17 Keto-Friendly Halloween Candies, Ranked

Going sugar-free doesn't mean having to kick the hard candy habit. Sweetened with Fair Trade stevia sourced from Brazil, Stevita Naturals Hard Candy mimics the fruity flavor of cherry and grape Jolly Ranchers without the additional carbs. In fact, these little drops of sweetness contain zero net carbs — the stuff of keto diet dreams.

While the mention of isomalt on the label may give some health-conscious candy lovers pause, there's nothing to fear from this non-GMO sweetener other than a very scientific-sounding name. The product of two naturally occurring sugar alcohols found in beets, isomalt contains fewer calories than regular sugar and has a lower glycemic index, meaning it won't cause those all-too-familiar blood sugar spikes. Originally developed as a sugar substitute for people with diabetes, isomalt proved too expensive to use as a daily coffee sweetener. Instead, it became a darling of pastry chefs worldwide for its versatility and durability.

As with any indulgence, be sure to enjoy these sweet treats in moderation. Not only can consuming too much isomalt knock you out of ketosis, but it can also cause the same result as excessive Halloween candy consumption: The classic upset stomach.

These candies might seem like an iconic American treat that has been around forever, but the truth about gummy bears is that they are neither American in origin nor have they been in the US for that long. German confectioner Hans Riegel created what he called "dancing bears" in 1922. In 1960, people began referring to them as gummy bears, and Americans started bringing them stateside in the 1980s (via Smithsonian Magazine). While the original candies are made with gelatin and processed sugars, there are now many different kinds of keto-friendly versions, like Scrummy Gummy Bears, which are made with plant fiber and natural sugars.

Siouxie Boshoff was inspired to start the company behind Scrummy Gummy Bears while diagnosed with lipedema. This long-term health condition causes an irregular distribution of fat in the lower body. Boshoff says to manage her health, she keeps a close eye on everything she eats and "reads every label" of food packages. This passion for eating healthy drove her to create The Scrummy Sweets Co.

So are keto-friendly gummy bears created by an American health obsessive any good? If you're looking for a low-guilt treat that will help you maintain ketosis, these candies are a sound option. If you're expecting Haribo clones, you'll probably be disappointed.

"Handing out nuts on Halloween is un-American," we hear you saying. Au contraire! Nuts are actually what some Americans ate on Halloween in the early 20th century — before candy became de rigueur. During the early 1900s, it was common for people to share both fruit and nuts on the holiday. Passing out candy started to become popular in the 1920s and 30s. However, sugar rationing during the Great Depression and World War II kept the tradition from gaining traction until the second half of the 20^th century (via CNN).

Fast forward to today, and old is new again. Keto Farms' candied nuts are packaged by the serving and healthier to eat than the standard sugary sweets, which should score points with those trying to be responsible on Halloween. The brand was founded by two guys who kept falling off the keto wagon. The company they created is dedicated to making snacks that satisfy cravings while supporting the diet.

The candied nuts come in three varieties: butter toffee peanuts, cocoa-dusted almonds, and maple pecans. Containing just 1 or 2 net carbohydrates, the individual portions help because these morsels are pretty craveable.

Those who prefer sweet and sour over rich and chocolatey will appreciate this keto take on classic sugary peach rings. Sweetened with a combination of allulose, stevia, and monk fruit, SmartSweets Peach Rings may not taste exactly like the original, but they do retain that delightfully chewy texture thanks to the addition of tapioca fiber.

Some strict keto adherents might turn up their nose at the mention of tapioca and its carbohydrate implications. Sourced from the pulp of the cassava root (also known as yuca), the neutral-tasting fiber is a bi-product of the much higher carbohydrate tapioca starch. The isolated fiber is both gluten-free and vegan and is often used in lower-carbohydrate, high-fiber products like protein bars or low-sugar gummy candies. Since the ingredient is a naturally occurring dietary fiber, it is technically keto-friendly.

All in all, a serving of SmartSweets Peach Rings contains 3 grams of sugar and 18 grams of net carbs but also provides 13 grams of dietary fiber, mostly from that handy tapioca. For those still on the fence about trying the peachy treat, just keep in mind that the chewy delights contain no artificial sweeteners. This one may just be a case of picking your sweet tooth battles.

