The Best Of: Sugar-Free and Lower Sugar Candy

We’ve done the research so you don’t have to- we’ve put together a list of candy that won’t spike your blood sugar (but still tastes great!). These are the best around- the tried and true, highly-rated, and better-than-the-other-stuff…no need to thank us. ;) 

Remember the days when "sugar-free" meant sacrificing flavor? Those days are long gone! Today's sugar-free and lower sugar candies are revolutionizing the confectionery world, offering delicious alternatives that satisfy sweet cravings without the sugar rush. Whether you're managing diabetes, following a keto lifestyle, or simply trying to reduce your sugar intake, the expanding universe of sugar-free treats means you don't have to miss out on life's little pleasures. From hard candies that deliver nostalgic flavors to gummy bears that rival their sugar-laden counterparts, there's something for every sweet tooth.

Let's unwrap the colorful topic of sugar-free candy!

 

 

Sugar-Free (and Lower Sugar) Candies to Try

The New Kid on the Block

SmartSweets has revolutionized the lower-sugar candy market with their various options that contain dramatically less sugar than conventional brands. What makes them stand out is their commitment to clean ingredients: no artificial sweeteners, colors from fruit and vegetable juices, and plant-based options.

Their products typically contain more fiber than traditional candy, helping to slow sugar absorption and keep you feeling satisfied. While not completely sugar-free, SmartSweets uses a fraction of the sugar found in conventional candies, making them a smart choice for those looking to reduce rather than eliminate sugar.

 

ChocZero Candy Bars: Keto-Friendly Decadence

For those following a ketogenic lifestyle, ChocZero's offerings are a game-changer. One standout, S'Mallows Caramel Candy Bars, combines the satisfaction of chocolate, marshmallow, and caramel with zero added sugars, sweetened instead with monk fruit.

Non-GMO, soy-free, and gluten-free, these bars check all the boxes for wellness-conscious candy lovers who refuse to compromise on taste. The rich chocolate and gooey caramel create a tasty treat that you won’t believe is sugar free.

 

Pucker Up: Sugar-Free Sour Candy

For those who crave that tanginess, sugar-free sour candies deliver the perfect punch without the sugar crash. Dr. John's Sugar-Free Signature Sours offers zingy flavors including grapefruit, cherry, and lemon that will wake up your taste buds.

What makes these treats especially impressive is their nutritional profile. Many sugar-free sour candies are fortified with fiber and vitamins, making them more than just a treat. Dr. John's products, for example, pack in 10 grams of fiber and 150% of your daily vitamin C requirements.

 

Long-Lasting Sweetness: Sugar-Free Hard Candy

Hard candies were among the first successful sugar-free confections, and they remain popular for good reason. Slowly dissolving in your mouth, they deliver extended flavor satisfaction with minimal impact on blood sugar.

Sugar-free Jolly Ranchers bring familiar flavors like watermelon, grape, apple, and raspberry to the sugar-free world, while brands like Arcor offer classic options including butterscotch, cinnamon, lemon, and peppermint starlight mints that are perfect for keeping in your desk drawer or purse.

Werther's, the beloved caramel brand, has perfected sugar-free versions of their iconic hard caramels that retain the remarkable creamy caramel taste without the sugar. At 45 calories per five pieces, they're a lower sugar way to enjoy that classic caramel flavor. The iconic gold-wrapped caramels that many of us remember from our grandparents' candy dishes now come in a sugar-free version that preserves the remarkable taste and creaminess of the original. Available in caramel, caramel chocolate, caramel coffee, chewy caramel, and assorted varieties, these treats use isomalt as their first ingredient.

 

Chewy Delights: Sugar-Free Gummy Candy

Perhaps the most challenging candy to recreate without sugar has been gummy candies, which rely on sugar for their characteristic texture. But innovative brands have tried to crack the code, creating chewy, fruity delights that deliver satisfaction without the sugar spike.

Albanese Sugar-Free Gummi Bears offer an impressive 12-flavor assortment including cherry, pink grapefruit, watermelon, strawberry, orange, blue raspberry, lime, grape, green apple, mango, pineapple, and lemon. They're also free of peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, MSG, and gluten—making them perfect for allergy-conscious snackers. Albanese has created sugar-free gummi bears that rival their sugary counterparts in taste and texture. Using maltitol syrup as the first ingredient, these bears deliver the chewy, fruity experience gummi lovers crave.

