Cheese Cake Keto: Is It Possible?

Cheesecake is a dessert that is often associated with being high in sugar and carbohydrates, and therefore unsuitable for a keto diet. However, with a few simple substitutions, it is possible to make a delicious keto-friendly version. This typically involves replacing the sugar with a low-carb sweetener such as erythritol or a monk fruit blend, and using an almond flour or nut-based crust instead of a traditional graham cracker crust. The resulting cheesecake can be just as rich, creamy, and decadent as its non-keto counterpart, with only a fraction of the carbs.

Keto cheesecake recipes

Cheesecake is one of the easiest desserts to make keto-friendly. Here are some ideas for how to make a delicious keto cheesecake.

Almond Flour Crust

For the crust, you can use almond flour, which is a keto-friendly alternative to graham cracker crumbs. You can also use sunflower seed flour if you need a nut-free version. Simply mix the flour with a powdered sweetener, cinnamon, and melted butter. Press the crust mixture into the bottom of a springform pan and bake for about 10 minutes, until it is barely golden.

Filling

For the filling, you will need cream cheese, a powdered sweetener, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Beat the cream cheese and sweetener together until fluffy, then add in the eggs, vanilla, and sour cream. Pour the filling into the crust and bake for about 50 minutes, until the center is still jiggly.

Tips

• Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before starting.
• To avoid cracks in your cheesecake, do not over-mix the batter and do not over-bake.
• Let the cheesecake cool completely before refrigerating.
• This cheesecake freezes well! You can freeze individual slices or the whole cake.

Variations

You can also make a crustless cheesecake by simply pouring the filling into a greased or parchment-lined pan and baking as usual.

For a nut-free crust, you can use sunflower seed flour instead of almond flour.

To make a smaller cheesecake, simply cut all the filling ingredients in half and use 3 eggs.

For a chocolate cheesecake, simply add some melted sugar-free chocolate chips to the batter.

For a lemon cheesecake, add some lemon zest to the batter.

For a pumpkin cheesecake, replace the sour cream with pumpkin puree and add some pumpkin pie spice.

Keto cheesecake ingredients

• Cream cheese
• Sour cream
• Butter
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Lemon juice
• Sweetener (erythritol, monk fruit, allulose, xylitol, stevia, etc.)
• Almond flour
• Coconut flour
• Coconut oil
• Greek yogurt
• Coconut cream

Keto cheesecake nutritional value

Keto cheesecakes are a great option for those on a low-carb diet, as they are usually rich and sweet while being low in net carbs. The nutritional value of a keto cheesecake will depend on the ingredients used, but they are typically high in fat and low in carbohydrates and protein.

Nutritional Differences

A traditional cheesecake is usually high in calories, fat, and carbohydrates, with a 100-gram slice containing around 300 calories, 18 grams of fat, 21 grams of carbohydrates, and 5 grams of protein. In contrast, a keto cheesecake of the same weight would contain around 200 calories, 16 grams of fat, 6 grams of carbohydrates, and 5 grams of protein.

Ingredients

The main ingredients in a keto cheesecake are usually cream cheese, eggs, and a sugar substitute such as erythritol or allulose. The base is typically made from crushed cookies or nuts, such as almond flour or peanut butter cookies, mixed with butter. Some recipes also include sour cream, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.

Health Benefits

While cheesecake is not considered a nutritious food, it can be enjoyed on occasion as part of a healthy, well-rounded diet. Cheesecake does contain some nutrients like protein, calcium, and selenium, but it is also rich in calories and high in fat and sugar. Therefore, it should not be consumed in large amounts or too frequently.

Downsides

The main downsides of eating cheesecake are that it is typically high in calories, fat, and sugar. Cheesecake is often made with high-calorie ingredients like cream cheese, sour cream, and butter, which can lead to weight gain if consumed too frequently. Additionally, most cheesecakes are high in added sugar, which can increase the risk of liver disease and elevate levels of harmful visceral fat.

Recipe Ideas

There are many keto cheesecake recipes available online, and some people also choose to make dairy-free or vegan versions. Here are some recipe ideas:

• Keto Cheesecake: This recipe uses almond flour, cream cheese, eggs, and monk fruit to create a delicious, low-carb cheesecake with only 5 net carbs per serving.
• No-Bake Keto Cheesecake Bites: For those who don't like to bake, these cheesecake bites are made with low-carb ingredients and contain only 1 gram of net carbs per serving.
• Paleo Cheesecake: A dairy-free and grain-free option made with coconut milk and cashews, perfect for those following a paleo diet.
• Vegan Cheesecake: A versatile vegan cheesecake recipe that can be flavored with peanut butter, bourbon caramel sauce, or blueberries.

Keto cheesecake baking tips

• Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before you start. This is especially important for the cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream.
• Use full-fat cream cheese for the best flavor and texture.
• Use powdered sweetener instead of granulated sweetener to avoid a gritty texture.
• Don't overbeat the batter, as this can introduce air bubbles that may cause the cheesecake to crack.
• Avoid sudden temperature changes when cooling the cheesecake, as this can also cause cracking.
• If you're making a crust, use almond flour or sunflower seed flour for a keto-friendly option.
• You can make a crustless cheesecake if you prefer, or use a different recipe such as a pecan crust or a cookie crust.
• For a thicker cheesecake, use a larger springform pan, such as a 10-inch (24cm) by 3-inch (8cm) pan.
• If you want to avoid cracks, try baking the cheesecake in a water bath or covering any cracks with fresh berries, whipped cream, or a drizzle of chocolate.
• You can freeze individual slices or the whole cheesecake for up to 2 weeks.

Keto cheesecake toppings

There are many keto-friendly toppings that can be added to a cheesecake. Here are some ideas:

• Raspberry Sauce: Simmer raspberries with powdered sweetener, mashing them as they soften, until they turn into a gorgeous sauce.
• Melted Chocolate: Use a sugar-free chocolate sauce or melt down some sugar-free chocolate chips.
• Whipped Cream: Add a dollop of homemade sugar-free whipped cream for a perfect light, fluffy finish.
• Caramel Sauce: Drizzle some sugar-free caramel sauce on top.
• Fresh Berries: All berries are keto-friendly.
• Pourable Chocolate Sauce
• Keto Sugar-Free Maple Syrup
• Sugar-Free Chocolate Spread
• Whipped Heavy Whipping Cream
• Strawberries or Lemon Zest
• Cocoa, Ground Ginger, or Coconut in the Base
• Powdered Sugar Substitute and Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Frequently asked questions