how to make easy sugar free snow cones at home (2024)

By: AutumnUpdated: 3/13/21

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My kids love heading to the snow cone shack on warm summer evenings, but with seven of us it ends up being at $15-$20 every time we go. I recently realized I could make snow cones at home for way less money, and I figured out how to make them sugar free (without buying pricey syrups)! The kids get a fun snack without the sugar, and I save my money for expensive ice cream to eat after they go to bed. Sounds perfect, don’t you think?

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My kids love heading to the snow cone shack on warm summer evenings, but with seven of us it ends up being at $15-$20 every time we go. I recently realized I could make snow cones at home for way less money, and I figured out how to make them sugar free (without buying pricey syrups)! The kids get a fun snack without the sugar, and I save my money for expensive ice cream to eat after they go to bed. Sounds perfect, don’t you think?

The one thing you do need is a way to make shaved ice at home. I have a Blendtec blender, and it makes “snow” from ice cubes in seconds. Literally. Just dump a tray of ice in, press ice crush, and about 15 seconds later you’ve got snow.

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You can crush ice with a VitaMix blender too, although you’ll want to google the proper procedure. If you don’t have a heavy duty blender, you can get a great deal on an electricSnow Cone Makerhow to make easy sugar free snow cones at home (3)from Amazon – only $23 right now (marked down from $80). If your family likes snow cones, it’ll pay for itself quickly!

Instead of buying expensive syrups in one or two flavors, I figured out how to make my own in just about any flavor.I made sugar-free snow cone “syrup” three different ways: 1) using Crystal Light drink mix, 2) using Kool-aid and Splenda, and 3) using the small containers of liquid “water enhancer.” With all these options,any flavorin the drink mix aisle can become a snow cone (cherry limeade, lemonade, fruit punch, blue raspberry, apple, coconut, lemon lime, berry burst, watermelon, you name it!).

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I bought clear squeeze bottles from Walmart for 98 cents each, then used them to hold a concentrated flavoring for the snow cones. Since there’s no sugar in these sugar free concentrates they aren’t as thick as a traditional snow cone syrup, but the squeeze bottles have such a small opening that it’s still very easy to squirt them on the snow. The kids loved all the flavors we tried and no one could tell they were sugar free.

Here’s how I made each batch:

For Crystal Light sugar free snow cone syrupI used one packet (for use with 2 quarts of water) and mixed it with 1 cup of water. I whisked to combine, then poured the concentrate into the squeeze bottle.

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For Kool-Aid sugar free snow cone syrup I mixed 1 packet of Kool-Aid with 1 cup of Splenda and 1 cup of water, whisking to combine. Into the squeeze bottle! We used lemon-lime and it was really, really good. If you prefer, I’m sure you could use Stevia instead of Splenda.

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For sugar free snow cone syrup made with water enhancer, mix 1 tablespoon water enhancer with 1 cup of water, then pour it into the squeeze bottle. You may need to experiment a little with different water enhancer flavors to figure out the concentration you prefer. We tried the ICEE blue raspberry flavor and it seemed quite strong and not quite as sweet as the other two varieties. It was certainly easy, however!

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Each squeeze bottle is enough to flavor 6-8 snow cones, enough for our whole family, and I’d say the cost for one bottle’s worth of syrup/concentrate is under 75 cents. Pretty good compared to almost $20 at the shave ice shack!

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Meet Autumn

Hello there! I’m a busy mom of five who loves to make things. Crafts, recipes, sewing, holiday projects: I’ve tried them all, and you can too! I love EASY projects anyone can make.

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  1. Sharon says

    I’m so excited to try these. I’m diabetic and the ones full of sugar is not good!!!

    Reply

  2. Debbie says

    This ! It was exactly what I have been wondering how to do for myself & grand kids!
    Thank you so much for posting the information!

    Reply

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how to make easy sugar free snow cones at home (2024)

FAQs

What is sugar-free snow cone syrup made of? ›

Ralph's Sugar-Free Snow Cone Syrup is made with splenda and stevia. Our unique recipe has zero calories and zero calories and does not have an off or after-taste. Infact, it tastes like cane sugar. An excellent choice for people who are on a weight loss diet.

Can diabetics eat sugar-free snow cones? ›

Diabetics can consume splenda sweetened snow cones without experiencing a spike in their blood sugar. We offer these choices in an effort to make it possible for everyone to enjoy our flavorful products.

Can slushy syrup be used for snow cones? ›

Hartley's Multi-Use Syrup is our most versatile product. This syrup can be used to flavor snow cones, shave ice, slushies, cold beverages, milkshakes or as a flavor shot. With so many flavors, the possibilities are endless. Custom and craft beverages are a fast growing segment within the food service industry.

