Thickening Keto Pudding: The Best Low-Carb Options

There are a variety of ways to thicken keto pudding. Some recipes call for heavy cream, which eliminates the need for thickeners, relying instead on the natural thickening ability of egg yolks and gentle heat. Other recipes suggest using a combination of unflavoured gelatin and xanthan gum, which can be found easily and are inexpensive.

Heavy cream

When making keto pudding with heavy cream, it's important to note that the type of gelatin you use can affect the thickness of your pudding. Some brands have a more powerful thickening strength than others, so the firmness of your pudding will depend on the brand you choose and how long you let it chill.

Here's a basic recipe for keto pudding with heavy cream:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of heavy whipping cream
• 1/3 cup of a sweetener of your choice (such as THM Super Sweet or Pyure)
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla
• 2 teaspoons of unflavoured gelatin
• 1/2 teaspoon of Xanthum Gum

Instructions:

• Add the heavy whipping cream, sweetener, egg yolks, and salt to a saucepan and whisk until well blended.
• Turn the burner on medium-low and slowly bring the mixture to a very light simmer, whisking constantly to prevent the egg yolks from scrambling.
• Slowly sprinkle the gelatin and Xanthum Gum over the cream mixture, whisking to combine.
• Let the mixture cook until it starts to thicken, then remove it from the heat.
• Carefully pour the pudding into a bowl and let it cool completely.
• Cover the pudding and refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours or until it reaches your desired thickness.

You can serve this keto pudding as it is or dress it up with some berries and whipped cream. Enjoy!

Xanthan gum

When using xanthan gum in keto pudding, it is crucial to add it slowly and adjust the amount as needed. For a large batch of pudding, one teaspoon of xanthan gum is usually sufficient. However, it is always better to start with less and add more if needed. It is also important to note that xanthan gum takes time to thicken the pudding, so it should be mixed in well before making any adjustments.

Gelatin

When making a keto pudding, gelatin can be used to thicken the mixture without the need for cornstarch or other high-carb thickeners. It is important to use gelatin from a good brand as some have a more powerful thickening strength than others. Typically, you will need a couple of teaspoons to achieve the perfect soft pudding texture.

To use gelatin in a keto pudding, first bloom the gelatin by pouring a small amount of your liquid of choice (heavy cream or coconut milk) into a bowl and sprinkling the gelatin on top. Whisk immediately and set aside—the mixture will thicken and look clumpy. Next, heat the rest of your liquid with any other ingredients (such as cocoa powder, sweetener and salt) in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture is smooth and starts to bubble. Don't let it boil. Remove from the heat and add the bloomed gelatin, whisking until smooth. Pour the pudding mixture into a bowl and let it cool, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm.

Cornstarch

However, cornstarch can be used in small amounts in keto recipes without compromising the diet. For example, in a keto chocolate pudding recipe, cornstarch can be used as a thickener along with milk, sweetener, heavy cream, cocoa powder, and chocolate. The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of cornstarch, which is a minimal amount and provides very few carbs overall.

For those who want to avoid cornstarch completely, there are several keto-friendly alternatives that can be used as thickeners. These include:

• Glucomannan powder: A natural fiber derived from the konjac plant, it has a similar appearance and usage to cornstarch, and can be used to make puddings, custards, and cookies.
• Almond flour: This can be used as a 1:1 substitute for cornstarch in keto recipes, and is especially useful in absorbing excess water in pie fillings.
• Chia seeds: Chia seeds can absorb a lot of water and form a thick gel, making them an excellent thickener for puddings and jams.
• Flax meal: Flax meal contains mucilage fibre, which is a thick and sticky substance that can be used in puddings and cookies as a cornstarch substitute.
• Gelatin or agar-agar: These can be used as thickeners in keto puddings, sauces, and pie fillings, but the amount used needs to be carefully measured to avoid affecting the consistency.
• Xanthan gum: This is commonly used in gluten-free baking as a thickener and can be used in small amounts as a substitute for cornstarch.

While cornstarch is not typically considered keto-friendly, using small amounts or substituting it with keto-friendly alternatives can allow people on a keto diet to still enjoy their favourite thickened dishes.

Eggs

Ingredients:

• 8 large eggs, cooked and scrambled
• 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
• 1/2 cup of a sweetener of your choice (e.g. Swerve Confectioners)
• 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon

Method:

Place your scrambled eggs into a high-powered blender along with the rest of the ingredients. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth. Taste the mixture and adjust the sweetener if needed. Pour the batter evenly into four serving glasses and refrigerate until set, which should take around an hour. This pudding can be stored in the fridge, covered, for up to four days.

Tips:

If you are worried about the smell of eggs being off-putting, try using scrambled eggs instead of hard-boiled eggs, as mentioned in the recipe above. Additionally, if you are serving this pudding to children or others who are not fans of eating eggs, this recipe is a great way to sneak in some extra protein without them noticing!

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