9 Low-Carb Baking Tips (And Recipes) For People Following A Keto Diet (2024)

Table of Contents
When it comes to baking, cutting out carbs is hard. How do you omit the flour without changing the recipe? And how can you make a low-carb cake actually taste good without using sugar? It all comes down to technique. TIP #1: Almond flour is your friend, but it's not the same as almond meal... Put the tip to use: Italian Cream Cake TIP #2: Coconut flour is also a popular substitute — but neither almond nor coconut flour is interchangeable with regular all-purpose flour. Put the tip to use: Coconut Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies TIP #3: If your recipe calls for flax meal, stick to golden flax meal instead of standard flax meal. The texture is a tad less gummy. Put the tip to use: Flax Meal Bread TIP #4: Allow your ingredients to come to room temperature so they easily blend together — especially butter and cream cheese. Put the tip to use: Cream Cheese Cookies TIP #5: If your recipe calls for regular dairy milk, replace it with heavy cream, unsweetened coconut milk, or unsweetened almond milk. Put the tip to use: Keto Ice Cream TIP #6: Don't be nervous if your recipe calls for what seems like a lot of baking powder or soda. Gluten-free baked goods need a bit more leavener to keep them light. Put the tip to use: Cream Cheese Pound Cake TIP #7: Gluten-free and keto-friendly batters are more prone to sticking, so make sure to properly prep your pans. Put the tip to use: Keto Brownies TIP #8: If you're new to low-carb baking, stick to preexisting recipes that have been specifically developed to be low-carb... Put the tip to use: Keto Everything Bagels TIP #9: Once you get comfortable with low-carb baking, branch out and try tweaking some of your favorite recipes to make them lower in carbs. Put the tip to use: Almond Flour Pancakes Looking for more low-carb recipes? Check out these posts: Trending Recipes Trending Recipes More Tasty Guides FAQs References

Tips, tricks, and actual recipes for making low-carb (and keto-friendly) baked goods at home.

When it comes to baking, cutting out carbs is hard. How do you omit the flour without changing the recipe? And how can you make a low-carb cake actually taste good without using sugar? It all comes down to technique.

Low-carb, keto, and gluten-free desserts all go hand-in-hand (they're all mostly sugarless and void of flour), so we rounded up nine practical tips and recipes that'll help you make delicious baked goods without the flour, sugar, and excess carbs.

TIP #1: Almond flour is your friend, but it's not the same as almond meal...

9 Low-Carb Baking Tips (And Recipes) For People Following A Keto Diet (2)

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When it comes to low-carb baking, wheat flour is usually swapped out for something like almond flour — but you should know that almond flour is not the same as almond meal. Almond flour is blanched almonds without their skins that have been finely ground. Almond meal has a coarser texture and is darker in color because it's made with almonds that still have their skin. While they are fairly similar, the fineness of almond flour makes it act like wheat flour and is not interchangeable for meal.

Learn more about the difference between almond meal and almond flour.

Put the tip to use: Italian Cream Cake

9 Low-Carb Baking Tips (And Recipes) For People Following A Keto Diet (3)

alldayidreamaboutfood.com

Almond flour takes the place of wheat flour in this low-carb recipe and gives the cake structure. Get the recipe.

TIP #2: Coconut flour is also a popular substitute — but neither almond nor coconut flour is interchangeable with regular all-purpose flour.

9 Low-Carb Baking Tips (And Recipes) For People Following A Keto Diet (4)

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Coconut flour is made from coconut meat that has been dried and ground into a fine powder. Similar to almond flour, it's commonly used in many low-carb recipes — however, coconut flour is highly absorbent and can be difficult to work with.

With both almond flour and coconut flour, it's important that you stick to recipes that are developed specifically for them. You shouldn't swap either flour in place of all-purpose wheat flour. It acts entirely different and is not a seamless swap.

Learn more about baking with coconut flour.

TIP #3: If your recipe calls for flax meal, stick to golden flax meal instead of standard flax meal. The texture is a tad less gummy.

9 Low-Carb Baking Tips (And Recipes) For People Following A Keto Diet (6)

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Another popular low-carb flour substitute is flax meal — which is also commonly used as an egg replacer in baked goods. Experienced bakers recommend sticking to golden flax meal as it has a slightly less gummy texture compared to regular flax meal. Again, with any gluten-free flour substitute, stick to recipes that are specifically designed to be made with it and don't swap it into recipes that call for wheat flour.

Learn more about baking with flax meal.

Put the tip to use: Flax Meal Bread

9 Low-Carb Baking Tips (And Recipes) For People Following A Keto Diet (7)

sugarfreemom.com

The perfect low-carb bread that you can make sandwiches, toasts, or even French toast with. Get the recipe.

TIP #4: Allow your ingredients to come to room temperature so they easily blend together — especially butter and cream cheese.

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Many keto recipes contain high amounts of fat, so it's important that you allow your ingredients to come to room temperature so they blend together properly. Make sure to take out your cream cheese, butter, eggs, and other refrigerated ingredients 30 minutes before baking to help warm them up a bit.

