The holiday season is a time for joy, togetherness, and, of course, delicious treats. However, for those following a ketogenic (keto) or low-carb lifestyle, navigating the endless array of sugary and processed snacks can be a challenge. This year, take the guesswork out of finding the perfect keto gifts with our top keto stocking stuffers. These handpicked items are not only cool and useful but also won’t break the bank.
Keto-Friendly Food Items: Delicious and Nutritious Treats
When you think of stocking stuffers, you probably think miniature chocolates, candy bars, candy canes, and more of the sort. But it can be a challenge around the holidays to try find some tasty and festive treats that are not only vegan, but also sugar free and keto-friendly and it’s way easier to stick to keto or at least quasi-keto if you’re able to have some treats of your own.
Move aside, candy canes. There are plenty of keto-friendly snacks and treats that can bring joy without derailing your diet:
Jerky Sticks: CHOMPS individually wrapped jerky sticks fit perfectly as healthy stocking stuffer snacks since they are a good source of protein. They come in beef, turkey, or venison and different flavors that are fun to sample. Our personal favorite on the list is our Old Fashioned Hot & Spicy beef jerky. Already wrapped in nice red packaging, it’ll be the recipient's favorite Christmas stocking stuffer gift. Our Old Fashioned jerky is high in protein, keto approved, soy free, gluten free, and sugar free. There’s not really much you can ask for when it comes to this beefy treat.
Dark Chocolate: Skip the milk chocolate snowmen and drop a quality dark chocolate bar or pack of truffles into stockings instead. As far as healthy snacks for stocking stuffers go, dark chocolate contains more cacao than milk chocolate. Cacao contains beneficial antioxidants and phytochemicals. There is actually nothing more iconic than getting some sort of chocolate bar in your stocking Christmas morning. The Pure 85% Dark Chocolate from Theo’s is organic and has only 4g of sugar total.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Nuts and Seeds: Nuts are one of the healthiest stocking stuffer snacks to have on the go. They’re a good source of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds are packed with omega-3s, minerals, and fiber. Create custom trail mix recipes by mixing your favorite seeds with dried fruit and dark chocolate pieces. Pre-portioned bags make these healthy stocking stuffer ideas perfect for on-the-go snacking.
Cheese Crisps: Cheese crisps are savory stocking stuffer snacks that satisfy crunchy cravings. Made from 100% cheese, these healthy snacks for stocking stuffers are perfect for keto dieters. Choose varieties made with grass-fed dairy for optimal nutrition.
Protein Bars: Bulletproof Collagen Protein Bars are a great on-the-go snack! They’re filling, taste great, and are perfect for a Bulletproof/cyclical keto lifestyle. The Pegan Thin bars come in a few flavors, but I’m really into the chocolate lava one right now. Does it taste like a chocolate bar? Definitely not, but it does satisfy a craving. These Nugo Slim bars have 5g of net carbs, so they’re more of a treat, but they’re really tasty!
Vegan Keto Treats: Smart Sweets has a few varieties that aren’t vegan (be sure to read the labels!), but these are miraculously both vegan and keto-friendly. Amazing. There is also a vegan sour gummy as well that is super tasty. Both varieties are a little higher in net carbs than I would normally consume for a snack…but they’re awesome for a sugar-free treat. ChocZero is one of those companies you see all over social media, and that’s because it’s actually pretty awesome. They have a few different varieties of chocolate bark, but the peanut one is my favorite. I like this brand because they don’t use sugar alcohols and are actually soy-free as well as being vegan and keto-friendly. We’re truly living in the future. The Cereal School makes another vegan keto food that it’s impossible to avoid on social media: cereal. These guys are bringing cereal back to a healthier state where sugar isn’t the main ingredient (those that read The Case Against Sugar, will be especially pleased about this).
