Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

  • Why You’ll Love This Keto Cupcake Recipe
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • How To Make Keto Cupcakes
  • Storage Instructions
  • More Keto Cupcakes
  • Recommended Tools
  • Keto Cupcakes (Easy, Moist & Chocolaty) Recipe card
  • Recipe Reviews

It’s hard to believe that these keto cupcakes recipe only has 6 grams net carbs per serving! My low carb keto chocolate cupcakes are full of rich, chocolate flavor, but without all the sugar and flour that normally come along with it. They’re just as amazing as keto chocolate cake or even vanilla keto cake , but in a portion-controlled package. Whenever you find yourself with a chocolate craving, these treats should be at the top of your list.

Why You’ll Love This Keto Cupcake Recipe

Maya in the kitchen. - 1
  • Delicate, moist texture
  • Sweet, chocolaty flavor
  • Easy to make in one bowl
  • Ready in 30 minutes
  • Keto-friendly and gluten-free
  • 6 grams net carbs per serving (including the frosting!)
Maya's signature. - 2 3 keto chocolate cupcakes. - 3

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for keto chocolate cupcakes, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

  • Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour – Choosing high quality almond flour is a must for moist keto cupcakes. It needs to be blanched and finely ground like the Wholesome Yum brand. Do not use almond meal, which will yield a grainy result.
  • Cocoa Powder – Turns plain keto cupcakes into chocolate ones! Make sure to select one that’s unsweetened, and Dutch-processed to avoid bitterness — this one is one of my favorites.
  • Baking Powder – Helps the cupcakes rise. Don’t confuse this with baking soda, which is not the same thing.
  • Sea Salt – Salt in baked goods helps bring out the sweetness.
  • Butter – Adds flavor and richness. Ghee or coconut oil can work for reduced-dairy or dairy-free substitutes, but the texture will be different.
  • Besti Monk Fruit Allulose Blend – The best sweetener for virtually all keto desserts , because it not only tastes and bakes like sugar, it also makes them very moist. Other sugar alternatives (including erythritol, stevia, and other brands of monk fruit sweetener) will yield more dry results, but if you still want to substitute, check my sweetener conversion chart .
  • Eggs – A big part of baked goods, the eggs help to add structure and lift. I have not tested flax eggs to see if they would work in this keto cupcake recipe.
  • Almond Milk – You can use store bought almond milk (as long as it’s unsweetened), or homemade almond milk . Other keto milk , such as coconut milk beverage (the liquid kind from a carton, not the thick kind from a can) or watered down heavy cream, would also work.
  • Vanilla Extract – Helps to bring out the chocolate and sweetness.
  • Chocolate Keto Frosting – The best keto cupcakes need this frosting! You could also substitute keto buttercream frosting if you like.
  • Keto Sprinkles – Optional, but they add a beautiful finish.

How To Make Keto Cupcakes

This section shows how to make keto chocolate cupcakes, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

  1. Beat butter and Besti. Using an electric hand mixer in a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sweetener together until it’s fluffy and light yellow in color.
  2. Add dry ingredients. Beat in almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and sea salt.
  3. Add wet ingredients . Beat in eggs, almond milk, and vanilla extract.
  4. Divide. Line your muffin tin with parchment liners like these first. Spoon the cupcake batter into the lined muffin cups. You want them almost full. (They will not rise as much as traditional cupcakes.)
Creaming butter and Besti in a bowl. - 4 Batter in muffin tin. - 5 TIP: Need to cut the carbs and calories more? - 6

TIP: Need to cut the carbs and calories more?

Make mini keto cupcakes instead by using a mini muffin tin! You’ll get double the amount of cupcakes.

  1. Bake. The cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Baked low carb cupcakes in muffin tin. - 7
  1. Frost. Let the cupcakes cool completely on a cooling rack, then frost with keto chocolate frosting.
Keto chocolate cupcakes with frosting. - 8

Storage Instructions

  • Store: Keep chocolate keto cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
  • Freeze: Wrap each cupcake individually in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. (If you want to preserve the frosting shape, you can freeze them on a sheet pan first until solid, then wrap and place back in the freezer.) They will last 2-3 months this way. To thaw, simply leave them at room temperature until they thaw completely.
Keto cupcake recipe with frosting and chocolate chips, close up. - 9

More Keto Cupcakes

  • Sugar-Free Vanilla Cupcakes – The best gluten free keto cupcakes to make all spring and summer long – especially when the raspberries are perfect!
  • Keto Chocolate Mug Cake – When you don’t have time to make this low carb chocolate cupcakes recipe, try my easy mug cake version that’s ready in a few minutes. It’s a faster version to keto cake.
  • Piña Colada Cupcakes – This keto cupcake recipe is exclusive to the Wholesome Yum app, available for free on iPhone or Android .
  • Hand Mixer – These keto cupcakes with almond flour are whipped up in a flash when you use an electric mixer. This is the one I have and I love it.
  • Cupcake Liners – Cupcake liners are a must when making this low carb cupcakes recipe. These are the ones I use and love.
  • Cupcake Pan – Obviously a must for my keto cupcake recipe. These pans are my favorite and I have each and every one.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

