Sugar Free Candied Ginger is a versatile treat that’s perfect for snacking, baking, or soothing your throat on a chilly day. This sugar-free version uses allulose and brown sweetener to create that classic candied texture and sweetness without the sugar.
Whether you enjoy its spicy kick or use it as a thoughtful homemade gift, this recipe delivers all the flavor with none of the guilt.
Enjoy your sugar-free candied ginger as a snack, garnish, or ingredient in your favorite recipes.
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Carbs in Candied Ginger
The carbohydrate content in regular candied ginger is significantly higher than the sugar-free version because of the added sugar used in traditional recipes. On average, 100 grams of traditional candied ginger contains 80–85 grams of carbohydrates, most of which are from sugar.
For 100 grams of prepared sugar-free candied ginger, the net carbs would largely come from the ginger itself, totaling 18–20 grams of carbs per 100 grams (adjusting for syrup loss). Dividing this into smaller servings (e.g., 20 grams per serving), each serving would have approximately 3–4 grams of net carbs.
Ingredients
We use two different types of keto sweetener but you can use just the one. For the final process it does help if it's a granular sweetener.
- Fresh Ginger - Choose firm, smooth ginger roots with minimal blemishes. Fresh ginger provides a robust, spicy flavor and the perfect texture for candying.
- 3 Cups Water - Used to boil and soften the ginger, making it tender while maintaining a pleasant chew.
- ⅓ Cup Allulose - Allulose is a low-calorie sweetener that mimics sugar in texture and taste. It caramelizes beautifully, giving the candied ginger a glossy finish.
How To Make Sugar Free Candied Ginger
This is an easy recipe to make and great to have a batch of candied ginger on hand to nibble on and for recipes.
Peel and chop fresh ginger.
Place in water, boil and simmer.
Drain, keep a bit of water and add sweetener,
Dry and toss in brown sweetener.
Recipe Tips
- Peeling Ginger Easily: For curved edges, use the edge of a teaspoon to gently scrape off the skin.
- Consistent Slicing: Use a mandoline slicer if you have one to ensure even slices. But be very careful with it, as it's sharp!
- Don't Waste the Syrup: The leftover ginger syrup is excellent for sweetening tea or cocktails!
Storage for Sugar Free Candied Ginger
To keep your homemade candied ginger fresh and preserve its flavor, follow these storage guidelines:
- Room Temperature (Short-Term Storage)
- Airtight Container: Store the candied ginger in an airtight container at room temperature to prevent moisture from affecting the texture.
- Shelf Life: It will last for up to 2 weeks if kept in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and humidity.
- Refrigeration (Longer-Term Storage)
- Airtight or Vacuum-Sealed Bags: For longer storage, you can refrigerate candied ginger. Use an airtight container or vacuum-sealed bag to keep it fresh.
- Shelf Life: In the fridge, it will stay good for about 1 month.
- Freezing (For Extended Storage)
- If you want to keep it for even longer, you can freeze candied ginger. Wrap it in plastic wrap or place it in a freezer-safe airtight container.
- Shelf Life: Frozen candied ginger can last for up to 6 months. Thaw before consuming or use directly in recipes.
How To Use Sugar Free Ginger in Keto Recipes
Sugar-free candied ginger can be a great addition to keto recipes due to its low-carb nature and flavorful spice. Here are several ways to incorporate it into your keto-friendly meals and snacks:
1. Keto-Friendly Baked Goods
- Gingerbread Cookies: Use sugar-free candied ginger in keto gingerbread cookies to add a spicy, sweet kick without the carbs. Combine it with almond flour or coconut flour, along with keto-friendly sweeteners like monkfruit or allulose.
- Keto Muffins: Stir chopped candied ginger into keto-friendly muffins (such as almond flour muffins) for a zesty twist.
- Keto Bread: Add pieces of candied ginger to a keto loaf or pound cake for an extra layer of flavor.
2. Keto Smoothies
- Ginger Smoothie: Blend chopped candied ginger into a keto smoothie with coconut milk, spinach, avocado and low-carb berries (like raspberries or blackberries). The candied ginger will add sweetness and spice to balance the flavors.