You don't stick around on grocery store shelves for more than 80 years without developing a loyal following. The Hershey Company estimates that it produces around 1.5 billion York Peppermint Patties every year, many of which make their way to trick-or-treat bags across the country on October 31st. Instead of being tempted to reach for the real thing, opt instead for a minty fresh bite that won't knock you out of ketosis.

With its long history of advocating for low-carb eating, it's no surprise that Atkins has entered the keto snack game with palate-pleasing results. Atkins Endulge Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint Patties marry that soft cool mint interior with a thin dark chocolate shell for a keto-friendly version of the classic candy, but with less than a single gram of sugar and 1 gram of net carbs per serving, plus a little boost of fiber.

While the lower sugar version is a convincing substitute for the original, many candy lovers report that there are textural differences between the two variations. The lack of sugar results in a patty with a more taffy-like consistency rather than the softer, marshmallow-like middle of the York variety. However, the balance of mint and rich dark chocolate makes up for any textural discrepancy.

Celebrity-owned alcohol brands may get all the headlines, but stars are behind-the-scenes owners of all kinds of products, including keto-friendly Halloween candy. Case in point: Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds owns a controlling stake in HighKey, a maker of low-sugar, low-carb treats. He also voices the brand's mascot, Sugar Panda, in a series of subversive video ads (via People). HighKey is also backed by Moon Cheese CEO John Gibb, a co-founder.

With connections to an established food professional and a Hollywood leading man, HighKey has all kinds of stardust sprinkled over its keto-friendly treats. The caramel nut clusters are made with whole, clean ingredients and sweetened with a combination of allulose, monk fruit extract, and stevia extract. As you might suspect, these candies are a bit pricey. However, they are staggeringly good for chocolates without any added sugar. They feature a perfectly gooey texture and just the right amount of sweetness. In addition to being keto-friendly, this candy is gluten-free, paleo-friendly, and low-carb.

Founded in 2016, ChocZero is a Southern California company that uses fair-trade cocoa beans and low-glycemic monk fruit to make zero-sugar chocolate. If you head to the official site and read about ChocZero, it's hard not to be impressed by the brand's philosophy: "Eating less sugar is a lifestyle, not a diet–and we want to make it feel like a reward, not a punishment."

To be fair to the company, eating its dark chocolate bark with almonds does feel like getting a reward. The snack tastes like a premium chocolate bar but with a subtle aftertaste that likely comes from the monk fruit used as a sweetener. The almonds and sea salt do a good job rounding out the flavors while providing a bit of texture contrast.

As a premium dark chocolate, the ChocZero treat is an ideal Halloween candy to pair with wine. Fruity red wines like malbec and pinot noir are great partners for this nutty bark. Although, if you want to remain in ketosis, you should probably drink a low-ABV wine and limit your wine portion.

Peanut butter cups have to be one of the best peanut butter snacks. No doubt about it. But what happens when you strip down these snacks to less than 1 gram of sugar and 1 gram of net carbs per serving? You get Quest Nutrition peanut butter cups.

Started in 2010 by software industry professionals and a fitness trainer, Quest Nutrition found success with its high-protein bars by heavily marketing them to the fitness industry. Since being acquired in 2015 for $1 billion, Quest Nutrition and its products are now widely available at national retailers like Walmart and Target.

There are a lot of keto-friendly treats out there featuring chocolate and peanut butter. However, the peanut butter snacks from Quest Nutrition stand out for their taste. They aren't as sweet as a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, if you find that classic candy overly sweet, you might actually prefer this healthier option.

Keto darling Lily's Sweets has long been a favorite of macro-counters for its sinful no-sugar-added chocolate bars. Sweetened with naturally occurring sugar substitutes erythritol (sugar alcohol sourced from corn) and stevia, the bars are remarkably low in net carbs.

While erythritol sounds like a cleaning solution, it's actually a bi-product of the fermentation process that is often added to sugar substitutes like stevia to make them taste sweeter. Thanks to your small intestine's ability to absorb it quickly, erythritol passes through your digestive tract within 24 hours without your body turning it into energy (via WebMD). In layman's terms, it's a zero-calorie food.

All that food science leads to a mouth-watering result: Lily's Cookes & Creme White Chocolate-Stye Bar is about as close to a cookies and cream milkshake as you can get in a keto-friendly chocolate bar. With 11 grams of net carbs per bar, it's still an indulgence, albeit one you could strategically enjoy without guilt. As a bonus, the cookie pieces mixed into the chocolate are made with rice flour, which not only keeps them crispy, but it renders the entire treat gluten-free.