In this investigation, silver nanocomposite hydrogels were developed by using acrylamide and biodegradable gelatin. Silver nanoparticles were generated throughout the hydrogel networks using in situ method by incorporating Ag+ ions and the subsequent treatment with sodium borohydride. The effect of gelatin on the swelling studies was investigated. The hydrogel synthesized silver nanocomposites were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared, UV-Visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The biodegradable gelatin-based silver nanocomposite hydrogels were tested for antibacterial properties. The results indicate that these biodegradable silver nanocomposite hydrogels can be useful in medical applications, as antibacterial agents. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.