If you’re a fan of sweet coffee but are looking for a good alternative to sugar, you’ve come to the right place! Perfect for all coffee drinkers, this list of 34 Healthy Ways to Sweeten Coffee Without Sugar includes the best sweeteners, oils, powders, milk, and more. You can be sure to find the healthiest way to enjoy your morning cuppa, no matter your diet!
❤️ Why you will love this post
- So many options: There is literally something for everyone! From low carb sweeteners to vegan syrups, there are lots of great ideas here that can either reduce calories for weight loss or add a nutritional boost along with sweet flavor.
- Useful nutritional facts: I’ve listed the calories along with how many net carbs (grams of sugar without fiber) the ingredients have in them. Sugar is proven to lead to tooth decay so having less is ultimately better for your dental health.
- Glycemic index: I’ve included the glycemic index which indicates how much your blood glucose is raised after eating certain foods. High blood sugar levels can lead to a number of issues like insulin resistance and diabetes, so it’s best to stick to a low glycemic index when possible. The GI scale is 0-100. The low GI is between 1-55, the medium is between 56-69, and the high is anything above 70.
🍓 Natural Sugars and Syrups
1. Agave nectar
Also known as agave syrup, this sweetener has a few benefits over regular sugar. It contains vitamin B6 helps break down food, especially proteins and carbs. It also contains vitamin k and folate which may contribute to a lower risk of depression. However, it does have more calories than white sugar so a small amount should be used at a time.
How to add agave syrup to coffee
Mix up to 1-3 teaspoons with your coffee. Stir it well with a spoon until it’s completely dissolved.
Key nutritional information per teaspoon
- Calories: 21
- Net Carbs: 5.3
- Glycemic Index (GI): 10-27
- Diets this works with: Paleo, vegan
2. Blackstrap molasses
Loaded with iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus, this healthy syrup is packed with essential nutrients. It’s also rich in polyphenol antioxidants which have been shown to reduce, delay or prevent the effects of illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer.
How to add blackstrap molasses to coffee
Mix 1-3 teaspoons with your coffee. Stir it well with a spoon until it’s completely dissolved.
Key nutritional information per teaspoon
- Calories: 20
- Net Carbs: 4.7g
- Glycemic Index (GI): 55
- Diets this works with: Paleo, vegan, AIP
3. Carob syrup
Carob syrup is a fruit syrup made from the extracts of carob pods. Also called carob molasses, it has a lovely roasted, deep fruity flavor.
How to add carob syrup to coffee
Mix 1-3 teaspoons with your coffee. Stir it well with a spoon until it’s completely dissolved.
Key nutritional information per teaspoon
- Calories: 15
- Net Carbs: 3.6g
- Glycemic Index (GI): 74
- Diets this works with: Paleo, vegan, AIP
4. Chicory root syrup
Chicory Root is a great source of inulin which is a prebiotic, great for a healthy gut. It may also help with digestion. It is very low in sugar for a natural syrup, even low enough for a keto diet!
How to add chicory root syrup to coffee
Mix 1-3 teaspoons with your coffee. Stir it well with a spoon until it’s completely dissolved.
Key nutritional information per teaspoon
- Calories: 9
- Net Carbs: 0.7
- Glycemic Index (GI): 55
- Diets this works with: Paleo, Keto, Low carb, vegan
5. Coconut nectar
Similar to coconut sugar, coconut nectar is made from the sap of a coconut palm tree. The sap is boiled into a syrup (i.e. nectar). It boasts the same health benefits as coconut sugar and it’s easier to dissolve in coffee as it is already in liquid form.
How to add coconut nectar to coffee
Mix up to 1-3 teaspoons with your coffee. Stir it well with a spoon until it’s completely dissolved.
Key nutritional information per teaspoon
- Calories: 15
- Net Carbs: 4g
- Glycemic Index (GI): 35
- Diets this works with: Paleo, vegan, AIP
6. Coconut sugar
Made from the coconut palm sap from the coconut tree, coconut sugar is a great brown sugar alternative. Coconut sugar contains healthy fats which can prevent heart disease and high blood pressure. It also contains inulin which promotes a healthy gut and is high in potassium.
How to add coconut sugar to coffee
Mix up to 1-3 teaspoons with your coffee. Stir it well with a spoon until it’s completely dissolved.
Key nutritional information per teaspoon
- Calories: 18
- Net Carbs: 5
- Glycemic Index (GI): 50-54
- Diets this works with: Paleo, vegan, AIP
7. Date paste
Date paste is a thick, caramel-like, paste made out of dates and a little water to make it nice and smooth. It’s great in coffee and really healthy as it is essentially just adding fruit! Date paste has the same benefits as date sugar, plus it has extra fiber as well.
