For those following a ketogenic or low-carb diet, the desire for something sweet doesn't have to be a forbidden craving. The trick to staying successful on your diet plan is to avoid complete deprivation. Embracing keto-friendly desserts allows you to satisfy your sweet tooth without derailing your health goals. This curated list of recipes offers a variety of options, from no-bake treats perfect for hot summer days to decadent cakes and cookies that prove you can enjoy dessert on keto.
Understanding Keto Desserts
When following the keto diet, we eschew carbohydrates for high protein, high-fat foods. The goal is to shift our bodies into a state called ketosis. What's more, when we're in ketosis, we typically have more energy and feel less hungry. This is because protein and fat are highly satiating. But, of course, old habits die hard. Keto desserts are a fantastic option, as they have no added sugar in them or use processed sweeteners. While most aren’t low in calories, they use whole food and natural ingredients in them.
Can Diabetics Eat Dessert?
Those who have diabetes can enjoy desserts regularly, provided they monitor their blood sugar levels and choose desserts without excess sugar in them. Keto desserts are a fantastic option, as they have no added sugar in them or use processed sweeteners.
Tips for Keto Dessert Success
- Have substitutes ready to go: Stock up on keto sweeteners and staples.
- Keep it simple: Start with desserts you're already familiar with.
- Plan ahead: Preparation is key. Having a few keto treats around keeps you from succumbing to any sugary temptations.
No-Bake Keto Dessert Recipes
When the weather heats up-or you’re just short on time-no bake keto desserts are the solution. These tasty low carb treats come together without ever turning on the oven, making them ideal for summer days, meal prep, or last-minute cravings.
Keto Cookie Dough
Raise your hand if you’ve ever gorged yourself on raw cookie dough. Sometimes it tastes even better than the finished cookies! Edible keto cookie dough! Eat this sweet sugar-free dough as is or roll it into delicious truffles.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Keto Cheesecake Bites
These Keto Cheesecake Bites are going to rock your world. They're no-bake, and dipped in sugar-free chocolate for an extra special treat. You know the happy dance you do when you bite into something delicious? Well I guarantee that these keto cheesecake bites are going to make you do that dance.
Easy Keto Fudge
This keto fudge is what low-carb dreams are made of-ultra creamy, rich, and ridiculously chocolatey. I can’t get this easy keto fudge out of my mind! I updated the recipe recently and now it’s even better and easier than ever.
Creamy Keto Strawberry Popsicles
Creamy Keto Strawberry Popsicles are the best way to beat the heat. With fresh summer berries and no added sugar, they might be the only thing standing between you and the ice cream truck. If you don’t own a popsicle mold, I suggest you hightail it to your nearest cookware store, grocery store or even your local drugstore.
No Bake Keto Dirt Cake
This No Bake Keto Dirt Cake recipe will blow your mind! I first made this Keto Peanut Butter Dirt Cake back in 2014 and it became an instant hit. I decided to update it after not making it in years. The only question is, why did I wait so long?
Sugar Free Keto Sorbet
This sugar free keto sorbet is so creamy and delicious, and bursting with fresh raspberries. It's a delightful way to cool off on a hot summer's day. Smooth and creamy, this sugar-free sorbet is the best way to beat the heat! And that rich raspberry color and flavor make it ever so appealing.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding
This Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding is unbelievably smooth and creamy. It takes only 20 minutes to make and can be made dairy-free too. A wonderful keto-friendly treat for the whole family. This rich and smooth keto pudding has become one of my favorite desserts.
Keto Peanut Butter Mousse
It just doesn't get any easier than this keto peanut butter mousse. It's sweet and creamy, and takes only 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to make. How's that for instant gratification? This easy Keto Peanut Butter Mousse is easily one of my most popular desserts recipes. And it only takes 5 minutes to make!
Keto Raspberry Tart
This gorgeous keto raspberry tart features a no-bake chocolate crust and a creamy raspberry mousse filling. I love coming up with creative sugar-free dessert recipes. This keto raspberry tart is a stunner and perfect for summer entertaining.
