Low Carb Honey – substitutes and zero-carb homemade option

Find out more about low carb honey! Here's a zero carb recipe for you to try plus my reviews of store-bought sugar-free honey alternatives.

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Did you know that regular honey contains 17g net carbs per tablespoon? Which makes it definitely NOT suitable for anyone on a keto or low carb diet – or really anyone who is watching their sugar levels. In recent years we have seen a LOT of low carb sweeteners and alternatives to things like maple syrup – but not so many honey substitutes. 

I have several recipes on this site that use a sugar free honey, but while researching other options I discovered that you could buy honey flavoring. This felt like a game-changer and I really wanted to try making my own recipe! So here are some options of honey alternatives that I have bought, my new recipe, and some ideas of how you can use your low carb honey!

Low Carb Honey Substitutes To Buy

Nature's Hollow: I’ve never seen this in stores, but you can buy it for $6.09 from Netrition, or an (untempting) $12.95 from Amazon for the same sized bottle!

I was excited to try this brand for two reasons: it is sweetened with xylitol – a sweetener that I've used for over a decade, and also it is 1g net carbs per tablespoon. It’s an all-natural product, and in my taste test it really DID taste natural. But, not exactly like honey! It was thinner than expected (which makes it easy to blend with other ingredients) and a little darker than normal honey.

Honey Tree: I picked mine up from Walmart – current price according to their site is $2.38, but if you really want to you can buy a three-pack from Amazon for $22! My main reservation with this product is that it is sweetened with maltitol and sorbitol. Which, not including sugar alcohols, comes out at 2g net carbs per tablespoon. Maltitol AND double the carbs of Nature’s Hollow? HOWEVER. It is good. REALLY good. It has the right taste and the perfect gloopy, thick texture with an amazing mouth-feel.

Pyure: While I was looking for honey flavoring on Amazon this product came up as an option. It's sweetened with stevia and although it's organic, smells lovely and had a good consistency, I didn't like the aftertaste. It's also currently selling at $8.99 on Amazon and contains 4g net carbs per tablespoon – so it's a thumbs-down from me on this one.

Do you know of any other keto honey substitutes? Let me know in the comments!

How to Make Zero-Carb Honey

In a small saucepan, combine water and low carb brown sweetener – Lakanto is ideal for this recipe.

Place over a medium heat and cook until the sweetener has dissolved and the liquid is gently bubbling. Lower the heat and gradually whisk in some xanthan gum. Don't be tempted to add more as the mixture will thicken up further as it cools.

Add in some honey flavoring – and a pinch of salt, if liked.

Leave to cool completely to room temperature, then transfer to a lidded container (like this cute acrylic honeypot with dipper)! 

Store in the fridge – it keeps for at least a month!

Recipes to Make with Low Carb Honey

• Low Carb Honey-Chipotle Chicken Skewers
• Keto Glazed Salmon
• Low Carb Honey Mustard Sauce
• Waffle Iron “Baked” Brie
• Keto Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce
• Flatbread with Prosciutto, Burrata, and Hot Honey
• Low Carb Honey Sriracha Chicken
• Honey Mustard Pork Chops
• Low Carb Honey Garlic Pork Bites
• Pork Ribs with Tamarind Glaze

Continue to Content

Zero Carb Homemade Honey

Yield: Makes approx. 1 cup

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Cooling Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

A quick sugar-free and zero carb recipe for homemade honey!

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Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• ½ cup brown Lakanto sweetener
• ⅛ tsp xanthan gum
• 1 tbs honey flavoring
• pinch of salt, optional, to taste

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, combine water and sweetener. Place over a medium heat and cook until the sweetener has dissolved and the liquid is gently bubbling.
2. Lower the heat and gradually whisk in some xanthan gum. Don't be tempted to add more as the mixture will thicken up further as it cools.
3. Add in the honey flavoring - and a pinch of salt, if liked.
4. Leave to cool completely to room temperature, then transfer to a lidded container.
5. Store in the fridge.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Set of 3 Stainless Steel & Silicone Whisk 8"+10"+12"
• 
  OliveNation Honey Flavoring Extract
• 
  Acrylic Honey Jar with Dipper and Lid Honey Pot 

Nutrition Information

Yield 8 Serving Size 2 tablespoons
Amount Per Serving Calories 1.5Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 0mgCarbohydrates 0.1gNet Carbohydrates 0.1gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 0g