How to add date paste to coffee
Mix up to 1-3 teaspoons with your coffee. Add a little to a mug and then add a small amount of coffee. Mix the two together to thin out the paste a little before adding the rest of the coffee in. This method ensures there are no lumps!
Key nutritional information per teaspoon
- Calories: 8
- Net Carbs: 5.5
- Glycemic Index (GI): 42
- Diets this works with: Whole30, paleo, vegan, AIP
8. Date sugar
Dates have the highest percentage of antioxidants compared to other sugars, even honey and maple syrup. It has plenty of beneficial minerals like potassium, magnesium, copper, iron, calcium, phosphorus, niacin, and pyridoxine, as well as being high in beta-carotene.
How to add date sugar to coffee
Mix up to 1-3 teaspoons with your coffee. Stir it well with a spoon until it’s completely dissolved.
Key nutritional information per teaspoon
- Calories: 10
- Net Carbs: 2.5
- Glycemic Index (GI): 42
- Diets this works with: Paleo, vegan, AIP
9. Fruit syrup
Syrup made out of fruit is a great healthy alternative to sugar, and it also will add a little bit of flavor to your coffee drinks. Check out my Healthy Strawberry Syrup, and my Keto Strawberry Syrup as well! They can be made with other fruits like blueberries and raspberries too. The health benefits will depend on what fruit is used, as will the calories, net carbs, and glycemic index.
- Diets this works with: Paleo, vegan, low carb, keto (check ingredients and nutrition if you’re using store-bought).
10. Honey
A staple for thousands of years, raw honey is a natural sweetener with many health-boosting properties. For instance, it can be used to treat wounds and burns. It’s an antibiotic, great for coughs and soothing sore throats, and can also help with seasonal allergies due to pollen (as long as it is local honey).
How to add honey to coffee
Mix 1-3 teaspoons with your coffee. Stir it well with a spoon until it’s completely dissolved.
Key nutritional information per teaspoon
- Calories: 15
- Net Carbs: 4.1g
- Glycemic Index (GI): 31-78 depending on the variety.
- Diets this works with: Paleo, vegan, AIP
11. Jaggery
Jaggery is basically all the good stuff that gets extracted when making refined sugar. It is non-centrifugal cane sugar, often made with palm sap or date sap as well as cane juices. The nutritional molasses is left in the finished product giving it a beautiful brown color and a few health boosts, including iron, magnesium, potassium, manganese, and B vitamins.
How to add jaggery to coffee
Mix 1-3 teaspoons with your coffee. Stir it well with a spoon until it’s completely dissolved.
Key nutritional information per teaspoon
- Calories: 27
- Net Carbs: 6.86
- Glycemic Index (GI): 84.4
- Diets this works with: Vegan
12. Manuka honey
Manuka honey is a special type of honey made from the nectar of the tea tree. It has a unique, strong, herby flavor. Similar to honey, it’s great for wound and burn healing, as well as eczema, dermatitis, sore throats, coughs, and digestion.
How to add manuka honey to coffee
Mix 1-3 teaspoons with your coffee. Stir it well with a spoon until it’s completely dissolved.
Key nutritional information per teaspoon
- Calories: 17
- Net Carbs: 4.2
- Glycemic Index (GI): 54-59
- Diets this works with: Paleo, vegan, AIP
13. Maple syrup
It’s not just for your pancakes! Pure maple syrup is a great sugar substitute to have on hand for coffee. It is high in antioxidants and nutrients like riboflavin, manganese, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. It is said to have a higher concentration of antioxidants and minerals compared to honey. When buying maple syrup from a grocery store, be sure to check the label and make sure it is 100% maple syrup (preferably Grade A) and not maple-flavored syrup.
How to add maple syrup to coffee
Mix 1-3 teaspoons with your coffee. Stir it well with a spoon until it’s completely dissolved.
Key nutritional information per teaspoon
- Calories: 18
- Net Carbs: 4.5g
- Glycemic Index (GI): 65
- Diets this works with: Paleo, vegan, AIP
14. Sorghum syrup
Also known as sorghum molasses, this syrup is made from the green juices of the sorghum plant which is a type of grass. The grass contains a gluten-free cereal which is ground into flour for gluten-free baking. The syrup contains nutrients like Vitamin B6, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B1, and Phosphorus. It can be used just like maple syrup.
How to add sorghum syrup to coffee
Mix 1-3 teaspoons with your coffee. Stir it well with a spoon until it’s completely dissolved.
