The Ultimate List Of Keto Baking Ingredients

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This post outlines not only the list of keto baking ingredients and some amazing keto baked goods recipes, but also some easy and useful tips you can use to make baking on low carb diet easier.

The keto or ketogenic diet has a wide array of benefits. You might have gone low-carb for any of these numerous reasons: whether to lose weight quickly, keep your blood sugar better controlled, or to benefit from more energy.

Keto diets are very effective, but it involves cutting down on a lot of different food items which have high carbohydrate content.

What is the keto diet?

The most basic way to explain a keto diet is to describe it as a diet that involves eating as little carbohydrate as possible and eating more fats and protein instead.

This sounds like a monumental task, and it really can be, particularly when it comes to mental resolve.

You might not realize it immediately, but some of your favorite snacks and foods are probably quite high in the carbohydrates they contain, and most of the time, they won’t work with a keto diet.

In fact, what can seem sad about the keto diet is the idea that you are committing to no more cookies or cakes or muffins or loaves of bread. It means no more pancakes and cupcakes and waffles.

That is rather a mental hurdle to get over when the cravings come around, and sometimes you succumb. Pretty much all baked goods are made of wheat flour and that is high in carbs, isn’t it?

Your favorite baked goods and pastries have to be thrown out the window because they’re just too rich in carbs, right?

Wrong. Have you ever heard of keto baking? If you have thought about it, but don’t know how to approach it, you’ll be glad you’re here. Listed below are most, if not all the keto baking supplies you will need to make the best baked goods on keto.

Baking on the Keto Diet

You might not have ever heard of keto baking, and that’s fine because you’re about to learn a lot about it. What is it? Does it truly exist?

How do you bake cookies and cakes and muffins and loaves of bread without high carbohydrate wheat flour? Be assured that you don’t need to let go of all of your favorite pastries, so let’s talk about that.

Baking on the keto diet involves baking with low carbohydrate alternatives to the high carbohydrate ingredients that are typically used to make these delicious baked goods.

Don’t worry, these alternatives work just as good and can taste even better once done right.

Keto baking might seem a little intimidating, but with guidance on the topic, you’ll consider yourself a professional in no time.

Keep in mind that the ingredients don’t handle exactly the same as the high carbohydrate alternatives, but at the end of this post, we hope to teach you everything you need to know when it comes to baking while following the ketogenic diet.

Ingredients for Low Carb Baking?

The ingredients used for low carb baking are much different from the regular ingredients used for baking high carb foods, and it is easy to understand why.

You can’t opt for wheat flour, which is typically used for baking, and neither can you use sugar, which is a nearly essential ingredient for most traditional baked goods. That’s why the ingredients for low carb baking is discussed here.

The foundation of most baked goods is flour, so let’s begin there.

Low Carb Nut/Seed Flours

There are many options available in terms of low carb flours, most of them derived from nuts or seeds, and they prove to be good alternatives. These are some of the keto baking essentials needed:

Almond Flour

Almonds are unofficially gaining a reputation as the best source of alternative products. First almond milk, and now almond flour. Rightfully so, however, as almond flour is one of the best low carb flours and is the most popular of them.

It is prepared by removing the skins on the almonds and grinding them into a very fine powder. You can purchase almond flour readymade at a lot of stores or even online.

It is low in carbohydrates, with quite some fat and protein, and it contains a good amount of vitamins and minerals and is very rich in calcium. It must be stored in an airtight container after you’ve used it.

It might seem like regular flour, but it behaves quite distinctly.

Almond Meal

Almond meal is very similar to almond flour, but during the preparation process, the skins of the almonds are not removed. This results in the almond meal being coarser than almond flour.

Almond meal is great for baked goods like cookies, pies or loaves of bread when you wish for them to have a bit more bulk and texture. You can make almond meal at home, and it is rather simple.

Simply toss your raw almonds in the blender and grind away. No hassle in removing the skins. It is rich in the same nutrients as almond flour.

Coconut Flour

Coconut flour is also one of the more popular types of low carb flours available. It has good amounts of fiber and protein which is why it is such a favorable alternative.

