Kristen Fleming holds a Master of Science in Nutrition. Over her 8 years of experience in dietetics, she has made significant contributions in clinical, community, and editorial settings. With 2 years as a clinical dietitian in an inpatient setting, 2 years in community health education, and 4 years of editorial experience focusing on nutrition and health-related content, Kristen's expertise is multifaceted.
Do you often find yourself craving sugar while being on keto? And do you push those sweet desires to the back of your mind because you don’t want to give up? If this sounds like you, you may want to read this article till the end.
Get ready to dive into a world where whipped cream, chocolate, and even cheesecakes are not only allowed but celebrated. The guilt-free, low-carb, and easy keto dessert recipes discussed below will satisfy your sweet tooth without throwing you out of ketosis.
Ready to explore the best keto dessert recipes that’ll make you feel like you’re cheating (but you’re totally not!)?
Let’s dig in!
What Are the Best Keto Dessert Recipes?
The best keto dessert recipes are all about smart ingredient swaps. These recipes aim to keep desserts low-carb without sacrificing texture or flavor. The key ingredients that make these recipes stand out include:
Almond Flour or Coconut Flour
These low-carb flours replace regular flour and keep your desserts keto. Almond flour is full of healthy fats, while coconut flour adds a hint of sweetness (1).
Sugar Substitutes
Keto desserts use sweeteners such as erythritol, stevia, or monk fruit to keep things sweet without affecting your blood sugar levels (2). They taste like sugar but won’t affect ketosis.
Cocoa Powder and Dark Chocolate
Love chocolate? Unsweetened cocoa or dark chocolate (85% or higher) makes rich, tasty desserts while staying low in carbs (3).
Cream Cheese and Heavy Cream
These make keto desserts such as cheesecake super creamy and rich without the carbs.
Nut Butter and Coconut Oil
Nut butter and coconut oil add healthy fats, helping desserts stay rich and flavorful. They also hold ingredients together.
What makes the best keto dessert recipes stand out is their ability to satisfy your sweet tooth with wholesome ingredients. They keep you in a ketosis state while delivering the same scrumptious experience as traditional desserts – minus the sugar rush!
Note: Many other ingredients can be added to the low-carb desserts without increasing their calorie count. Try to analyze the ingredients’ calorie composition before you start cooking.
What Is Forbidden on the Keto Diet?
Even when you know that keto is a low-carb and moderate-protein diet, it can be difficult to gauge what to eat and what to eliminate. Some foods you shouldn’t consume much of on this low-carb diet include:
Sugar: No table sugar, honey, maple syrup, sugary drinks, candy, or desserts.
Grains: Skip bread, pasta, rice, and cereals.
High-carb fruits: Bananas, apples, oranges, and most fruits are too high in carbs.
Starchy vegetables: Potatoes, corn, and peas are too carb-heavy.
Legumes: Beans, lentils, and chickpeas are packed with carbs.
Ultra-processed foods: Foods with added sugars or hidden carbs should be avoided.
We consume most of these foods due to their unique flavor profiles and how they satisfy our taste buds. However, we suggest you don’t feel discouraged and look at the larger picture instead. And if keto isn’t for you, that’s okay – there are plenty of other, healthier ways to lose weight.
If you wish to free yourself from all the extra pounds that have been weighing you down for way too long, start using the BetterMe: Health Coaching app and overhaul your entire life!
According to dietitians Stone and Dority from theKeto Hope Foundation, no specific foods are strictly banned on the keto diet. It’s more about managing your carbohydrate intake and deciding how to “spend” those carbs.
Staying under 20 to 40 grams of carbs per day is recommended for their pediatric epilepsy patients. However, Stone explains that the exact amount needed for ketosis can differ for each person, with carb allowances ranging from 10 to 60 grams daily. This amount refers to net carbs (total carbs minus fiber).
Dority also mentions that active individuals can consume more carbs, potentially around 40 grams, compared to those with a more sedentary lifestyle.
How Do I Satisfy My Sweet Tooth on Keto?
Some people may feel that keto diets are a punishment for them. When they get fruits to eat every day but still can’t satisfy their sweet cravings, they feel irritated and anxious (4). How about making a few tweaks in your diet plans to satisfy the sweet tooth?
