Sugar Free Orange Sherbet Recipe (+ Flavor Options!)

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Sugar free orange sherbet has all the citrusy, summery taste of the regular stuff — without the sugar crash! This healthy sherbet is also keto sherbet, so you can get all the sweet and creamy flavor you crave with ultra low net carbs.

Just like my sugar free sorbet, blackberry frozen yogurt, and coconut milk ice cream, we’re adding naturally fruity flavor to a creamy sugar-free dessert. However, this sherbet creates an even silkier texture with the help of your ice cream maker, along with a keto friendly substitute for fresh oranges.

The other key to super soft frozen desserts is the sweetener! Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend is the ideal choice for treats that stay soft and scoopable in the freezer, and it dissolves just like sugar. It’s the same one I use in my classic keto ice cream to make it taste like the real deal.

Get Besti For This Recipe Here

What Is Sherbet?

Sherbet is a super smooth and creamy frozen dessert! It’s lighter than ice cream but richer than sorbet, since traditionally it replaces most of the cream of traditional ice cream with fruit juice.

What is sherbet made of? Traditionally, it’s a combination of fresh fruit juice, sugar, cream, and milk — but we’re making some keto-friendly substitutes to make it taste just as creamy and sweet.

Why You’ll Love This Keto Sherbet Recipe

Bursting with tangy orange flavor
Rich and creamy
No added sugar
Super simple prep
Naturally colored, sweetened, and flavored

Sugar free orange sherbet recipe with a scoop

Sugar Free Orange Sherbet Ingredients

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for sugar free sherbet, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

Unsweetened Almond Milk – This helps to keep the sherbet from getting too creamy. Use any keto milk you prefer, but it may change the flavor and carb count.
Heavy Cream – Adds a signature creamy texture to this keto friendly sherbet. You can also use canned full-fat coconut milk for a dairy free version.
Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend – Tastes just like sugar and makes a smoother, softer scoop — all with 0 net carbs.
Orange Extract – Makes the perfect orange flavor without the sugar.
Orange Zest – Adds more natural orange taste. Don’t skip it!
Lemon Juice – Creates more citrusy flavor in the finished keto orange sherbet. Use fresh or bottled.
Sea Salt – Balances the sweetness. Use salt with a fine grind so it dissolves more easily.
Natural Orange Food Coloring – Creates the perfect orange hue that looks just like the real deal — all with natural ingredients. You can also use artificial coloring, but you’d need to use much less.

Orange sherbet sugar free ingredients in bowls with bag of Besti

How To Make Sugar Free Sherbet

This section shows how to make sugar free orange sherbet with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

Blend. Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until well combined and sweetener dissolves.

Ingredients for sugar free orange sherbet recipe whisked in a bowl

Pour. Transfer the sherbet base into a frozen ice cream maker bowl.

TIP: Freeze the ice cream maker bowl overnight. This ensures it will be cold enough to churn your sherbet properly.

Churn. Churn sugar free sherbet according to your ice cream maker instructions (I love this ice cream maker!), or until ice cream is the texture of soft serve.

Sugar free orange sherbet firming up in ice cream maker

Freeze. Transfer the sherbet to a freezer safe container and freeze until solid.

TIP: Run an ice cream scoop under warm water for easier scooping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sherbet sugar free?

It can be, but most sugar free sherbet brands use questionable sweeteners and added colors, flavors, and preservatives. For a more natural option, it’s better to make your sugar free sherbet at home!

Is sherbet keto friendly?

Most varieties of sherbet are not keto, since they use traditional white sugar and milk. With a homemade sugar free sherbet recipe, you can control exactly what goes in it — and the carb count!

How many carbs in sugar free sherbet?

Let’s talk sugar free sherbet nutrition. Carbs in sugar free sherbet clock in at 1.4 grams net carbs per 1/2 cup serving. Compare that to the 22.5 grams of carbs you’ll find in the average orange sherbet!

Can I use a different sweetener?

I highly recommend this powdered monk fruit allulose blend for the best sweetness and especially texture, but you could also use powdered allulose (similar results but you need more of it) or powdered erythritol (which will make it more icy).

Check my keto sweetener guide for more options, but keep in mind that most sweeteners will make an icier result.

Why is my sherbet gritty?

Several factors can make your sugar free sherbet gritty:

Wrong sweetener: You need a powdered sweetener to incorporate in the sherbet base, or it won’t dissolve correctly. An allulose-based sweetener like powdered Besti is the best option.
Short mixing time: Make sure you whisk your sherbet base until all the ingredients incorporate and the sweetener dissolves.
Churning or freezing problems: Some machines can make larger ice crystals during the churning process, which can keep the sherbet from getting completely smooth.

