Jelly Tots and Jelly Babies share a factory heritage and a jelly-sweet family tree, but bite into one of each and the difference is obvious in the first second.
A 1967 answer to Bassett's Jelly Babies
Rowntree's, the York confectioner behind Fruit Pastilles and Fruit Gums, launched Jelly Tots in 1967. By then Jelly Babies had been a shop-counter staple for over a century, so Rowntree's went a different direction: tiny, dome-shaped, fruit-flavoured drops instead of chewy baby-shaped figures.
The recipe that makes them vegetarian-friendly
The single biggest difference between the two sweets isn't shape — it's what holds them together. Jelly Babies are set with gelatine, an animal-derived ingredient. Jelly Tots use a starch-based setting process instead, with no gelatine in the recipe, making them one of the small handful of classic British jelly sweets that vegetarians can eat without checking the pack twice.
Texture: firm dome vs soft chew
- Jelly Tots — a firmer, almost slightly grainy set, with a thin sugared shell and a small, bite-sized dome shape.
- Jelly Babies — a softer, chewier, more uniform texture all the way through, in a bigger, baby-shaped mould.
Both remain fixtures of the UK's retro sweet aisle — browse them alongside other Rowntree's classics in our Rowntree's collection or the wider retro sweets collection.
Frequently asked questions
When did Rowntree's launch Jelly Tots?
Rowntree's launched Jelly Tots in 1967, decades after Jelly Babies had already established themselves in British sweet shops, giving the market a smaller, firmer, fruit-flavoured alternative.
Do Jelly Tots contain gelatine?
No. Unlike Jelly Babies, Jelly Tots are set without gelatine, using a starch-based gelling process instead, which is why they're one of the few classic jelly sweets suitable for vegetarians.
What's the texture difference between Jelly Tots and Jelly Babies?
Jelly Tots have a firmer, slightly grainy set with a light sugar-dusted shell, while Jelly Babies are softer and chewier throughout, with a smooth gum-like bite.