Feeding your kids low-carb meals isn’t about restricting their carb intake. They’ll have all the essential vitamins, minerals, and vital nutrients they need to grow strong. Eating keto-friendly foods with your kids means you won’t have to make two separate dishes for every meal. Now you’ll never have to worry about sacrificing your health and weight loss goals to make everyone happy at the dinner table. Many of these low-carb recipes are healthier versions of popular high-carb family favorites.
Keto Breakfast Recipes for Kids
Starting the day with a nutritious and delicious keto breakfast can set the tone for a day of healthy eating. Here are some kid-approved keto breakfast ideas:
Fluffy Keto Pancakes
If you have 15 minutes to spare in the AM or over the weekend, you can whip up a batch of these fluffy keto pancakes. These cream cheese pancakes also work well for busy mornings, especially if you’re short on time.
Kiddo Tasks: Weighing all the ingredients, grinding the nuts, whisking the egg, and handling all the blending can be managed by your little one. With supervision, they can also successfully flip the pancake!
Keto Cinnamon Roll French Toast
So make a big batch of this keto cinnamon roll french toast recipe over the weekend.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Low-Carb Oatmeal
This low-carb oatmeal recipe takes just five minutes to make.
Keto Smoothie Bowl
Satisfy their sweet tooth and sneak in some nutrition with this creamy low-carb smoothie bowl.
Macadamia Nut Pancakes
Directions: Grind macadamia nuts in a blender until finely chopped. Mix egg and oil into chopped macadamia nuts and add vanilla extract (if desired). Spray a nonstick skillet with oil-spray and drop batter into desired size circles. Cook until light brown around edges.
Pumpkin Spice Muffins
Directions: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line a muffin tin with parchment paper liners. Combine the formula, eggs, and melted butter in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Sift together the almond flour, coconut flour, konjac root flour, pumpkin spice blend, baking soda and stevia. Add dry ingredients to the wet and stir well to combine. Scrape the sides of the bowl once. Fill each parchment liner halfway and bake for 25-30 minutes until done.
Kiddo Tasks: Your little dude can be responsible for preheating the oven, melting the butter in the microwave in 20-30 second increments, and measuring out the ingredients using household measures, which turns into a great way for them to understand the difference between teaspoons, tablespoons, and different cup sizes.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Egg Loaf
An egg loaf is an easy keto breakfast quick bread that has hints of cinnamon and vanilla.
Keto Lunch Recipes for Kids
Packing a keto-friendly lunch for your kids doesn't have to be a chore. These recipes are quick, easy, and kid-approved:
Low-Carb Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
For a fun and filling twist on a traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwich, try this low-carb version.
Keto Chicken Salad
This keto chicken salad recipe is filling, bursting with nutrition, and easy to make with kids. Plus, it pairs perfectly with grilled cheese on four-ingredient keto cloud bread or slices of low-carb bread.
Philly Cheesesteak Lettuce Wraps
Keto Dinner Recipes for Kids
Dinner time can be a challenge, but these keto dinner recipes are sure to please even the pickiest eaters:
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto
Low-Carb Fathead Pizza
Pizza is the ultimate kid-friendly dinner. So satisfy their wishes without settling for delivery or frozen options using this low-carb fathead pizza recipe. Fat Head crust is the top recipe for keto pizza. Keto pizza on the grill is a summertime classic grill recipe.
Keto Nachos
Instead of turning your kitchen into a nacho factory, use this delicious and filling keto nachos recipe.
Creamy Keto Spaghetti Squash
But these pasta dishes don’t contain much in the way of nutrition. As a better alternative, try this creamy keto spaghetti squash recipe. This gives you the same great flavors without all of the carbs.
Crispy Parmesan Crusted Chicken
You can also transform chicken parmesan into a mouth-watering low-carb dish thanks to this crispy parmesan crusted chicken recipe.
Keto Meatballs
Kid-friendly meals should be both fun to eat and filling. So these delicious keto meatballs tick both boxes.
Cheesy Chicken Casserole
Check out this cheesy chicken casserole, which is sure to be a hit with the entire family.