These flours behave differently from traditional wheat flour, and an example of that is in the way that coconut flour holds water and thickens over time. This makes it perfect for making deliciously moist baked goods, but it probably won’t work for drier pastries like cookies or pie crusts.

Coconut flour-based recipes always have extra eggs or water in the recipe, and you should never forego that extra bit due to how the flour behaves.

Ground Flaxseed

Unlike the nut flours above, flaxseed, as the name indicates, is a seed. Some seeds are good alternatives to nuts for producing low carbohydrate flours. You can easily purchase ground flax, or you can prepare it yourself simply by tossing your flaxseeds into a blender.

Flaxseed is highly nutritious with abundant vitamins and mineral, so there are typically no hold ups about using it. It is also one of the lowest carbohydrate flours alternatives out there, so it fits quite well into the keto diet.

A special trick that flax has up its sleeve is that it can act as a great egg substitute for baking in some cases.

It doesn’t do everything that eggs can do, but it’s viable for vegans or individuals who are allergic to eggs.

Ground flaxseed may seem too good to be true, and that’s where it’s one downside comes in. Flax meal can go bad really quickly, so you want to store it in an airtight container and use it all before the Best Before date.

Sunflower Seed Flour

Although not very common, sunflower seed flour is a great option for keto baking. Of all the keto baking ingredients, sunflower seed flour has some of the highest protein content.

It is also a great keto baking alternative to the other nut flours in case of allergies. They’ve got a good supply of vitamins like vitamin E, and minerals like magnesium.

Pecan Flour

Pecan flour is probably one of the most uncommon low carb nut flours available. It has its own distinct flavor, but baking with it is just as easy as it is with most of the other nut flours.

Most nut and seed flours are very nutritious, and pecan flour is no exception, being rather rich in vitamins and minerals. Click here to read more about pecan flour and buy it on Amazon now.

Thickening Agents

As you might have guessed, thickening agents are baking ingredients which add density or thickness to the batter and ultimately the final baked good.

There are a few good low carb baking ingredients which can be used in place of cornstarch, one of the more popular high carb ones.

Psyllium Husk Powder

This is a great option for adding some heft to your batter, because psyllium husk powder is very rich in fiber, which means it does great in absorbing and holding water, and that’s the desired trait in thickening agents.

One peculiar thing about psyllium husk is that it can act as a mild laxative, so for individuals with more sensitive guts, it may not sit very well. Click here to read reviews and buy on Amazon now.

Glucomannan Powder

Glucomannan is a type of natural fiber and it can absorb large amounts of water, which makes it a fantastic thickener. It has been found to be great for the intestinal flora, so it has additional benefits apart from its thickening abilities.

Because it is barely metabolized by the body, it has very little effect on the carbohydrate content of the food. Glucomannan powder is very potent, so it should be added sparingly. Click here to read reviews and buy it on Amazon now.

Low Carb Flours

 A lot of the low carb flours can double as thickening agents, though their efficiency varies. Coconut flour does well to absorb liquid and acts well to thicken batters. Almond flour and flaxseed flour can also be used as thickening agents.

Chia Seed Powder

Chia seed powder isn’t just a great thickener, but it is also very healthy as it has a good helping of fats and fibers, and they absorb water as well as most of these thickeners.

Chia seed powder can also be used as an egg substitute, so that’s a plus. Click here to read how people use this on the keto diet. 

Xanthan Gum

If you enjoy baking, then you need this keto friendly product in your pantry. Xanthan Gum helps to prevent bread, cakes, pastries made with gluten-free flour from crumbling. It is also a great way to up your keto recipes.

Sweeteners or keto ‘sugar’ for keto baking

Sugar is the last thing you want to eat on your keto diet. Unfortunately, a lot of baked goods need sugar to bolster their taste.

We use sugar for the sweetness, so if there were sweeteners out there that can do the job just as well while eliminating the carbs, then that is perhaps the best option.

Stevia

Stevia is one of the most common artificial sweeteners available, and it is derived from an herb by the same name.

Stevia is a fantastic keto baking ingredient for people on keto diets. It is sweet and can make a great addition to baking, and according to the World Health Organization, it is completely safe.

