How to Dye Sprinkles

Learn how to dye sprinkles any color using this simple gel food coloring method! Create unique, custom colors not available in stores. Super easy, fun, and perfect for any occasion!

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This recipe was photographed and updated 2/2025.

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Shopping list:

• gel food coloring
• white sprinkles 
• parchment paper
• baking sheet
• plastic ziploc bag

As a food blogger, I go through a surprising amount of sprinkles. Because in my opinion, the more sprinkles, the better!  

Since I don’t have the space to store every color imaginable, I rely on this simple method of dyeing sprinkles with gel food coloring. All I need are plain white sprinkles and my collection of food dyes, and I can create any color I need, anytime.  

This has also become a fun little activity in our house. Hazel loves to help, especially when we’re making multiple colors at once. It’s the perfect hands on project for little ones!  

The whole process takes less than five minutes, with just a bit of drying time before the sprinkles are ready to use. Once dry, they’re perfect for decorating right away or storing for future baking fun.

If you're looking for more delicious recipes to use sprinkles, try my Pink Milkshake or Circus Animal Cookie Bark!

Keep scrolling for the full printable recipe 💙

Recipe tips and substitution ideas:

• This can be easily multiplied depending on how many sprinkles you need.

• This trick should work with any color you want or need.

• If you want to make a color you don’t have, just combine colors like you would do for frosting. For example, to make green sprinkles combine 1 drop blue food coloring and 1 drop yellow food coloring. Massage the bag before adding the sprinkles until the color is green and then add ½ cup sprinkles and continue as directed. 

• This trick works on pretty much any white sprinkle; nonpareils, jimmies or sprinkle mixes.

• Adding too much food coloring can result in the sprinkles clumping together. If they look like they’re sticking together in the bag, add a little more white sprinkles and continue to massage until they no longer stick together. 

• This should work with liquid food coloring but I have only tested it with gel. 

• The sprinkles can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 months.

Yield 1/2 cup

Author Hot Eats and Cool Reads

How to Dye Sprinkles

Ingredients

• 1 plastic ziploc bag
• 1 drop gel food coloring
• ½ cup white sprinkles

Instructions

1. Add the gel food coloring and sprinkles to the plastic bag and very gently massage the bag. You’ll see the color begin to coat the sprinkles– keep massaging until the sprinkles are evenly coated (about 30 seconds).
2. Dump the sprinkles out onto a parchment lined baking sheet and allow them to dry for 1 hour before using.

Hot Eats and Cool Reads is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe you try from this blog/website. You may not always have the same results I do due to variations in ingredients, humidity, altitude, cooking temperatures, typos, errors, omissions, or individual cooking abilities. 

You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful. I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Each individual's dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual.

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