Easy Keto Peanut Butter Bars
These easy keto peanut butter bars are the ultimate low carb treat! Trigger warning! If peanut butter is your kryptonite, you may just want to look away for a while. Because these keto peanut butter bars are bound to make you weak in the knees.
No Bake Keto Macaroons
These easy No Bake Keto Macaroons are little bites of chocolate coconut heaven. While I love baking, I also love no-baking. In other words, I love making easy no bake treats like these Chocolate Keto Macaroons. The process is quick, takes a handful of ingredients, and I don’t have to turn on my oven.
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto
Keto Coffee Ice Cream
Keto coffee ice cream without an ice cream maker? It's not a dream, I promise And this is the richest, creamiest, keto no churn ice cream recipe. I first created this keto coffee ice cream back in 2015, and I am so excited to give it a new update. It’s better than ever before, and it stays perfectly scoopable, even after weeks in the freezer.
Keto Lemon Lush
Lemon Lush is the ultimate keto lemon dessert! It features a buttery no bake crust with layers of cheesecake, sugar free lemon curd, and whipped cream. I have been thinking about making a Keto Lemon Lush for several years. And now that I have made it and tasted it, I wonder why on earth I waited so long.
Keto Grasshopper Pie
Keto Grasshopper Pie combines a sugar free chocolate crust with a creamy mint mousse filling. I love going back and updating some of my older recipes, making them better than ever. This Keto Grasshopper Pie was much deserving of such an update.
No Bake Keto Cheesecake Bars
These No Bake Keto Cheesecake Bars taste just like Almond Joy! Imagine no bake keto cheesecake bars with all the luscious flavor of your favorite candy bar!
Baked Keto Dessert Recipes
For those who enjoy the process of baking, there are plenty of keto-friendly options that deliver on flavor and satisfaction.
Keto Samoa Bars
Let's be honest, Samoas are the best Girl Scout cookies. The glorious combination of toasted coconut, caramel, chocolate, and shortbread is a true dream. The best news of all is that these Samoa bars are keto-approved!
Gluten-Free Pop-Tarts
Pop-Tarts are essentially just adorable mini hand pies. And though their sweetness aligns more with the dessert category, we don’t judge anyone who prefers to eat them for breakfast.
Keto Tiramisu Chaffle Cake
A keto-friendly twist on the classic Italian dessert.
Keto Red Velvet Cake
When it comes to birthday cakes, you’re either on Team Funfetti, Team Chocolate, or Team Red Velvet. With a few simple swaps, you'll be on your way to the keto cake of your dreams.
Keto Cinnamon Rolls
We know, cheese in a should-be sweet morning bun sounds wrong. But trust us, it really works. And no, you cannot taste the cheese! Stretchy mozzarella helps add some of the fluffy chew so that they're not totally crumbly. The end result is a sinfully delicious and cinnamon-y roll that has no business being keto.
Keto Copycat Snickers Bar
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 Pecan Crescents
These pecan cookies are about to become your family’s favorite. It's easy to see why-crumbly pecan cookies meet a simple glaze, making them completely irresistible.
Keto Chocolate Glazed Donuts
Didn't think you could eat donuts on keto? Think again! These almond flour based donuts are so light and fluffy, and the addition of a smooth chocolate glaze really puts them over the top. Even non-keto people were going crazy for these as soon as we finished shooting them. Cake donut lovers, this one's for you.
Keto Fudge
Fudge never gets enough credit around the holidays. Everyone is fixated on the dang cookies. Fudge is simpler, chocolatey-er, and just as festive. Plus, it makes a better DIY food gift.
Magic Keto Cookies
These cookies are seriously magical. Super easy to make and without any flour, you can feel good about eating way more than just one.
Keto Chocolate Mousse
This keto mousse gets its rich, creamy texture from avocados. If you're a little wary of using them in desserts, we promise it's amazing. But in this case, the mild flavor of avocado gets masked instantly by the cocoa powder and the creamy texture weirdly works.
