Keto Coconut Cookies: Easy Recipes for a Guilt-Free Treat

Craving a sweet treat while keeping your diet in check? Look no further than keto coconut cookies! These delightful cookies are not only delicious but also fit perfectly into a ketogenic or low-carb lifestyle. Whether you're a seasoned keto enthusiast or just looking for a healthier alternative to traditional cookies, there's a recipe here for you. These recipes are designed to be easy to follow, using simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

Why Coconut Flour?

Many keto cookie recipes rely on almond flour, but what if you have a nut allergy or simply prefer a different texture? That's where coconut flour comes in. It's a fantastic low-carb alternative, offering a unique sweetness and a slightly different texture.

Coconut flour is very absorbent, so you need to use less of it than other low-carb flours. Coconut flour is also more crumbly than regular flour because it does not contain any gluten.

Recipe 1: 5-Ingredient Keto Coconut Flour Cookies

These cookies are super simple, wonderfully buttery and soft, and require only 5 ingredients! Perfect for those looking for a nut-free, low-carb cookie recipe. It's an everyday sugar-free sweet treat.

Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup / 50g coconut flour
• ⅓ cup / 75g butter or coconut oil, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons granulated sweetener (erythritol and monk fruit mix). Adjust to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F.
2. Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl.
3. Stir together with a fork. Knead with your hands until you have a smooth dough.
4. Let it rest for a few minutes to allow the coconut flour to expand. If the dough is too soft, place the bowl in the fridge for 15-20 minutes.
5. Cut the large ball into 16 pieces and roll into little dough balls.
6. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and press down with the palm of your hand into fat discs of circa 4 cm diameter (1.5 cm thick).
7. Optional: Mix 1 egg with 1 tablespoon of milk of your choice (almond milk works well) and brush each cookie with the egg wash.
8. Bake in the oven for about 13-15 minutes or until golden.
9. Let the cookies cool completely before you handle them. They will firm up as they cool.

Tips:

• Coconut flour brands can vary in texture, so adjust the amount slightly if needed.
• Use very soft butter or coconut oil.
• If your dough is too soft to form a ball, cool it in the fridge for about 20 minutes.
• Coconut flour keto cookies do not flatten during baking.
• For crispier cookies, make them flatter and bake them for longer. You can also leave out the egg yolk and use erythritol over any other sweetener.
• To omit the egg, use 40 grams of coconut flour (⅓ cup) with 100 grams of butter and 1 tablespoon ground chia seeds. Sweetener and vanilla extract remain the same.

Variations:

• Make cut-out cookies: Roll the dough out between two sheets of parchment paper. Chill it in the freezer until ALMOST frozen.
• Top with sugar-free icing: Mix ¼ cup of powdered sweetener with 1 tablespoon water or lemon juice.
• Make a coconut glaze: Mix ¼ of coconut butter with 8 drops of stevia or 2 teaspoon of powdered sweetener.
• Dip in chocolate: Melt either dark chocolate with 90% cocoa solids or use sugar-free chocolate.

Recipe 2: Crunchy Keto Coconut Cookies

For those who prefer a satisfying crunch, these 4-ingredient keto coconut cookies are the perfect solution. They are crispy, with a delightful coconut flavor.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Ingredients:

• 2 cups unsweetened small shredded coconut
• 1 tablespoon coconut flour
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• 3-4 tablespoons keto honey (or other low-carb sweetener)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or greased foil.
2. Add shredded coconut and coconut flour to the food processor, making sure to spread coconut and flour evenly throughout the bin of the processor.
3. Add coconut oil and keto honey.
4. Blend until you get a thick and sticky mixture that holds together, with smaller, but still noticeable coconut pieces. Scrape down the sides of the food processor as needed. If any keto honey remains at the bottom of the processor, fold into dough until well mixed.
5. Using a small cookie scoop, scoop firmly packed balls of coconut mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, making sure to space balls evenly apart.
6. Using the palm of your hand, flatten cookies to 1/3” thickness. Cookies should resemble flat discs. The flatter they are, the crunchier they’ll be-just make sure not to flatten so much that they’ll burn.
7. Bake for 10-14 mins, until a darker golden around the edges and very golden on top, being careful not to burn. Mine took 12 mins.
8. Place baking sheet onto a cooling rack and allow cookies to cool for about 5 minutes, until firm.
9. Using a heatproof spatula, transfer cookies directly onto the cooling rack to cool completely, about 20 mins, or until completely cool.

Tips:

• Make sure to use small coconut shreds for this recipe. Using large coconut will cause the cookies to spread.
• The flatter the cookies, the crunchier they will be.
• Watch the cookies carefully during baking to prevent burning.

Recipe 3: Chewy Keto Coconut Cookies

If you like them chewy, here's how to make coconut cookies that are delightfully chewy, low-carb, gluten-free, and keto-friendly.

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons coconut oil
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup sweetener
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 cups coconut

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, stir coconut oil, butter, sweetener, vanilla extract, and egg yolks.
3. Mix in chocolate chips, coconut, and nuts.
4. Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop even amounts of dough onto baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Tips:

• There will be some oil coming out of these as they bake because there is no flour to absorb it.
• Baking them with the coconut in the dough is key to a better texture.

General Tips and Considerations

• Sweeteners: Experiment with different keto-friendly sweeteners like erythritol, monk fruit sweetener, or stevia to find your preferred level of sweetness and flavor.
• Storage: Store these cookies in a cookie jar for up to 1 week or freeze them in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
• Coconut Variations: Desiccated coconut, shredded coconut, and coconut flakes can all be used, but they will affect the texture of the final product.
• Don't Overbake: Coconut flour cookies can become dry if overbaked, so keep a close eye on them.
• Let Them Cool: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before handling them, as they tend to be fragile when warm.

Benefits of Keto Coconut Cookies

• Low Carb: Perfect for those following a ketogenic or low-carb diet.
• Gluten-Free: A great option for individuals with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
• Nut-Free Options: Many recipes utilize coconut flour, making them suitable for those with nut allergies.
• Satisfyingly Sweet: These cookies provide a guilt-free way to satisfy your sweet tooth.
• Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, anyone can bake these cookies.

The Versatility of Keto Coconut Cookies

These cookies aren't just a standalone treat. They can be incorporated into other desserts or enjoyed in various ways:

• Ice Cream Sandwich: Use two cookies to sandwich a scoop of keto-friendly ice cream.
• Cookie Crumbles: Crumble the cookies over yogurt or chia seed pudding for added texture and flavor.
• Gift Giving: Package the cookies in a decorative tin for a thoughtful and homemade gift.

Incorporating Other Ingredients

Feel free to experiment with additional ingredients to customize your keto coconut cookies:

• Nuts: Add chopped macadamia nuts, pecans, or almonds for extra crunch and flavor.
• Spices: Incorporate cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger for a warm and comforting taste.
• Extracts: Try almond extract, lemon extract, or orange extract for a different flavor profile.
• Seeds: Add chia seeds, flax seeds, or hemp seeds for added nutrients and texture.

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

tags: #keto #coconut #cookies #recipe