Keto Licorice Recipe (2024)

All I wanted to do was create a great keto licorice recipe… and I did!

I have been a fan of licorice and aniseed for as long as I can remember. Whether it was licorice, aniseed balls, or glass of ouzo the anise flavour is a big hit with me.

While I have given you a couple of variations within the recipe, please check the blog post below for some more ways to create unique licorice styles. PLUS, I have included some great tips and VIDEO to see and learn just a little more.

Jump to

  • Keto Licorice Ingredients
    • Gelatin
    • Sweeteners (and substitutes)
  • How to Make It
  • How to make sugar free licorice in the Thermomix®
    • THERMOMIX METHOD
  • How to make sugar free licorice allsorts
    • CONVENTIONAL METHOD
  • Watch Me Make it
  • Join us for loads more Keto Fun

Keto Licorice Ingredients

While there is not a huge amount of ingredients in our keto licorice recipe there is indeed ingredients you will have to source at specialty food stores or online.

I do try and make most recipes accessible for everyone to make fro the supermarket, but this is a special recipe and does have ingredients not found in supermarkets.

You will need the following

Gelatin

– there are two types of gelatin and both can be used. Gelatine leaves are my preferred method. This recipe has not been tested with a vegan alternative such as agar agar.

Gelatin Leaves – When using gelatin leaves for a soft licorice you will need 170 bloom and use 20g. Gelatin leaves can be found in specialty food stores or cake suppliers. McKenzies Gelatine Leaves that can be found at Coles and Woolworths supermarkets. The bloom strength of McKenzies is 220-250. I use a full packet of this for a firm licorice for licorice bullets, allsorts or Dutch salted licorice. It should be noted that using gelatin leaves gives you a much clearer licorice and blacker. That may sound weird but because powdered gelatin gives a murky appearance with water it also affects the end result of the colour as well.

Powdered Gelatin – I use Locako Pasture Raised Gelatin for soft eating licorice. 40g used in this recipe will give you a delicious soft licorice. When using powdered gelatin be sure to whisk and dissolve any lumps before adding remaining ingredients. Lumps will set hard, and the licorice will not be enjoyable. More gelatin can be added for a firmer licorice.

Keto Licorice Recipe (1)

Sweeteners (and substitutes)

For a low carb sugar free licorice you do of course need low carb sweeteners. I prefer to use Sukrin:1 as my main sweetener. It is zero carb and has no bad aftertaste. You can however substitute any white granular sweetener. I just would not suggest any concentrated sweeteners as I have not tested how these caramelised in this recipe.

In this keto licorice recipe I have used the new gluten free, IMO free, Sukrin Gold Syrup as a molasses substitute in this recipe. I have tested without the syrup and added additional sweetener and it did not work. The licorice did not go firm.

Anise Extract – This is what you use to flavour the licorice. You can make your own by soaking fennel seeds in vodka for a few months but hey that is a long time to wait.

Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) – WPI is zero carb and higher protein than a concentrate. I have tested the recipe with 30g of coconut flour in place of the WPI and it set super firm. So that is a possible substitute but a lot firmer.

Keto Licorice Recipe (2)

How to Make It

  • Line a 30 x 30 cm baking tray with baking paper. See Note 9.
  • Pour water into a medium-sized saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin over surface of water or add gelatin leaves one at a time to the water, ensuring they are completely immersed in the water. Leave gelatin to bloom for 10 minutes. You will notice the gelatin pucker up and all the liquid will go firm.
  • Combine sweetener, syrup, salt and anise extract in a small bowl. Reserve.
  • Place the saucepan onto low-medium heat and begin to melt the gelatin. Whisk until all gelatin is dissolved and completely lump-free. If you are using powdered gelatin and you cannot remove all the lumps run through a fine sieve. Lumpy gelatin will result in very hard lumps in your licorice.
  • Add in sweetener mixture and whisk to combine.
  • Over low-medium heat bring licorice to a low boil. Whisk through black colour, if using. Once the mixture has come to a low boil allow to bubble for 1-2 minutes.
  • Whisk whey protein isolate into licorice and continue to heat for 1-2 minutes whisking continuously. Do not leave it or allow it to burn. Taste test before pouring and any extra anise or salt if you prefer more of a keto Dutch licorice recipe.
  • Pour licorice into prepared tray. Work fast as licorice will begin to set. Spread mixture and tap tray to remove any bubbles and smooth the mixture. Place into the fridge or freezer for 5-10 minutes. Cut into strips or pop out of moulds.

