This interesting dessert recipe is best eaten right away. It turns an ordinary pack of ramen into a wiggly, goofy little treat that looks just odd enough to make kids do a double take.
If you need a cheap party dessert, a Halloween gag, or just something fun to make with a box of Jell-O, this one does the job with very little effort. Lightly browning the crushed noodles gives them a toasty bite, then the gelatin sets around them for that unmistakable “ramen” look.
Ingredients for Jello Ramen Noodles
- 1 package ramen noodles, crushed, seasoning packet reserved for another recipe
- 1 package Jell-O
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, such as canola
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 cup hot water
This uses a standard 3-ounce ramen packet and a standard 3-ounce box of flavored gelatin dessert mix. Any regular flavor works, but lime is especially fun if you’re making the Halloween version below.
How to Make Jello Ramen Noodles
The method is simple. Brown the dry noodles first so they keep a little texture, then stir them into dissolved gelatin and chill until set.
- Heat the oil in a small frying pan.
- Once the oil is hot, add the crushed raw ramen noodles.
- Saute until lightly browned, then remove from the heat.
- In a separate bowl, combine the Jell-O and hot water and stir until dissolved.
- Add the cold water and mix until well blended.
- Stir in the browned ramen noodles.
- Place the mixture in the refrigerator and chill until set.
Halloween Brain Mold Version
This would make a lovely Halloween “Brain” recipe if you used lime Jello. Just pour it into a prepared brain mold and let it set.
If you want the ridges to show cleanly, lightly coat the mold first and chill the filled mold on a flat tray so it sets evenly. Unmold just before serving for the best shape.
Tips for the Best Texture
- Crush the noodles before browning so they resemble short dessert “noodles” instead of big crunchy chunks.
- Brown them lightly, not deeply. You want a little toasted flavor, not bitter bits.
- Stir the gelatin until fully dissolved before adding the cold water. Gritty gelatin stays gritty. No one wants that surprise.
- Use a shallow dish if you want faster chilling. A thinner layer sets more quickly and scoops more neatly.
- Serve it cold for the best texture. As it warms, the gelatin softens and the noodles lose their contrast.
If you’re looking for more playful noodle ideas, Coconut Lime Ramen Dessert is another fun twist, and 250+ Jello Shot Flavors That’ll Blow Your Mind (and Your Party) has plenty of flavor inspiration if you want to branch out.
Storage and Make-Ahead
This dessert is best eaten the day you make it. The noodles gradually soften as they sit in the gelatin, so the texture is most interesting while it’s still freshly set.
If you do have leftovers, cover them tightly or transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate promptly. For a conservative food-safety window, use leftovers within 3 to 4 days and refrigerate within 2 hours, following general USDA leftovers and food safety guidance. Quality is best within the first 24 hours because the noodles continue to absorb moisture.
You can make it a few hours ahead for a party, but I wouldn’t make it too far in advance if you want that distinct noodle texture to hold up.
Serving Suggestions
Spoon it into small dessert bowls, clear cups, or a novelty mold for the full effect. Lime works especially well for Halloween, but cherry, orange, and berry blue all make a pretty memorable batch too.
If you want to lean into the joke, serve it with chopsticks next to real dinner bowls. If you want it to look a little less suspicious and a little more party-friendly, a dollop of whipped topping softens the look and adds sweetness.
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Jello Ramen Noodles
Ingredient |
Walmart Item |
Pkg Price |
Amount Used |
Cost Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ramen noodles |
$0.28 |
1 package ≈ 1 package/count = 3 oz = 85.049 g ≈ 0.654 cup |
$0.28 |
|
Jell-O |
$0.98 |
1 package ≈ package ≈ 0.567 cup(s) |
$0.98 |
|
Vegetable oil |
$3.97 |
1 T. |
$0.04 |
|
Cold water |
– |
1 C. |
$0.01 |
|
Hot water |
– |
1 C. |
$0.01 |
💸 |
Cost |
|---|---|
🧾 Total Batch Cost |
$1.32 |
👨👩👧👦 Cost Per Serving |
$0.33 |
📅 Walmart prices last verified August 26, 2026. Prices may vary by location and are subject to change. Learn how to calculate the cost of a recipe on your own!