Keto Sugar-Free Cheesecake
There’s a whole world of delicious keto sweets out there. Since we tend to turn to cream cheese for our fat bombs, creating a classic keto cheesecake recipe just made sense. Our version is creamy, rich, and tangy, just like the cheesecakes you know and love.
Keto Chocolate Mug Cake
Ready in one (literally, one) minute.
Keto Ice Cream
This keto-friendly ice cream is creamy, rich, and just barely sweet. Feel free to up the sweetener a little, but in our opinion, the coconut milk makes is decadent enough. If you're dying to add mix-ins, there are a ton of options, but one of our favorites is to add some cookie dough keto fat bombs.
Keto Hot Chocolate
A warm and comforting treat for chilly days.
Keto Peanut Butter Cup Fat Bombs
If you love chocolate + peanut butter (and who doesn't?!), then these fat bombs are for you! They're a great on-the-go snack for those pesky sweet cravings.
Cookie Dough Keto Fat Bombs
Fat bombs alone make us want to go try more keto treats, but we'll take any excuse to eat cookie dough. These are perfect to keep stored in the freezer for whenever the craving hits.
Keto Almond Brittle
Keto almond brittle is perfect to make-ahead and keep around for when you have those late night sweets cravings.
Other Keto Dessert Ideas
- Avocado Mousse: Despite being made from avocado, it doesn’t taste like the green fruit (yes, avocado is actually a fruit).
- Dark Chocolate: Keep the piece small and choose dark chocolate (70% dark or higher).
- Berries with Cream: Enjoy a few berries in a cloud of heavy whipping cream. Sprinkle on a few mint leaves or a dash of spice like nutmeg or cinnamon.
- Keto Fat Bombs: People often mix in spices, coconut, cocoa, or nuts with their fat bombs, as well as a keto-friendly sweetener like erythritol or monk-fruit.
- Keto Cheesecake: Use a keto-friendly sweetener to make sure it stays low carb. Keto cheesecakes are typically crustless, although you could use nuts and butter to make a keto-friendly cheesecake crust.
- Nut Butter: Macadamia, pecan, and Brazil nuts are the most keto-friendly nut options.
The Psychology of Dessert
We all love dessert sometimes, and the trick to staying successful on your diet plan is to avoid complete deprivation. Psychology tells us that we save room for dessert because we crave a different taste, texture, and mouthfeel from the rest of the meal. The other reason we have a hard time resisting sweet treats is that we might not be eating enough or feel deprived.
If you’re constantly craving dessert and can’t seem to get over the hump, you may want to look at your meals. Are you eating things that are satisfying and filling?
It's Skinny: A Keto-Friendly Pasta Alternative
Our little secret to staying on track with keto is It’s Skinny Pasta and It’s Skinny Rice. It's Skinny is a keto pasta that tastes delicious. Ready to be amazed? It’s Skinny has ZERO net carbs and only 9 calories per pack! With stats like that, you won’t undo your hard work, but you’ll still get to manage your pasta cravings.
For those unfamiliar, konjac is a small plant commonly used in Asia for food and medicine. It's similar to a turnip or potato but very high in glucomannan fiber. What’s more, It’s Skinny is one of the best keto pasta options out there for flavor, texture, and ease. Unlike some other pasta swaps, it won’t overpower the dish. It’s Skinny noodles don't get soggy or gloppy like zoodles, and they don't require long cooking times or waiting. To enjoy It's Skinny, cook your toppings and protein, open the pack of noodles, drain and add them to the dish at the end of cooking. It's Skinny takes on the surrounding flavors of the dish. It’s perfect with all your favorite keto-friendly toppings like steak, chicken, cheese, creamy sauces, avocado, and more.
It's Skinny Dessert Idea: Rice Pudding
You can make a delicious keto-friendly rice pudding using coconut, and It’s Skinny rice. Rice pudding is the ultimate comfort food-creamy, filling, and tasty.