Learn more about the importance of bringing your ingredients to room temperature.

Put the tip to use: Cream Cheese Cookies

9 Low-Carb Baking Tips (And Recipes) For People Following A Keto Diet (8)

wholesomeyum.com

These sugar cookies are made with a combination of cream cheese and butter to give them a subtle tart flavor and soft texture. Get the recipe.

TIP #5: If your recipe calls for regular dairy milk, replace it with heavy cream, unsweetened coconut milk, or unsweetened almond milk.

Geo-grafika / Getty Images, Hellanny / Getty Images

When it comes to dairy, heavy cream actually has fewer carbs compared to milk. One way to swap it into recipes that call for milk is to dilute it with water so it has a similar consistency. Another option is to replace milk with unsweetened coconut milk or almond milk. Both of these are lower in carbs and good options for keto-friendly baking.

Learn about three other keto-friendly milk substitutes.

Put the tip to use: Keto Ice Cream

9 Low-Carb Baking Tips (And Recipes) For People Following A Keto Diet (9)

wholesomeyum.com

OK, so maybe this isn't technically considered baking, but this low-carb ice cream is the perfect thing to pair with your baked goods. Get the recipe.

TIP #6: Don't be nervous if your recipe calls for what seems like a lot of baking powder or soda. Gluten-free baked goods need a bit more leavener to keep them light.

9 Low-Carb Baking Tips (And Recipes) For People Following A Keto Diet (10)

Boogich / Getty Images

Low-carb baked goods rely on flour alternatives to give them structure, so they're usually a bit denser compared to standard baked goods. Because of this, many low-carb baked goods are made with a bit more leavening agent compared to other recipes. If your recipe calls for a lot of baking soda or powder, don't fret — they need it.

Learn more about the role of leaveners in baking.

Put the tip to use: Cream Cheese Pound Cake

9 Low-Carb Baking Tips (And Recipes) For People Following A Keto Diet (11)

fittoservegroup.com

This pound cake is the perfect thing to serve with fresh berries or whipped cream, and it relies on baking powder to keep it nice and light. Get the recipe.

TIP #7: Gluten-free and keto-friendly batters are more prone to sticking, so make sure to properly prep your pans.

9 Low-Carb Baking Tips (And Recipes) For People Following A Keto Diet (12)

Ffolas / Getty Images

Low-carb batters tend to be a bit stickier compared to traditional recipes, so it's important that you take the time to properly prep your pans to prevent them from sticking. For most recipes, coating the pans with butter will suffice — but especially sticky batters (such as low-carb brownie batter) may benefit from both buttering and lining with parchment paper.

Learn how to properly prep your pans for baking.

Put the tip to use: Keto Brownies

9 Low-Carb Baking Tips (And Recipes) For People Following A Keto Diet (13)

fittoservegroup.com

Make sure you generously grease your pan to prevent these brownies from sticking. Get the recipe.

TIP #8: If you're new to low-carb baking, stick to preexisting recipes that have been specifically developed to be low-carb...

9 Low-Carb Baking Tips (And Recipes) For People Following A Keto Diet (14)

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Low-carb baking is tricky, so when you're first starting out it's best to stick to preexisting recipes specifically developed to be lower in carbs. This is just added insurance that your ingredients and time won't go to waste.

Put the tip to use: Keto Everything Bagels

9 Low-Carb Baking Tips (And Recipes) For People Following A Keto Diet (15)

peaceloveandlowcarb.com

The perfect hearty breakfast for people avoiding excess carbs. Get the recipe.

TIP #9: Once you get comfortable with low-carb baking, branch out and try tweaking some of your favorite recipes to make them lower in carbs.

9 Low-Carb Baking Tips (And Recipes) For People Following A Keto Diet (16)

Dean Mitchell / Getty Images

When converting standard recipes to low-carb versions, there are a few rules you should keep in mind. For starters, understand that all sugar substitutes have varying levels of sweetness. Some are super sweet (such as stevia), while others are more mild. Additionally, all flour substitutes act differently, so it's important to be familiar with what you're working with. At the end of the day just experiment and don't be afraid to mess up a few times before perfecting your recipes.

Put the tip to use: Almond Flour Pancakes

9 Low-Carb Baking Tips (And Recipes) For People Following A Keto Diet (17)

wholesomeyum.com

This recipe is the perfect example of making a small tweak (in this case using almond flour) to make a preexisting recipe lower in carbs. It's like baking, only for breakfast... right? Get the recipe.

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    9 Low-Carb Baking Tips (And Recipes) For People Following A Keto Diet (2024)

    FAQs

    What foods can you eat unlimited amounts of on keto? ›

    Foods you can eat on the keto diet include fish and seafood, meat and poultry, non-starchy vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and zucchini, avocados, berries, nuts and seeds, eggs, high-fat dairy products, olive oil and other oils, and high-cocoa chocolate.

