Keto Diet: Can You Eat Pepperoni And Cheese?

The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat eating plan. While the keto diet permits the consumption of cheese and pepperoni, not all types are created equal. Some varieties are more keto-friendly than others, depending on their fat, protein, and carbohydrate content.

Keto Pepperoni Chips

Ingredients:

• Pepperoni
• Mozzarella cheese
• Italian seasoning
• Coconut flour
• Baking powder
• Eggs
• Cream cheese
• Garlic
• Tomato sauce

Method:

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the pepperoni slices on the parchment paper, leaving a little space between each slice.

Next, sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top of each pepperoni slice, followed by a sprinkling of Italian seasoning. You can also add a little garlic to taste.

Bake in the oven for around 9 minutes, then remove and leave to cool. The pepperoni chips will become crisp as they cool, but you can always bake them for a little longer if you prefer them to be more browned and crispy.

These keto pepperoni chips are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container for a day or two if needed. They are a great savoury, crunchy snack and perfect for dipping in low-carb marinara sauce or guacamole.

Alternative Methods:

You can also make keto pepperoni chips in an air fryer, microwave, or skillet. For the air fryer, simply lay out the pepperoni slices in a single layer, add the mozzarella cheese, and cook for 4-5 minutes at 380°F. For the microwave, place the pepperoni slices on a paper towel and cook for 40-60 seconds until crisp. Finally, for the skillet method, place the pepperoni slices in a single layer in a hot skillet and cook on the stovetop until crisp.

Keto Pepperoni Pizza Bites

Ingredients

• 2 cups chopped or sliced pepperoni
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup coconut flour (or almond flour)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 1 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella

Optional

Low-carb marinara sauce for dipping

Method

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• Combine the cream cheese, pepperoni, shredded cheese, and eggs until completely combined.
• Add in the remaining ingredients and mix until well combined.
• Chill the mixture for 10 minutes to allow the flour to absorb the moisture. If there is still a lot of moisture after 10 minutes, chill for another 10 minutes.
• Drop the mixture onto a greased baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes, until golden brown.
• Serve warm with low-carb marinara sauce for dipping, or enjoy as they are!

Tips

• These pizza bites are best served warm but can be enjoyed cold too.
• If you want to freeze any leftovers, place them in an airtight container and freeze for up to three months. Reheat in the microwave in 20-second increments.
• If you are at a high altitude or using extra-large eggs, you may notice that there is still a lot of moisture in the mixture. In this case, chill the dough for longer.
• Don't skip the chilling step! If you do, the bites will flatten as they cook.
• For best results, use a silicone-lined baking sheet to ensure the bites cook evenly and don't stick.

Keto-friendly pepperoni slices

Pepperoni is a keto-friendly food with zero carbs and lots of fat, making it a perfect keto snack. You can buy pre-sliced pepperoni or slice it yourself, but be aware that it may be a little greasy, so it's best to cook it on parchment paper to avoid sticking.

Pepperoni Chips

A popular keto snack is to make pepperoni chips by baking pepperoni slices in the oven. This can be done in a few different ways:

• Lay pepperoni slices on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 400 degrees for 9-10 minutes. You can also sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top before baking.
• Arrange pepperoni slices in batches of four on a cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for about 5 minutes until semi-crispy. Then sprinkle with cheese and bake for another 3 minutes.

Keto Pepperoni Pizza Bites

For a more substantial keto snack, you can make pepperoni pizza bites by combining the following ingredients:

• Cream cheese
• Eggs
• Coconut flour or almond flour
• Baking powder
• Mozzarella cheese
• Pepperoni

Simply combine the cream cheese, eggs, flour, and baking powder until smooth, then fold in the mozzarella and pepperoni. Chill the dough for at least 10 minutes, then drop it onto a lined baking sheet and bake until golden (about 30 minutes). These pizza bites can be served with a low-carb marinara sauce for dipping.

Other Ideas

• Nuking them in the microwave for 30 seconds with some shredded cheese on top.
• Frying them up and then sprinkling cheese on top to make keto nachos.
• Eating them with cream cheese or babybel cheese.
• Dipping them in low-carb guacamole or queso.

Pepperoni and cheese crisps

These Pepperoni and Cheese Crisps are the perfect keto snack. They are easy to make, requiring only a few ingredients and less than five minutes of your time. You can cook them in a skillet, oven, or microwave, making them a convenient and tasty snack.