What are the side effects of sugar free vanilla syrup? ›

For example, the vanilla sugar-free syrup at Starbucks contains an artificial sweetener known as maltodextrin. Maltodextrin has many associated side effects such as unhealthy spikes in blood sugar, unexplained weight gain, bloating and flatulence.

Can I use torani syrup for snow cones? ›

A: Yes! I worked at a place where we made shaved ice using torani syrups. They are very good in shaved ice & sno cones.

Can a blender make snow cones? ›

To make snow cones, start by putting ice in a blender and puréeing it until it's finely chopped. Next, scoop the ice into cups or paper cones and drizzle fruit juice or soda over the top to flavor it. Alternatively, make a natural syrup by mixing 1 part water with 2 parts fruit juice.

How to make shaved ice with no machine? ›

For the crush-it approach, simply fill a ziplock bag quarter-way with water, seal it, pop it in the freezer until it's frozen, and then remove it and start pounding with any hard kitchen tool you've got — like a mallet or even a simple rolling pin.

What kind of ice is used for snow cones? ›

A: Sno Cone is crushed ice and very course. Shave ice is a finer ice- more like snow. Sno Cones usually sell in the $1-$2 range, where you can get a premium price for Shave ice in the $3-$4 range.

What sweetener is used in sugar free ice cream? ›

Aspartame is used in diet coke, ice cream, chewing gum, diet soda, sugar-free soda, cereals, low-calorie coffee sweeteners, puddings, sugar-free desserts, sugar-free jams, and various other low-sugar or sugar-free packaged foods.

How unhealthy are snow cones? ›

Snow cones contain 90 calories per ounce of regular syrup, compared with 3.5 calories per ounce of sugar-free syrup, she said. One pump equals about an ounce of syrup. Even snow cone syrups with fruity names are basically sugar plus water, offering little in the way of nutrition, Weems said.

What brand of ice cream is sugar free? ›

Table. Best sugar-free ice cream brands
BrandCalories per half cup or one serving or one scoop
1. Halo Top Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert70 to 110
2. So Delicious Light Ice Cream (Formerly Mousse Frozen Dessert)75 to 83
3. Frozen Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert80 to 110
4. Arctic Zero Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert40 to 80
5 more rows

Is there a difference between snow cone syrup and slushie syrup? ›

Truth of the matter is Shave Ice syrups are a specialised product manufactured to perform a specific function. Their formulation is completely different to Slush syrups which are manufactured to be diluted and then frozen.

What is pimp juice snow cone? ›

Pimp Juice Snow Cone Syrup has a tangy bar drink taste. It is made with 100% pure cane sugar and it is ready to use. Pour the flavored syrup over finely Shaved Ice to create delicious Pimp Juice Snow Cones and other shave ice desserts.

Should you refrigerate snow cone syrup? ›

No. The syrup does not need refrigeration, however, you may refrigerate if you prefer. We suggest storing the syrup in a cool and dark place. How many servings can I get from a bottle of shaved ice syrup?

What are the ingredients in sugar free syrup? ›

Water, Sorbitol, Cellulose Gum, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Salt, Caramel Color, Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate (To Preserve Freshness), Sucralose, Phosphoric Acid, Acesulfame Potassium, Aspartame*, Citric Acid.

What is sugar free caramel syrup made of? ›

Maltodextrin, Water, Maltitol Syrup, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Nonfat Milk, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Modified Corn Starch, Artificial Flavor, Salt, Caramel Color, Potassium Sorbate (preservative), Sodium Citrate, Sodium Phosphate, Sucralose (non Nutritive Sweetener), Yellow 6, Red 40. Contains Milk Ingredients.

What is sugar free maple syrup made of? ›

Purified Water, Non-GMO Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener (Erythritol and Monk Fruit Extract), Vegetable Glycerin, Tapioca Fiber, Natural Flavors, Cellulose Gum, Cinnamon Extract, Salt, Fruit Juice (Color), Natural Citrus Extract (Preservative).

What is in Mrs Butterworth sugar free syrup? ›

Water, Sorbitol, Contains 2% or Less of: Cellulose Gum, Salt, Natural and Artificial Flavor (Caramel Color, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Corn Syrup, Molasses, Lactic Acid) (Adds a Trivial Amount of Sugar), Caramel Color, Phosphoric Acid, Preservatives (Sorbic Acid, Sodium Benzoate), Aspartame, Citric Acid, Sodium ...

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