🛒 Walmart Grocery List
Not sure exactly what this batch costs you per serving? Here’s how to break down the real cost of any recipe so you know before you shop.
Frequently Asked Questions about Jello Ramen Noodles
You can use any regular 3-ounce flavor you like. Lime gives you the best spooky look for the brain mold version, while cherry, orange, and berry flavors make the dessert look more playful than suspicious.
Yes, it helps more than you’d think. A quick saute gives the dry noodles a lightly toasted flavor and keeps them from tasting flat once they’re suspended in the gelatin.
Ramen works best because it’s thin, springy, and easy to crush into noodle-like strands. Other dry noodles are usually too hard, too thick, or too awkward to soften properly in the gelatin.
Plan on about 2 to 4 hours in the refrigerator, depending on the depth of your dish. A shallow pan sets faster than a deep mold, so if you’re in a hurry, spread it out instead of piling it up.
You can make it a few hours ahead the same day, and that’s your sweet spot. Overnight works in a pinch, but the noodles soften more as they sit, so the texture gets less fun and more uniformly squishy.
A small shallow dish is easiest if you want clean scoops and faster chilling. For Halloween, a prepared brain mold gives the most dramatic result, but set it on a tray first so it chills level instead of sliding around your refrigerator like trouble.
The gelatin probably didn’t dissolve fully in the hot water. Stir until the crystals are completely gone before adding the cold water, or you’ll end up with a sandy texture that no amount of chilling will fix.
Spoon it into small bowls and serve it cold for the clearest noodle effect. If you really want to lean into the joke, use chopsticks and keep the portions small so the gelatin holds its shape a little better.
Absolutely. Just keep the same ratio of 1 package ramen, 1 package Jell-O, 1 tablespoon oil, 1 cup hot water, and 1 cup cold water per batch, then use a larger dish so it still chills evenly.
Cover the dish tightly or move leftovers to an airtight container as soon as they’re chilled. That helps prevent refrigerator odors and slows surface moisture loss, though the noodles will still keep softening as they sit.
📌 Love this Jello Ramen Noodles? Pin it!
Did you make this recipe? Tell us how you served it, what Jell-O flavor you used, or whether the kids fell for the ramen trick. Drop a comment below.
🖨️ Print-Friendly Jello Ramen Noodles
Jello Ramen Noodles
Ingredients
- 1 package ramen noodles crushed
- 1 package Jell-O
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 cup hot water
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a small frying pan.
- Add the crushed raw ramen noodles and saute until lightly browned.
- Remove the noodles from the heat.
- In a separate bowl, combine the Jell-O and hot water and stir until dissolved.
- Add the cold water and mix until well blended.
- Stir in the browned ramen noodles.
- Pour into a dish or mold and refrigerate until set.
Recipe Size Alteration
💡 If you altered the ingredients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cook time.
Notes
For Halloween, use lime Jell-O and pour the mixture into a prepared brain mold.
Best eaten the same day for the best texture.
Prep and set times are estimates. Active prep is about 10 minutes, and chilling usually takes 2 to 4 hours.
Estimated refrigerated storage: up to 3 to 4 days in an airtight container, though texture is best within 24 hours.
so what part about using lime green jello makes this oily crap dessert a brain? hmmmph? yeah…i thought so.
maybe you should tell people to drain the ramen, you do not deserve to be called a cook, no, actually, i take it back, you do not even deserve to touch food
wow “johnny”, you took the time to create an id to login to berate someone when you couldn’t be bothered to even read the recipe first?
first of all, how is 1 Tablespoon of oil in a recipe, “oily”
Secondly, How do you “Drain” ramen noodles that haven’t been cooked? At least take the time to read the directions of how to prepare a dish before you spout off with your drivel.
third, if you were at all creative you could pour the ramen/jello mixture into a brain mold (seems you could use a brain!) and let it set in the fridge. the ramen noodles give it a great texture that makes it look like brain. we do this every year at our halloween party and it’s a big hit.
4th, – if you are such a great cook, lets see YOU post some recipes & Budget tips. If you don’t have anything nice to say, beat it, The world is full of pompous asses like yourself.