Keto Chocolate Cereal Recipe: A Crunchy, Guilt-Free Delight

Relive your favorite childhood memories with this keto chocolate cereal recipe, a healthier twist on classic cocoa puffs. This recipe caters to those following a ketogenic or paleo lifestyle, offering a satisfying crunch without the carbs. This article provides a comprehensive guide to creating delicious, low-carb chocolate cereal that the whole family can enjoy.

Why Keto Cereal?

For those new to the keto diet, the idea of enjoying cereal might seem impossible. However, this recipe proves that you don't have to sacrifice your favorite foods. By "keto-fying" carb-heavy recipes, you can indulge in a guilt-free, chocolatey breakfast or snack.

Two Delicious Recipes

Recipe 1: Keto Chocolate Cereal

This recipe uses sunflower seed flour as a base, making it a great option for those with nut allergies. It's crispy, chocolatey, and easy to make, disappearing quickly once prepared.

Ingredients:

• Sunflower seed flour (almond flour can be substituted if no nut allergies)
• Erythritol-based sweetener (like Swerve)
• Dutched cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Egg
• Butter
• Vanilla

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the sunflower seed flour, cocoa powder, sweetener, baking powder, and salt.
3. Stir in the egg, butter, and vanilla until a dough forms. It will seem like there isn’t enough liquid ingredients compared to the dry ingredients but trust the process.
4. Transfer the dough to a large silicone baking mat or a piece of parchment paper. Top with another piece of parchment and roll out as thinly as possible (without being see-through!).
5. Remove the top piece of parchment. Use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to score into small squares, about 3/4 inch wide.
6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until firm to the touch.
7. Remove and let cool completely. It will seem a bit soft when it first comes out of the oven, but will crisp up as it cools.

Important Considerations:

• Sunflower Seed Flour: If you have severe nut allergies, ensure that the flour or seeds are processed in allergen-free facilities.
• Sweetener: An erythritol-based sweetener is crucial for achieving the right crispness.
• Cocoa Powder: Use dutched cocoa powder to avoid a bitter taste.
• Cooling: Allow the cereal to cool completely to achieve maximum crispiness.

Recipe 2: Grain-Free and Gluten-Free Cocoa Puffs

This recipe utilizes a short list of simple ingredients to create crunchy, grain-free, and gluten-free cocoa puffs.

Ingredients:

• Peanut Butter (creamy and softened)
• Protein Powder (low carb chocolate flavor)
• Erythritol

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. If the batter seems dry/crumbly, add a few teaspoons of mild-tasting oil or coconut oil (this just means your peanut butter is dry).
3. Option 1 (Circles): Pinch a thumbnail-sized amount of dough and roll between your hands to form a ball. Place on the baking sheet. Bake for 8 minutes, then take the baking sheet out of the oven and carefully move the balls around so they cook on the other side. Place back in the oven and cook another 5 minutes. Allow to cool and enjoy!
4. Option 2 (Squares): Place dough on a piece of parchment paper, with a second piece of parchment on top. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a thin and even layer about 1/4-1/8” thick. Remove the top piece of parchment paper. Use a pizza cutter, cut into small squares (about 1”). Bake in the oven for 5 minutes, then take the baking sheet out of the oven and carefully break up the squares, so they’re no longer connected. Bake for another 7 minutes.
5. You want to be sure your PB is wet (they tend to dry out with age).

Tips and Variations:

• Protein Powder: Whey becomes "airy" as it bakes, whereas casein and plant-based products will remain denser.
• Sweetener: Lakanto, Swerve, or Erythritol are good options, with Lakanto and Swerve being a 1:1 swap with traditional sugar.
• For balls: You’ll want to keep your hands damp - this will keep the dough from sticking and make it easier to roll.

Recipe 3: Nutty Chocolate Keto Granola

This recipe offers a customizable granola option loaded with healthy nuts and seeds.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Ingredients:

• Almonds
• Hazelnuts
• Pecans
• Coconut Flakes
• Hemp Seeds
• Flaxseed
• Cacao Nibs
• Cocoa Powder
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Coconut Oil
• Syrup
• Vanilla Extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Combine the almonds, hazelnuts, cocoa powder, pecans, hemp seeds, flaxseed, coconut flakes, cacao nibs, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl.
3. In a separate small bowl, combine the coconut oil, syrup, and vanilla extract.
4. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Recipe 4: 5 Ingredient Chocolate Cereal

This simple recipe relies on coconut and almonds for a crispy, low-carb cereal.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups unsweetened coconut flakes (180 g/ 6.4 oz)
• 2 cups unsweetened flaked almonds or more coconut (180 g/ 6.4 oz)
• 2 tbsp cacao powder or Dutch process cocoa powder (11 g/ 0.4 oz)
• 2 tbsp melted virgin coconut oil (30 ml)
• 1/2 cup 90% dark chocolate chips (90 g/ 3.2 oz) - use at least 85% chocolate or sugar-free chocolate
• Optional: 1/8 tsp sea salt
• Optional: 1-2 tbsp granulated Erythritol or Swerve, or other low-carb sweetener

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 150 °C/ 300 °F (fan assisted), or 170 °C/ 340 °F (conventional).
2. Place the coconut flakes, almond flakes, cacao powder and salt in a bowl. If you can't eat nuts, use more coconut flakes. Optionally, add sweetener and salt.
3. Place in a large baking tray and spread evenly.
4. Remove from the oven and let it cool down.

Recipe 5: Crunchy Chocolate Toast Cereal

This recipe uses a unique method of rolling and scoring the dough to create a "toast" like cereal.

Ingredients:

• Dry ingredients
• Oil
• Almond Butter
• Almond Milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 315 degrees F.
2. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
3. Add the oil (reserving about 1 tbsp to brush on top,) almond butter and almond milk. Mix to form a dough.
4. Place in the fridge to chill for an hour or freezer for about 20 - 30 minutes (just so it firms up but not freezes.)
5. Split the dough in half and warm the dough in your hands slightly so it forms two balls. Roll one ball between two sheets of greaseproof paper or use a silicone matt and rolling pin.
6. Fold over the edges to make a rectangle and re roll to about 1/3 cm in height. Using a fork gently make lots of surface pricks in the dough. Try not to pierce all the way through as this makes the dough more fragile. Repeat for the other piece of dough.
7. Bake in the oven for 20 - 25 minutes until golden.
8. Allow to fully cool (this is important) and then using a sharp knife cut into 1 inch rectangles.

Serving and Storing Your Keto Cereal

Enjoy your homemade keto cereal with your favorite milk alternatives, such as unsweetened almond milk, hazelnut milk, coconut milk, or even yogurt or cream.

Storage:

• Dry-baked keto treats like this can last for up to 7 to 10 days in an airtight container at room temperature.
• If you live in a very humid environment, it may become less crispy as it sits. Simply pop it back into a warm oven (200°F/93°C) for 10 to 15 minutes to restore crispness.
• Unfortunately, you can’t freeze these low carb cocoa puffs (after baking) as the thawing process makes them soggy.

Additional Tips and Considerations

• Customization: Feel free to experiment with different nuts, seeds, and spices to create your own unique flavor combinations. Apart from cacao powder, you can add cinnamon, vanilla or almond extract.
• Nut Allergies: If you have nut allergies, be extra cautious about cross-contamination during ingredient processing.
• Versatility: This cereal is not just for breakfast! Enjoy it as a snack, a topping for yogurt, or even as an ingredient in other keto desserts.

A Note on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should be independently calculated for accuracy. Remember to consult with a healthcare professional before making significant dietary changes.

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

tags: #keto #chocolate #cereal #recipe