How to make sugar free licorice in the Thermomix®

And the time of posting this keto licorice recipe I have not yet succeeded in making the same consistency with a Thermomix.

I believe with a few more days of testing I can achieve the right consistency it is just working out the right length of time to heat the licorice in the Thermomix.

Below is what I have tested so far. If you wish to make it this way it will still. create a very tasty mix although the texture (so far) is different. I will endeavour to update this once I have the perfect Thermomix Keto licorice recipe for you all.

THERMOMIX METHOD

  • Line a 30 x 30 cm baking tray with baking paper. See Note 9.
  • Pour water into the mixer bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over surface of water or add gelatin leaves one at a time to the water, ensuring they are completely immersed in the water. Leave gelatin to bloom for 10 minutes.
  • Combine sweetener, syrup, salt and anise extract in a small bowl. Reserve
  • Heat gelatin mixture 3 min/90°C/speed 1.
  • Add in sweetener mixture and heat 6 min/100°C/speed 3.
  • Add black food colour and whey protein isolate into licorice and cook 2 min/100°C/speed 3. Scrape sides of bowl (add any extra colour if needed) and cook for a further 2 min/100°C/speed 3.
  • Pour licorice into prepared tray. Work fast as licorice will begin to set. Spread mixture and tap tray to remove any bubbles and smooth the mixture. Place into the fridge or freezer for 5-10 minutes. Cut into strips.
Keto Licorice Recipe (3)

How to make sugar free licorice allsorts

Firstly, to make keto licorice allsorts you need to make a batch of the keto licorice recipe. Spread it out thinly into a large baking tray or spoon into a silicone bar mould (this is how I did mine).

Then for the candy layers this is what you will need

  • 250g almond meal
  • 250g powdered sweetener
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla paste
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 teaspoon of any 2 extracts flavouring of choice (banana, raspberry, pistachio for example) OR 1 -2 tbsp Locako Flavoured Collagen Creamers
  • Food colourings (just a couple of drops go a long way)

CONVENTIONAL METHOD

Place almond meal, powdered sweetener, vanilla paste and egg whites into a food processor and pulse until mixture has come together. Remove two thirds of the mixture and add flavour and colour to remaining third and mix until evenly combined. Remove from food processor and transfer to a baking paper or cling film lined work surface.

Mix remaining batter with another colour (or colours) and flavour of choice and transfer to separate baking paper or cling film lined work surface.

Cut the prepared licorice slab into two even pieces or into 3 cm strips.

Cover the almond meal candy in clingfilm and roll out to 1-2mm thick. Roll to the mixture with only 1/3 of the dough to the same size as half of the licorice slab. Dampen the top of the licorice slab with a damp hand then place the candy on top. Cover with other half of the licorice.

With remaining candy almond mixture roll to twice the size of the licorice slab and place either side of the licorice slab. Cover with baking paper and leave out overnight to dry the candy. Cut into small pieces if preferred.

Alternatively make and shape both the licorice and almond candy in silicone bar moulds and press each layer together. Cover with baking paper and leave out overnight to dry the candy. Cut into small pieces if preferred.

A little bit of a rough description to do this but really this recipe is all about just making the licorice itself. I just winged this bit and free-formed what I wanted. I am sure you can come up with many ways to make your very own keto licorice allsort recipe and method.

Keto Licorice Recipe (4)

Watch Me Make it

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Keto Licorice Recipe (6)

Keto Licorice Recipe

A great keto licorice recipe was all we needed for long term happiness. If you are reading this you are more than likely a big licorice fan. Otherwise you wouldn’t have looked right?

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 25 minutes mins

Course: Dessert Snack

Cuisine: American, Australian Keto, Dutch

Diet: Diabetic

Recipe Category: Low Carb

Calories: 18kcal

Author: Megan Ellam

Servings: 12 serves

Tap or hover over number to scale ingredients

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Ingredients

Instructions

CONVENTIONAL METHOD

  • Line a 30 x 30 cm baking tray with baking paper. See Note 9.

