Stock Your Keto Baking Pantry Like A Pro
Baking while on the Keto Diet can be one of the most enjoyable past times for those who like to prepare their own low carb foods. If you are new at this, it’s easy to jump into, even if you’re not used to making foods from scratch.
If you search on the Internet for ‘homemade keto baking’, you’ll find a plethora of recipes for cakes, bread, pies, cookies and more, that will satisfy the sweet tooth in anyone who prefers home-baked goodies over expensive store-bought diet alternatives.
However, if you are just started out on the Ketogenic Diet or, you have been on it for a while, you’ll quickly realize that ingredients such as grain flour, cane sugar, and cow’s milk are on the ‘no-can-do’ list.
These items pack a ton of carbohydrates when included into baking.
Fear not, with some creativity and a little patience, you can still enjoy your favourite baked comfort foods as often as you’d like.
Keep these top 10 keto baking essentials in stock so that whenever the moment strikes, you can whip up a satisfying treat in no time!
Top 10 keto baking essentials that you should always have on hand are:
- Low Carb Flour
- Low-Calorie Sweetener/ Sugar Substitutes
- Dairy
- Chocolate & Cocoa Powder
- Eggs
- Cooking Oil
- Nuts & Seeds
- Spices
- Thickening Agents
- Leavening Agents
Let’s Quickly Review Why You Need To Keep These Keto Baking Essentials In Your Kitchen At All Times
Low Carb Flour
Since grain flour is not allowed on the keto diet, there are some alternatives that produce similar results in baked goods.
These items I have to constantly replenish in my pantry as I like to enjoy keto waffles, muffins, and biscuits with sugar-free jam for breakfast.
- Coconut Flour
- Almond Flour
- Flaxseed Meal
- Psyllium Husk Powder
These substitute flours reproduce the bulk in bread, muffins, pancakes, and other recipes that traditionally contain grains. Remember to use the exact amounts mentioned in your low carb recipes.
And, be aware that if you substitute one for the other, you will need to scale according to the other ingredients as some alternatives are more absorbent of liquids than others.
Keto-Friendly Add-Ins
- Oat Fiber
- Protein Powder
- Vital Wheat Gluten
There is some controversy surrounding the use of these add-ins. Much of it focuses more around their names rather than their usefulness.
Nevertheless, the addition of these 3 foods in keto baking greatly improves the texture, elasticity, and taste.
Oat Fiber – is made from the outer shell (husk) of the oat grain. It’s a great source of insoluble fiber. It’s also highly absorbent of liquids which creates the bulkiness in baked goods. And is low carb.
Protein Powder – are nutritional supplements that are made up of plant proteins like soy, peas, rice, e.t.c. Widely known for their usage as muscle and body building supplements, their popularity has spread to keto and low carb recipes. You can find them in shakes, smoothies, breads, and other baked goods like muffins and pancakes.
Vital Wheat Gluten – Derived from wheat flour, vital wheat gluten is a protein naturally found in the wheat grain. It is used along with low gluten flours to help the dough rise and retain its structure.
Pro Tip: Are you one of those hosts who like to take part in a lot of the cooking and baking at dinner parties? Creating a theme by using the some of the same flavours throughout your menu for the event is almost a guarantee the party will be memorable for your guests! There’s always time to whip up something wholesome if you plan in advance.
Related Post: Host An Awesome Party Featuring Your Favourite Low Carb Alcoholic Drinks
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Click on the link below for a listing of the low carb flours that I use:
Low Carb Flour Listing for Homemade Keto Baking
Low-Calorie Sweeteners/ Sugar Substitutes
Another item that not recommended for the keto baking is cane sugar. Like honey, it contains way too many carbs that can kick you out of ketosis. Instead, you can find several low-calorie sweeteners available on the market.
Some examples are stevia, yacon syrup, and monk fruit which are derived from plants. Their texture can be granular, liquid, or in powder form. The colour ranges from clear ( stevia liquid drops) to golden brown.
Other sweeteners like erythritol and xylitol are chemical compounds otherwise known as sugar alcohols.
They are available in powder and granular form. Although it is sometimes noted that these sweeteners are equal to cane sugar, I find that this fact can vary from each variety.
Pro Tip: My #1 rule when it comes to preparing a recipe for the first time whether it be keto, LCHF, or regular, always recreate the dish as it was intended by the author. If you feel that it would taste better by altering some or all the ingredients, then note it in your remarks and incorporate them the next time you make the recipe. That way, you can determine whether or not to increase or decrease the ingredients.
Click on the link below for a listing of sugar substitutes that make Keto baked goods taste amazing!
Sugar Substitutes for Keto Diet
Dairy
Keep a fresh supply of these dairy items in your refrigerator:
- 35% Heavy Cream/ Whipping Cream
- Hard & Soft Cheeses
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
- Butter
Dairy plays a crucial role in baking. Milk proteins strengthen the batter so it can rise high in the oven. Milk sugars and fats keep the dough moist and flavourful.