Keto Sherbet Variations

Can I eat sherbet on keto in different flavors? Yes! Try these flavor variations using the same prep method:

Sugar Free Raspberry Sherbet – Replace all orange flavors and colors with 4 cups of mashed and strained raspberries. (Final texture may be slightly icier than other sherbet variations.)
Sugar Free Lime Sherbet – Replace orange extract with lime extract, and orange zest with lime zest. Replace orange food coloring with green.
Keto Lemon Sherbet – Use lemon extract instead of orange extract, replace orange zest with lemon zest, and use yellow food coloring.

More Sugar Free Ice Cream Recipes

Now that you can have orange sherbet sugar free, explore these other sugar free ice cream recipes!

Tools To Make Sugar Free Sherbet

Ice Cream Maker – This one leaves less ice cream sticking to the sides for a smoother finished product.
Silicone Whisk – Since it’s coated, it won’t scratch your mixing bowls.

Sugar Free Orange Sherbet Recipe

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Ingredients

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2 cups Unsweetened almond milk ▢
1 1/2 cups Heavy cream ▢
3/4 cup Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend ▢
2 tbsp Orange extract ▢
1 tbsp Orange zest ▢
1 tbsp Lemon juice ▢
1 pinch Sea salt ▢
2 tsp Natural powder orange food coloring (or 1/4 tsp if not natural; adjust amount to your liking) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients.
Pour the mixture into a pre-frozen ice cream maker bowl. Churn according to manufacturer instructions, typically 20-25 minutes, until the ice cream is the texture of soft serve.
Transfer to a freezer container and freeze for 8 hours or overnight, until solid.

Last Step: Leave A Rating!

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Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram, or in our Facebook support group, too – I’d love to see it!

Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/2 cup

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories 161

Fat 16.8g

Protein 1.5g

Total Carbs 1.8g

Net Carbs 1.4g

Fiber 0.4g

Sugar 1.4g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keywords: keto sherbet, sugar free orange sherbet, sugar free sherbet

Calories: 161 kcal

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39 Comments

Susan
0 January 17, 2023Reply

This sounds dreamy! Could you use a small amount of sugar-free orange jello for the natural powder orange food coloring?
Thanks!
Susan
- Wholesome Yum D
  0 January 19, 2023Reply
  
  Hi Susan, I have never tried that but let me know your results when you try it.
trapperwv1
0 August 16, 2022Reply

Can you use “Splenda” in this recipe? I know there is a lot of controversy about Splenda but don’t need to get into that because of my own thoughts and knowledge of chemicals.
- Wholesome Yum D
  0 August 17, 2022Reply
  
  Hi, I do not recommend using Splenda in any of my recipes.
Danna Baker
0 August 6, 2022Reply

Maya, my husband, and I made this today and it was wonderful!!! It has a great flavor and texture and is really simple to make. Thank you for all your wonderful recipes and the detailed information to help us be successful in making them.
Katie
0 July 11, 2022Reply

Hi. Would using a Kitchen Aid ice cream maker bowl make a difference? Thank you.
- Wholesome Yum D
  0 July 12, 2022Reply
  
  Hi Katie, I have never used a Kitchen Aid ice cream maker but it should work for you.
  - Barbara DeBruyne
    0 August 1, 2022Reply
    
    Can this recipe be made in the Ninja Creami?
    - Wholesome Yum D
      0 August 2, 2022Reply
      
      Hi Barbara, I have never used a Ninja Creami but I think it should work for you.
Lisa
0 June 12, 2022Reply

This sounds wonderful. I am wondering/hoping that I can also use this base recipe for other flavors, such as lime, raspberry, or strawberry, just swapping out the extracts and color?
- Wholesome Yum D
  0 June 14, 2022Reply
  
  Hi Lisa, Yes you could swap out the extracts.
- Kathryn
  0 June 16, 2022Reply
  
  Hi I tried making this in my ice cream maker but it never turned more then liquid. After 30 minutes I removed and put it in a container in the fridge. I keep stirring it but 4 hours later it’s still not frozen? I followed the recipe using same sweetners. I hope it eventually will freeze I just hate to waste the hwc since it costs $9 right now…
  - Wholesome Yum D
    0 June 17, 2022Reply
    
    Hi Kathryn, I recommend placing it in the freezer overnight and not stirring for at least 8 hours.
  - Maya | Wholesome Yum
    0 June 17, 2022Reply
    
    Hi Kathryn, Was your ice cream maker bowl frozen for at least 24 hours prior to churning? Ice cream (or sherbet) won’t freeze in there if the bowl is not sufficiently frozen. The mixture will freeze eventually in the freezer but will be more icy without the ice cream maker, so do keep stirring it every hour or so until it’s frozen.
Jackie Wooten
0 December 12, 2021Reply

