Best Sugar-Free Pudding Brands For Your Keto Diet

There are many brands of sugar-free pudding that are keto-friendly. Some popular brands include Jello, Simply Delish, Keystone Pantry, and GramZero. These brands offer a variety of flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, and butterscotch.

In addition to store-bought options, there are also several recipes available online for making your own sugar-free keto pudding at home. These recipes typically use a combination of heavy cream, almond milk, cocoa powder, sweetener, and a thickening agent such as gelatin or xanthan gum.

Sugar-free pudding ingredients

Sugar-free pudding is a great option for those who want to cut down on sugar without compromising on taste. The ingredients used in sugar-free pudding vary depending on the brand and flavour, but here's a list of common ingredients used:

• Natural Sweeteners: Sugar-free pudding often uses alternative sweeteners such as stevia, monk fruit, erythritol, or allulose-based sweeteners like Swerve or Besti. These sweeteners provide a similar level of sweetness without the calories and carbohydrates of sugar.
• Milk or Milk Substitutes: Milk is a crucial ingredient in pudding, and sugar-free pudding recipes often call for full-fat coconut milk, almond milk, or other plant-based milk alternatives. Regular dairy milk can also be used, but some recipes specifically avoid it to keep the pudding dairy-free.
• Thickeners: To achieve the desired creamy texture, sugar-free pudding typically includes thickeners. These can be in the form of gelatin, xanthan gum, cornstarch, tapioca, chia seeds, or rice. The choice of thickener can vary depending on the brand and desired consistency.
• Cocoa Powder: For chocolate-flavoured pudding, unsweetened cocoa powder is added to provide that rich, chocolatey taste. The quality of cocoa powder can vary, and some recipes recommend using Dutch-processed cocoa for a smoother flavour.
• Flavour Enhancers: Vanilla extract is a common ingredient in sugar-free pudding, enhancing the overall flavour of the dessert. Some recipes also include natural flavours like lemon or other fruit extracts to create different varieties of pudding.
• Salt: A small amount of salt is often added to balance out the sweetness and enhance the flavour profile of the pudding.
• Other Add-Ins: Some sugar-free pudding recipes include ingredients like avocado, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut to create unique flavour combinations and add texture to the pudding.

It's important to note that the specific ingredients and their proportions can vary across different brands and recipes. Always check the ingredient list and nutritional information before consuming any sugar-free pudding product to ensure it aligns with your dietary preferences and restrictions.

Sugar-free pudding recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups of heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free option)
• 1/4 cup of powdered sweetener (e.g. Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend or Swerve Powdered Sweetener)
• 1/4 cup of cocoa powder (unsweetened)
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of unflavored gelatin powder

Optional Toppings

• Fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries)
• Nuts (pecans, almonds, or walnuts)
• Shredded coconut
• Sugar-free chocolate curls
• Sugar-free whipped cream

Method

• Pour 1/4 cup of heavy cream into a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin powder on top. Whisk together and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the remaining heavy cream, powdered sweetener, cocoa powder, and salt. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and starts to bubble. Do not let it boil.
• Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
• Add the gelatin mixture to the pan and whisk until smooth and dissolved.
• Let the pudding cool for about 10 minutes, then whisk again to remove any film that has formed.
• Cover the pudding with plastic wrap, ensuring the plastic is flush against the surface to prevent a film from forming.
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm.

Tips

• To prevent a layer of "skin" forming on the pudding, keep the surface covered with plastic wrap at all times (except when serving).
• For a dairy-free option, use full-fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream.
• For a thicker pudding, use heavy cream instead of a combination of heavy cream and almond milk.
• Use a powdered sweetener instead of a granulated one to avoid a grainy texture.
• Do not let the pudding boil.
• Constantly whisk the pudding while it cooks to prevent burning.
• To make different flavors, try adding ingredients like cocoa powder, banana extract, cream cheese, butterscotch extract, lemon juice, or lemon extract.

Storage

Store the pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. To prevent a skin from forming, cover the pudding with plastic wrap. The pudding can also be frozen for up to three months.