But not all dairy is the same when it comes to the Ketogenic Diet. Avoid buttermilk, condensed milk, and cow’s milk. These varieties contain a lot more sugar in comparison to their counterparts. These types of milk are not suitable for this diet.
Chocolate & Cocoa Powder
Chocolate lovers will be happy to know they don’t have to give up this flavourful ingredient to enjoy their favourite baked sweets. Chocolates with a high-fat content make desserts containing dairy far more creamier in texture.
Not all chocolate is considered keto-friendly. Dark chocolate contains about 70% cocoa and less sugar than regular milk chocolate which makes it perfect for the Ketogenic Diet. Milk chocolate, however, contains other ingredients like cream and sugar which makes it an unhealthy alternative.
Similar to dark chocolate, cocoa powder adds more than just flavour to baking. This powder adds structure, texture, and absorbs moisture in cakes and cookies which reduces the amount of flour needed in the recipe.
Click on the link below for a listing of the types of baking chocolate that I use:
Best Chocolate Chip Product for Homemade Keto Baking
Best Cocoa Product for Baking on Keto
Eggs
It’s not surprising that eggs pack a one-two punch when it comes to the keto diet. Containing roughly 6 grams of protein and less than 1 gram of carbohydrates, it’s no wonder why eggs are considered to be a ‘perfect’ keto food choice.
Eggs are included in almost all keto baking recipes. Eggs create a stable environment for dough and batters. The fats in eggs help to moisturize the batter and bring it together resulting in a creamier texture and better taste.
Cooking Oil
From Avocado oil to olive oil, these cooking oils provide many heart-healthy benefits when dieting. Most of the oils listed below contain antioxidants, heart-healthy fats, and cancer-prevention benefits.
Cooking oils that I frequently bake with include:
- Avocado Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Macadamia Nut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Peanut Oil
Click on the link below for a listing of the cooking oils that are also suitable for baking:
Suitable Cooking Oils that also Work Well in Baking
Nuts & Seeds
Nuts and seeds are a great addition to baked goods. They can be added to recipes in various forms such as raw, chopped, pureed, blanched, ground into flour, or toasted. You can also find nuts that are made into a type of beverage like almond and cashew milk.
Not only do nuts and seeds add flavour, but many varieties are also great sources of protein, vitamins, minerals, fibre, and contain high amounts of ‘good’ fats.
Popular nuts & seeds that are great for keto baking are:
- Pecans
- Almonds
- Macadamia Nuts
- Walnuts
- Sunflower Seeds
- Chia Seeds
- Sesame Seeds
Click on the link below for a listing of nuts and seeds for Keto Baking:
Types of Nuts for Homemade Keto Baking
Types of Seeds for Homemade Keto Baking
Spices
You can’t go wrong with a little spice in your baking. Spice means flavour! The skies the limit when adding to your keto pantry. Keep in mind, there are many health benefits too. Some spices can help to lower blood sugar levels, fight inflammation, or relieve gastric illnesses such as nausea and indigestion.
Pro Tip: I readily keep cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground ginger in my cupboard just for such occasions where I want to transform a recipe from something plain to something wow. Honestly, you don’t have to add much (1/4 tsp. to 1 tsp.) to ramp up the flavour. It works for other foods too like bulletproof coffees, teas, and shakes. Consider topping your morning keto cereal with a touch of spice and watch your tastes buds come alive!
Click on the link below for a listing of fragrant spices that are great for Keto Baking:
Thickening Agents
Popular thickening agents include xanthan gum, guar gum, and psyllium fibre. You can find these ingredients in a variety of foods like yogurt, salad dressings, and gluten-free products.
Sold in powder form, these additives when incorporated into baking, produce a more robust texture in the dough. They can also be used in gravies and sauces as a thickener.
Another benefit is that they contain high amounts of fibre. So they’re great for the keto diet.
Click on the link below for a listing thickening agents for Keto Baking:
Thickening Agents List for Homemade Keto Baking
Leavening Agents
There are 3 common baking ingredients: baking powder, baking soda, and yeast. They all help batter and dough to rise in baking. And although they produce similar effects, they’re all different in composition. It is best not to substitute one for the other in a recipe if you don’t have it on hand.
Click on the link below for a listing leavening agents for Keto Baking:
Leavening Agents List for Homemade Keto Baking
The Bottom Line
Keeping a well-stocked inventory of keto-friendly baking ingredients is essential to creating the most delicious baked goods. Without low carb flour, sugar substitutes, and all the other items mentioned above, successful keto home baking just isn’t possible.
A majority of these items I constantly purchase from Amazon. It’s my go-to online source when I’m looking for diet specific products that won’t break my budget!
Check out my blog post to learn more about the essential products that I like to purchase on Amazon.
Related Post: The Main Reasons Why I Love To Shop On Amazon
You have to be willing to take the time to work with these ingredients in order to produce amazing results. There is no point in buying them to sit on the shelf.
With a little focus, you can create delicious baked goodies for yourself, family, and friends.
If you want more information or additional recommendations I have for successful keto baking, please leave your comments below.
To Your Health,
welowcarbliving.com
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