Cinema Snacks: Keto Cheese Dip

Cinema snacks are often loaded with carbs, but there are plenty of keto-friendly options to choose from. Cheese crisps, beef jerky, nuts, and diet soda are all popular choices for keto-friendly cinema snacks. If you're looking for something more substantial, you could try a bunless hot dog or frankfurter. For those with a sweet tooth, there are keto-friendly chocolate bars and peanut butter cups available that use low-carb sweeteners.

Keto cheese dip recipes

Keto Queso Cheese Dip

This keto cheese dip is best served with low-carb vegetables and chips. It uses a combination of grated Edam cheese and creamy Havarti cheese, but you can use your favourite types of cheese. To make it a thin dip-like consistency, use heavy cream and almond milk or coconut milk.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of grated Edam cheese
• 2 cups of heavy cream
• 1 cup of almond milk or coconut milk
• ⅓ cup of creamy Havarti cheese
• 1 to 2 cups of chicken stock
• 2 to 3 tablespoons of unsalted sweet cream butter
• ¼ teaspoon of ground mustard seed
• ¼ teaspoon of ground sage
• ⅛ teaspoon of dried thyme
• ⅛ teaspoon of dried oregano
• Dash of red pepper flakes
• ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder
• ⅛ teaspoon of cayenne powder
• 1 small red bell pepper
• 1 small green bell pepper
• Ground black pepper to taste
• Olive oil for roasting peppers
• Fresh cilantro for garnishing

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Thinly slice the bell peppers, place them on a non-stick tray, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Place in the oven and roast until tender.
• In a non-stick skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the cream, almond milk, 1 cup of chicken stock, and grated Edam cheese. Bring to a slight boil and stir.
• Once the Edam cheese starts to melt, turn the heat to low and add the spices – ground mustard seed, pepper flakes, garlic powder, cayenne, and ground black pepper. Sprinkle half of the sage, thyme, and oregano and mix well. Continue stirring.
• If the cheese is too thick, gradually add the remaining chicken stock and continue stirring. Add the remaining spices if needed.
• Once the Edam cheese has almost completely melted, add the Havarti cheese and some roasted bell peppers (chopped first). Reserve a few pieces of bell peppers for garnishing. Continue to stir until the cheese melts.
• Once you’ve achieved the desired consistency, transfer to a serving dish and top with the remaining bell peppers and fresh cilantro.

Sausage Cheese Dip

This keto cheese dip is made with only five ingredients and is perfect for any get-together or game day. It can be served with low-carb veggies like peppers, cucumbers, celery, or radishes, or with low-carb crackers.

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces of bulk Italian sausage (can use sausage links with casings removed)
• 1 cup of diced tomatoes
• 2 medium jalapeños, finely minced
• 8 ounces of cream cheese, cut into small pieces
• 8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:

• In a 10-inch skillet over medium heat, brown the sausage until cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes. Spoon out some of the fat if the sausage is very greasy.
• Stir in the tomatoes and jalapeños and bring to a simmer.
• Remove from heat and add both cheeses. Stir until combined, then cover the pan and let sit for about 5 minutes to help the cheese melt.
• Uncover and stir until well combined, then spread evenly in the pan. Serve warm with veggies and low-carb crackers.

Keto Queso Blanco (White Cheese Sauce)

This keto cheese dip can be served with pork rinds, celery, carrots, radishes, homemade keto chips, or over any baked vegetables. It can be made on the stovetop or in a crockpot/slow cooker.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of white cheddar cheese
• ½ pound of pepper jack cheese
• ¼ cup of finely chopped green chiles
• 1 tablespoon of jalapeño juice (from canned pickled jalapeños)
• 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon of chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of pink salt

Instructions (Stovetop):

• Heat the heavy cream, sour cream, and jalapeño juice over medium heat.
• Add the shredded cheese and keep mixing until it’s fully melted and smooth and creamy.
• Add the remaining ingredients and stir until fully combined.

Instructions (Crockpot):

• Add all the ingredients at once to the crockpot.
• Set the temperature to low heat.
• Stir every half hour until the dip is smooth and creamy.

