“Keto” and “dessert” are not usually two words that go together. But with a few simple ingredient swaps, you can satisfy a sweet tooth on this extremely high-fat, low-carb diet.
For instance, you can replace white flour with low-carb almond meal or coconut flour. Likewise, you can trade white sugar for sweeteners such as monk fruit extract, stevia, and erythritol to cut carbs.
You’ll simply want to enjoy these treats in moderation and factor in the net carbs provided by each recipe. (That unofficial term roughly describes the total carbs minus fiber and sugar alcohols, according to Atkins.com.) That’s because the ketogenic diet is very restrictive. On the standard version of this eating plan, 80 to 90 percent of your calories will come from fat, 5 to 15 percent will come from protein, and 5 to 10 percent will come from carbohydrates. Thus, it’s not a good idea for everyone, and research suggests that people who take insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents for diabetes, as well as those with liver failure, pancreatitis, or some other metabolic disorders should be especially cautious and consult their healthcare provider before attempting the ketogenic diet.
Also, many of these recipes contain sugar alcohols (xylitol being one example), and these may contribute to gastrointestinal discomfort and diarrhea, according to past research.
After you’ve gotten approval from your healthcare team to try keto, consider adding these keto-friendly desserts to your meal plan.
Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies
The chocolate chip cookie is a staple at offices, on holiday party platters, and at home as an occasional treat. In this recipe from Chocolate Covered Katie, a combination of low-carb ingredients, including almond flour and powdered erythritol or stevia, make the beloved dessert possible to enjoy without kicking your body out of ketosis, which is the fat-burning mode of the keto diet, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Per cookie, you'll get 2.1 grams (g) net carbs.
Nutrition per serving (serves 10): 80 calories, 7.1g total fat (3g saturated fat), 1.9g protein, 3.3g carbohydrates, 1.2g fiber, 0g sugar, 61mg sodium
Keto Chocolate Milk
Nothing pairs better with cookies than a cool glass of chocolate milk. But between high-carb cow's milk — a whopping 12 g of carbs in a single cup of whole milk, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) — and chocolate syrup (22 g net carbs per 2 tablespoon, according to the USDA), this drink is typically off-limits on the keto diet. But thanks to a few recipe tweaks, such as cocoa and monk fruit liquid sweetener for chocolate syrup, in this recipe from Yummy Keto Cooking, you can enjoy a rich, creamy glass with only 3.5 g net carbs per serving.
Nutrition per serving (serves 1): 205 calories, 20g total fat (10.8g saturated fat), 4g protein, 6g carbohydrates, 2g fiber, 1.3g sugar (0g added sugar), 199mg sodium
Low-Carb Classic Cheesecake
There’s nothing like a slice of a delicious, creamy cheesecake. But the standard recipe calls for heaps of added sugar and refined flour, which contribute to its high-carb profile and make it a keto no-no. For example, a single piece packs a whopping 61 g net carbs, according to the USDA. This version from Wholesome Yum provides the same great flavor but cuts the carbs by using almond flour and a monk fruit and allulose blend. With a mere eight ingredients, it can be prepared in 10 minutes. What’s more, one piece only sets you back 5 g net carbs.
Nutrition per serving (serves 16): 325 calories, 31g total fat, 7g protein, 6g carbohydrates, 1g fiber, 2g sugar
Keto Coconut Lime Bars
Sometimes you just want a tart, refreshing dessert. And with this recipe, you can satisfy that craving while keeping carbs down. Combining almond flour, coconut, and lime juice, these delicious and colorful bars from I Breathe I’m Hungry have only 2 g net carbs per serving.
Nutrition per serving (serves 16): 192 calories, 19g total fat, 4g protein, 4g carbohydrates, 2g fiber
RELATED: 15 Foods You Can't Eat on Keto (and What to Choose Instead)
Keto ‘Apple’ Pie
There may be no more classic American dessert than apple pie. Yet the traditional treat can be problematic for those on keto — according to the USDA, a standard slice has 41 g net carbs! This spin on the standard recipe from Wholesome Yum provides the same great taste with 8 g net carbs per serving. (You'll never guess the secret ingredient that makes it possible.)
Nutrition per serving (serves 12): 363 calories, 33g total fat, 10g protein, 12g carbohydrates, 4g fiber, 3g sugar
Coconut Seed Clusters
Looking for an afternoon pick-me-up? These bite-sized, plant-based clusters courtesy of LiveBest can make the perfect nutritious snack — and thanks to their pretty presentation, they stand a good chance of being a hit among non-keto dieters, as well. Those on the diet can rest assured that their snack contains 4 g net carbs per serving.