The following are some swaps you may like:
Try Non-nutritive Sweeteners
Instead of regular sugar, opt for non-nutritive sweeteners such as stevia or erythritol. These options contain no or negligible carbs and won’t raise your blood sugar (5).
While most fruits are high in carbs, some, such as berries, avocados, and coconuts, work well for keto desserts. You can use them to make treats such as berry sorbet or avocado mousse.
Make Homemade Desserts
Rather than buying store-bought sweets, try making easy keto dessert recipes with few ingredients. This way, you control the calories and ensure they fit your keto plan without spending hours in the kitchen.
Find Keto Versions of Your Favorite Snacks
There are keto-friendly versions of popular treats like cookies, cakes, and ice cream. Try making or finding these alternatives.
Savor Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is a great way to satisfy your sweet cravings on keto. Just pick a brand that’s high in cocoa and low in sugar.
By following these tips, you can enjoy sweet treats while staying within the limits of keto. Remember, moderation is key. So, read the ingredients of the foods you consume and determine the carbs that each carries.
You’re allowed to eat desserts on a keto diet. Take this as a reward for making big changes to your lifestyle. As long as you stay within the daily carb requirement of 50 grams of carbs (or whatever your personal target is), it’s okay to eat desserts. To show you how fast you may hit this limit, 1 tablespoon of sugar has 15 grams of carbs (6)!
Fortunately, some dessert recipes (discussed later in this article) are packed with nutrients and have a balanced, sweet taste. The increasing popularity of the keto diet has made it easier than ever to find desserts that are made with no-sugar, low-carb sweeteners.
Even better, many of these treats use keto-friendly ingredients such as healthy fats and flours made from nuts and seeds, including almond flour, pumpkin seed flour, flaxseed flour, or sunflower seed flour. These sugar-free ingredients fit perfectly into a keto diet. Non-nutritive sweeteners like stevia, erythritol, and monk fruit can replace regular sugar, offering a low-carb option that keeps you in ketosis.
Similarly, almond flour is a great substitute for traditional wheat flour—it’s also gluten-free!
And when you enjoy snacks made with nut or seed flour, you get healthy fats like omega-3s as a bonus (7).
You can find several keto-friendly options when you start looking for them. First, determine what you’re craving and then look for the best options to satisfy those desires. There are keto dessert recipes with cream cheese, healthy pumpkin desserts, and even 3-ingredient keto desserts if you’re running short on time.
Check out this table that explains keto-friendly desserts and their key ingredients:
Keto-friendly dessert
Main ingredients
What makes it keto?
Keto cheesecake
Cream cheese, almond flour, erythritol
Low-carb, high-fat; uses almond flour and sugar substitutes
Fat bombs
Coconut oil, nut butter, cocoa powder
High in fat, low in carbs
Keto chocolate mousse
Heavy cream, unsweetened cocoa, stevia
Uses sugar-free sweeteners
Keto brownies
Almond flour, erythritol, dark chocolate
Made with low-carb flours and sugar-free sweeteners
Berry sorbet
Berries, monk fruit, water
Berries are low-carb; monk fruit adds sweetness without sugar
Keto cookies
Almond or coconut flour, butter, erythritol
Low-carb flours and sugar substitutes keep it keto-friendly
Dark chocolate (85%+)
Cocoa solids, cocoa butter, minimal sugar
High in cocoa, very low in carbs, and keto-appropriate
Avocado chocolate pudding
Avocado, unsweetened cocoa, stevia
Uses avocado for healthy fats and sugar-free sweeteners
These desserts are focused on low-carb ingredients to ensure you don’t exceed the keto limits. However, you should keep in mind that the desserts should be consumed in moderation. Inaccurate portion sizes may move you away from your calorie goals. Secondly, we advise beginners of the keto diet plan to allow their body to get used to the ketosis state for 3-4 weeks before indulging in the guilt-free sweets.
And when you’re ready to enjoy sweet rewards, you can try some recipes in the next section!
Including healthy, low-carb keto desserts in your diet won’t bring you any harm. You can be on track with your keto goals if you opt for the recipes that align with them. Some of those worth trying are:
Keto No-Bake Cookies
Serving Size
Calories
Carbs
20 cookies
153 kCal per cookie
4 grams per cookie
The classic chocolate chip cookies are a crowd favorite. However, some days, we cherish easy keto desserts and no-bake options because they are easy and delicious!