    How do you reduce carbs in baking? ›

    If you're craving baked goods, try swapping out white flour for whole grain flour, which has more fiber and a better nutritional profile ( 32 ). You might also consider subbing coconut or almond flour for white flour, as these alternative options tend to be lower in carbs.

    What makes a dish keto friendly? ›

    The ketogenic diet is an eating pattern that includes high amounts of fat, low to moderate amounts of protein, and very little carbohydrates. The keto diet is typically rich in foods like butter, cheese, eggs, meat, nuts, oils, seafood, and seeds.

    Can you eat unlimited eggs on keto? ›

    We'll also share some great low-carb egg-based keto recipes. Eggs are keto-friendly and safe to eat when you're on the ketogenic diet. Eggs are low in carbs while containing high amounts of protein and healthy fats. You can have 6 to 7 eggs every day while on the keto diet.

    Is peanut butter OK on keto? ›

    Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

    What is filling but has no carbs? ›

    Salmon is a filling fish that provides you with zero carbs. It's high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help you burn fat, make your skin glow and fight inflammation. Add salmon to eggs, top a high fiber cracker and a squeeze of lemon or grill with a pomegranate glaze.

    What is the most filling low-carb food? ›

    Lean Meats

    Lean meats such as turkey breast, sirloin, flank steak and chicken are great sources of protein to fuel and fill up your body in a low carb way. If you're looking for meals made with lean meats, we've got you covered with our recipes for Shredded Chicken Chili and Easy Chicken Parmesan!

    What are the top 5 keto foods? ›

    10 foods that are suitable on a keto diet
    1. Salmon. Salmon, and other oily fish such as sardines, mackerel and anchovies, are very high in omega-3, which has been shown to help lower insulin levels and improve insulin sensitivity in those who are overweight. ...
    2. Cheese. ...
    3. Avocado. ...
    4. Eggs. ...
    5. Chicken. ...
    6. Coconut oil. ...
    7. Olive oil. ...
    8. Nuts & seeds.
    Jan 10, 2023

    What cancels out carbs? ›

    However, some carbs can't be broken down into individual sugars, whereas others are only partially broken down and absorbed. These include fiber and sugar alcohols. Because of this, most fiber and sugar alcohols can be subtracted from total carbs when calculating net carbs.

    How do you flush carbs out of your body fast? ›

    Start by drinking more water and increasing your fiber intake (try eating more non-starchy vegetables or taking a fiber supplement). Ginger, peppermint and licorice – either fresh or in tea form – can also help to get things moving, as can taking magnesium, probiotics or digestive enzymes.

    What cancels out sugar in baking? ›

    Maple syrup

    The breakfast staple is back to the rescue. With 3/4 cup replacing every cup of sugar, maple syrup yields baked goods that brown faster with less sugar. For the most delicious results, reduce all liquids used by 3 tablespoons per cup of maple syrup, and make sure you're using the real stuff.

    What cancels out carbs on keto? ›

    Keto Net Carb Diet. On the ketogenic diet, the "net carb" is the amount of carbs in a food minus the fiber and sugar alcohol. Fiber and sugar alcohol are subtracted because the body does not fully absorb them. The keto net carb diet limits daily carbohydrate consumption to 20-50 grams to induce ketosis.

    Which fruit is keto? ›

    Keto fruits by definition are low in carbohydrates. You still need to exercise portion control with most keto-friendly fruits to be within the limits of a keto diet. Keto-friendly fruits include avocados, watermelon, strawberries, lemons, tomatoes, raspberries, peaches, cantaloupe, star fruit, and blackberries.

    What vegetables are not keto friendly? ›

    Vegetables to avoid in a keto diet
    VegetableCarbs per 100 g
    sweetcorn5.31 g
    potatoes20.45 g
    sweet potatoes16.82 g
    beets9.56 g
    3 more rows
    Apr 28, 2021

    Can you eat as much as you want on keto? ›

    Eating as much food as you want is not recommended on the keto diet. Eating too much food can lead to weight gain, which is counter to the goal of the keto diet. The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that promotes weight loss by forcing the body to switch from burning glucose for fuel to burning fat.

    Can I eat unlimited meat on keto? ›

    Though everyone is different, the standard ratio of macronutrients for a ketogenic diet is 75 percent fat, 20 percent protein, and five percent carbohydrate. This means that the majority of each meal — in fact, a WIDE majority — should be non-meat sources of fat. Only about one-fifth of your meal should be protein.

    Can you eat all the fat you want on keto? ›

    Some healthy unsaturated fats are allowed on the keto diet — like nuts (almonds, walnuts), seeds, avocados, tofu, and olive oil. But saturated fats from oils (palm, coconut), lard, butter, and cocoa butter are encouraged in high amounts.

    What foods are 100% carb free? ›

    Food and drinks allowed on a no-carb diet include meat, fish, eggs, cheese, butter, oils, water, and plain coffee or tea.

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