Snacking is an integral part of life. We all need a little something to munch on between meals, after a workout, on the road, or while watching our favorite movie. Fortunately, snacking does NOT have to be a shunned practice of those who aren’t disciplined enough to follow through with their keto diet plan. Snacking can actually be good for you if you do it right.
If you’re wondering what makes these snacks good for you, it’s all about the keto. Keto is focused on low-carb, high-fat nourishment, but some recipes are also paleo and dairy-free, using unprocessed ingredients so you can rest assured that what’s going into your belly will make it happy.
Whether you're looking for something crunchy, savory, cheesy, or sweet, there's a keto-friendly recipe for you. This article provides a comprehensive guide to delicious and easy-to-make keto snacks that won't break the bank.
Understanding the Keto Diet
The ketogenic diet is not that hard. It truly is second nature now. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t take some work and some preparation, especially for beginners. The keto diet focuses on low-carb, high-fat nourishment. It involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat. This reduction in carbs puts your body into a metabolic state called ketosis, where it becomes incredibly efficient at burning fat for energy.
Key Principles:
- Low Carb is the Way: Stick to snacks low on the carb scale.
- Embrace Good Fats: Avocados, nuts, and olive oil are your flavor-packed allies.
- Protein Power: Make protein your friend.
- Sugar Detective Mode: Watch out for sneaky sugars in labels.
- Fiber is Key: Fiber is the unsung hero, keeping things smooth.
While the keto path tends to be less fruity than a tropical paradise, fear not! There are still some options that won’t kick you out of ketosis.
Read also: Is Beef Tallow a Good Moisturizer?
- Lemon and Lime: These zesty bites add flavor with minimal carbs.
These categories are like your handy roadmap, but everyone’s carb tolerance is like a fingerprint - unique! Keep tabs on your carb intake and play it smart based on your own body.
Savory Keto Snack Recipes
Keto Pretzel Bites
These Keto Pretzel Bites are one of my family's favorite snacks. Dip them in my sugar-free honey mustard dressing for a classic pretzel experience!
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup coconut flour, plus 1 tablespoon for dusting
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 large egg
- Melted butter
- Coarse salt
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of the coconut flour, the baking powder, garlic powder, and xanthan gum.
- Place the cheese in a large microwave-safe bowl and cook on high in 30-second increments until well melted so that the cheese can easily be stirred together.
- Add the flour mixture, then add the egg. Using a silicone spatula, work the flour and egg into the cheese, kneading the dough up against the side of the bowl.
- Dust a work surface with the remaining tablespoon of coconut flour. Turn the dough out onto the work surface and knead with your hands until cohesive. If the dough is still very sticky, dust lightly with more coconut flour until it no longer sticks to your hands.
- Divide the dough into 4 even portions and roll each portion out into an 8- inch log. Cut each log into 8 pieces.
- To Air Fry: Brush the air fryer rack lightly with oil. Place the pretzel bites on the rack, not touching, and brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with coarse salt and press lightly to help it adhere to the dough. Air fry at 350ºF for 5 to 6 minutes, until they are puffed and golden brown.
- To Bake: Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Lightly grease a baking rack and set over a rimmed baking sheet. Place the pretzel bites on the rack, not touching, and brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with coarse salt and press lightly to help it adhere to the dough.
Chicharrones
In this homemade pork rinds, garlic-, lime juice- and oregano-marinated cubes of pork belly are boiled until tender then fried until deep golden brown and crunchy. Topped with a sprinkle of flaky salt and a squeeze of lime, these are the perfect two-bite, keto-friendly snack.
Cheesy Cauli Bread
Cauliflower is truly a miracle vegetable. Who knew you could take a head of cauliflower and turn it into this endlessly dippable cheesy bread?
Bacon Guac Bombs
This recipe had me at avocado. Avocados are amazingly nutritious, tasty, and you can stuff them with all sorts of keto goodness!
Read also: Delicious Pasta on a Budget
Cucumber Sushi
Crisp, refreshing, and packed with veggies, this cucumber sushi will become your new favorite addition to your mid-day snack routine. It might not be “real sushi,” but it sure is delicious!
Carbonara Deviled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs, a high-protein powerhouse, serve as the star ingredient. Want to up the protein factor? Opt for egg whites. Then ditch the typical mayo for a Greek yogurt or cottage cheese twist.
Bacon Spinach Dip
We love baked spinach dip more than we like to admit, and this is one of our faves. The smoky bacon bits make it feel extra fancy, but feel free to skip. It's got enough going on with the three types of cheese.