Ingredients
1 cup almond butter (or peanut butter, unsweetened)
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup erythritol (or your preferred keto sweetener)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/4 cup almond flour
Pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions
In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the almond butter, coconut oil, and erythritol. Stir until everything is melted and well mixed.
Stir in the cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix well until smooth.
Remove from heat and add the shredded coconut and almond flour. Stir until the mixture thickens and forms a dough-like consistency.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a spoon, drop tablespoon-sized portions of the mixture onto the sheet. Flatten slightly to form cookie shapes.
Place the cookies in the fridge for approximately 30 minutes or until firm and set.
Store your keto no-bake cookies in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week.
The primary ingredients in this fluffy chocolate cake are almond flour and a rich chocolate frosting. You can make it in a square baking dish, and it’s so easy to make!
Ingredients
4 large eggs
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup sweetener (stevia glycerite or a granulated sweetener)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups almond flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Frosting
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sweetener to taste (stevia or granulated)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, melted butter, sweetener, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Add the almond flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda to the wet mixture. Stir until smooth and well combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely.
In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, heavy cream, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and sweetener until smooth and creamy.
Once the cake has cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top.
Slice and enjoy your keto-friendly chocolate cake!
You can top the cake with raspberries and serve with a tall glass of cold almond milk to experience a divine, sweet pleasure.
Don’t let the name scare you! Keto fat bombs are a perfect way to satisfy your hunger with a sweet twist. Their high fat and low carb content is exactly why they make it onto almost every keto dessert recipe list.
Combine the softened cream cheese, peanut butter, 1/4 cup coconut oil, and kosher salt in a bowl. Stir until smooth and well mixed.
Using a spoon, scoop out the mixture and form it into small balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Put the fat bombs in the freezer for approximately 30 minutes or until firm.
While the fat bombs chill, melt the dark chocolate chips and the remaining 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth.
Once the fat bombs are firm, dip each one into the melted chocolate to coat it.
Place the chocolate-coated fat bombs back on the baking sheet and return them to the freezer for another 15-20 minutes or until the chocolate is set.
Store in the fridge or freezer and enjoy whenever you need a keto-friendly treat!
You may have a hard time finding keto dessert recipes with cream cheese, but you won’t regret including it in your diet once you taste its rich flavor.
There are hundreds of keto dessert recipes available online. Make sure you try the ones that come from reliable sources so you don’t overshoot your carbohydrate count.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is banana keto?
Despite its plethora of benefits, bananas are mostly off the table when you’re on a keto diet. A medium banana contains 27 grams of carbs (8). Eating a whole banana would provide over half your carb allowance for the day. A smaller portion, such as a few slices as a topping, may work if you can make it fit into your daily carb allowance.
Is Greek yogurt keto?
Absolutely! For anyone who is trying to get enough protein, Greek yogurt can be a great option on the keto diet. A 3/4 cup serving of full-fat Greek yogurt contains approximately 5g of carbs, 9g of fat, and 15g of protein, which makes it one of the top picks for keto (9).
Will one cheat day ruin ketosis?
It’s best to steer clear of cheat meals and cheat days on the keto diet. Eating too many carbs can pull your body out of ketosis and it can take several days to a week to get back in. It can feel quite discouraging to have to start from scratch.
What is a dirty keto meal?
“Dirty keto” is a term that is used for a ketogenic diet that doesn’t pay attention to food quality or nutrient content. This could involve ordering a greasy burger, removing the bun, and considering it a meal.
The Bottom Line
The world of keto is diverse and deep. Sticking to a couple of usual recipes may lead to boredom and force you to snap out of the diet plan altogether. The recipes listed in this guide and detailed insights into keto desserts are meant to serve as an introduction to this decadent domain.
By exploring various keto dessert options, you can keep your meals exciting while staying true to your dietary goals. Enjoying these tasty treats doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your health. It actually makes your experience better. So feel free to try new flavors and ingredients. With the right recipes, you can enjoy every part of your keto lifestyle.
DISCLAIMER:
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not serve to address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on for making any kind of decision-making. Any action taken as a direct or indirect result of the information in this article is entirely at your own risk and is your sole responsibility.
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