Keto Creamer: Friend Or Foe?

There are many keto-friendly coffee creamers available on the market. These products are usually non-dairy, low-carb, and contain no added sugars. Some popular options include the Laird Superfood Creamer, the Bulletproof InstaMix Creamer, and the KITU Keto Coffee Super Creamer. For those who prefer to make their own, there are also many recipes for keto-friendly coffee creamers available online. These recipes typically include a combination of heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk, a sweetener such as allulose or Swerve, and a thickening agent such as collagen or xanthan gum.

Keto Creamer Ingredients

A keto coffee creamer is a great way to add a creamy texture to your morning coffee without spiking your blood sugar or adding unnecessary carbs. Here are some ingredients you can use to make your own keto-friendly creamer at home:

Base Ingredients

• Heavy Whipping Cream: This forms the base of your creamer and adds a rich, creamy flavor. You can also use full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free option.
• Unsweetened Almond Milk: Almond milk helps to get the right consistency for your creamer. Unsweetened coconut milk (from a carton, not a can) is another nut-free option.
• Butter: Butter is an ingredient in making sugar-free sweetened condensed milk, which can be used as a base for your creamer.

Sweeteners

• Erythritol: A low-carb sweetener that can be used in powdered or granulated form. It helps to add sweetness without crystallization.
• Liquid Stevia: A zero-calorie sweetener that blends well with other ingredients.
• Monk Fruit Sweetener: A natural sweetener with zero calories and no added sugar. It dissolves completely, keeping your coffee smooth.
• Allulose: This sweetener gives the creamer a syrupy quality similar to commercial creamers. It can be used in combination with other sweeteners or on its own.

Flavorings

• Vanilla Extract: A classic flavor that can be used as a base and built upon with other flavors.
• Hazelnut Extract: For a nutty twist, add hazelnut extract to your creamer.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves that gives a warm, spicy flavor.
• Pumpkin Puree: Adds a natural sweetness and a boost of vitamins to your creamer.
• Cocoa Powder: For chocolate lovers, add unsweetened cocoa powder for a mocha-flavored creamer.
• Cinnamon: A warm and spicy touch to your creamer. You can also use cinnamon-flavored collagen.
• Peppermint Extract: A refreshing option for a minty creamer.
• Collagen Powder: Adds a boost of protein and can be flavored, e.g., salted caramel collagen.
• MCT Oil: A healthy medium-chain triglyceride that can be added for extra healthy fats.
• Grass-Fed Butter or Ghee: For a creamy, buttery flavor and additional healthy fats.

Store-Bought Keto Creamers

If you're on a keto diet, you'll know that almost everything can be keto-ified. While dairy-based creamers are usually high in sugar and not keto-friendly, there are plenty of store-bought, keto-friendly coffee creamers to choose from.

