Are you on the keto diet and getting bored with your usual menu? Look no further! In this post, we’ll share two crazy delicious and perfectly keto-friendly recipes that will add some excitement to your low-carb lifestyle. Get ready to experience flavors that will make you forget you’re even on a diet!
What is the Keto Diet?
The ketogenic (keto) diet is a low-carb, high-fat way of eating that has taken the world by storm. By drastically reducing your carbohydrate intake and replacing it with healthy fats, your body enters a metabolic state called ketosis. In ketosis, your body becomes incredibly efficient at burning fat for energy instead of relying on glucose from carbs.
Following a keto lifestyle offers numerous potential benefits, including:
- Weight Loss: Studies show the keto diet can lead to more significant weight loss than low-fat diets, especially in the first few months (Source).
- Improved Blood Sugar Control: By minimizing carbs, the keto diet can help improve insulin sensitivity and better manage conditions like type 2 diabetes (Source).
- Mental Clarity: Many keto followers report improved focus, concentration, and mental performance thanks to the brain’s preferred use of ketones for fuel.
- Potential Therapeutic Effects: Early research suggests the keto diet may have applications in treating conditions like epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and more (Source).
On the keto diet, you’ll be loading up on nutrient-dense foods like:
- Meat (beef, chicken, pork, etc.)
- Fatty fish (salmon, tuna, etc.)
- Eggs
- Nuts and seeds
- Healthy oils (olive, avocado, etc.)
- Low-carb veggies (spinach, broccoli, etc.)
- Full-fat dairy
With that primer on keto out of the way, let’s dive into two krazy, delicious keto recipes that are sure to blow your taste buds away!
Keto Cauliflower Crust Pizza
Who says you have to miss out on pizza on the keto diet? This ingenious cauliflower crust pizza is a total game-changer that lets you enjoy all the flavors you love without derailing your diet.
Ingredients:
Cauliflower Crust:
- 1 medium head cauliflower, riced (about 3 cups riced cauliflower)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Toppings:
- 1/2 cup sugar-free pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- Desired toppings like pepperoni, veggies, etc.
Instructions:
- Prep the cauliflower crust: Pulse the cauliflower florets in a food processor until they resemble rice. Transfer to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 8 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, then transfer to a kitchen towel and wring out as much moisture as possible.
- Make the crust: In a bowl, mix the riced cauliflower with the shredded mozzarella, parmesan, egg, and seasonings until fully combined. Line a pizza pan or baking sheet with parchment and spread the cauliflower mixture into a circle, patting it down into a 1/4 inch thick crust.
- Pre-bake the crust: Bake at 425°F for 12-15 minutes until lightly golden brown.
- Add toppings: Remove the crust from oven and top with the pizza sauce, shredded cheese, and your favorite toppings like pepperoni, veggies, etc.
- Finish baking: Return to oven and bake for another 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Slice and serve! Let cool slightly before slicing and digging in.
This cauliflower pizza crust has only 4g net carbs per serving but packs in 22g of fat and 16g of protein to keep you solidly in ketosis.
“This recipe is a total game-changer for keto! I can finally enjoy pizza again without feeling guilty.” – Sarah G.
Pro Tips:
- Use frozen riced cauliflower for a time-saving shortcut
- Don’t skip wringing out the moisture – this is crucial for a crispy crust
- Go wild with topping combinations to keep it interesting (check out these 25 Keto Pizza Topping Ideas)
- For an extra protein boost, use chicken or turkey pepperoni
H3: Make it a Meal
Round out this krazy keto pizza night with some tasty sides:
- Crisp keto salad with creamy ranch
- Roasted garlic parmesan wings
- Zesty jalapeño poppers
- Low-carb margaritas for a festive touch
Keto Cheesy Bacon Bombs
Talk about addictively delicious! These keto cheesy bacon bombs pack an outrageous punch of smoky, savory, cheesy flavor in conveniently poppable bites. They’re perfect for keto snacking, game day spreads, and more.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon (about 8 slices)
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tsp ranch seasoning
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 egg, beaten with 1 Tbsp water (for egg wash)
- Low carb baking mix (or crushed pork rinds) for rolling
Instructions:
- Make the filling: In a bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, bacon bits, green onions, ranch seasoning, and black pepper until well combined.
- Form the bombs: Scoop out heaping tablespoon-sized portions of the filling mixture and roll into balls.
- Bread the bombs: Dip each cheesy bacon bomb in the egg wash, then roll in the low carb baking mix or crushed pork rinds to fully coat.
- Bake: Place the breaded bombs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 15-18 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Allow to cool slightly before devouring!
