When you’re on a keto diet, snacking is a little more complicated.
The keto diet involves sticking to foods that are high in protein and fat, but most popular foods in the snack aisle are heavy in carbs.
Worry not! All joy is not lost. There are plenty of delicious keto snacks still available to you. These options are healthier overall, and likely to keep you full until the next mealtime.
Here are 10 keto-friendly snacks to include in your next meal plan.
1. Parmesan Crisps
I make these a lot. They are so wonderfully crispy and flavorful. They are made with just cheese (sometimes I add pepperoni or a jalapeno slice in the middle), and without wheat flour diluting their flavor, they truly are better than high-carb cheese crackers.
2. Caprese salad skewers
Caprese salad is a classic Italian favorite. When you assemble the ingredients on skewers, it turns into a great portable snack.
Preparing it is as easy as alternating pieces of fresh mozzarella cheese, basil leaves, and cherry tomatoes onto skewers. Eat it plain or mix a little balsamic vinegar and olive oil for dipping.
A 3.5-ounce serving (100 grams) of Caprese salad may provide about 139 calories, 7 grams of protein, and 11 grams of fat — not including dipping sauce.
3.Caesar salad bites
If you’re a fan of Caesar salad, you’ll love these mini Caesar salad bites. You can use romaine lettuce if you want to keep it classic, but a heartier type of green like kale holds up better if you’re not planning to eat them right away.
Make individual cups to hold the salad by heating tablespoon-sized portions of grated Parmesan cheese on a parchment-lined baking pan. Bake until the cheese has melted and is starting to brown.
Let the melted cheese portions cool slightly before placing each over the bottom side of a mini muffin pan, lightly pressing the cheese into the shape of the muffin cups. Let them cool completely, and they’ll turn into small, edible, crispy cups.
Toss the greens with your favorite dressing and portion into each Parmesan cup. In lieu of croutons, top with roasted pumpkin seeds or pistachios for extra crunch. For more protein, add chopped chicken or smoked salmon.
4. KetoO Beef Jerky
This one requires a bit more work – slicing the beef thinly and then baking it in a low-temperature oven for a few hours. But they are so good! Their seasoning is phenomenal. They make a wonderful addition to your lunchbox.
5. Avocado Fries
The first time I made these, I was amazed at how well they turned out. Baked avocado becomes wonderfully creamy and flavorful, and the spicy dip adds so much flavor. It’s one of my favorite recipes to make when I have avocadoes that are just right – not too hard and not too ripe.
6. Homemade Pork Rinds
You can absolutely buy pork rinds (as long as they contain just pork skin and salt). But making your own is actually fun, and the result is very different than the commercial stuff – it’s crispier and fattier and not as puffy and dry. I also find it much more flavorful.
7. Cajun style shrimp and bell pepper kebabs
Shrimp are a great source of heart-healthy omega-3 fats. They’re also lower in mercury than other types of seafood, making them a healthy and keto-friendly snack option.
First, use a Cajun style dry rub on the shrimp. Place the seasoned shrimp on skewers, alternating with thick slices of fresh bell pepper.
Bake or grill the kebabs until the shrimp is fully cooked and the peppers are between crisp and tender. Serve right away, or store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to eat.
8.Veggie sticks with nut butter
Pairing fresh or lightly cooked vegetables with your favorite nut butter is one of the simplest, nutrient rich snacks you can make.
Nuts are loaded with heart healthy fats. Research suggests that regularly eating nuts may support blood sugar management and weight loss (4Trusted Source).
A 2-tablespoon (32-gram) serving of peanut butter, without added oil, typically packs around 16 grams of fat. Dip raw carrots and celery in almond butter or try lightly steamed or grilled broccoli drizzled with peanut butter.
If you’re not making your own nut butter, be sure to check the label of the type you purchase, as some recipes contain added sugar. The best and healthiest nut butters only require one ingredient — nuts.
9.Salmon salad celery boats
Salmon is not only a good source of omega-3 fats and protein but also vitamin D, a nutrient many people don’t get enough of .
A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of canned salmon provides over half of the daily value (DV) for vitamin D, and it can quickly be made into a salad that suits a keto diet.
Combine cooked salmon and mayonnaise to make a simple, keto-friendly salad. You can customize the recipe by adding fresh herbs, spices, garlic, or lemon.
Serve the salmon salad stuffed into fresh celery stalks for an extra nutrient boost and satisfying crunch.
10.SCOTCH EGGS
This is such an amazing recipe. How much fun is it, to bite into a well-seasoned meatball, and find a hard-boiled egg in the middle! Plus it’s super satiating, as you can imagine.