Smoked Trout Spread
Creamy, smoky, and bright, this dip is a sure-fire winner whenever you serve it. It's also super easy: though it's often made in a food processor, we found it required less cleanup to flake the fish by hand before stirring it into the softened cream cheese. Win!
Cool Ranch Zucchini Chips
Got a mandoline? Now is the time to use it. Pro tip: How thinly you slice your zucchini will affect how long it'll take in the oven. We recommend checking on the chips after about an hour, and these work super well in the air-fryer too!
Read also: Delicious and Affordable Meals
Pesto-Stuffed Burrata Bombs
Why have just mozzarella when you can have burrata? And why have just burrata when you can have pesto-stuffed burrata? These bombs are the answer. They take everyone’s favorite cheese to the next level by injecting it with herby goodness.
Bacon Zucchini Fries
Anything wrapped in bacon is instantly 1,000 times better, including summer squash! These 'fries' are simply roasted zucchini wedges wrapped in bacon-squash has never looked better. Make a simple homemade ranch for an easy dipping sauce too.
Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
Bacon-wrapped scallops are one of those dishes that wow guests but secretly are so easy to make (only 5 ingredients!). For best results, use big sea scallops and thin-cut, conventional bacon, but feel free to swap out the herbs for whatever you like.
Air Fryer Kale Chips
These air fryer kale chips are a super tasty way to start a healthy chip habit (kale has 215% more fiber than potatoes!). They take just minutes to prepare, and using your air fryer means less grease and guilt. Feel free to customize your chips with different herbs and spices-the possibilities really are endless.
BLT Egglets
Looking for an easy, quick low-carb snack? Look no further than these BLT egglets. They’re kind of like a cross between a BLT sandwich and egg salad, but portable, and we are here for it.
Keto Tortilla Chips
Wondering what crackers fit into your keto lifestyle? Look no further - this low-carb cracker recipe is your answer! With just two simple and healthy ingredients, they transform into crunchy, buttery snacks that redefine wholesome goodness. They have a superb texture, taste like conventional crackers, and can be your go-to gluten-free, vegetarian snack.
Best Guacamole
We're obviously huge fans of a mix-in moment, but for this recipe, we prefer to keep it simple to really let the star of the show-avocados-shine. Make this as is for a simple, staple dip you can return to again and again.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
For proof that roasting any vegetable makes it taste 100 times better, look no further than Brussels sprouts. Here, they're roasted using fatty bacon, not olive oil, and the result really is as delicious as it sounds.
Chicken Liver Pate
This smooth and light chicken liver pate goes perfectly with celery sticks or any other low-carb keto veggie. If you haven’t ever tried liver pate, I dare you to try this one.
Nacho Tots
These tots aren’t your everyday tots, no ma’am. These are NACHO tots that are all amazing yet manage to stay keto, paleo, and dairy-free at the same time!
Stuffed Mushrooms
Mushroom-lovers, I haven’t forgotten you. This recipe is great because you can vary it up very easily.
Keto Asian Cuisine
Here’s your chance to have fried rice again without all the carbs, and it doesn’t take very long at all. Thanks to cauliflower, it’s definitely a keto-approved snack to enjoy when you’re in the mood for some keto Asian cuisine.
Avocado Chicken Salad
You can whip this keto recipe up in no time and continue on with your busy schedule (or not so busy). Avocado and chicken are a perfect match for each other, so this salad is a fantastic combo.
Kebabs
Kebabs are just fun. This recipe is also super variable, so you can mix and match all you want!
Quick Veggie Snack
Here’s a fun way to eat a quick veggie snack with only 6 ingredients and only takes 15 minutes.
Roasted Broccoli and Cheese
Roasted broccoli and melty cheese form a crunchy snack that's delicious any time of day!
Sweet Keto Snack Recipes
Keto Peanut Butter Cup Fat Bombs
Perfect for crushing hunger or tackling those pesky carb cravings, these fat bombs are your go-to solution. Plus, they’re super convenient to prep in advance, making sure you always have a stash of low-carb, high-fat goodness on hand.
Keto Cookie Dough Bars
Keto Cereal
Keto Copycat Snickers Bar
We’re going to tell it to you straight: Homemade candy takes time and patience, especially when you’re making chewy caramel and nougat. But it’s worth it 1,000 times over when you take a bite and realize that it’s even better than your favorite store-bought packaged treat.
Keto Oreos
Keto desserts can be tricky, but luckily, these Oreos are super-simple!