• Best Overall Creamer: Califa Better Half Coconut Cream & Almond Milk Creamer. This creamer is not only keto-friendly, but it's also dairy-free, Whole30-compliant, and vegan.
• Best Value Creamer: Nutpods Creamer Variety 4-Pack. This variety pack is perfect for experimenting with different flavors. The creamers are also Whole30-approved and vegan.
• Best Budget Creamer: 360 Nutrition Keto Vanilla Sweetened Powdered Coffee Creamer. This powdered creamer is perfect for those on a budget and it doesn't curdle in coffee.
• Best Gluten-free Creamer: Prymal Salted Caramel Coffee Creamer. This salted caramel creamer will give your coffee a sweet taste without the sugary syrups. The brand also offers other fun flavors like Birthday Cake and Red Velvet.
• Best Low-Cal Creamer: Califa Almond Milk Coffee Creamer with Coconut Cream, Unsweetened. There are only 10 calories per tablespoon of this creamer, and it has a nutty, robust flavor.
• Best Sugar-Free Creamer: Laird Superfood Creamer, Unsweetened. This powder creamer is packed with nutrients and minerals. It's also created by a superstar surfer and self-professed keto diet fan, Laird Hamilton.
• Best Flavored Creamer: Divine Health Keto Zone MCT Oil Powder, French Vanilla. It's hard to find good flavored keto creamers, but this one hits the mark. The unflavored version is also sugar and gluten-free.
• Best Bulletproof Creamer: Bulletproof InstaMix Creamer. This on-the-go keto creamer is mixed with butterfat and "octane oil," which is coconut-based. It's praised by reviewers for the energy and decreased hunger it brings.
• Best Low-Fat Creamer: KITU Keto Coffee Super Creamer. This liquid creamer comes in several flavors and has zero added sugars per serving.
• Best Cacao-Based Creamer: Grasso Peppermint Mocha High-Fat Coffee Creamer. The original flavor is spiked with cacao, but you can get the "Naked" version if you want a plain coconut-y creamer.
• Best Nutrient-Dense Creamer: Peak Performance Non-dairy Collagen Creamer. This creamer is packed with nutrients and has a subtle coconut flavor.
• Best Paleo Creamer: Pure Indian Foods Coffee++ Paleo Butter Coffee Creamer. This creamer is sourced from small family farms and is made from a blend of grass-fed organic cultured ghee and energizing MCT oil.
• Best Nut-Based Creamer: Elmhurst Milked Cashews. This creamer has half the sugar of a traditional coffee creamer but all of the delicious taste. While cashews are not recommended for a keto diet, this cashew milk contains less than half a gram of sugar per tablespoon.
• Best Plant-Based Creamer: Milkadamia Unsweetened Vanilla Macadamia Milk. This creamer is made with keto-friendly macadamia nuts and is a great alternative to coconut or almond milk-based creamers.

So, there you have it! You don't have to give up your morning coffee fix just because you're on a keto diet. These store-bought keto creamers will definitely hit the spot.

Making Your Own Keto Creamer

Ingredients

You can make your own keto creamer at home with just a few simple ingredients. Here's what you'll need:

• Heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free option
• A sweetener of your choice (such as allulose, Swerve Confectioners, monk fruit, or stevia)
• Collagen protein powder or xanthan gum to thicken the creamer
• Hemp or almond milk to make the creamer pourable and easy to mix
• Extracts or flavorings (e.g. vanilla, hazelnut, pumpkin spice)

Instructions

• Simmer the cream: Combine the cream and sweeteners in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for about 15 minutes, then remove from the heat.
• Add vanilla bean (optional): If you're using a vanilla bean, split it open, scrape out the seeds, and add the seeds and pod to the pan. Cover and let steep for 20 minutes, then remove the pod.
• Add the remaining ingredients: Whisk in the collagen, hemp milk, and your choice of extract. Taste and adjust sweetness as needed.
• Transfer to a glass jar: Let the mixture cool completely, then transfer it to a glass jar. Store in the fridge for up to a week. Shake before using.

Tips and Variations:

• Cinnamon Dolce: Add 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon or use cinnamon-flavored collagen.
• Hazelnut: Add 2 teaspoons of hazelnut extract.
• Pumpkin Spice: Use Brown Swerve and add 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice. You can also add 2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree.
• Salted Caramel: Use salted caramel collagen and add 1 to 2 teaspoons of caramel extract.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream.
• No Collagen: If you don't want to use collagen, you can thicken the creamer with glucomannan or xanthan gum.
• Sweetener Options: You can use almost any sweetener you like. If using a sweetener that doesn't dissolve easily, add it after removing the mixture from the heat.

Keto Creamer Taste

Keto coffee creamers are a great way to enhance your morning coffee without breaking your diet. While plain half-and-half is keto-friendly, some people may prefer their coffee sweet. Luckily, there are many keto-friendly creamers on the market that can add a pleasant sweetness and caramel flavor to your coffee.

Taste Test Winners

PureWow taste-tested 13 keto coffee creamers and found that the Caramel Super Creamer by Super Coffee was the best for caramel syrup diehards. This creamer is sugar-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free, with two grams of protein and healthy fats per serving. It uses monk fruit to achieve its silky-sweet flavor and is lactose-free despite containing dairy cream and milk.