Key nutritional information per teaspoon
- Calories: 20
- Net Carbs: 5
- Glycemic Index (GI): 50
- Diets this works with: Vegan
15. Yacon Root Syrup
Also known as Peruvian Ground Apple, Yacon is a type of perennial daisy with sweet-tasting tuberous roots. Although not as sweet as table sugar, yacon syrup has many additional benefits. Its glycemic index is extremely low making it a great option to keep your blood sugar levels in check. It also contains prebiotics (including inulin and fructooligosaccharides) which are great for improving your gut microflora, feeding the good bacteria.
How to add yacon syrup to coffee
Mix up to 1 tablespoon with your coffee. Stir it well with a spoon until it’s completely dissolved.
Key nutritional information per teaspoon
- Calories: 7
- Net Carbs: 3.7
- Glycemic Index (GI): 1
- Diets this works with: Paleo, vegan
💙 Low Carb Natural and Artificial Sweeteners
Be sure to check out my Keto Simple Syrup recipe! It’s really easy and I’ve included fail-proof instructions for erythritol, xylitol, and allulose, and also how to avoid recrystallization.
16. Erythritol
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that can be used 1:1 instead of sugar. It has a slight cooling taste which can bother some people. At zero calories and carbs, this is a great way to sweeten your morning coffee. It comes in a few different forms: granulated, powdered, and brown.
- Calories per teaspoon: 0
- Net Carbs: 0
- Glycemic Index (GI): 1
- Diets this works with: Paleo, keto, low carb, vegan.
17. Stevia powder
Stevia powder is made from dried. ground stevia leaves. It is up to 300 times sweeter than sugar so can be used more sparingly. It has a particular taste that some may not enjoy, however, as it is virtually calorie and carb-free, it is one of the best healthy alternatives out there.
- Calories per teaspoon: 0
- Net Carbs: 0
- Glycemic Index (GI): 0
- Diets this works with: Paleo, keto, low carb, vegan.
18. Stevia drops
Just like the powder, but in liquid form! This is great for adding to coffee because all you need is a few drops. There are even different flavors available like vanilla and salted caramel.
- Calories per teaspoon: 0
- Net Carbs: 0
- Glycemic Index (GI): 0
- Diets this works with: Paleo, keto, low carb, vegan.
19. Granulated Stevia
This sweet sugar substitute is usually mixed with erythritol, in fact, the content is 99% erythritol. It’s a great way to avoid empty calories and weight gain.
- Calories per teaspoon: 0
- Net Carbs: 0
- Glycemic Index (GI): 1
- Diets this works with: Paleo, keto, low carb, vegan.
20. Xylitol
This is another sugar alcohol that can be used like table sugar. It has more calories than erythritol, however, in my opinion, it tastes much better, with no cooling effect. It’s also good for your teeth (the complete opposite of sugar!) and is often found in chewing gum.
- Calories per teaspoon: 20
- Net Carbs: 0
- Glycemic Index (GI): 7
- Diets this works with: Paleo, keto, low carb, vegan.
21. Allulose
Not quite as sweet as white sugar, allulose is a natural sugar found in foods like molasses and figs. As it’s so rare, it tends to be quite expensive to buy.
- Calories per teaspoon: 0
- Net Carbs: 0
- Glycemic Index (GI): 0
- Diets this works with: Paleo, keto, low carb, vegan.
22. Monk fruit
Also known as luo han guo or swingle fruit, monk fruit is a small round fruit from China. In regards to buying it as a sweetener, it’s usually mixed with erythritol so you may experience that cooling effect.
- Calories per teaspoon: 0
- Net Carbs: 0
- Glycemic Index (GI): 0
- Diets this works with: Paleo, keto, low carb, vegan.
🥛 Milk & Cream
23. Milk (plant-based or dairy)
Milk (whether it’s plant-based or dairy) tends to have a sweetness to it and really makes a difference in coffee. This is how I personally drink my coffee, with a splash of barista oat milk, unsweetened almond milk, or coconut milk depending on what I have on hand. I think it’s the best way to cut any bitterness from the coffee without adding much sugar if any.
How to add milk to coffee
Pour a little in and stir it well with a spoon until it’s completely mixed.