Protein Cookie Dough
Get ready to satisfy your sweet tooth with this Protein Cookie Dough - a game-changer that takes only five minutes to whip up. It’s not just a post-workout boost; it’s a guilt-free dessert that ticks all the boxes - vegan, gluten-free, keto-friendly, and free from refined sugar, delivering a solid 10 grams of protein per serving. How’s that for a treat with benefits?
This cookie dough skips the usual suspects like chickpeas and beans, opting for the dream team of almond flour, protein powder, maple syrup, peanut butter, and non-dairy milk. Chuck in a handful of chocolate chips or go wild with your favorite add-ins like chopped nuts or sprinkles. Perfect for a quick post-sweat refuel, an after-school snack, or a satisfyingly healthy dessert. Roll it into bites or savor it straight off the spoon - the pleasure is all yours!
Keto Peanut Butter Cookies
Get ready for a peanut butter sensation with these Keto Peanut Butter Cookies - a divine trio of simplicity, flavor, and speed. Just three ingredients - peanut butter, eggs, and a sweetener - unite to bring you the classic peanut butter cookie experience without a trace of flour or grains.
In less than 10 minutes, you’ll be savoring the magic of these cookies, featuring crisp edges and a soft, chewy middle that will have you questioning if they’re too good to be true. This recipe is a testament to how keto treats can rival the real deal. Cravings, meet your match!
Lemonade Doughnuts
You’ve got to try these keto tasties because they are delicious.
Keto Muffins
They look so good, so they must be unhealthy, right? Very wrong! These muffins are high in fiber, keto-friendly (low-carb), paleo, and sugar-free!
Sugar-Free Candied Pecans
Imagine the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and buttery goodness, all wrapped up in a delightful low-carb treat. In just 10 minutes and with a mere 3 ingredients, you can whip up these crunchy delights that work as a snack, a tasty topping, or a guilt-free sweet indulgence. The dance of sweet and salty in these sugar-free candied pecans is so satisfying - and the best part? Only 1 NET CARB per serving!
Keto Granola Bars
These keto granola bars are the definition of grab-and-go once you’ve made them.
Muffin Tops
Another morning-style quick snack, these muffin tops have the perfect combo of flavors to give you a nice little boost to last you until your next meal or snack. You might also want to drench these in coconut butter for more fatty action.
Quick & Easy Keto Snack Ideas
Avocado
It’s got mayo, no dairy!
Bacon
Besides being a quick and easy keto snack, it’s absolutely delicious and you can dip chips, crackers, or veggies in whenever you’re craving a little something between meals.
90-Second Keto Bread
If you’re a bread lover navigating the keto world, this 90-Second Keto Bread Recipe is about to be your new obsession. Giving up bread is one of the toughest parts of Keto, but with this easy keto bread, you not only get to enjoy bread but have it ready in just 90 seconds! Envision two slices loaded with cheese, salami, and a perfectly cooked egg - a keto breakfast dream come true.
Keto substitutions are your secret weapon, and this recipe, a standout favorite, becomes a lifeline when you’re craving that bread fix without the carb overload. Brace yourself for a keto upgrade with this coconut flour wonder - your swift ticket to keto bread bliss in under 2 minutes! This 3-ingredient bread is a delicious alternative to regular bread and can be used for sandwiches and pizza - or enjoyed as a snack on its own!
Strawberry Cream Cheese Bites
Get set for a keto snack upgrade - Strawberry Cream Cheese Bites! Fresh strawberries team up with a creamy filling, creating bites of pure joy. And they’re ready after chilling for only a few hours in the freezer.
Dehydrated Chips
Dehydrated to perfection, these chips are downright addictive. Packed with wonderful flavor and a satisfying crunch, these Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Low-Carb, and Diabetic-Friendly chips are about to claim the top spot in your keto snack lineup. Brace yourself for a flavor-packed, guilt-free snacking experience - it’s a delicious crunch that’ll have you coming back for more on your low-carb journey!
No-Bake Energy Bites
This is the ultimate no-bake snack that’s quick, tasty, and keto-friendly. Packed with protein, fiber, and less than 4 grams of net carbs per ball, they’re your go-to for satisfying those on-the-go cravings. Just four simple ingredients - two kinds of nuts, cocoa powder, and dates - make them a breeze to customize, like your favorite keto fat bombs. With minimal prep, shape the balls, chill, and enjoy!
2-Ingredient Cream Cheese Mousse
Get ready for a velvety, creamy marvel made with just 2 ingredients! With less than 1 gram of carbs per serving, it’s a game-changer for your low-carb lifestyle. If you’re new to keto and need the essentials, this is on that shortlist!