For those embracing a ketogenic lifestyle, the craving for comfort foods like biscuits can be a challenge. Traditional biscuits are typically loaded with carbohydrates, making them unsuitable for a keto diet. Fortunately, with a few clever ingredient swaps, you can enjoy delicious, keto-friendly biscuits that satisfy your cravings without derailing your diet. This article will guide you through various recipes and tips to create the best keto biscuits, ensuring they are light, fluffy, and flavorful.
Why Keto Biscuits?
Keto biscuits offer a fantastic alternative to traditional biscuits, allowing you to enjoy a classic comfort food while staying within your ketogenic macros. These biscuits typically use almond flour and other low-carb ingredients to reduce the carbohydrate content significantly. They are perfect as a side dish, a base for breakfast sandwiches, or a vehicle for gravy and other toppings.
Core Ingredients for Keto Biscuits
The key to successful keto biscuits lies in using the right ingredients. Here's a breakdown of the most common and effective components:
Almond Flour: This is a staple in keto baking. Superfine almond flour is preferred for its light texture. Bob's Red Mill Super-Fine Almond Flour is often recommended. It’s best to measure almond flour by weight rather than volume, with one cup weighing approximately 4 ounces.
Coconut Flour: Often used in combination with almond flour to improve texture.
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Mozzarella Cheese: Commonly used to bind ingredients and create a good structure.
Cream Cheese: Full-fat or reduced-fat cream cheese can be used to add moisture and richness.
Butter: Essential for a rich flavor and crumbly texture. Cold butter is crucial for achieving the right consistency.
Eggs: Help to bind the ingredients together. Some recipes use whole eggs, while others use just egg whites. Flax eggs may be a suitable substitute for those with egg allergies, though this may require experimentation.
Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the biscuits rise. Ensure it is fresh and not expired. Some recipes also include baking soda for added lift. Gluten-free baking powder is recommended to keep the biscuits gluten-free.
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Sour Cream: Adds moisture and a tangy flavor. Full-fat sour cream is generally recommended for the best results. Plain Greek yogurt can be substituted, but sour cream provides a better flavor and texture.
Heavy Cream: Provides a higher fat content, contributing to a richer texture. Unsweetened almond milk can be used as a substitute to reduce fat content, though the texture may be affected.
Xanthan Gum: Helps with binding, especially in gluten-free recipes.
Basic Keto Biscuit Recipe
Here’s a foundational recipe that combines several techniques and ingredients to create a delicious keto biscuit:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Superfine Almond Flour
- 1/4 cup Coconut Flour
- 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) Cold Butter, cut into pea-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup Buttermilk or Kefir
- 2 Egg Whites
- 4 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 2 tablespoons Melted Butter
- Heavy Cream
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven: to 400°F (205°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together almond flour, coconut flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, and salt.
- Incorporate butter: Use a pastry cutter, whisk, or the back of a fork to cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together egg whites and buttermilk (or kefir). Add this mixture to the dry ingredients.
- Combine wet and dry: With a spoon, stir until just combined. Let the mixture sit for 1 minute; the dough will look somewhat lumpy.
- Add cheese: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and eggs. Stir until cream cheese is smooth with no clumps. Add the super fine almond flour, baking powder, salt, heavy cream, and melted butter. Stir until combined.
- Shape the biscuits: Drop a scant 1/4 cup of portions onto the lined baking sheet to make 9 biscuits. Slightly flatten the top to prevent a dome from rising. If the dough is too sticky, chill it for 10 minutes and lightly sprinkle almond flour onto a cutting board and turn the dough onto the floured surface. Cut the dough into 6 equal portions and pat it into biscuit shapes. Remember, you want the dough to be nice and thick, like the photos.
- Bake: for 14-15 minutes, until they turn golden brown.
- Cool: Let the biscuits cool down on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips for Perfect Keto Biscuits
Achieving the perfect keto biscuit requires attention to detail. Here are some essential tips:
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- Use Cold Ingredients: Cold butter and cold liquids help create a flaky texture.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing develops gluten (which we don't want in gluten-free baking) and can result in tough biscuits. Mix until just combined.
