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This homemade keto maple syrup is a sugar free and low carb version of the classic pancake syrup! Perfect to drizzle over ALL your favorite breakfasts and made using just 5 ingredients! 1 gram net carb and less than 10 calories per serving.
Keto Maple Syrup
When it comes to keto staples to have on hand, I always ensure to have some powdered sugar, frosting, and sugar free maple syrup.
If you’ve ever checked out the keto products at your supermarket, you will notice a trend with them all- They have a VERY high price tag. It’s totally understandable. There are very few keto friendly products and there is a TON of demand for them. As such, prices have to reflect that.
However, as someone who uses tons of specialty keto ingredients in my recipes, it certainly adds up. Luckily, I love experimenting in the kitchen and can make my own versions than buy store bought. When I want to amp up my cheesecake, I’ll make some caramel sauce. Instead of buying a sugar free whipped topping. I’ll take a few minutes to make some keto whipped cream. The next time I want some syrup for my pancakes, I’ll make it… as I did here!
Is maple syrup keto?
Traditional maple syrup is NOT keto friendly. It’s predominantly sugar and per tablespoon, contains as many carbs as you’d be allowed in one day! Fortunately, there are several keto options on the market!
Let’s not get things twisted though. Keto maple syrup is NOT the same as sugar free pancake syrup. The latter has the consistency of water and loses it’s flavor very, very quickly. The keto syrup recipe, however, truly mimics traditional maple syrup.
As someone who uses a ton of sugar free maple syrup, this recipe is a game changer. No more spending $10 for a tiny bottle of keto syrup or scouring the internet for discounted deals. This homemade keto syrup is thick and glossy, with a gorgeous amber color. It’s sweet with a lovely maple flavor, without being overpowering.
I had friends over for a pancake brunch recently and NO ONE believed me when I said the syrup was homemade AND sugar free- They thought it was actual maple syrup, if not better!
How do you make sugar free maple syrup?
The Ingredients
- Water– Cold water, divided. A little bit of water will be initially mixed with the xanthan gum, for it to thicken.
- Xanthan gum– To thicken the syrup. Try to be very careful when using it and measure it very carefully. Too much or too little will completely alter the recipe.
- Granulated sweetener of choice– Either monk fruit sweetener, erythritol, or keto brown sugar. I personally prefer the brown sugar substitute, as it has an even richer flavor.
- Salt– A little just to bring out the sweetness.
- Maple extract– The key ingredient to give the syrup the maple flavor.
- Butter extract– Optional, but perfect for those who love a subtle butter flavor with their pancakes or waffles!
The Instructions
Start by whisking a little bit of the cold water with xanthan gum, until thoroughly combined. Set that aside to continue to thicken. Now, add the rest of the water and granulated sweetener in a small saucepan. On low heat, bring it to a boil. Once it begins to simmer, remove it from the heat.
Now that the saucepan is off the heat, you can finish the process! Moving quickly, add the thicken water/xanthan gum mixture and whisk into the saucepan liquid. Whisk very well, before adding the salt and flavor extracts. Continue whisking until fully combined and smooth. Let the syrup cool completely, before using it.
Can I use this syrup in keto recipes?
If you’ve made any of my keto desserts and snacks before, you’ll notice I use plenty of keto maple syrup in them. However, this homemade version is a little different. It doesn’t have the appropriate viscosity to be used in most recipes.
However, it can be used as a sweetener for smoothies, frappuccinos, and even low carb oatmeal.
Storing and freezing keto pancake syrup
- To store: Keto syrup can be stored at room temperature, in a sealed bottle or container, for up to 4 weeks. Be sure to keep it away from any direct light. You can also store it in the refrigerator, for up to 6 months.
- To freeze: Store syrup in a freezer friendly container and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. The syrup must be thawed completely, then mixed again, before enjoying it.
What to serve keto syrup with
Easy Keto Maple Syrup
Ingredients
- 2 cups water divided
- 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 2/3 cup granulated sweetener of choice * See notes
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon maple extract
- 1 teaspoon butter extract or vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of the water along with the xanthan gum. Let it sit for several minutes, for it to thicken.