Whole Milk key nutritional information per 30ml:
- Calories: 76
- Net Carbs: 1g
- Glycemic Index (GI): 27
- Diets this works with: Low carb
Semi-Skimmed key nutritional information per 30ml:
- Calories: 12
- Net Carbs: 0.8g
- Glycemic Index (GI): 27
- Diets this works with: Low carb
Oat Milk key nutritional information per 30ml:
- Calories: 18
- Net Carbs: 2g
- Glycemic Index (GI): 30
- Diets this works with: Low carb, vegan
Unsweetened Almond Milk key nutritional information per 30ml:
- Calories: 4
- Net Carbs: 0g
- Glycemic Index (GI): 25
- Diets this works with: Keto, low carb, whole30, paleo, vegan
Coconut Milk key nutritional information per 30ml:
- Calories: 10
- Net Carbs: 1g
- Glycemic Index (GI): 40
- Diets this works with: Keto, low carb, whole30, paleo, vegan, AIP
24. Cream
A thicker, fattier version of milk, cream is an absolute treat to use instead of sugar (or milk) in coffee. Also like milk, it has a natural sweetness and you can opt for dairy or plant-based cream.
Key nutritional information per 30ml:
- Calories: 40
- Net Carbs: 0.3g
- Glycemic Index (GI): 33
- Diets this works with: Keto, low carb
25. Coconut cream
Coconut cream is the thick, white substance at the top of a can of coconut milk. It has a natural sweetness and is delicious with coffee.
How to add coconut cream to coffee
Pour a little in and stir it well with a spoon until it’s completely mixed. If it isn’t dissolving well, use a blender or immersion blender to blend it together.
Key nutritional information per 30ml:
- Calories: 62
- Net Carbs: 0.6g
- Glycemic Index (GI): 40
- Diets this works with: Keto, low carb, whole30, paleo, vegan
✨ Spices, Powders, & Extracts
26. Cinnamon
Warm and spicy, cinnamon is a great alternative to sugar when you don’t want something too sweet. It cuts the bitterness and tastes delicious in a cup of black coffee.
- Calories per 1/4 teaspoon: 1.5
- Net Carbs: 0
- Glycemic Index (GI): 5
- Diets this works with: All.
27. Carob Powder
Also known as carob flour, this is a great alternative to unsweetened cocoa powder because it actually tastes sweet. It’s a good source of calcium and fiber as well as having antioxidants such as gallic acid and flavonoids which have been shown to reduce oxidative stress.
- Calories per teaspoon: 8
- Net Carbs: 1
- Glycemic Index (GI): 15
- Diets this works with: All.
28. Vanilla extract
Vanilla brings out the warmth and sweetness of any food or drink it is added to. It’s not just for baking, and great in any kind of coffee!
- Calories per 1/4 teaspoon: 3
- Net Carbs: 0
- Glycemic Index (GI): 5
- Diets this works with: All.
29. Salt
Surprisingly, salt is a great way to cut the bitterness in black coffee and curb your sweet tooth. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!
- Calories: 0
- Net Carbs: 0
- Glycemic Index (GI): 0
- Diets this works with: All.
🧈 Oils
Bulletproof coffee? Yes, please! These oils can be blended into your morning cup of joe with a blender or hand mixer. The result isn’t oily but has more of a creamy feel to it and your energy will soar from the caffeine + fat combo. Add 1-2 tablespoons of butter to hot coffee and blend it.
30. Butter
- Calories per tablespoon: 102
- Net Carbs: 0
- Glycemic Index (GI): 50
- Diets this works with: Keto, low carb.
31. Cacao Butter
For a chocolatey flavor. It contains heart-healthy fats and is a good source of vitamin E which benefits the eyes, reproduction, and your brain, skin, and blood.
- Calories per tablespoon: 120
- Net Carbs: 0
- Glycemic Index (GI): 0
- Diets this works with: Most
32. Coconut butter
This has a creamy coconut flavor. Compared to coconut oil, it contains fiber, protein, potassium, magnesium, and iron.
- Calories per tablespoon: 110
- Net Carbs: 1g
- Glycemic Index (GI): 55
- Diets this works with: Most
33. Coconut oil
This can be refined coconut oil (which has no coconut flavor) or virgin coconut oil. They both have the same nutritional profile, so this is really all about taste here! Coconut oil is antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial, thanks to its lauric acid content.
- Calories per tablespoon: 99
- Net Carbs: 0
- Glycemic Index (GI): 42
- Diets this works with: Most
34. MCT oil
MCT oil is made from coconut oil but is easier to digest.
- Calories per tablespoon: 115
- Net Carbs: 0
- Glycemic Index (GI): 42
- Diets this works with: Most
😋 More coffee posts you will love
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- Keto Almond Milk Latte
- Vegan Iced Oat Milk Latte
- Authentic Greek Frappe Recipe
- 20 Valentine’s Day Lattes
How do you sweeten your coffee? I’d love to know <3 Tag me (@makehealthyrecipes) on Facebook and Instagram, Pin it on Pinterest, and please leave a star rating review below! Don’t forget to subscribe to the email list (top right of this page) for sparkly new recipes in your inbox.