We just created a delicious sugar free strawberry syrup recipe you can make at home. You can use fresh strawberries or a concentrated strawberry extract; in this post we walk through the extract version because it’s quick and simple. This syrup is based on an easy sugar free base syrup that works as a foundation for many keto-friendly flavors.
Keto flavorings to use
All you need for a vivid strawberry flavor is a good strawberry extract. Homemade extracts are possible but take time, so a purchased extract is the easiest option. If you plan to make a variety of sugar free syrups, stock a few extracts: vanilla, maple, banana, peach and other concentrated flavorings give you lots of versatility. A tiny amount of a strong flavoring goes a long way, so start small and adjust to taste.
Keto sweeteners to use
Choosing the right sweetener is a matter of preference. Since this syrup dissolves the sweetener in hot water, most powdered keto sweeteners work well. You can use xylitol, erythritol, monk fruit blends, allulose, BochaSweet, or stevia. In our testing allulose performed best for texture and neutral flavor — it dissolves cleanly and leaves no aftertaste. BochaSweet and xylitol are also good choices; note that xylitol is toxic to dogs and should be stored safely away from pets. Adjust the sweetness to your taste; you can always add more after cooling if needed.
Keto thickeners to use
To get a syrupy pourable consistency without sugar, pick a keto-friendly thickener that works well in hot liquids. Konjac-derived glucomannan is our top pick: it dissolves smoothly into hot liquids and gives a stable texture that holds after cooling. A good rule of thumb is about 1/2 teaspoon glucomannan per cup of hot liquid.
Xanthan gum is another option and is versatile in both sauces and baking; mix it with the sweetener first to avoid clumping, and use roughly 1/4 teaspoon per cup of liquid. Guar gum tends to be better in cold preparations because it can clump in hot liquids, so we do not recommend guar for this stove-top syrup.
Syrup consistency
This recipe produces a thick, pourable keto syrup — thicker than many store-bought sugar free syrups that can be watery. If you prefer a lighter consistency similar to some commercial “skinny” syrups, use half the thickener amount.
Storage and shelf life
Store the syrup in a sealed glass container or a mason jar in the refrigerator. If you add a small amount of citric acid or a splash of lemon juice, the shelf life doubles — expect about two weeks without a preservative and up to four weeks with citric acid or lemon juice. Small glass bottles make attractive containers, and reusing old syrup bottles or mason jars works perfectly.
This photo shows several keto syrups we tested: from left to right a plain base syrup, banana, maple-style, and strawberry syrup.
The following recipe yields roughly 1 1/2 cups of sugar free keto syrup and is easy to scale.
Easy Keto Syrup Recipe — Ingredients
- 3/4 cup keto sweetener (Allulose, BochaSweet, xylitol or erythritol)
- 1/2 tsp glucomannan powder (or 1/4 tsp xanthan gum as an alternative)
- 1 cup water
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp strawberry extract (or other flavoring of choice)
- Optional: pinch of citric acid powder or 1/4 tsp lemon juice to extend shelf life
- Optional: a drop of red food coloring for visual color (purely aesthetic)
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Whisk or spoon for stirring
- Funnel and bottle or jar for storage
Instructions using glucomannan
- In a small saucepan bring 1 cup water to a simmer over medium heat.
- Reduce heat to low.
- Add 3/4 cup keto sweetener and a pinch of salt, stirring until dissolved.
- If using, add citric acid powder or lemon juice and stir.
- Sprinkle the glucomannan powder evenly over the surface of the sweetened liquid and whisk continuously until completely dissolved and smooth.
- Turn off the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon strawberry extract. Add a drop of red coloring if desired.
- Carefully funnel the hot syrup into a clean container and let cool to room temperature on the counter.
- Once cooled, seal and refrigerate.
Instructions using xanthan gum
- Bring 1 cup water to a simmer over medium heat and reduce to low.
- Mix 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum with the 3/4 cup sweetener first so it disperses evenly.
- Add the sweetener/xanthan mix to the hot water and stir until dissolved.
- If using, add citric acid powder or lemon juice and stir.
- Turn off the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon flavoring. Add coloring if desired.
- Funnel into a container, cool, seal and refrigerate.
Store refrigerated up to two weeks, or up to four weeks if you included citric acid or lemon juice.
Notes
- Yield: roughly 1 1/2 cups of syrup.
- Allulose is preferred for a clean flavor and smooth texture; xylitol or BochaSweet are fine alternatives.
- Taste the syrup after adding flavoring and adjust as needed — some extracts vary in strength.
- Keep xylitol away from pets; it is toxic to dogs.
Enjoy this versatile sugar free strawberry syrup on pancakes, waffles, desserts, in coffee or yogurt. With a few extracts on hand you can make a wide range of keto-friendly syrups quickly and cost-effectively.