These little flavor bombs pack just 1g net carb per piece yet a satisfying 4g protein and 7g fat.
| Nutrition (per bomb) | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 107 |
| Total Carbs | 2g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Net Carbs | 1g |
| Fat | 7g |
| Protein | 4g |
“I made a double batch of these for our keto Super Bowl party and they were gone in 10 minutes! So addictively good.” – Mike R.
Creative Keto Bomb Fillings:
- Philly cheesesteak
- Buffalo chicken
- Jalapeño popper
- Pizza
- Taco
Serve them up with:
- Zesty keto ranch for dipping
- Buffalo cauliflower bites
- Crunchy keto pigskins
- Keto-friendly Bloody Marys
Benefits of Keto Cooking
Beyond just weight loss, committing to a low-carb keto lifestyle powered by creative, satisfying recipes offers a wide range of potential benefits:
Mental Clarity & Focus When your body is burning ketones for fuel, many report experiencing enhanced mental energy, concentration, and productivity. Say goodbye to mid-afternoon brain fog!
Reduced Inflammation The keto diet has been shown to lower markers of inflammation in the body, which may help with inflammatory conditions like arthritis, autoimmune disorders, and more (Source).
Therapeutic Applications Early research indicates keto may have therapeutic uses for varied conditions like epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, cancer, PCOS, and even slowing aging. More studies are still needed, but the potential is promising.
Easy, Healthy Swaps Committing to keto encourages getting creative in the kitchen with simple, healthy ingredient swaps that minimize processed foods and emphasize whole, nutrient-dense choices.
And most importantly…you get to enjoy decadent yet keto-friendly recipes like the ones in this post without sacrificing your weight loss and health goals!
Must-Have Keto Pantry Staples
To set yourself up for keto cooking success, it’s wise to keep a well-stocked low-carb pantry and kitchen. Be sure to have these keto essentials on hand:
Low-Carb Baking Ingredients:
- Almond flour
- Coconut flour
- Erythritol or monk fruit sweetener
- Psyllium husk powder
- Baking powder/soda
- Vanilla extract
- Cocoa powder
Keto-Approved Snacks:
- Beef jerky or meat sticks
- Keto protein bars
- Pork rinds
- Guacamole cups
- Keto trail mixes
- Olives and pickles
Fridge & Freezer Basics:
- Butter or ghee
- Cream cheese
- Heavy cream
- Bacon
- Eggs
- Frozen riced cauliflower
- Bone broth
With a well-stocked keto kitchen, you’ll be ready to improvise recipes and never get bored!
Tips for Sticking to Keto Long-Term
While the keto diet does come with a myriad of benefits, let’s not sugarcoat it – there can also be challenges, like:
- Carb Cravings: Cutting out entire food groups can trigger pesky cravings in the beginning.
- Keto Flu: When first entering ketosis, some experience headaches, fatigue, nausea and other symptoms that go away in a week or two.
- Social Situations: Dining out and social gatherings centered around food can test your willpower.
However, with some simple tips and adjustments, you can overcome these obstacles:
Curbing Carb Cravings
- Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated
- Ensure you’re getting enough electrolytes like sodium, potassium and magnesium
- Have permitted keto snacks on hand
- Remind yourself that cravings are temporary and pass more quickly if not indulged
Eating Out on Keto
- Study menus ahead of time to plan keto-friendly options
- Ask for substitutions or customize orders (e.g. salad instead of sandwich)
- Avoid breaded/fried items, opt for grilled proteins and veggies
- Be cautious of hidden sugars/carbs in sauces and dressings
Getting Family Involved
- Explain the benefits so they understand your reasons
- Cook keto-friendly meals the whole family can enjoy
- Ask for their patience and support for your healthy lifestyle changes
- Better yet, get them on board with keto too!
With delicious keto recipes to look forward to and some helpful strategies, you’ll be setup for sustainable long-term keto success.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve discovered these 2 krazy keto recipes – the irresistibly crispy cauliflower crust pizza and unbelievably cheesy bacon bombs – you’re well on your way to shaking up your low-carb menu in the most delicious way possible. But these dishes are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the endless culinary creativity the ketogenic diet allows.
By stocking up your keto pantry with the right ingredients and employing some helpful tips and tricks, you can continue coming up with all sorts of crazy keto concoctions to keep you feeling satisfied and energized on your journey. No bland chicken and broccoli here!
So don’t be afraid to get creative, indulge your tastebuds responsibly, and experience all the many incredible benefits this lifestyle has to offer. Keep that metabolic state cookin’ with krazy keto recipes!