Ingredients:

• Cheese: Shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
• Pepperoni: Any thinly sliced pepperoni will work. For a gluten-free option, try Applegate's Uncured Turkey Pepperoni or their Pork and Beef Pepperoni.
• Tomato Sauce: Use a sugar-free or keto-friendly marinara sauce for dipping.

Skillet Method:

• Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
• Add about 1 tablespoon of shredded cheese in flat piles, leaving a little room between them. You can cook about 4-6 piles at a time, depending on the size of your skillet.
• Cook for about one minute.
• When the cheese starts to bubble, add a slice of pepperoni on top of each pile of cheese.
• Cook for another minute or so, until the cheese begins to brown and get crispy around the edges.
• Use a spatula to flip each crisp, cooking for an additional 30 seconds.
• Transfer the crisps to a plate, pepperoni-side up, and serve with tomato sauce for dipping.

Microwave Method:

• Place a piece of parchment paper on a flat plate.
• Add cheese in small piles on top of the parchment paper, using about 1 tablespoon for each pile, and leaving a little space between them.
• Lay a slice of pepperoni on top of each pile of cheese.
• Microwave on high for 1-1.5 minutes, keeping a close eye towards the end, until the cheese and pepperoni are crispy.

Oven Method:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Add the cheese in small piles on top of the parchment paper, using about 1 tablespoon for each pile, and leaving a little space between them.
• Lay a slice of pepperoni on top of each pile of cheese.
• Place in the oven and bake for 4-6 minutes, keeping a close eye towards the end, until the pepperoni and cheese are crispy.

Tips:

• If you have a gluten allergy or sensitivity, be sure to check the ingredients label on your products for gluten-free certification.
• For a fun variation, try adding other pizza toppings like sausage, peppers, or mushrooms!

Keto snack ideas

Yes, pepperoni and cheese are keto-friendly foods. Here are some keto snack ideas to help you get started on your keto journey:

Keep it Simple

Olives, boiled eggs, prosciutto, avocado, and deli meats (check for sugar) are all keto-friendly snacks that require little to no preparation.

Nuts and Seeds

Macadamia nuts, walnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds are great keto options. Just remember to keep the portions small, as it's easy to overeat!

Cheese Crisps

For a crunchy, savoury snack, try making your own cheese crisps. Simply sprinkle shredded cheese in small piles onto a baking sheet and bake until crispy. You can also add spices or herbs for extra flavour.

Meat and Cheese Roll-ups

Roll up some deli meat, such as turkey or ham, with cheese for a protein-packed snack that's perfect on the go.

Veggie Sticks and Guacamole

Slice up some cucumber, bell peppers, or celery and dip them into guacamole for a refreshing and crunchy keto snack.

Hard-boiled Eggs

Keep some pre-boiled eggs in the fridge for a quick and easy protein-filled snack when hunger strikes.

Keto Trail Mix

Combine unsweetened coconut flakes, nuts, and a few dark chocolate chunks for a keto-friendly trail mix. Just be mindful of portion sizes, as nuts and chocolate are calorie-dense.

Caprese Skewers

Thread cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil leaves onto toothpicks for a tasty and refreshing bite-sized snack.

Smoked Salmon Rolls

For seafood lovers, roll up some smoked salmon with cream cheese and a sprinkle of chives.

Pickles and Cheese Cubes

The tangy crunch of pickles paired with creamy cheese cubes makes for a unique and satisfying snack.

Seaweed Snacking Sheets

For a salty and crispy snack that's similar to chips, try seaweed snacks!

Celery with Cream Cheese

Spread some cream cheese on celery sticks for a simple and keto-friendly snack.

Egg Salad Lettuce Wraps

Mix pre-cooked eggs with mayo and mustard, then spoon the mixture onto lettuce leaves for a quick and easy salad wrap.

Keto-Friendly Fruit

While fruit tends to be high in carbs, there are some keto-friendly options, such as berries, avocado, lemon, lime, and small servings of peaches, plums, and melon.

Keto Bread

If you're craving bread, there are keto-friendly options like 90-second keto bread, which you can load up with cheese, salami, and a cooked egg.

Keto Crackers

You can make your own keto-friendly crackers using almond flour or a combination of shredded cheddar, almond meal, onion powder, and sea salt.

Keto Cookies

Satisfy your sweet tooth with keto-friendly cookies like peanut butter cookies or strawberry cream cheese bites.

Remember to always read labels and watch your portion sizes to ensure your snacks fit within your keto diet plan. Happy snacking!

Frequently asked questions