3. Sugar-Free Candied Ginger Bark
- Keto Chocolate Bark: Combine chopped sugar-free candied ginger with sugar-free dark chocolate (at least 85% cocoa) to create a sweet and spicy keto bark. Melt the chocolate, stir in the ginger, pour onto parchment paper, and let it set in the fridge.
4. Keto Tea or Coffee
- Ginger Tea: Add a few pieces of sugar-free candied ginger to herbal tea or green tea. The ginger adds both flavor and digestive benefits, making it perfect for after meals.
- Ginger Coffee: For a unique flavor, chop candied ginger and stir it into your keto coffee (with heavy cream or MCT oil for added fats).
5. Keto-Friendly Fat Bombs
- Ginger Fat Bombs: Mix chopped candied ginger into keto fat bombs made with coconut oil, butter or cream cheese. Combine the ginger with cinnamon, vanilla extract and a keto-friendly sweetener to create a flavorful snack.
6. Keto Granola or Trail Mix
- Keto Granola: Make a keto granola by combining chopped candied ginger with nuts, seeds, unsweetened coconut flakes and a sugar-free sweetener. Bake at a low temperature to get a crunchy, sweet snack.
- Keto Trail Mix: Mix candied ginger pieces with almonds, pecans, macadamia nuts and pumpkin seeds for a sweet and spicy keto snack.
7. Keto Yogurt Toppings
- Keto Yogurt: Chop up some candied ginger and sprinkle it over unsweetened Greek yogurt for a low-carb, flavorful snack. Add a few berries or chia seeds for extra texture.
8. Keto Pudding or Cheesecake
- Ginger Keto Pudding: Stir chopped candied ginger into a keto chocolate pudding or vanilla pudding made with coconut milk or heavy cream. The ginger will enhance the creamy texture and add spice.
- Keto Cheesecake: Use candied ginger to create a spiced crust for a keto cheesecake. Blend it with almond flour, butter, and a keto-friendly sweetener for a unique touch.
9. Low-Carb Sauces or Dressings
- Ginger Dressing: Incorporate candied ginger into a ginger-sesame dressing for salads or roasted veggies. Combine it with ingredients like olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, and a touch of erythritol to make a savory-sweet dressing.
- Ginger Soy Sauce: Add small amounts of candied ginger to a keto-friendly soy sauce or coconut aminos mix for a stir-fry or dipping sauce.
10. Keto Cocktails
- Ginger Infused Drinks: Use sugar-free candied ginger to make ginger syrup (mix with water and keto sweetener) for keto cocktails like a low-carb Moscow mule. You can also add it to gin or whiskey drinks for a spicy flavor.
11. Digestive Aid After Meals
Candied ginger is great for aiding digestion, so enjoy a small piece after your meal, especially after a heavier keto dinner. It can also help with nausea or motion sickness.
More Keto Ginger Recipes
If you enjoy the flavor of ginger, try these other low carb recipes:
Sugar Free Candied Ginger
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Ingredients
- 3.5 oz fresh ginger 1 medium sized root
- 3 cups water
- ⅓ cup allulose or other low carb sweetener
- ⅓ cup brown monk fruit sweetener or other low carb sweetener
Instructions
- Peel the ginger using the edge of a spoon or a vegetable peeler. Slice it into thin, even pieces to ensure consistent texture and cooking time.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the sliced ginger and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 30 minutes or until the ginger is tender.
- Drain the ginger, reserving about ¼ cup of the cooking water. Return the ginger to the saucepan and add the allulose and reserved cooking water.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sweeteners dissolve and the mixture thickens into a syrup. This should take about 15–20 minutes. The ginger will become translucent and sticky.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the ginger pieces to a wire rack placed over a baking sheet. Spread them out in a single layer to cool and dry for 1–2 hours.
- Toss the cooled ginger pieces in the brown sweetener for a lightly sugared coating.
- Store the candied ginger in an airtight container at room temperature. It will keep for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.