Sugar-free pudding vs keto

Sugar-free pudding and keto are not mutually exclusive. In fact, there are many keto-friendly sugar-free pudding options available. For example, there are several sugar-free pudding mixes on the market that are also suitable for a keto diet. These mixes typically use alternative sweeteners such as erythritol, stevia, or allulose, which have little to no impact on blood sugar levels.

In addition to store-bought options, there are also many recipes available online for making your own keto-friendly sugar-free pudding from scratch. These recipes typically use a combination of ingredients such as heavy cream, almond milk, cocoa powder, and low-carb sweeteners. Some recipes also include thickeners like gelatin, xanthan gum, or glucomannan to give the pudding a creamy texture.

Whether you choose a store-bought mix or make your own from scratch, sugar-free pudding can be a delicious and indulgent treat that fits within the guidelines of a keto diet. However, it's important to read labels and ingredient lists carefully to ensure that the product or recipe you choose aligns with your specific dietary needs and restrictions.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream (or full-fat coconut milk)
• 3/4 cup almond/hemp/macadamia milk (or more coconut milk)
• 3 tablespoons sweetener (such as Swerve or another low-carb sweetener)
• 1/4 teaspoon glucomannan (or xanthan gum)
• 6 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons butter, cut into 3 pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the heavy cream and hemp milk. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and whisk in the sweetener.
• In a medium bowl, whisk one egg and two egg yolks together until smooth. Slowly add 1/2 cup of the hot cream mixture to the eggs, whisking continuously.
• Slowly whisk the tempered eggs back into the saucepan of hot cream mixture.
• Stir in the cocoa powder and return the mixture to medium-low heat. Continue to whisk continuously until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken, about 3 to 5 minutes. Then, sprinkle the surface with glucomannan and whisk vigorously to combine.
• Remove from heat and add the butter and vanilla extract, whisking until smooth. Divide the mixture between six dessert cups and refrigerate until set, about 2 to 3 hours.
• Garnish with lightly sweetened whipped cream and some berries or chocolate shavings, if desired.

Sugar-free pudding thickeners

There are a few different ways to thicken sugar-free pudding. Cornstarch and xanthan gum are two popular options. Cornstarch is a common thickening agent that can be used to give sugar-free pudding a smooth and creamy texture. It's important to note that cornstarch needs to be cooked in order to activate its thickening properties.

Another option is xanthan gum, which is a small but mighty ingredient. You only need a very small amount of xanthan gum to thicken your pudding. It's important to note that too much xanthan gum can result in a solid "gummy" texture, so it's best to start with a small amount and add more as needed.

In addition to cornstarch and xanthan gum, some recipes may also use gelatin powder as a thickener. Gelatin powder is often used in sugar-free pudding recipes to create a smooth and creamy texture without the need for thickeners or cornstarch substitutes.

When making sugar-free pudding, it's important to whisk the ingredients continuously to avoid lumps and ensure a smooth consistency. Additionally, using a powdered sweetener instead of a granulated one can help prevent graininess in the final product.

Sugar-free pudding toppings

Sugar-free pudding is a great option for those who want to cut down on sugar without compromising on taste. Here are some topping ideas to elevate your sugar-free pudding:

Berries

Fresh berries like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries can add a burst of flavour and colour to your pudding while keeping it low-carb.

Nuts

For some added crunch, sprinkle some chopped pecans, almonds, or walnuts on top of your pudding, or even mix them in.

Coconut

If you're a fan of coconut, try sprinkling some shredded coconut on top of your sugar-free pudding. It adds a subtle sweetness and a bit of texture.

Chocolate

For chocolate lovers, adding some sugar-free chocolate curls or shavings on top of your pudding can enhance the chocolaty flavour and make it look even more tempting.

Sugar-Free Whipped Cream

Top your pudding with some sugar-free whipped cream for a pretty presentation and an extra indulgent touch.

Other Topping Ideas

• Dust with cocoa powder.
• Add unsweetened shredded coconut on top.
• Make a sugar-free chocolate pie filling or layer with fresh berries and healthy granola to make parfaits.
• For a banana cream pudding, add banana extract and serve with sliced bananas and whipped cream.
• Whisk in some softened cream cheese for a cheesecake-inspired pudding.
• Add butterscotch extract for a unique flavour twist.
• Lemon juice or extract can add a refreshing zing to your pudding.

Frequently asked questions