Keto-friendly cinema snacks

Cinema snacks are usually loaded with carbs and sugar, but there are plenty of keto-friendly alternatives that you can sneak into the theatre. Here are some ideas for keto-friendly cinema snacks:

Savoury

• Nuts: Roasted and salted nuts are a good option, but be mindful of the carb content and stick to a moderate portion size. Macadamia nuts are a great choice as they have the highest fat count and the lowest net carb count.
• Beef jerky: A tasty, low-carb option to satisfy your savoury cravings.
• Cheese crisps: Melt some cheese into discs and let them harden—delicious!
• Low-carb crackers: Look for crackers made with almond and cassava flour, or make your own at home using Parmesan cheese and sesame seeds.
• Meat bars: Try Epic Natural Meat Bars, made with top-quality ingredients like grass-fed beef, wild-caught salmon, and natural pork.
• Salami sticks: Just make sure they don't have any cereal or wheat-based fillers, added sugar, or corn.
• Pork rinds: Go for flavoured pork rinds in individual packs to satisfy your crunch cravings.
• Low-carb chips: If you're craving something crispy and salty, try making your own low-carb tortilla chips or keto-friendly cheese crackers.
• Veggies: Celery, cucumber, and other low-carb veggies can be paired with a dip like tzatziki or peanut butter.
• Pickles: If you're a fan of sour and salty flavours, pickles are a great cinema snack.

Sweet

• Dark chocolate: Indulge in a small amount of dark chocolate, preferably with a high cocoa content and minimal added sugar.
• Fat bombs: These are treats packed with healthy fats and can be either savoury or sweet. Try making your own with ingredients like coconut oil, nut butter, avocado, sweetener, cacao, and vanilla.
• Avocado chocolate mousse: Blend avocado with heavy cream, sweetener, cacao, and vanilla for a decadent keto-friendly dessert.
• Berries and cream: Enjoy fresh berries with heavy whipping cream, or blend frozen berries with cream for a healthy ice cream alternative.
• Low-carb hot chocolate: Mix cocoa powder, sweetener, hot water, and a dash of cream for a comforting warm drink.
• Caramel-coated nuts: Roast pecan or walnut nuts and coat them in a caramel sauce made with butter, cream, sweetener, and vanilla.

Keto-friendly cheese dips

If you're looking for something more substantial, you can prepare a keto-friendly cheese dip to enjoy with low-carb veggies, crackers, or chips. Here are some ideas:

• Queso keto cheese dip: Blend melted Edam and Havarti cheeses with heavy cream, almond milk, and chicken stock. Add spices and roasted bell peppers for extra flavour and colour.
• Sausage cheese dip: Cook Italian sausage in a skillet, then add diced tomatoes, jalapeños, cream cheese, and shredded cheddar. Let the cheese melt and serve warm.

So, the next time you're heading to the movies, prepare some of these keto-friendly snacks and enjoy your film without compromising your diet!

High-fat, low-carb diets

A low-carb, high-fat (LCFH) diet involves reducing the number of carbohydrates and replacing them with healthy fats. This diet may help with weight loss and managing diabetes and other health conditions.

The LCHF diet uses ketones from fat for energy instead of glucose, which comes from carbohydrates. By significantly reducing or limiting carb intake, the body is forced to use fat stores as fuel, which may lead to weight loss.

What to Eat

The LCHF diet typically includes lean proteins and healthy fats. It is important to be mindful of portion sizes to avoid overeating.

Sources of fat and protein include:

• Meat, such as beef, pork, chicken, and turkey
• Fish, such as salmon, tuna, herring, and cod
• Oils, including olive, coconut, flaxseed, and avocado oil
• Nuts, like peanuts, almonds, walnuts, and cashews
• Seeds, including sunflower, chia, and flax seeds

Some fruits and most non-starchy vegetables are also suitable, such as:

• Spinach and other dark leafy greens
• Berries, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries
• Small portions of melon, peaches, and apples

Dark chocolate, dry wine, and full-fat dairy products are also suitable in moderation.