Portobello Bun Cheeseburgers
These portobello bun cheeseburgers make ditching fast food burgers a no-brainer. You can choose a Mexican inspired option, like these zesty chipotle lime bunless turkey burgers.
Cheesy Bacon Ranch Chicken
Bacon and ranch is an absolute match made in heaven. If you’re as obsessed with this flavor combination as we are (how could you not be?), then this chicken dinner should be your new weeknight staple. Get the Cheesy Bacon Ranch Chicken recipe.
Keto Chicken Parmesan
Keto Beef Stew
Making beef stew keto-friendly only means a couple simple swaps. It's still silky and every bit as comforting as the original. In this keto recipe, we make up for the lack of thickener by ensuring that we really reduce the stew to create something rich and stick-to-your-ribs good. Get the Keto Beef Stew recipe.
Cowboy Butter Steak
Not to be confused with our equally delicious cowboy steak, this recipe calls for searing a bone-in ribeye, then basting it with a zesty, smoky butter until the outside has a perfectly brown crust, and the inside is tender and medium-rare. Get the Cowboy Butter Steak recipe.
Garlicky Greek Chicken
Keto Pork Chops
French Onion Pot Roast
Keto Beef Stroganoff
Feta & Herb-Crusted Salmon
Keto Bacon Chicken Thighs With Garlic Cream Sauce
Keto Mac & Cheese
If you're on a keto diet, you know there are a lot of no-nos in classic mac & cheese. This version takes out all the trouble children (ahem, PASTA) without sacrificing flavor. The pork rind topping is totally optional, but we think it adds a pleasant crunch. Get the Keto Mac & Cheese recipe.
Keto Chicken Tenders
Get crispy, juicy keto chicken tenders using pork panko.
Keto Snacks and Sides for Kids
Snacks and sides are an important part of any diet, and the keto diet is no exception. Here are some kid-friendly keto snack and side options:
Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
Try making these homemade mozzarella sticks as an afternoon snack or as an appetizer for your next party.
Hummus
Directions: Using a food processor, add the garlic clove then pulse several times until it is finely chopped. Scrape the sides if needed. Add the remaining ingredients to the garlic. Pulse until the macadamia nuts are pureed. Scrape the hummus into a glass bowl with a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Kiddo Tasks: He can make this recipe 100% himself. Supervise, check the weighing, and help him with some of the scraping.
Keto Chips
Why settle for processed crackers that leave your kids hungrier for more?
Jalapeno Popper Dip
Simply ditch the jalapenos to make the recipe kid-friendly.
Garlicky Cauliflower Mashed “Potatoes”
Give this batch of garlicky cauliflower mashed “potatoes” a go.
Cauliflower Fried Rice
Fried rice is a classic and comforting recipe that everyone loves…except maybe those who are trying to eat less rice. Whether you’re skipping carbs, trying to eat more vegetables, or are just looking for a lighter side dish so you can eat more orange chicken (relatable!), this cauliflower fried rice is for you. Get the Cauliflower Fried Rice recipe.
Cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Spaghetti Squash
Cauliflower Pizza Crust
Our favorite use of cauliflower as a culinary master of disguise is in pizza crust. It might sound crazy, but it can be a delicious and healthy alternative to the classic. Try this easy, gluten-free pizza recipe once, and you’ll see why we’re cauliflower obsessed. Get the Cauliflower Pizza Crust recipe.
Cacio E Pepe Egg Noodles
Cacio e pepe is one of our all time FAVORITE pasta dishes. This lightened-up version calls for making your pasta from scratch-the good news is it's SO much easier than it sounds. All you need is a good nonstick pan. It's so simple and yet so fun to make and, of course, absolutely delicious. Get the Cacio E Pepe Egg Noodles recipe.
Hard Boiled Eggs
The easiest method to cook perfect hard boiled eggs is in the air fryer.
Keto Desserts for Kids
No kid-friendly diet is complete without some delicious desserts. These keto-friendly desserts will satisfy your kids' sweet tooth without the sugar rush:
Sugar-Free Red, White, and Blue Cupcakes
These sugar-free red, white, and blue cupcakes won’t make your kids start bouncing off the walls.
