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.

Jesse SzewczykPublished on April 13, 2019

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)

Bhofack2 / Getty Images

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)

Getty Images

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.

Bigacis / Getty Images, Rimglow / Getty Images

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)

Getty Images

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.

Looking for more low-carb recipes? Check out these posts:

50 Tasty-Looking Recipes That'll Make You Want To Try A Keto Diet ASAP

22 Time-Saving Keto Hacks For Busy People

23 Super Satisfying Low-Carb Dinners

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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.

    What is the most filling food on keto? ›

    13 of the best keto foods that keep you full
    • Mushrooms are a very filling vegetable. ...
    • Sauerkraut is rich in filling fiber. ...
    • Coconut yogurt can promote satiation. ...
    • Green pesto has an amazing fiber content. ...
    • Sardines are incredibly healthy. ...
    • Add eggs to your diet . ...
    • Make sure you are consuming full-fat dairy.
    Oct 9, 2018

    What is the secret to baking with coconut flour? ›

    Use a 1:4 ratio when substituting coconut flour with all-purpose flour. This means that for every 1 cup of regular flour, you only use ¼ cup of coconut flour. Following this ratio will help make your low-carb baked goods come out the way you hope.

    What is lazy keto menu? ›

    A lazy keto diet consists of low-carb foods like meat, fish, full-fat dairy and non-starchy vegetables, but limits high-carb foods such as bread, potatoes, sugary snacks and some fruits. If you've tried the keto before and found it too tedious, lazy keto could be a good compromise.

    Can you eat unlimited eggs on keto? ›

    Considering keto diets typically recommend 20g-50g of carbs, you'd have to eat dozens of eggs to go over your carb limit. You really don't have to worry about carbs with eggs.

    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. If you're less stringent, you can also eat nuts, seeds, non-starchy vegetables, and high fat fruits like avocado and coconut since these foods are low in net carbs.

    What is the most filling low carb snack? ›

    27 Healthy and Easy Low Carb Snack Ideas
    • Plain yogurt with nuts. ...
    • Avocado egg salad. ...
    • String cheese. ...
    • Apricots stuffed with blue cheese. ...
    • Smoked salmon cucumber bites. ...
    • Seaweed sheets. ...
    • Caprese salad. Carbs per serving: approximately 6 grams ( 39 , 50 , 65 , 66 , 67 ) ...
    • Sardines on seed crackers. Share on Pinterest.
    May 6, 2019

    What are the top 5 keto foods? ›

    These are the top 10 keto foods you should include if you're on...
    • Salmon. Whether wild or farm-raised, salmon is rich in fat, making it an essential ketogenic diet staple. ...
    • Eggs. This affordable protein and fat source is highly versatile. ...
    • Cauliflower. ...
    • Greens. ...
    • Avocado. ...
    • Nuts. ...
    • Olive oil. ...
    • Zucchini.

    Which is better for baking almond or coconut flour? ›

    Almond flour has a mild, nutty flavor that complements a wide range of recipes, from baked goods to savory dishes. It also has a finer texture compared to coconut flour, making it ideal for recipes that require a smooth consistency. Coconut flour has a slightly sweet and nutty flavor, with a hint of coconut aroma.

    What can I use instead of eggs with coconut flour? ›

    Since coconut flour doesn't contain gluten proteins that bind and create structure, eggs are usually used to hold the product together without crumbling. Using coconut flour in egg-free baking can be tricky but not impossible! Flax eggs, bananas, and apple sauce can also be used to bind and add structure.

    Can I substitute almond flour for all-purpose flour? ›

    Almond flour is a little more moist than wheat flour, and doesn't have quite the same binding qualities. You'll do best to substitute 1:1 to begin with, as many recipes respond well to this direct replacement. But be prepared to add more almond flour as you go to compensate for the wetter batter.

    What is lazy girl keto? ›

    The lazy keto diet is a less strict version of the ketogenic (keto) diet, the only rule being that you consume no more than 20 grams of carbs per day. Keto rules instruct you to eat a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carb diet. Like the original diet, lazy keto is a method that helps with rapid weight loss.

    What is dirty keto? ›

    Dirty keto diet is a type of ketogenic diet that is high in ultra processed foods (fast foods), artificial ingredients, and pre-packaged foods. Unlike traditional keto diet or clean keto, it has no regard for the quality of food consumed, as long as it fits into the dieter's daily macros.

    What is the lazy diet? ›

    The lazy keto diet is a more relaxed and flexible version of the traditional ketogenic diet. Unlike the strict macronutrient ratios of the standard keto diet, the lazy keto diet focuses primarily on restricting carbohydrate intake while placing less emphasis on tracking fat and protein consumption.

    Can you eat unlimited fat on keto? ›

    It is useful to know how much and what types of fat a person should consume. People on the keto diet need to get 55%–60% of their daily calories from fat in order to stay in ketosis. This means that a person consuming 2,000 calories per day needs approximately 122–133 grams (g) of fat daily.

    Can you eat unlimited protein on keto? ›

    Eating too much protein on Keto is largely a myth - gluconeogenesis leads to a small increase in glucose production, but we need that to survive. If you are generally active and not in a calorie deficit, you may want to shoot for 1.6 g/kg body weight per day, and prioritize protein on Keto with healthy sources.

    What vegetables are unlimited on keto diet? ›

    You do not have to limit vegetables if you are on the keto diet or are considering it. Plenty of low-carb vegetable options include arugula, asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, mushrooms, spinach, and tomatoes.

    Can you eat any amount on keto? ›

    Following the keto diet requires limiting carb intake to up to 50 g a day. A person generally replaces high carb foods with fatty foods, such as eggs, dairy products, and fresh meat and fish. Wheat products and some fruits, vegetables, beans, and legumes can be high in carbs, so checking food labels is key.

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