The Ketogenic diet, or keto diet, is one whose popularity has increased over the years. This is because of its numerous health and weight loss benefits. Keto diet requires maintaining a very low carbohydrate intake, which makes it restrictive and boring to most people. As such, many who have tried the diet complain that it is too restrictive on food options.
That said, nutritionists have come up with interesting keto recipes so that dieters do not feel deprived. The famous keto peanut butter cookies is one of the foods that are fun and still keto-approved. Not only are keto peanut butter cookies healthy, but they also carb all starch cravings. They are crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside, making them yummier than regular cookies.
Most importantly, keto peanut butter cookies contain a single gram of carbohydrate each. This means that you can eat five cookies without getting out of ketosis. Ketosis is the state at which the body burns fats for fuel after being deprived of glucose for quite some time. It is the ultimate goal of every keto dieter.
The Perfect Keto Peanut Butter Cookies
Unlike regular cookies, keto peanut butter cookies require great caution and expertise when preparing. The ratio of peanut butter, eggs, and keto sweetener needs to be accurate to make the perfect cookie. Altering the ratio makes the cookie either too eggy, too dry, or too crunchy. Moreover, keto peanut butter cookies are only made from keto-approved flours such as almond flour or coconut flour.
The Key Ingredients
First, you will need peanut butter. This is actually the main ingredient. Most importantly, the peanut butter must be sugarless because that is what makes it keto. It is important to read the package labels to ascertain that the peanut butter contains no hidden sugars. Research into the keto diet shows that organic peanut butter is the healthiest option.
The second ingredient that you will need is a keto-approved sweetener. There are many types in the market, but powdered erythritol works best when baking. This is because it dissolves well with other baking ingredients leaving no bitter taste behind. The sweetener is what makes the cookies taste sweet despite having no sugar.
Next is almond flour, which is an optional ingredient. Keto peanut butter cookies do not need the almond flour, and you can skip it if it is not readily available. Most people may skip this ingredient because of its high cost as well. However, using it is highly recommended because it adds to the texture and flavor depth of cookies.
Another important ingredient is the vanilla extract for flavor. It is also an optional ingredient, but if you want to have tasty cookies, it is best to use it. However, you must take great caution to make sure it is sugar-free. Most packages indicate whether or not it contains sugar.
Lastly, an egg must be added to the mixture, to boost the nutritional value of the cookies. Eggs are high in proteins, and they also contain every other vitamin except vitamin C. In fact, an egg is equated to a multivitamin in nutrition. Regular eggs are okay for these cookies, but a flax egg can be used as an alternative.
How to Make Keto Peanut Butter Cookies
Luckily, the baking process is not lengthy, and it can take up to 30 minutes. This means that the keto peanut butter cookies are an excellent option to quickly satisfy a dieter’s sweet tooth. They are also an excellent American cuisine served as a snack.
When baking keto peanut butter cookies, the first step is to preheat the oven at 350F. As the oven heats, all the ingredients mentioned above are mixed in a bowl. Notably, the ratio of ingredients is determined by the number of servings. As you mix the ingredients, you will see that the butter is runny, but it becomes harder as you mix it. After mixing, scoop out the dough and shape it into balls. Place them on baking sheets while flattening them. You may add salt to taste.
Finally, put the dough in the preheated oven to bake for 12 minutes. Remove the cookies and let them cool before serving. In case you make too many cookies, and you want to save some for later, store them in airtight containers. They can be stored at room temperature for a maximum of 5 days. Feel free to increase the sweetener for sweeter cookies.
Nutritional Value and Health Benefits of the Cookies.
A single serving contains one keto peanut butter cookie, which has 108 calories. It contains only 4 grams of carbohydrates, making it a perfect keto snack. The cookie also has 5 grams of proteins and 2 grams of saturated fat. Other nutrients that are present in small quantities include sodium, potassium, fiber, calcium, iron, and Vitamin A.
Apart from the nutrients contained in the keto peanut butter cookies, it also has added health benefits. First, it is a perfect snack that aids in weight loss. A keto cookie made from peanut butter is high in healthy fats, which stimulate ketosis. It also has enough fiber and proteins that make you stay fuller longer, thus suppressing appetite.
Additionally, these keto peanut butter cookies can be enjoyed by even diabetic persons. This is because they are sugar-free, and they do not spike insulin levels, unlike regular cookies. They can be eaten by children too, which makes them a convenient, healthy snack. Kids and adults can satisfy their sweet tooth without risking obesity.
Wind Up
Keto peanut butter cookies are not only cheap to make but fast too. The recipe is easy to understand, and it can be baked at home by anyone. Most importantly, it is a healthy snack option. With these cookies, you can lose weight, avoid obesity and manage diabetes too.