Nutrition per serving (serves 12; 1 cluster per serving): 81 calories, 6g total fat (4.2g saturated fat), 1g protein, 6g carbohydrates, 1.7g fiber, 3.4g sugar (2.9g added sugar), 51mg sodium
RELATED: 10 Grab-and-Go Keto Snacks
Keto Peanut Butter Cups
Candy of any kind can spell disaster for your keto meal plan, but there's a way around this roadblock: Make it yourself. Reese’s peanut butter cup lovers will appreciate this idea from Wholesome Yum in particular. With 3 g net carbs, whether to indulge in this treat is an easy choice.
Nutrition per serving (serves 12; 1 piece per serving): 187 calories, 18g total fat, 3g protein, 14g carbohydrates, 11g fiber, 0.1g sugar
Keto Vanilla Cupcakes
Cupcakes make any event seem more festive, but just one of these traditional treats clocks 63 g net carbs, according to the USDA. This low-carb recipe from Stay Snatched incorporates a blend of almond and coconut flours along with a low-carb buttercream frosting for a mouthwatering dessert with only 2 g net carbs per serving.
Nutrition per serving (serves 12; 1 cupcake per serving): 271 calories, 27g total fat, 4g protein, 2g carbohydrates
Cookie Dough Fat Bombs
If you're following a keto diet, chances are you’ve heard about “fat bombs” — the keto version of an energy ball. Packed with fat and protein, these items can help stabilize your energy and appetite throughout the day. And this easy chocolate chip cookie dough fat bomb recipe from Healthy Sweet Eats can also satisfy your sweet tooth. Importantly, no raw egg or flour is used, so this dough is perfectly safe to eat. Each ball contains just 1 g net carbs.
Nutrition per serving (serves 18): 87 calories, 9g total fat (4g saturated fat), 2g protein, 2g carbohydrates, 1g fiber, 1g sugar, 38mg sodium
Chocolate Almond Butter Protein Balls
Also in the fat bomb realm, these energizing balls make for the perfect grab-and-go snack. This recipe from Plant Based With Amy mixes nuts, cocoa powder, and chia seeds for bites that offer fiber, protein, and unsaturated fat to keep you full for hours. And at 7 g net carbs per serving (2 balls), they make the perfect sweet snack for keto dieters.
Nutrition per serving (serves 7; 2 balls per serving): 180 calories, 13g total fat (2g saturated fat), 6g protein, 12g carbohydrates, 5g fiber, 2g sugar, 40mg sodium
Lynn Grieger, RDN, CDCES
Medical Reviewer
Lynn Grieger is a registered dietitian-nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist, certified personal trainer, and certified health and wellness coach. She completed requirements to become a registered dietitian at Valparaiso University in 1987 and completed a dietetic internship at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Illinois, in 1988.
Lynn brings her expertise in nutrition, exercise, and behavior change to her work in helping people reach their individual health and fitness goals. In addition to writing for Everyday Health, she has also written for websites and publications like Food and Health Communications, Today's Dietitian, iVillage.com, and Rodale Press. She has a passion for healthy, nutrient-dense, great-tasting food and for being outdoors as much as possible — she can often be found running or hiking, and has completed a marathon in every state.
Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDCES, LDN
Author
Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDCES, is a registered dietitian, certified personal trainer, and certified diabetes care & education specialist. A nationally recognized nutrition and fitness expert, she has contributed her expertise to national media outlets such as the Good Morning America, Today, The Dr. Oz Show, and the New York Post.
Palinski-Wade operates a private practice in New Jersey where she specializes in diabetes, weight management, sports nutrition, and cardiovascular disease. She owns and operates the blog, Healthy Mom, Happy Family, showing busy women living with diabetes how to make time for health, even when they feel like they have no time for themselves. She also offers nutrition counseling support and online nutrition education courses on her website.
She frequently serves as a media spokesperson, nutrition consultant, and keynote and TEDx speaker. She is the author of multiple publications including the 2 Day Diabetes Diet, Belly Fat Diet For Dummies, Walking Off the Weight For Dummies, and co-author of Flat Belly Cookbook For Dummies.
Palinski-Wade currently serves on the Nutrition Advisory Board for the College of Saint Elizabeth.
Follow her on Instagram @erinpalinskiwade or on her blog at erinpalinski.com.