For another option, try 4D Sugar-Free Little Bears Gummy Candy, which features bears with differently colored heads and bodies for a whimsical touch. These keto-friendly treats deliver fruity flavor without the sugar crash. 

Read: Sugar Free Ice Cream

 

Atkinson's Sugar-Free Peanut Butter Bars: A Nostalgic Treat

Atkinson’s crispy, crunchy peanut butter bars bring back childhood memories without the sugar rush. Made with Splenda® and boasting kosher, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly credentials, they're a versatile option for many dietary needs.

The satisfying combination of peanut butter flavor and crispy texture makes these a favorite for those who prefer nutty treats over fruit flavors.

Read: Sucralose (Splenda) vs Stevia

 

Unreal Dark Chocolate Coconut Bars: Lower Sugar Option

While not completely sugar-free, Unreal's take on the classic candy bar deserves mention for dramatically reducing sugar content while maintaining incredible flavor. These bars feature fair trade dark chocolate, organic coconut, and just 3g of added sugar per bar—a fraction of what you'd find in conventional candy bars.

They're vegan, gluten-free, and made with sustainable ingredients, appealing to ethical consumers who also want to watch their sugar intake. The combination of dark chocolate and coconut creates a sophisticated flavor profile that many find more satisfying than overly sweet traditional bars.

 

Common Sweeteners in Sugar-Free Candy

Stevia Leaf Extract

Derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, stevia is a plant-based sugar substitute with zero calories and a glycemic index of zero, making it ideal for diabetics. It's up to 300 times sweeter than sugar, so a little goes a long way.

Stevia works particularly well in hard candies and chocolates and is often paired with other sweeteners for a balanced flavor profile.

 

Monk Fruit

This small round fruit native to Southeast Asia produces an extract that's 150-200 times sweeter than sugar but contains no calories or carbohydrates. Monk fruit sweetener doesn't affect blood sugar levels, making it excellent for those on ketogenic diets and watching net carb intake.

ChocZero uses monk fruit extract in their products, creating decadent sugar-free chocolates with a clean, sweet taste that doesn't have the aftertaste some associate with artificial sweeteners.

Read: Monk Fruit vs. Allulose

 

Isomalt

A sugar alcohol derived from beet sugar, isomalt is approximately half as sweet as sugar with half the calories. It's particularly useful in hard candies, as it creates the same glossy appearance and doesn't crystallize easily.

You'll find isomalt as the first ingredient in Werther's sugar-free caramels and sugar-free Jolly Ranchers, helping these candies maintain the look and texture of their sugary counterparts.

 

Maltitol

Another sugar alcohol, maltitol is about 90% as sweet as sugar with about half the calories. It's widely used in sugar-free candies, particularly in gummy products and chocolates, because it provides a mouthfeel very similar to sugar.

While maltitol helps create delicious sugar-free candies, it comes with a warning: it's not fully digestible and can ferment in the gut. This can lead to increased flatulence, loose stools, and diarrhea for some people, especially when consumed in large quantities. This is why many sugar-free candy packages include a gentle reminder to enjoy in moderation!

 

Chicory Root Fiber

Also known as inulin, chicory root fiber is both a prebiotic fiber and a sweetener. It's commonly used in sugar-free candies to add sweetness while boosting the fiber content, helping to offset any blood sugar impact and support digestive health.

SmartSweets uses chicory root fiber in many of their products, allowing them to claim impressive fiber contents compared to traditional candies.

 

Embracing a Lower Sugar Candy Future

The world of sugar-free and lower sugar candy has evolved dramatically, offering delicious options for every palate and dietary need. From hard candies and chocolates to gummies and caramels, these treats prove you can satisfy your sweet tooth without sacrificing your health goals. As you explore these alternatives, remember that quality ingredients make all the difference in creating truly satisfying sugar-free experiences. That's why so many discerning sugar free candy lovers also turn to Pyure sweeteners when making homemade treats or trying sugar-free products. With their organic, plant-based, zero-calorie sweeteners derived from stevia leaf extract, monk fruit and more, Pyure offers the perfect foundation for a lower sugar lifestyle.