Which erythritol? Granulated, powdered, sticks and blends

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol sold as a sugar replacement. Buy Trusted Food, our own brand, packs it in five forms: granulated, powdered, 4 g sticks, a vanilla version and a blend with stevia. Every label carries the same warning, so it comes first here.

Excessive consumption may produce laxative effects. If you are new to erythritol, start with small amounts rather than swapping all the sugar in your day at once.

What is in the bag

The plain versions are 100% erythritol. Per 100 g the label gives 0 kcal, 0 g of sugars and 100 g of carbohydrate, all of it polyols, which is the labelling term for sugar alcohols. The vanilla version adds vanilla extract and the stevia version adds stevia leaf extract, so both come to 97 g of polyols per 100 g. Every pack is labelled gluten free and suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

How much to use

Erythritol is less sweet than sugar. The label's rule is 1.3 teaspoons of erythritol for each teaspoon of sugar, so a recipe that measures sugar by the spoon needs about a third more. The stevia blend is sweeter, and its label gives a straight swap of one teaspoon for one. With the sticks, the pack says three sticks match two teaspoons of sugar.

Granulated

This is the one to stir in: coffee, tea, yoghurt, fruit, custards and cold desserts. The 250 g bag is there to try it before you commit. For a household there are 500 g and 1 kg bags, and for regular baking 2 kg and 3 kg. The 5 kg bag suits a kitchen that uses it every day. There is also a bulk bag in 930 g and 1.9 kg.

Powdered

The powdered version is ground fine and dissolves cold, so it behaves like icing sugar. Use it for icing, for dusting and for anything uncooked where you would otherwise feel the crystals on your tongue. It comes in 500 g and 1 kg.

Sticks

Each stick holds 4 g, roughly a level teaspoon. A sealed portion is handier than a jar on a café counter, in a meeting room or in a bag. There are packs of 50, 100 and 400 sticks.

Vanilla or stevia

The vanilla version belongs where you would add vanilla anyway: coffee, porridge, yoghurt, cold custard or whipped cream. It saves reaching for a second jar. The stevia blend is for anyone who wants to swap spoon for spoon, and its label points to tea and coffee.

What it will not do

Erythritol does not work with yeast, as the label says, so a yeasted dough still needs some real sugar. It will not caramelise, and it will not brown a bake the way sugar does. Expect a paler cake, and do not count on it for a caramel sauce.

Storage

Keep the bag in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, which is what the label asks. The pouches close with a zip, so there is no need to decant it. The whole range is on the sugar alternatives shelf.

For the other polyol sweetener we sell, see Which xylitol? For a gluten-free flour to bake with, see almond flour.

Reviewed 26 September 2026.