What to Avoid

The LCHF diet suggests minimizing or avoiding the following:

• Potato, rice, bread, flour, and corn-based products
• Cereal-based products like pasta, pastry, biscuits, and breakfast cereals
• Omega-6-based oils, such as corn, sunflower, and soybean oil
• Drinks with added sugar, including sodas, sweetened teas, and juices
• Baked goods, pastries, cakes, and muffins

Sample Meal: Keto Cheese Dip

A tasty example of a high-fat, low-carb meal is a keto cheese dip, perfect for sharing with friends. Here is a recipe to try:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups grated Edam cheese
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup almond or coconut milk
• ⅓ cup creamy Havarti cheese
• 1 to 2 cups chicken stock
• 2 to 3 tablespoons butter
• Spices: ground mustard seed, ground sage, dried thyme, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, cayenne powder, and black pepper
• 1 small red bell pepper
• 1 small green bell pepper
• Olive oil for roasting peppers
• Fresh cilantro for garnishing

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Thinly slice the bell peppers, place them on a tray, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast until tender.
• In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the cream, almond milk, 1 cup chicken stock, and grated Edam cheese. Stir and bring to a slight boil.
• Once the cheese starts to melt, add the spices and stir. If the mixture is too thick, gradually add the remaining chicken stock.
• When the cheese is almost completely melted, add the Havarti cheese and some chopped roasted bell peppers. Continue stirring until the cheese melts.
• Transfer the dip to a serving dish and top with the remaining roasted bell peppers and fresh cilantro.

This keto cheese dip is perfect for sharing and can be enjoyed with low-carb vegetables and chips.

How to make keto cheese dip

Ingredients

You can use a variety of cheeses for your keto cheese dip, such as:

• White cheddar
• Pepper jack
• Edam
• Havarti
• Cream cheese
• Monterey jack
• Cheddar
• Parmesan
• Mozzarella

For added flavour, you can also include:

• Chicken or vegetable stock
• Heavy cream
• Almond or coconut milk
• Sour cream
• Jalapenos
• Spices (e.g. red pepper flakes, garlic powder, cayenne powder)

Method

First, slice your chosen vegetables (e.g. bell peppers, jalapenos) into thin rings and roast them in the oven.

Next, melt butter in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add your choice of cream, milk, stock, and spices, and stir until fragrant.

Add the cream cheese and stir until melted, then reduce the heat and gradually add your chosen grated cheese(s). Keep stirring until the cheese is thoroughly melted and combined. If the dip is too thick, you can add more stock or water.

Finally, add the roasted vegetables and stir until combined. Serve warm with keto-friendly dippers such as low-carb crackers, tortilla chips, or vegetables.

Tips

• If you want to make the dip in a crockpot, simply add all the ingredients at once, set the temperature to low heat, and stir every 30 minutes until smooth and creamy.
• You can store leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days, but it will harden, so you will need to reheat it.
• To make the dip spicier, add more red pepper flakes or jalapenos.
• You can also add meat to the queso, such as ground beef, sausage, or chorizo.

Keto cheese dip variations

There are many ways to make keto cheese dip, and the best part is that you can get creative with the ingredients and make it your own! Here are some variations to try:

Queso Keto Cheese Dip

For this variation, you will need grated Edam cheese, heavy cream, almond or coconut milk, creamy Havarti cheese, chicken stock, butter, and various spices such as ground mustard seed, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes. You can also add bell peppers for some texture and colour. This dip goes well with low-carb tortilla chips, pork rinds, or homemade low-carb crackers.

Sausage Cheese Dip

This variation includes Italian sausage, diced tomatoes, jalapenos, cream cheese, and shredded cheddar cheese. You can cook the sausage in a skillet, then stir in the veggies and cheeses. It's a simple and tasty dip that can be served with low-carb veggies like peppers, cucumbers, or celery, or with low-carb crackers.

Keto Queso Dip with Cream Cheese

This variation swaps out the evaporated milk and flour/cornstarch typically used in queso dip for heavy cream and cream cheese, making it even cheesier and gooier. You can add seasonings like garlic powder and chipotle powder, along with grated sharp cheddar, Monterey jack, and minced pickled jalapenos. This dip can be served with keto almond flour tortillas, crudites, pork rinds, or lettuce wraps.

Other Add-Ins

While the above variations provide a good base, you can also experiment with adding other ingredients to your keto cheese dip. For example, you can make it into a protein-rich meal by adding cooked ground beef or chorizo. You can also add vegetables like spinach and artichoke hearts, or make it spicy by adding jalapenos or habaneros.

Frequently asked questions