In this article, we determine experimentally the energy release rate (ERR) of gelatin hydrogels on a smooth glass surface in the direct shear mode using slide-hold-slide (SHS) experiments. The crack lengths and corresponding forces measured in SHS experiment are ultimately used to estimate ERR of the sliding surfaces. The ERR at static, dynamic and residual strengths are physically correlated in terms of work of rupture , work of steady sliding and work of adhesion respectively. Moreover, it is observed that and increase with pulling velocity, normal stress and gelatin concentrations. Although at the residual strength remains independent of pulling velocity, the same increases with the normal stress and gelatin concentrations. The novelty of the present study is that the frictional properties of gelatin hydrogels on glass surface is now correlated with fracture mechanics.