- In a small saucepan, add the rest of the water, salt, and granulated sweetener. On low heat, bring it to a simmer. Once simmering, remove from the heat.
- Add the xanthan gum mixed water and whisk into the warm liquid. Add the flavor extracts until combined. Let the syrup cool completely and it will continue to thicken.
This is a game changer for me. It tastes great and is a huge money saver over bought sugar-free maple syrup. A guaranteed way to get it abslutely lump-free is to first thoroughly mix the xanthum gum with the sweetener before adding the water, then whisk until mixture comes to a simmer. Turn off heat and add the flavorings. Never a single lump. I use Lakanto erythritol monk fruit blend (golden), mapleine and vanilla extract. The syrup will be darker than the photo but tastes fantastic.
As another reviewer commented, just mix the xanthan gum to the dry sweetener first for no lumps. I figured this out years ago and now I always mix the xanthan into any dry ingredients first, in all recipes I use calling for it, and have never had any problems with lumps since. 😉
Thank you for the tips on fixing the lumpiness. I made this recipe and when I added the xanthan gum to the cold water, it was majorly lumpy. I tried using more water, even tried using a hand mixer with whisk beaters to get it smooth — no dice. The end result was an amazing tasting, perfectly usable syrup for recipes with a slightly lumpy texture and the consistency like partially set gelatin. Next time I’m going to try this tip! In the meantime, I’m using this batch to try out the keto cereal (from this site) and keto granola bars. Thanks so much!!
Would this Keto Friendly Maple syrup be sticky enough to bind together nut and seed bars like a traditional syrup. Thank you
Amazing! Completely ketolicious. I can’t velieve how this tastes like the real thing. Getting the Swerve brown “sugar” was worth the added flavor depth, richness, and color.
Wow that’s brilliant!!! I think that tastes better than store bought. Thank you so much, I’m using it on your granola recipe.
This is AMAZING and relatively easy to make. You will never know it’s not real maple syrup!! My picky kids had no idea! I loved it! I grew up in Maine and my grandmother would collect and boil sap from our trees. I LOVED her syrup ! Since I was recently diagnosed with diabetes (probably in part because of how intensely I have loved maple syrup) I could no longer have maple syrup and this has been heartbreaking to me. I made this recipe and fell in love with it!! So much better than anything that is manufactured as sugar free!!!!
How would you make a keto maple syrup for baking purposes? Is that recipe up?
Not sure! We have this recipe only.
Yummy! New to Keto and your site has been an inspiration, thank you. I made the syrup as directed but only used a tsp. each of vanilla and butter extracts. This way I can flavor to suit each recipe I am using the syrup in. Next up are the Bounty bars.
I made this today and it’s very tasty! I didn’t have any buttery extract so I just added the Maple and some Vanilla. Thanks so much!
Just curious if the syrup had glass like shards in it after storing in the refrigerator for a while? I think my sugar crystallized in some strange way and I guess the only thing I can do is strain it.
Hmm which sweetener did you use?
Use a blender to incorporate xanthan gum to the hot syrup instead of soaking it in water or add cold butter to the syrup while its in the blender before adding xanthan as it will gel more readily if a fat is present
Thanks for the recipe. I was procrastinating to try this one which meant I was stuck from some of the other recipes that use maple syrup 🙂 Thanks for insisting that it is easy to do; I can confirm. The only thing is that the consistency I got is a bit more jelly-like than syrupy but hopefully it will still work. I’m trying your chocolate crunch bars next.
thank you so much for your recipes. I am going to try this one.
This recipe is wonderful. I just discovered your recipes recently and I’ve already tried three and they all have been delicious. I’m just wondering if there is any plan in the future to be able to pin your recipes on pinterest? I don’t have a printer so normally save recipes on my phone in Pinterest.
They are pinable 🙂 Just hover over the images 🙂
Can I use liquid sweetner?
Not for this.
Had a few clumps at the end but a quick straining of it brought out a clear syrup. My son didn’t believe it was keto. Great flavour without the slippery taste of the zanthum gum. Can’t wait to try it on our pancakes tomorrow.