Tagatose

Tagatose is another good keto baking ingredient for adding some sweetness to your baked goods, and it is great because of its many benefits. Tagatose is low calorie and has a low glycemic index.

Tagatose has also been shown to be completely safe in addition to being probiotic and having an antioxidant effect. And one very integral property of it is that just like actual sugar, tagatose can caramelize, which opens a lot of options for new baked goods to try out. Click here to get Tagatose on Amazon.

Erythritol

This is a naturally occurring sugar substitute that is completely calorie free. It fits perfectly into baked goods for people on keto diets, but in large quantities, it can upset the stomach.

It doesn’t have as much potency as sugar, but it is a great alternative to look into. Click here to read the reviews on Amazon and buy now. 

Xylitol

Just like erythritol, xylitol is another sugar alcohol that makes a great sugar substitute. It is also a very low calorie, and in addition to that, it has bone and dental health benefits.

On the other hand, however, it should be used sparingly as large amounts can cause diarrhea. Click here to read more and by Xylitol.

Also some other keto sweeteners that are great for baking include swerve brown sugar substitute, swerve granular sweeter and confectioners swerve. 

I also enjoy using lakanto monkfruit sweetener for keto baking as well.

Spices

There are some spices which go great when baking some more aromatic pastries.

Even though most spices aren’t actually low-carb, spices are some of the most sparingly used parts of a dish, so in most cases, the impact of that little bit of cinnamon or nutmeg is negligible. As you don’t overdo your spices, these still fit well into a keto diet.

Keto Fats and Oils For Baking

You can use quite a few fats and oils when you’re baking or just eating on the keto diet.  

Here are 6 healthy Keto friendly Fats and Oils you can use for baking:

1. Coconut Oil
2. Avocado Oil
3. Hazelnut Oil
4. Sesame Oil
5. Ghee
6. Butter

Coconut Oil

Helps increase metabolism in the body. Gotten from the coconut palm tree, this oil conserves its nutrients even when exposed to high heat. It also can be used in place of butter.  Coconut oil is ideal for baking, cooking and frying keto meals.

Avocado Oil

Extracted from the avocado pear fruit, this oil is rich in Vitamins A, D, and E, potassium, and protein – so you are assured of healthy strong eyesight, strong bones, and strong white teeth. Avocado oil is a great choice for preparing keto meals especially due to its incredible conservation of nutrients when exposed to heat.

Ghee

Butter

You can use all these amazing items to help you make the best baked goods you’ve ever had on the keto diet. Also, you can use these tips below to help you with your baking.

Besides the items listed above, there a few more items that are great for baking keto recipes. These include:

Cream cheese, heavy cream, eggs, pork rinds, baking powder, baking soda, gelatin, vanilla extract, maple extract, sweet corn extract and peppermint extract. 

And lastly, items like parchment paper, aluminum foil, and cooking spray as super important to baking, but especially to keto baking. 

Keto Baking Tips

1. It’s a good idea to understand the differences between regular flour and low carb flours. They behave differently and as such, different quantities are used. It is best to follow existing recipes which use low carb flours when starting off than try to use low carb flour in wheat flour recipes.

2. Ensuring that your butter is properly softened is essential. Due to the different characteristics of low carb flour, butter that is not softened well enough will fail to form a smooth enough mixture with the other ingredients. Just let them get to room temperature and you should be ready to go.

3. Always be careful with how you store your baking ingredients, the flours in particular. They need to be stored in airtight containers, and even then, they don’t last as long as regular flour does.

4. For those baked goods that need milk, it’s best to use coconut or almond milk due to their low carb content compared to average cow’s milk.

5. Your batter may end up rather thick, due to the properties of the low carb flours. This is fine as long as the batter is not so thick that it can’t even be spread into a baking dish! 

6. Hot pastries and baked goods behave differently at that temperature, so cutting into them at that stage may not end up how you expect. If your recipe says to let it cool, it is best to take heed.

Here are 16 amazing keto baked goods that you can start out with:

Chances are that you’re ready to start baking some delicious keto goodies. Here are some amazing recipes worth trying out below.

