Need more keto pantry staples? Try my keto maple syrup, sugar-free caramel syrup, and keto simple syrup next. I grew up on honey and toast. It was my go-to breakfast, snack, and late-night treat. When I first went keto, I thought that meant I’d have to say goodbye to both bread and honey. Thankfully, the opposite has proven to be true.
Why I love this recipe
It tastes like real honey! I use a super secret ingredient (hint: it’s honey flavoring) to give it the true taste of honey. The consistency of honey. It’s golden brown, and the texture is thick, smooth, and pourable. Versatile. I could eat low carb honey by the spoonful, but it’s even better drizzled over keto pancakes or keto biscuits, and it works perfectly in baking. Low calorie AND low carb. I’m talking 15 calories and 1 gram of net carbs per tablespoon of honey!
Ingredients needed
Xanthan gum. Thickens the honey and helps make it pourable and sticky. Water. You want the water to be warm, not boiling. Sugar free brown sugar. I used homemade brown sugar substitute, but golden monk fruit sweetener, erythritol, or allulose can also work. Honey extract. The key ingredient! This extract gives a strong honey flavor while remaining keto-friendly.
How to make sugar free honey
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Traditional honey is very high in carbohydrates, making it unsuitable for a keto diet. However, with a few simple substitutions, you can make sugar free honey that tastes like the real deal AND stay in ketosis! Step 1- Dissolve xanthan gum. In a small bowl, add half the warm water and xanthan gum. Whisk until the xanthan gum has mostly dissolved. Step 2- Simmer. Add remaining warm water and keto brown sugar to a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then add the xanthan gum and whisk well. Reduce to low heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until thickened. Step 3- Add honey extract. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the honey extract. Allow it to cool completely, transfer it to a sterilized jar, and refrigerate.
Arman’s recipe tips
Be patient. The honey will still look thin once it’s removed from the heat, but it’ll continue to thicken as it cools, and even more so once it’s refrigerated. Use a good quality honey extract. It makes a difference! Make it spicy. Add 1-2 teaspoons of red chili flakes for a sweet and spicy moment. Adjust the sweetness. Taste the honey toward the end of the cooking process and use that time to add more sweetener if needed.
Storage instructions
To store: Any remaining zero sugar honey substitute should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one month. To freeze: Freeze honey in a freezer-safe container for up to six months.
More recipes for using low carb honey
Keto fried chicken Keto honey mustard Honey peanut butter Honey cake Hot honey sauce