Keto Kitchen Gadgets: Tools for Culinary Success
I thought kitchen gadgets would be a good idea, especially for someone new to Keto or low carb. Most eat more avocados, butter, bacon, eggs and meat than they ever have and some of these things make it easier. Here are a few gadgets that can make keto cooking easier and more enjoyable:
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Avocado Slicer: Avocado lovers, this one’s for you! Avocados are rich in good fat but not always easy to maneuver. Make sure you get every last creamy spoonful of keto’s favorite fruit with this handy slicing tool, which effortlessly halves, pits, and slices the ever-loved avocado.
Avocado Keeper: Given the cost of avocados, this stay-fresh storage option for avocados is worth its weight in gold! With its snap-on lid, I’ll keep opened avocados fresh for days, and its cute window helps remind you what’s inside. $7.55.
Egg Cooker: This eggcellent gift is the one-gadget-cook-all for perfect scrambled, soft-boiled, hard-boiled, and poached eggs every time (plus omelets). Automatic timer shut-off means you’ll never overcook your eggs again!$19.99.
Instant Pot Egg Bite Pan: Every elf in the workshop already knows you and your friends have an Instant Pot, but have you mastered the art of cooking eggs in it yet? Instant Pot hooks up its cult following with this sweet egg bite pan, which teaches you how to create those mock (higher-carb) Starbucks Egg Bites like a keto pro-in the comfort of home. $10.49.
Milk Frother: “Long live the milk frother,” is probably not something you ever genuinely expected to say. But, when bulletproof coffee enters your everyday, this gadget becomes essential. Handy, and high-powered, it’ll blend and foam up your butter, MCT oil, heavy cream, and everything in between. $13.99.
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto
Spiralizer Attachment for KitchenAid: If you have an unhealthy attachment to your KitchenAid mixer, drop the sugar substitutes, hit pause on the keto buttercream, and zero in on this revolutionary add-on to your favorite device. Attach it and you can make zoodles (or any veggie of choice) in different sizes and shapes to satisfy whatever faux pasta you are craving. $89.99.
Book Holder: You can create more counter space, protect your cookbooks from cooking splatters, and follow recipes with ease with this nifty book holder that’s handsome enough to keep on the counter. If you’ve ever tried to prop up your cellphone with random household items so you can FaceTime while cooking or read a recipe, you know the struggle is real. But it doesn’t have to be with this sleek aluminum cellphone holder, which is available in seven pretty colors. $9.99.
Hand Blender: With this hand blender, in one of three poppin’ colors, you can keep a clean kitchen when making smoothies, bulletproof coffee, smoothing soups, and more. Besides, have you ever tried to clean one of those fancy $500 blenders? No fun. $69.99.
Mini Waffle Maker: 2019 was the Year of the Chaffle. But considering how downright delicious those waffles made of cheese and egg are, 2020 is poised to keep pace, especially if you have this easy-to-use Eggo-sized waffle maker. It takes the keto-cheese-waffle game to great heights and is perfectly sized for chaffle sandwiches. Plus, it comes in a variety of colors-and shapes-so you’ll feel extra warm and fuzzy as the “ready” light blinks blue on Christmas morning. $14.99.
Reusable Muffin Cups: You’re going to want to order two packs of these vibrant, reusable muffin-cup molds-mostly, because no one wants to halve their recipe of a dozen muffins, cupcakes, or mini cheesecakes just to use these supercute muffin molds! Thanks to Lékué, you can uphold your pledge to the environment, and transition into that sustainable keto baker you’ve always wanted to be. $14.08.
Lemon Squeezer: Cheery, useful, and cheap, this perky-colored lemon squeezer makes juicing citrus easy, and it’s the perfect size to be a stocking stuffer! $8.99.
Mini Scale: Not another scale… Facepalm. Don’t worry-this one is too small to stand on. But this mini scale will help you accurately measure your ingredients in the kitchen. If you’re a math and science nerd or want to micromanage your macros, it’s the tool you’ve been waiting for! $39.95.
Ice Cream Maker: We love keto-approved ice cream as much as the next person, but those pints can cost the same as a hearty to-go taco salad dinner! Now, you can DIY your keto ice cream dreams with this petite contraption that allows you to spoon out the goods within 30 minutes. $35.00.