  • 2 cups Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour ▢
  • 6 tbsp Dutch processed cocoa powder ▢
  • 1/2 tbsp Baking powder ▢
  • 1/4 tsp Sea salt ▢
  • 1/3 cup Unsalted butter (softened) ▢
  • 1/2 cup Besti Monk Fruit Allulose Blend (or 2/3 cup if you have a strong sweet tooth) ▢
  • 3 large Eggs ▢
  • 1/2 cup Unsweetened almond milk ▢
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract ▢
  • 1/2 recipe Keto Chocolate Frosting (1 1/4 cups) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C). Line 10 cups in a muffin tin with paper liners .
  2. In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat butter and sweetener together, until fluffy.
  3. Beat in almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and sea salt.
  4. Beat in eggs, almond milk, and vanilla extract.
  5. Bake for 20-25 minutes , until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
  6. Allow muffins to cool completely, then frost with keto chocolate frosting (about 2 tablespoons frosting per cupcake).

Did You Like It?

Leave a rating to help other readers (this also helps me continue to provide free recipes on my site), or get the recipe sent to your inbox.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 keto cupcake

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Low Carb Keto Cupcakes Recipe

Keto cupcake recipe pin. - 10

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

  • Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
  • The Basic Keto Meal Formula
  • Understanding Macros
  • Keto Food Swaps
  • Keto Food List
  • Electrolyte Basics
  • Keto Diet Types
  • Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
  • Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 11

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

  1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
  2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
  3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
  4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
  5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
  6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
  7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
  8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
  9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Pick A ProteinPick A VeggieAdd Fat
Beef Chicken Pork Eggs Lamb Turkey Fish Shellfish Protein powder VenisonCauliflower Broccoli Zucchini Leafy Greens Cucumbers Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Asparagus Radishes Bell Peppers Jicama CeleryButter Avocado Oil Cheese Bacon Avocado Lard Ghee Mayo Nuts MCT Oil

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Instead Of This…Eat This
PancakesAlmond flour pancakes or coconut flour pancakes
OatmealKeto oatmeal with hemp seeds
Cinnamon rollsFathead cinnamon rolls
CerealKeto nut granola
MuffinsAlmond flour muffins or coconut flour muffins
DonutsAlmond flour donuts
SconesAlmond flour scones
High-sugar smoothiesSmoothie with berries or avocado
Hash brownsCauliflower hash browns
Breakfast casseroleBreakfast casserole with no potatoes
Egg whitesWhole eggs
Turkey baconBacon
WafflesChaffles
Keto food swaps - breakfast - 12

Keto Swaps For Bread

Instead Of This…Eat This
BagelsFathead bagels
English muffinAlmond flour English muffin
White breadKeto white bread
Multigrain breadCoconut flour bread with seeds
Tortillas for wrapsCoconut flour tortillas
Corn taco shellsCheddar cheese taco shells
Burger bunsOopsie rolls , portobello mushroom caps
BreadsticksCauliflower breadsticks
BiscuitsAlmond flour biscuits
CornbreadAlmond flour cornbread
CroutonsParmesan crisps
RiceCauliflower rice , konjac rice
Keto food swaps - bread and grains - 13

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Instead Of This…Eat This
Breaded wingsCrispy air fryer wings (unbreaded)
Low-fat meat & poultryHigh-fat cuts, or cook low-fat cuts with fat
Mashed potatoesMashed cauliflower
Roasted potatoesRoasted or fried radishes
TacosTaco salad
PizzaFathead crust , chicken crust , or cauliflower crust pizza
LasagnaEggplant lasagna
Potato saladCauliflower “potato” salad
French friesJicama , rutabaga , or zucchini fries
Tater totsCauliflower tots
WrapsLettuce wraps , almond flour tortillas
SushiNaruto-style or homemade rice-free sushi
Breaded chicken or fishBreaded cuts with almond flour or pork rinds
SpaghettiZoodles , spaghetti squash , shirataki noodles, kelp noodles
Keto food swaps - meals and sides - 14

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Instead Of This…Eat This
NachosCheese crisps
High-sugar fruitBerries & other keto fruits
CrackersAlmond flour crackers
HummusCauliflower hummus
Soft pretzelsFathead pretzels
PopcornPuffed cheese
Granola barsGrain-free granola bars
JamSugar-free berry chia jam
Sweet fruity yogurtFull-fat plain Greek yogurt with berries
Sweet salad dressingRanch , blue cheese , or plain vinaigrette
KetchupMustard and/or sugar-free ketchup
BBQ sauceSugar-free BBQ sauce
Sweetened peanut butterNatural, sugar-free nut butters
Light mayoAvocado oil mayo
Maple syrupSugar-free, maple flavored syrup
Potato chipsZucchini chips , pepperoni chips , pork rinds
Keto food swaps - snacks and sauces - 15