Keto-Friendly Sugar-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
These keto-friendly sugar-free chocolate chip cookies are soft and chewy right out of the oven. Want chocolate chip cookies to go anytime? Voila!
Directions: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and flaxseed meal. Set aside. In a food processor, combine the almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, baking soda and sweetener. Pulse several times to combine the dry ingredients. Add the remaining ingredients, including the chocolate chip. Pulse until well combined. Refrigerate the dough until you can roll into balls and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Flatten the balls and bake at 350 degrees F for about 9 minutes. Avoid overbaking.
Kiddo Tasks: Whisking, measuring, and mixing are all mastered skills. They can also help roll the dough into balls and flatten them with a spoon!
Keto Carrot Cake
Looking for a delicious keto carrot cake recipe? Now you don’t have to feel guilty when you want to indulge in this sweet treat.
Keto Peanut Butter Cookies
This is a chewy keto version for the childhood classic peanut butter cookies.
Sugar Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies
The best tasting keto chocolate chip cookies you will ever have!
Apple Cobbler
Avocado Brownies
Birthday Cupcake
Blueberry Yogurt Bunnies
Caramel Pecan Tarts
Carrot Cake Cookies
Cheesecake
Chocolate Brownie
Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Chocolate Nut Fudge
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Chocolate Pudding
Churros
Cinnamon Graham KetoBar
Cinnamon Pecan Cookies
Cinnamon Rolls
Coconut and Peanut Butter Candies
Creamy Jell-O®
Creme Brulee
Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Festive Jell-O Cup
Gummy Bears
Iced Pumpkin Cake
Ice Cream Cone
Frozen Fruity Cream Cheese Treats
Fudge Brownie
Jell-O Parfait®
Key Lime Pie
Lemon Almond Cake
Marshmallows
Marshmallow Cereal Treat
Nut Bars
Orange Creamsicle Ice Cream
Peanut Butter Cookies
Pumpkin Fudge Pops
Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake
Raspberry Meringue
Snickerdoodle Cookie
Strawberry Chocolate Ice Cream
Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream
Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry Sunflower Bar
Sugar Cookies
Vanilla Cream Cakes
Vanilla Ice Cream
Watermelon Sorbet
Whoopie Pie
Helpful Tips & Tricks for Keto Cooking
Here are some helpful tips and tricks to make your keto cooking experience easier and more successful:
Fat Hiding Tricks
Combine weighed heavy cream and mayonnaise with weighed raw eggs, cook the mixture in a pan to form fluffy scrambled eggs. Add weighed canola oil to weighed yogurt; the oil will completely absorb and blend into the yogurt. Mix weighed room temperature butter into weighed creamy peanut butter. This not only helps hide fat, but also increases the volume of the spread. Add weighed canola oil into weighed liquid heavy cream. Use a milk frother (used to make cappuccinos) to emulsify the two together perfectly. Can be served as a drink!
Cooking Tips
When weighing your ketogenic ingredients in one bowl, always start with the dry ingredients. Try to form small mounds of the dry ingredients while weighing to allow for easy removal if the weight goes over. The liquid ingredients (heavy cream, oil, etc.) should be weighed in a separate bowl individually. The reason for this is because if you weigh two liquids together and go over on the weight, you will not be able to safely remove the one liquid due to them mixing together. Always be sure to use nonstick cooking spray (any brand). Ketogenic foods tend to stick more than regular foods due to their high fat content. It’s important that no food residue is left behind on any cookware to avoid losing nutritional value. Dry seasonings can be used on the ketogenic diet as a “free” ingredient (single dry seasonings only, not pre-packaged mixes). In large quantities, fat tends to mask the natural flavors of foods that we know and love, therefore we encourage you to season the foods with dry seasonings to make them tasty and enjoyable. Especially salt! Ketogenic foods generally freeze very well, however the reheating process can be tricky. When reheating foods, the fats always tend to melt first, which is the main component for ketogenic foods. The best way to reheat keto foods is in the oven or on the stove top. When baking ketogenic foods, never fill molds all the way to the top (¾ full is ideal). During the baking process, the heat may make the fat separate from the recipe, creating a pool of fat on the top. If the recipe is filled all the way to the top, the melted fat will go over the edge and result in loss of nutritional value.