The Califia Farms Unsweetened Vanilla Keto Creamer was also highly rated, especially for its smell. It has a base of almond milk and coconut cream and is vegan, sugar-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, carb-free, and low-fat. It has a thicker consistency than regular almond milk, making it a great substitute for half-and-half.

DIY Keto Creamer

If you're feeling adventurous, you can make your own keto coffee creamer at home. All you need is heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk, a sweetener of your choice, and, optionally, collagen and almond or hemp milk.

Here's a basic recipe:

• Combine the cream and sweetener in a medium saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes, then remove from the heat.
• Add a split-open vanilla bean (if using) and steep for 20 minutes, then remove the pod.
• Whisk in the collagen and hemp or almond milk, and vanilla extract to taste.
• Let cool completely, then transfer to a glass jar and store in the fridge for up to a week.

You can get creative and experiment with different flavors by adding ingredients like ground cinnamon, hazelnut extract, pumpkin pie spice, or caramel extract.

Store-Bought Options

If you don't want to make your own creamer, there are plenty of great options available for purchase. Here are some popular choices:

• Omega French Vanilla Powercreamer: This creamer has a decadent, buttery taste thanks to its milk-fat ghee, coconut oil, and MCT oil base. It is high in fat and calories but fits seamlessly into a low-carb, high-fat keto diet.
• Milkadamia Unsweetened Vanilla Creamer: This creamer is made from macadamia milk, sunflower oil, and coconut cream, offering a rich and silky texture that's less chalky than almond milk.
• Picnik Vegan Creamer: This plant-based, paleo, and keto-friendly creamer is made with cashew milk, coconut cream, and MCT oil, giving it buttery and nutty notes. It's unsweetened but can be paired with a keto-friendly sweetener.
• Laird Unsweetened Superfood Creamer: Named after surfer and fitness guru Laird Hamilton, this plant-based creamer contains all four types of MCTs and no artificial sweeteners. It has a fresh coconut aroma and a mild, sweet flavor.

So, whether you make your own or buy a pre-made option, there are plenty of delicious keto creamers to choose from!

Keto Creamer Blending

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make your own keto creamer:

• Heavy cream: This forms the base of the keto creamer. For a dairy-free option, you can use full-fat coconut milk.
• Sweetener: A combination of allulose and Swerve Confectioners, or a sweetener of your choice. Allulose gives the creamer a syrupy consistency.
• Collagen: Collagen protein powder (aka collagen peptides) boosts nutrition and thickens the creamer.
• Milk: Hemp or almond milk is added to make the creamer pourable and easy to mix into coffee. You can use any low-carb milk.
• Extract or flavouring: You can use vanilla extract, or get creative with other flavourings such as hazelnut extract, pumpkin spice, or salted caramel.

Method

• Simmer the cream: Combine the cream and sweeteners in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 15 minutes, then remove from the heat.
• Add the vanilla bean: If using a vanilla bean, split it open and scrape out the seeds. Add the seeds and the pod to the pan and cover. Let it steep for 20 minutes, then remove the pod.
• Add the remaining ingredients: Whisk in the collagen, hemp milk, and vanilla extract. Taste and adjust sweetness as needed.
• Transfer to a jar: Let the mixture cool completely, then transfer it to a glass jar. Store it in the fridge for up to a week. Remember to shake it before use!

Tips and Tricks

• If you want to make a dairy-free creamer, simply replace the heavy cream with coconut milk.
• For a collagen boost, add collagen powder to the creamer while it's still warm.
• To make different flavours, experiment with extracts and spices. For example, add cinnamon for a cinnamon dolce flavour, or hazelnut extract for a nutty twist.
• You can also make a collagen creamer by adding collagen powder to your coffee directly.
• Store your keto creamer in a glass jar in the fridge for up to a week. If you don't think you'll use it all within that time, consider making a smaller batch.

Frequently asked questions