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Instead Of This…Eat This
SugarMonk fruit or allulose
Powdered sugarPowdered monk fruit or allulose
White flourAlmond or Coconut flour (use in tested recipes)
Making baked goods soft/chewyXanthan gum, flax seed meal, psyllium husk powder
BreadcrumbsPork rinds or almond flour
MargarineButter, coconut oil, or ghee
Vegetable oilOlive or avocado oil
BananasBanana extract
Chocolate chipsSugar-free chocolate chips
Cornstarch or flour rouxXanthan gum or gelatin powder (used at the end)
Simple syrupDissolve monk fruit allulose blend in water over heat
Keto food swaps - baking and cooking - 16

Keto Swaps For Drinks

Instead Of This…Eat This
LemonadeWater with lemon
SodaFlavored sparkling water
MilkAlmond milk, coconut milk, heavy cream
LatteButter coffee
Coffee creamerHeavy cream
Sweet wineDry wine
BeerUltra light beer
Mixed drinksHard liquor with soda + lemon

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto food swaps - drinks - 17

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Keto foods to eat and avoid summary - 18

Foods To Eat On Keto

  • Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
  • Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
  • Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
  • Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
  • Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
  • Avocados
  • Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
  • Almond flour and coconut flour
  • Eggs
  • Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

  • White flour & sugar
  • Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
  • Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
  • Cereal
  • Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
  • Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
  • Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
  • Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
  • Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
  • Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 19

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

SodiumMagnesiumPotassium
Bone broth Boullion cubes Bacon Salted nuts PicklesSeaweed Seeds Nuts Avocado Leafy greensPotassium chloride Avocado Bone broth Spinach Broccoli Mushrooms Beef Pork

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

  • Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
  • Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
  • Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
  • Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

  1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
  2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
  3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
  4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
  5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
  6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
  7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
  8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
  9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.
Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 20

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Keto Cupcakes (Easy, Moist & Chocolaty)

Keto cupcake recipe on a white surface. - 21

This chocolate keto cupcakes recipe is super moist, rich, and sweet… all with simple ingredients like almond flour, butter and cocoa powder.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/low-carb-keto-chocolate-cupcakes-recipe/

Keto Cupcakes - 22 Keto Cupcakes - 23 Keto Cupcakes - 24 Keto Cupcakes - 25

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour
  • 6 tbsp Dutch processed cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tbsp Baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp Sea salt
  • 1/3 cup Unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1/2 cup Besti Monk Fruit Allulose Blend (or 2/3 cup if you have a strong sweet tooth)
  • 3 large Eggs
  • 1/2 cup Unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract
  • 1/2 recipe Keto Chocolate Frosting (1 1/4 cups)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C). Line 10 cups in a muffin tin with paper liners .
  2. In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat butter and sweetener together, until fluffy.
  3. Beat in almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and sea salt.
  4. Beat in eggs, almond milk, and vanilla extract.
  5. Bake for 20-25 minutes , until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
  6. Allow muffins to cool completely, then frost with keto chocolate frosting (about 2 tablespoons frosting per cupcake).

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 keto cupcake

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

  • Why You’ll Love This Keto Cupcake Recipe
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • How To Make Keto Cupcakes
  • Storage Instructions
  • More Keto Cupcakes
  • Recommended Tools
  • Keto Cupcakes (Easy, Moist & Chocolaty) Recipe card
  • Recipe Reviews

It’s hard to believe that these keto cupcakes recipe only has 6 grams net carbs per serving! My low carb keto chocolate cupcakes are full of rich, chocolate flavor, but without all the sugar and flour that normally come along with it. They’re just as amazing as keto chocolate cake or even vanilla keto cake , but in a portion-controlled package. Whenever you find yourself with a chocolate craving, these treats should be at the top of your list.

Why You’ll Love This Keto Cupcake Recipe

Maya in the kitchen. - 26
  • Delicate, moist texture
  • Sweet, chocolaty flavor
  • Easy to make in one bowl
  • Ready in 30 minutes
  • Keto-friendly and gluten-free
  • 6 grams net carbs per serving (including the frosting!)
Maya's signature. - 27 3 keto chocolate cupcakes. - 28

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for keto chocolate cupcakes, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

  • Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour – Choosing high quality almond flour is a must for moist keto cupcakes. It needs to be blanched and finely ground like the Wholesome Yum brand. Do not use almond meal, which will yield a grainy result.
  • Cocoa Powder – Turns plain keto cupcakes into chocolate ones! Make sure to select one that’s unsweetened, and Dutch-processed to avoid bitterness — this one is one of my favorites.
  • Baking Powder – Helps the cupcakes rise. Don’t confuse this with baking soda, which is not the same thing.
  • Sea Salt – Salt in baked goods helps bring out the sweetness.
  • Butter – Adds flavor and richness. Ghee or coconut oil can work for reduced-dairy or dairy-free substitutes, but the texture will be different.
  • Besti Monk Fruit Allulose Blend – The best sweetener for virtually all keto desserts , because it not only tastes and bakes like sugar, it also makes them very moist. Other sugar alternatives (including erythritol, stevia, and other brands of monk fruit sweetener) will yield more dry results, but if you still want to substitute, check my sweetener conversion chart .
  • Eggs – A big part of baked goods, the eggs help to add structure and lift. I have not tested flax eggs to see if they would work in this keto cupcake recipe.
  • Almond Milk – You can use store bought almond milk (as long as it’s unsweetened), or homemade almond milk . Other keto milk , such as coconut milk beverage (the liquid kind from a carton, not the thick kind from a can) or watered down heavy cream, would also work.
  • Vanilla Extract – Helps to bring out the chocolate and sweetness.
  • Chocolate Keto Frosting – The best keto cupcakes need this frosting! You could also substitute keto buttercream frosting if you like.
  • Keto Sprinkles – Optional, but they add a beautiful finish.

How To Make Keto Cupcakes

This section shows how to make keto chocolate cupcakes, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

  1. Beat butter and Besti. Using an electric hand mixer in a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sweetener together until it’s fluffy and light yellow in color.
  2. Add dry ingredients. Beat in almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and sea salt.
  3. Add wet ingredients . Beat in eggs, almond milk, and vanilla extract.
  4. Divide. Line your muffin tin with parchment liners like these first. Spoon the cupcake batter into the lined muffin cups. You want them almost full. (They will not rise as much as traditional cupcakes.)
Creaming butter and Besti in a bowl. - 29 Batter in muffin tin. - 30 TIP: Need to cut the carbs and calories more? - 31

TIP: Need to cut the carbs and calories more?

Make mini keto cupcakes instead by using a mini muffin tin! You’ll get double the amount of cupcakes.

  1. Bake. The cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Baked low carb cupcakes in muffin tin. - 32
  1. Frost. Let the cupcakes cool completely on a cooling rack, then frost with keto chocolate frosting.
Keto chocolate cupcakes with frosting. - 33

Storage Instructions

  • Store: Keep chocolate keto cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
  • Freeze: Wrap each cupcake individually in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. (If you want to preserve the frosting shape, you can freeze them on a sheet pan first until solid, then wrap and place back in the freezer.) They will last 2-3 months this way. To thaw, simply leave them at room temperature until they thaw completely.
Keto cupcake recipe with frosting and chocolate chips, close up. - 34

More Keto Cupcakes

  • Sugar-Free Vanilla Cupcakes – The best gluten free keto cupcakes to make all spring and summer long – especially when the raspberries are perfect!
  • Keto Chocolate Mug Cake – When you don’t have time to make this low carb chocolate cupcakes recipe, try my easy mug cake version that’s ready in a few minutes. It’s a faster version to keto cake.
  • Piña Colada Cupcakes – This keto cupcake recipe is exclusive to the Wholesome Yum app, available for free on iPhone or Android .
  • Hand Mixer – These keto cupcakes with almond flour are whipped up in a flash when you use an electric mixer. This is the one I have and I love it.
  • Cupcake Liners – Cupcake liners are a must when making this low carb cupcakes recipe. These are the ones I use and love.
  • Cupcake Pan – Obviously a must for my keto cupcake recipe. These pans are my favorite and I have each and every one.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

  • 2 cups Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour ▢
  • 6 tbsp Dutch processed cocoa powder ▢
  • 1/2 tbsp Baking powder ▢
  • 1/4 tsp Sea salt ▢
  • 1/3 cup Unsalted butter (softened) ▢
  • 1/2 cup Besti Monk Fruit Allulose Blend (or 2/3 cup if you have a strong sweet tooth) ▢
  • 3 large Eggs ▢
  • 1/2 cup Unsweetened almond milk ▢
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract ▢
  • 1/2 recipe Keto Chocolate Frosting (1 1/4 cups) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C). Line 10 cups in a muffin tin with paper liners .
  2. In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat butter and sweetener together, until fluffy.
  3. Beat in almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and sea salt.
  4. Beat in eggs, almond milk, and vanilla extract.
  5. Bake for 20-25 minutes , until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
  6. Allow muffins to cool completely, then frost with keto chocolate frosting (about 2 tablespoons frosting per cupcake).

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Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 keto cupcake

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

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Low Carb Keto Cupcakes Recipe

Keto cupcake recipe pin. - 35