccated or Finely Chopped Coconut (divided; one bowl for red, one bowl for green balls)
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two 9×13 inch baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside for the jello balls.
- Make Red Mixture: In a medium mixing bowl, combine ¾ cup Greek yogurt, the entire 3-ounce strawberry jello package, and 2 ½ cups of the coconut. Stir well until fully incorporated.
- Prepare Coconut Coating for Red Balls: Pour about ¾ cup of coconut into a small bowl for rolling the red jello balls.
- Form Red Jello Balls: Wearing gloves, scoop up slightly heaping ½ tablespoon of the red mixture and roll it into a ball with your hands. Then roll the ball in the bowl of coconut until coated, and place it on one of the prepared baking sheets.
- Complete Red Balls: Continue rolling the remaining red mixture into balls, coating each in coconut, and arranging them on the baking sheet.
- Repeat for Green Mixture: Repeat steps 2 through 5 using the lime jello, ¾ cup Greek yogurt, and 2 ½ cups coconut. Use a fresh ¾ cup of coconut for rolling the green balls to avoid color mixing. Place these on the other prepared baking sheet.
- Chill to Set: Place both trays in the refrigerator and chill for 2 hours or until the jello balls are firm and set.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once set, enjoy these festive and refreshing Christmas Jello Balls at your holiday party or as a sweet holiday snack!
Notes
- Use gloves when rolling the jello balls to prevent sticking and color contamination on hands.
- Fresh coconut for rolling each color ensures vibrant red and green jello balls with no color bleed.
- These jello balls are best served chilled and should be stored in the refrigerator.
- Experiment with other jello flavors for different color combinations if desired.
- If you want firmer balls, you can chill the mixture before rolling.