Can orange extract be used instead of orange powdered food coloring?
- Jackie Wooten
  0 December 12, 2021Reply
  
  Sorry instead of powdered coloring, can gel food coloring be used. Thank you
  - Maya | Wholesome Yum
    0 December 12, 2021Reply
    
    Yes, you can, but you’d need much less, so add it a drop at a time until you get the color you want. I don’t use gel food coloring since it’s artificial, but it would work just fine.
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 December 12, 2021Reply
  
  Hi Jackie, The powdered food coloring is for color, not flavor. The orange zest provides enough flavor on its own so you don’t need to add extract, but you can omit the food coloring if you don’t care about the color.
Samantha
0 August 7, 2021Reply

Oh man. I am obsessed with everything orange and this has my name on it. Can’t wait to make!
Tamara Earl
0 July 24, 2021Reply

I am lactose intolerant as well that is why I was looking at sherbet in the first place What could I replace the cream with to make this still work?
- Wholesome Yum M
  0 July 24, 2021Reply
  
  Hi Tamara, Feel free to use coconut milk in place of the cream in this recipe. If you are looking for a recipe that’s made without any milk (nut, cow, grain, etc.), then you will want to look for a sorbet.
Paula
0 July 19, 2021Reply

This turned out great!! Thanks
Kevin Stansbury
0 July 18, 2021Reply

I tried the recipe but couldn’t get it to freeze; what did I do wrong?
- Wholesome Yum M
  0 July 18, 2021Reply
  
  Hi Kevin, Did you make any recipe changes? This sherbet will freeze if the ingredients linked in the recipe are used.
  - Kevin Stansbury
    0 July 19, 2021Reply
    
    I did not use the Besti Monkfruit brand but a different Powdered brand. I believe I used the Swerve Powdered confection sweetener.
    
    Would that have made the difference?
    - Wholesome Yum M
      0 July 20, 2021Reply
      
      Hi Kevin, Yes that would make a difference in the final recipe, but it likely should make the ice cream freeze harder than it would if using allulose. How long has it been in the freezer now and what is the consistency like?
      - Kevin Stansbury
        0 July 22, 2021
        
        2 days and it is like ice cycle shards and gritty. It still tastes good just not sherbet quality
Sydney Lee
0 July 17, 2021Reply

I can’t wait to try this! I miss those yummy orange push-up frozen pop ice cream treats and this looks so much like that! I don’t have the Besti sweetener but I do have Allulose and Swerve. Will either of these work? How do I adjust the give the same sweetness?
- Wholesome Yum M
  0 July 18, 2021Reply
  
  Hi Sydney, Allulose will be the better of the two options. Use this sweetener calculator to determine how much you will need for the recipe. Enjoy!
Douglas
0 July 17, 2021Reply

What kind of ice cream maker do you use your Link to the ice cream maker does not work . I have a regular hand Crank maker wondering if this is to big . Thanks
- Wholesome Yum M
  0 July 18, 2021Reply
  
  Hi Douglas, Sorry about that! This is the ice cream maker I use. This recipe makes 2 pints, but it should work well in any sized ice cream maker. Enjoy!
- Sherry Johnston
  0 June 18, 2022Reply
  
  I followed the recipe exactly and used Swerve confectioner sugar and it turned out great! This was my first time ever using an ice cream machine. Tomorrow I am trying the chocolate ice cream from this site. Thank you Maya!
Joss Revel
0 July 17, 2021Reply

The link for the ice cream maker doesn’t work
- Wholesome Yum M
  0 July 25, 2021Reply
  
  Hi Joss, Sorry about that. You can find the recommended ice cream maker here.
Krista
0 July 16, 2021Reply

Yum! So delicious and refreshing!
Cindy
0 July 16, 2021Reply

This was so delicious. My kids loved it! Thanks for the recipe.
Joanne Hopkins
0 July 10, 2021Reply

I have been on keto for 16 months and it is recipes such as these that keep me motivated. I need to lose 40 more pounds of the 80 total gained in the past 35 years of incorrect eating habits. Thank you for helping me stay on track !
myra wilson
0 July 10, 2021Reply

I don’t have an ice cream maker. Can I mix all the ingredients and then freeze it in a loaf pan or or other container?
- Wholesome Yum M
  0 July 10, 2021Reply
  
  Hi Myra, If you are wanting to make this without an ice cream maker, please remove it from the freezer and stir it every half an hour for the first 2 hours. This should prevent the ice cream from freezing too hard.