- Measure Accurately: Use a kitchen scale to measure almond flour and other ingredients by weight for consistent results.
- Adjust Batter Consistency: The batter should be thick enough to hold its shape. If it's too thin, add more almond flour, a tablespoon at a time.
- Handle Dough Gently: Keto biscuit dough can be sticky. Use a scoop to drop biscuits onto the baking sheet rather than trying to shape them by hand.
- Monitor Baking Time: Avoid overbaking, which can lead to dry biscuits. Remove them from the oven when they are golden brown around the edges.
- Sift Almond Flour: Sifting almond flour through a fine-mesh strainer eliminates clumps and results in a fluffier texture.
Flavor Variations
One of the best things about keto biscuits is their versatility. Here are some flavor variations to try:
- Cheese Biscuits: Add 1/4-1/2 cup of shredded cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, or parmesan cheese to the batter.
- Herb Biscuits: Incorporate fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or chives into the dough.
- Garlic Biscuits: Add garlic powder or minced garlic for a savory kick.
- Sweet Biscuits: Add vanilla extract and a keto-friendly sweetener like erythritol or stevia. These are great for making keto strawberry shortcake.
- Ham and Cheese Biscuits: Add diced ham and cheddar cheese for a hearty breakfast option.
- Cheddar Garlic Biscuits: Combine cheddar cheese and garlic for a savory and flavorful biscuit.
- Sausage Cheddar Biscuits: Incorporate cooked sausage and cheddar cheese into the dough.
- Three Cheese Biscuits: Use a blend of sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and fresh basil.
Serving Suggestions
Keto biscuits can be enjoyed in various ways:
- With Butter: A classic and simple way to enjoy the biscuits.
- With Keto-Friendly Jam: Try a homemade keto blueberry or strawberry jam.
- As a Breakfast Sandwich: Fill them with deli meat, bacon, cheese, and an egg.
- With Gravy: Perfect for making biscuits and gravy.
- With Cream Cheese and Smoked Salmon: A delicious and elegant topping.
- With Sliced Hard-Boiled Eggs: A simple and nutritious option.
- With Cheese: Top with cheddar, Swiss, or brie.
- As a Side Dish: Serve them with no-bean chili or alongside other keto-friendly meals.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Keto biscuits are best when eaten warm but can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Place them on paper towels to absorb extra moisture.
- Freezer: Freeze leftover biscuits in freezer bags for up to six months. Briefly reheat them in the microwave or oven before enjoying.
Troubleshooting
- Flat Biscuits: This is usually due to batter that is too thin or using butter that isn't cold enough. Ensure the batter is thick and the butter is chilled.
- Dense Biscuits: Overbaking is the primary cause of dense biscuits. Remove them from the oven when they are lightly golden.
- Dry Biscuits: Overbaking can also result in dry biscuits. Monitor the baking time closely.
- Batter Too Thin: Add almond flour, a tablespoon at a time, until the batter reaches the desired consistency.
Recipe Variations
Keto Buttermilk Biscuits
These biscuits use a combination of almond flour and coconut flour, along with buttermilk (or kefir) for an authentic flavor.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Almond Flour
- 1/4 cup Coconut Flour
- 1 teaspoon Xanthan Gum
- 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) Cold Butter, cut into small pieces
- 1/2 cup Buttermilk or Kefir
- 2 Egg Whites
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together almond flour, coconut flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
- Whisk together egg whites and buttermilk (or kefir) and add to the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined.
- Drop a scant 1/4 cup portions onto the lined baking sheet and slightly flatten the tops.
- Bake for 14-15 minutes until golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
5-Ingredient Keto Biscuits
For a simpler recipe, try these biscuits made with just a few ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Almond Flour
- 4 tablespoons Ghee, Coconut Oil, or Melted Butter
- 2 teaspoons Gluten-Free Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine all ingredients and whisk with a fork until combined.
- Use a large cookie scoop to scoop out 3-tablespoon balls. Flatten slightly with your hand to shape like biscuits.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until set and turning golden brown.
- Cool on the baking sheet before serving.