Herb Scissors: Sure you can hand chop your herbs, but this slick scissor set has five blades, allowing you uniform, pro-chef-looking results every time. How cool is that? $15.99.
Snowflake Mold: It wouldn’t be the holiday season without winter wonderland-themed fat bombs. With this snowflake mold, you can make them for yourself and your keto friends! Get creative with what goes inside: add peppermint extract for mint-chocolate truffles or a hint of peanut butter for a wannabe Reese’s fix. Add cacao nibs for gourmet crunch or chopped, toasted nuts for a classic combo. Whatever you do, go all in, without reason. After all, ‘tis the season. $8.59.
Egg Peeler: The peeling of hard-boiled eggs is serious business. It’s messy, annoying, and hard to perfect. But the Negg will do all the dirty work for you. With just a few shakes, it removes all those less-than-desirable shell bits, making your afternoon snack that much more enjoyable. $14.95.
Vegetable Slicer: Up your recipient’s cooking game while lowering their prep time with this nifty tool for getting perfect, even slices of keto-friendly vegetables. Blades adjust for various slice thicknesses, too! $17.89.
Zester: There’s a huge difference between using the clunky zester side of a grater and using a dedicated zester. The latter is nearly effortless to use, creates gorgeous, fine dust of any cheese or citrus peel, and is super easy to clean. Gift it to any cook and they’ll love it.
More Keto-Friendly Stocking Stuffer Ideas
Here are some additional ideas to fill those stockings with keto-friendly goodies:
Single-serve nut butter packets: These make convenient stocking stuffer snacks for active lifestyles. As healthy snacks for stocking stuffers, they provide protein and healthy fats in portable form. Choose from almond, cashew, or classic peanut butter varieties. These snacks for stocking stuffers pair well with fruit or crackers.
Air-dried vegetable chips: These offer nutritious stocking stuffer snacks that maintain their nutrients. These healthy snacks for stocking stuffers include options like beet, kale, and sweet potato chips. Choose brands using only vegetables, healthy oils, and natural seasonings. Veggie chips provide a colorful alternative to unhealthy stocking stuffer snacks like potato chips.
Individual collagen peptide drink packets: These make an innovative healthy stocking stuffer snack that supports skin, joint, and gut health. These versatile powders dissolve easily in hot or cold beverages, offering a convenient way to boost protein intake. Available in a variety of flavors, they're perfect for health-conscious recipients who appreciate functional nutrition.
Single-serve mushroom coffee sachets: These offer a unique twist as stocking stuffer snacks for wellness enthusiasts. These adaptogenic blends combine premium coffee with functional mushrooms like lion's mane, chaga, or reishi for added health benefits. Perfect for those looking to upgrade their morning routine, these packets deliver sustained energy without jitters.
Cricket flour protein bars: For adventurous eaters seeking more sustainable protein sources, cricket flour protein bars make unexpected healthy snacks for stocking stuffers. These eco-friendly bars typically contain more protein than traditional options while requiring fewer resources to produce. Available in familiar flavors like chocolate chip or peanut butter, they're an excellent conversation starter.
A sampler of herbal teas or a tin of ceremonial grade matcha: These are healthy snacks for stocking stuffers sure to be appreciated by anyone who enjoys curling up with a warm beverage. You can find assorted herbal teas designed to support digestion, immunity, energy, and sleep.
Considerations for Keto Stocking Stuffers
Before you go out and buy a bunch of pre-packaged “low carb” foods that aren’t on this list, be sure to check the ingredients list. Ideally in a perfect world we would all be eating whole un-processed foods.
When assembling your healthy stocking stuffers, consider portion sizes and preferences. You can mix and match these snacks to create a personalized assortment that suits each person's taste. Remember, the goal is to provide a balance between festive treats and nutritious options to make the holiday season both joyful and health-conscious. A perfect example of this is our Beef Jerky.