When it comes to enjoying a delectable bowl of ice cream, there’s no denying the sheer joy it brings. However, for those who are mindful of their sugar intake, this pleasure often comes with a bit of guilt.
Below we reveal 13 sugar-free or no added sugar ice cream toppings for you to consider buying during your next trip to the store. Whether you’re counting carbs, managing your sugar intake, or simply seeking a healthier indulgence, these sugar-free/no sugar added ice cream toppings are here to redefine your dessert experience.
Sugar-free Hot Fudge
Your typical hot fudge is loaded with sugar. Several store-bought options contain over 15 grams of added sugar in just two tablespoon. Fortunately for hot fudge lovers, you can purchase sugar-free hot fudge toppings. Smucker’s is one of the noteworthy brands that makes it.
Sugar-Free Caramel Sauce
Sugar-free caramel sauce adds a rich, buttery sweetness to your favorite ice cream. It’s a perfect choice for those looking to indulge without the added sugar. These sauces are often made with sugar alternative such as sorbitol or erythritol to offer a satisfying caramel flavor without the sugar spike. Drizzle it over your ice cream for a lower carb treat.
Sugar-Free Sprinkles
The primary ingredient in your typical sprinkles is sugar. The sugar and often vibrant coloring is why children and many adults love them so much. However, you’re not out of luck if you wish to enjoy sprinkles without sugar. Good Dee’s is an example of a brand that makes them without adding sugar. Its sprinkles are sweetened with the sugar alcohol called erythritol and the sugar alternative, Stevia extract.
Peanut Butter
Ice cream and peanut butter are a classic combination. However, you have to be careful about the peanut butter you select because some brands contain added sugar. Look for peanut butter with no added sugar made by Jif, Skippy, Crazy Richard’s, and others. Be aware that peanuts have a small amount of natural sugar in them so peanut butter will have around 2 grams of natural sugar per two tablespoons.
Chopped Nuts
Chopped nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and pecans have a small amount of natural sugar. Almonds, for example, have about a gram of sugar in about 24 whole almonds. Most nuts that you buy at grocery stores don’t have added sugar but be sure to review the nutrition facts on the label to be certain you aren’t buying a product loaded with sugar.
Sugar-Free Chocolate Chips
Hershey’s, Gefen, and Lily’s are just a few of the brands that make sugar-free chocolate. They are sweetened with sugar alcohols and/or sugar alternatives like maltitol, erythritol, and Stevia extract.
Ground Cinnamon
Ground cinnamon has a trivial amount of natural sugar in a tablespoon serving. If you’re using it for an ice cream topping, you will likely lightly sprinkle it on and use much less than a tablespoon. Just a pinch will provide an aromatic and slightly spicy profile that complements the creaminess of ice cream beautifully.
Sugar-Free Marshmallows
These fluffy, guilt-free treats provide the perfect balance of sweetness and texture without the added sugar. Plus, they come in various flavors, from classic vanilla to innovative varieties, allowing you to personalize your ice cream experience. Check out Max Mallows if you are looking for a variety of sugar-free marshmallow flavors that will pair wonderful with many ice cream flavors.
Unsweetened Coconut Flakes
Unsweetened coconut has about one gram of natural sugar with no added sugar in two tablespoons. While its sugar content is tame, you might want to be cautious about how much you use given two tablespoons have around 70-80 calories.
Fruits
Most people recognize that fruit has natural sugar. However, it is also commonly free of added sugar unless you buy a specialty fruit product like sliced strawberries in sugar found in the frozen section of grocery stores. There are numerous fruits that are tasty on ice cream such as blueberries, raspberries, bananas, and peaches.
Jams/Jellies
Fruit-based jams and jellies will have a bit of natural fruit sugar in them. Despite their natural sugar, it is now not so uncommon to find sugar free jams and jellies at stores. Smucker’s Skinny Girl, ChocZero, and Good Good are just some of the brands that makes these products that taste delicious mixed into many flavors of ice cream.
Sugar-Free Whipped Cream
Reddi Wip and Cool Whip are two examples of whipped toppings that can be purchased without sugar. You can even easily make sugar-free whipped cream at home if you have heavy whipping cream, a bowl, and a whisk or hand/stand mixer.
Sugar-Free Candy
As society moves toward healthier eating habits, even candy manufacturers are increasingly making products that aren’t full of sugar. Reese’s, Hershey Bars, and Werther’s are just some of candies are that can be purchased with or without sugar.