  • Pour water into a medium-sized saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin over surface of water or add gelatin leaves one at a time to the water, ensuring they are completely immersed in the water. Leave gelatin to bloom for 10 minutes.

  • Combine sweetener, syrup, salt and anise extract in a small bowl. Reserve

  • Place saucepan onto low-medium heat and begin to melt the gelatin. Whisk until all gelatin is dissolved and completely lump free. Add in sweetener mixture and whisk to combine.

  • Over low-medium heat bring licorice to a low boil. Whisk through black colour, if using. Once mixture has come to a low boil allow to bubble for 1-2 minutes.

  • Whisk whey protein isolate into licorice and continue to heat for 1-2 minutes whisking continuously. Do not leave it or allow it to burn.

  • Pour licorice into prepared tray. Work fast as licorice will begin to set. Spread mixture and tap tray to remove any bubbles and smooth the mixture. Place into the fridge or freezer for 5-10 minutes. Cut into strips.

Notes

1. I use Locako Pasture Raised Gelatin for soft eating licorice. 40g used in this recipe will give you a delicious soft licorice. When using powdered gelatin be sure to whisk and dissolve any lumps before adding remaining ingredients. Lumps will set hard and the licorice will not be enjoyable. More gelatin can be added for a firmer licorice.

2. When using gelatin leaves for a soft licorice you will need 170 bloom and 20g. Gelatin leaves can be found in specialty food stores or cake suppliers. McKenzies Gelatine Leaves that can be found at Coles and Woolworths supermarkets. The bloom strength of McKenzies is 220-250. I use a full packet of this for a firm licorice for licorice bullets or Dutch salted licorice. It should be noted that using gelatin leaves gives you a much clearer licorice and blacker. That may sound weird but because powdered gelatin gives a murky appearance with water it also affects the end result of the colour as well.

3. Any white sweetener can be used in this recipe. I use Sukrin:1 and recommend a erythritol or monk fruit-based sweetener. Do not substitute a liquid sweetener or concentrated sweetener. Due to using 100g in this recipe it is better to choose a zero to very low carb sweetener.

4. Sukrin Gold Syrup is a low carb gluten free syrup similar to golden syrup. It adds a caramel note to the licorice. I have tested this recipe with different sweeteners and it has not set to a licorice consistency so I do not recommend any substitutions other than molasses which will add a lot of carbs.

5. I use Maldon salt flakes. Add more to the mixture if you prefer a salted Dutch style licorice and a pinch more and taste before pouring into moulds and add more if needed.

6. Anise extract is not available at the supermarket you can order from Natural Moorish online (in Australia) or at specialty food suppliers. You can make your own, but this takes a lot of time in soaking fennel or star anise in Vodka for months at a time. I use Chefs Choice and buy from a local store Bibina.

7. Black food colouring I get from Woolworths in baking aisle it is in a tube and is the Queens Fine Food brand. Alternatively, iHerb sell one too.

8. Whey Protein Isolate is used as a thickener in this recipe and also provides protein. Possibly a plant based or pea-based protein isolate can be used if you prefer to be dairy free but I have not tested it.

9. Licorice can be poured into moulds or a shallow tray and cut to shape.

Your Own Notes

Click here to add your own private recipe notes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serve | Calories: 18kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.1g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 0.002g | Saturated Fat: 0.001g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.001g | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 0.3mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.02mg | Magnesium: 1mg | Net Carbs: 0g

Tried this recipe?Mention @meganellam or tag #madcreations!

Keto Licorice Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you have licorice on keto? ›

Liquorice is not typically recommended for the Keto diet due to its high carb content. However, it's not entirely off-limits, but portion control is crucial. Consuming liquorice while on a Keto diet may lead to issues like the dreaded 'Keto flu', especially if it pushes your daily carb limit.

What is the difference between aniseed and liquorice? ›

Anise tends to be spicy and a little sweet. Licorice, on the other hand, can be bitter, salty, and even sour. They smell similarly because they both have anethole, which is an organic flavoring compound. Anethole is also in star anise and fennel, which are also known to taste similar to licorice and anise.

What is a substitute for licorice powder? ›

  • Feverfew.
  • German Chamomile.
  • Goldenseal.
  • Grape Seed.
  • Lavender.
  • Peppermint.
  • Roman Chamomile.
  • Turmeric.

