Organoids have stepped into the limelight as unique in vitro systems for modeling organ development, function and disease. This review provides a perspective on how chemically defined, bio-inspired hydrogels could be used for replacing ill-defined matrices derived from the native extracellular matrix (ECM) that are used for generating organoids in 3D stem cell culture. In particular, we propose the use of self-healing and light-responsive matrices that should afford control over the inherently stochastic self-organization process that currently underlies organoid morphogenesis. Such designer ECMs could accelerate the translation of organoid technology from the laboratory into various real-life applications.