Keto Cinnamon Cookies, Low Carb
Keto cookies with an apple-cinnamon flavor—easy to make and absolutely delicious.
I can feel summer just around the corner (even though I'm writing this post with the heating on and rain pouring outside).
This means the summer cutting phase has officially begun.
In practice, I'm dramatically cutting calories and not eating a single thing without weighing it first. (Yes, I know, it's super pathetic).
Besides cutting calories, I'm also reducing my carb intake to help feel more satiated.
Wait, wait, wait...
Fewer carbs mean more satiety?
Yes! Let me explain.
When we eat carbs, they are absorbed and raise blood sugar levels.
In response, the pancreas secretes insulin to move that sugar into the cells, which lowers blood sugar levels.
Once blood sugar drops below a certain threshold and the stomach starts to empty, stomach cells secrete the hunger hormone ghrelin. This hormone travels through the bloodstream to the hypothalamus—the area of the brain responsible for controlling processes like eating, drinking, sleeping, and reproduction. It sends signals that we interpret as hunger.
When a diet is low in carbs, the body produces glucose (necessary for proper cell function) from available materials: fat and protein.
While the process of breaking down fat and protein molecules to rebuild glucose is energetically "expensive"—and it's much faster to break down starch into glucose—when no carbs are present, the body will break down fatty acids for available energy.
The breakdown of fat molecules produces water-soluble molecules called ketone bodies, which is where the name "Ketogenic Diet" (originally developed to treat childhood epilepsy) comes from.
The result we feel in this process is a long-lasting sense of satiety and energy without the need to snack between meals.
There are certain advantages to a ketogenic diet, mainly for treating obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. However, there are notable disadvantages like osteoporosis, nausea, headaches, bad breath, and the effects of a diet low in fiber, vitamins, and minerals (due to avoiding fruits and many vegetables because of their carb content).
My recommendation: if you want to embark on a vegan ketogenic diet adventure, do it with nutritional supervision and not on your own.
A bit about Keto Cinnamon Cookies
I want to start by saying these cookies aren't "sweet."
They are "sweetish."
If you want to increase the sweetness while keeping the carb count low, add an artificial sweetener like stevia.
I made these cookies using blanched almond flour. You can make the flour yourself by simply grinding almonds in a spice grinder.
You can swap the almond flour for the same amount of coconut flour, but be aware that you'll get cookies with a very strong coconut flavor (your call).
To add flavor and character, I added cinnamon powder. If you don't like it, you can remove it, but know that the perception of sweetness will likely diminish as well.
To provide moisture and mild sweetness, I used unsweetened applesauce. You can replace it with the same amount of mashed banana (but that will dramatically change the carb count).
Another addition for flavor and style is the maple-infused almond butter.
Nutritional Values:
One cookie out of 20 (weighing 22g) contains:
- 110 kcal
- 1.5g protein
- 3g carbs
- 9g fat
Another low-carb recipe? How about flax crackers?
Keto Cinnamon Cookie
Ingredients
- 200 g almond flour (about 2 cups)
- 150 g Rusty's almond butter with maple
- 50 g unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp coconut sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon powder
Instructions
-
In a deep bowl, mix the almond flour, almond butter, applesauce, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until a uniform dough is formed.
-
Place in the refrigerator for half an hour.
-
Preheat the oven to medium heat (170°C).
-
Using your hands, form balls the size of ping-pong balls and place them on a baking tray.
-
Using the bottom of a wet glass, flatten each ball into a disk shape.
-
Make a cross pattern using a fork.
-
Sprinkle a little cinnamon and coconut sugar on top and bake for about 15 minutes.
-
Let them cool completely before devouring.
Recipe Video