What is the sweetener in black licorice? ›

Glycyrrhizin (Figure 1), a triterpenoid compound, accounts for the sweet taste of licorice root and represents a mixture of potassium–calcium–magnesium salts of glycyrrhizic acid. The content of glycyrrhizin in licorice roots varies from 2 to 25%, depending on the particular species.

Why should you not eat too much licorice? ›

It contains glycyrrhizic acid, which can cause swelling and high blood pressure and deplete potassium and other electrolytes that may cause a cardiac arrhythmia or arrest. Glycyrrhizic acid can be found in other foods, such as jelly beans and beverages for flavor. What is a safe amount to consume?

Does cinnamon affect ketosis? ›

Cinnamon is a great addition to a keto diet. It's low in carbs, with just about 2 grams of net carbs per tablespoon. This makes it a viable option for adding flavor to your keto dishes without increasing your carb intake significantly.

Why is black licorice so gross? ›

The sense of taste is genetic, so when someone complains that black licorice is too bitter, they're tasting the glycyrrhizin, the compound in licorice root that's chemically similar to saccharin. This may be why they taste the bitterness.

Is red licorice really licorice? ›

In addition, despite its name, red licorice rarely contains licorice extract. Instead, red licorice is infused with chemicals that impart its cherry or strawberry flavor. Products that contain real licorice are usually labeled as such and list licorice extract or glycyrrhizic acid among the ingredients.

Is star anise the same as licorice? ›

Though some might confuse anise with licorice, or further with star anise (which is even bolder), anise is actually from an entirely different plant and plant family altogether — a plant family that includes the likes of other fragrant ingredients like parsley, fennel, and dill.

What seed tastes like licorice? ›

Anise seeds lend a licorice flavor to baked goods and more. This spice is widely used in Middle Eastern, Italian, German, Indian, and Mexican cooking. Anise seed is used in Italian biscotti, desserts, and charcuterie.

What's the drink that tastes like licorice? ›

The most commonly known licorice-tasting drinks are Ouzo, Sambuca, Pastis, Pernod and Absinthe. Others include Arak, Anisette/Anis, Raki, Aguardiente and Xtabentun.

What grain tastes like licorice? ›

Many people dislike rye bread for the sharp, bitter licorice flavor. However, this doesn't come from rye itself but rather caraway seeds, a common ingredient in the bread. Rye berries, which are sweet and nutty, can be used whole in salads, grain bowls, soups, and stews.

Who should not eat black licorice? ›

Yes, particularly if you're over 40 and have a history of heart disease or high blood pressure, or both. Eating more than 57g (2 ounces) of black liquorice a day for at least 2 weeks could lead to potentially serious health problems, such as an increase in blood pressure and an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia).

What is the healthiest licorice to eat? ›

If you want the most nutritious licorice available on the market, look no further than Panda all-natural sweet licorice. The list of ingredients for the licorice-based treats is impressively short. They are made from molasses, which contains a high nutritional value and is rich in protein.

Are Twizzlers real licorice? ›

Are the original TWIZZLERS Twists licorice? Yes, the original TWIZZLERS Twists are licorice because they include licorice extract. However, the most popular flavors like strawberry or cherry do not include licorice extract, so they are often referred to as licorice type candy.

Does licorice have carbs? ›

Licorice, sugar free (3 stick - rope) contains 26.1g total carbs, 11.5g net carbs, 0.8g fat, 0.8g protein, and 92 calories.

How many carbs are in licorice? ›

Popular Licorice Serving Sizes
Net Carbs(g)Fiber(g)
1 stick10.29-
1 box (1.8 oz)47.610.1
1 package (2.5 oz)66.320.1
1 cup bite size pieces169.860.4
2 more rows

What candy is keto? ›

Comparison
PriceWhat sets it apart
SmartSweets Gummy Bears$$sweetened with stevia and allulose
ChocZero White Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups$$sweetened with monk fruit
Lily's Dark Chocolate Covered Caramels$$made with 55% cocoa
Go Better Keto Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Butter Cups$$higher in fat than many other keto candies
6 more rows
Sep 18, 2020

Does licorice spike insulin? ›

indicated that 10 µMg of glabridin, a main component of licorice, decreased insulin levels and insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome after 12 months. Zhao et al.

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