Keto bread

If you’ve been thinking that you can never have bread on the keto diet, think again. Here are 6 delicious keto bread recipes that you will really enjoy:

Quick and easy low carb bread recipe

This quick and easy low carb bread recipe is perfect for breakfast time. If you’re feeling for a filling sandwich, this bread is what you’ll want to make. 

Via Low Carb Yum

Easy Low Carb Keto Bagels

If you love bagels, then you will really like this simple keto bagel recipe. Made with only 5 simple ingredients, you be enjoying bagels for breakfast in no time!

Via Oh So Foodie

Quick low carb buns 

These quick Low Carb Buns are a fast and easy way to make burger buns, sandwich buns, or toast. With these, you definitely don’t have to give up your favorite sandwich!

Via Beauty And The Foodie

Keto pumpkin spice bread

Via Kimspired DIY

Low Carb Sandwich Bread

You can never have too many good low carb sandwich bread recipes in your life. This one is also easy to make in a blender and makes the yummiest bread you’ve tasted!

Via A Clean Bake

90 Second Keto Bread Recipe

If you’re looking for a very quick way to make and enjoy bred on the keto diet, this Keto microwave bread recipe is exactly what you’ll want to make. 

Via Eating On A Dime

Keto cake recipes

Who doesn’t love a good, moist cake? These cake recipes below are keto friendly, yummy and easy to make. Perfect for anyone who wants to bake a few great treats on the keto diet.

Gluten-free sugar-free flourless chocolate cake

This gluten-free sugar-free flourless chocolate cake recipe can be made with only 5 simple ingredients. This keto cake is one of the best low carb chocolate cakes you will have!

Via Wholesome Yum

Keto Ricotta Cake – Low-Carb Gluten-Free Breakfast or Dessert!

Looking for a yummy and filling keto ricotta cake.  This recipe is your best bet!

Via Melanie Cooks

 Keto chocolate mug cake

This tasty keto chocolate mug cake is so gooey that you’ll want to make it every day. Plus, it is low in carbs which makes it the perfect quick treat to indulge in. The best part, this mug cake is ready in 2 minutes or less!

Via My PCOS Kitchen 

90-Second Keto Lemon Mug Cake

Another great keto cake recipes that you can make in under 2 minutes. This Keto Lemon Mug Cake can be made in a microwave and makes a very delicious keto lemon cake you’ll want to make over and over!

Via How 2 Do Keto

Low carb sugar-free carrot cake

This deviously moist sugar-free carrot cake is worth a try when you want a nice treat. Even your family will enjoy this one!

Via My PCOS Kitchen

Keto cookies

Cookies make the perfect keto snacks to treat yourself. Here are 5 recipes that you can make when you feel like baking some cookies! 

Related: 28 Amazing Keto Gift Ideas Keto Dieters Will Love

Keto Pumpkin Cookies

It doesn’t have to be pumpkin season for your to make these! In fact, with only 3 ingredients, these buttery cookies are something you’ll be making for keto snacks quite often, they taste so good!

Via Healthy Helper Blog

Low Carb Peppermint Cream Ginger Cookies

These yummy cookies are both low carb and paleo. If you’ve missed being able to indulge in cookies, these are perfect to make.

Via Beauty And The Foodie

Keto Vegan Peanut Butter Protein Cookies

These soft & chewy Keto Vegan Peanut Butter Protein Cookies with only 30 calories each make the perfect guilt-free treat!

Via Vegannie

Keto Peanut Butter Cookies {Keto, Low Carb, Gluten-Free)

Looking for more easy but delicious cookie treats? These 5 Ingredient Keto Peanut Butter cookies are just what you want to make. This is an easy recipe that makes the tastiest, soft and chewy peanut butter cookies. 

Via Recipes From A Pantry

Now that you’ve learned about all the ingredients you need to be able to make awesome baked goods on the keto diet and you’ve got these amazing recipes to start with, you are ready to start baking!

Baking on the keto diet can seem like quite a monumental task, but with the proper knowledge and ingredients, plus simple to follow recipes, it’ll end up being a breeze.

And hey, you’ll finally get to have a taste of those delicious pastries that you’ve been craving for so long, but with keto friendly options that are completely compatible with your low-carb diet. There’s nothing more delicious than that!