Some days just start better with a big old bowl of cereal — and this low carb cereal is here to make that happen for you.
Once you try a bite of this crispy, sweet and coco puff-like low carb cereal, you’ll wonder why you ever feel into a sugar comma over that glutinous store bought stuff. Because this low carb cereal is every bit as tasty, is packed with protein, and is here to start your day right!
So turn on that oven and let’s make some coco puff low carb cereal!
How to Make Low Carb Cereal
This low carb cereal recipe is dedicated to my fellow low carbers who grew up on Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs and all those other sugar bombs.
Because, Lucky Charms has 22 grams of carbs in ¾ cup, and Cocoa Puffs have 23 grams — those of us sticking to low carb foods don’t want that! Introducing this low carb cereal, with a much different nutritional breakdown…
There are two ways to make this tasty low carb cereal, squares or puffs — both of which start with a low carb cereal dough:
Making the dough is as simple as tossing your low carb cereal ingredients in a bowl and mixing everything together. Be sure to use softened peanut butter! Without it, combining your ingredients will be nearly impossible.
Soften the PB by tossing it on a microwave safe bowl and into the microwave for a few minutes, checking every 30 seconds until it’s nice and soft.
Low Carb Cereal Squares.
Low carb cereal squares take much less time to make, and give you more of the craveable crunch factor we all love in regular cereal. If you’re making low carb cereal square, I suggest using creamy low carb peanut butter, as the chunks will make it hard to roll the dough into a thin and even layer.
I used a pizza cutter to make my low carb cereal squares — alternatively you can use a ravioli cutter or extra small cookie cutters.
Low Carb Cereal “Puffs”.
This low carb cereal option is here to scratch the nostalgic itch for cocoa puffs, but they takes much longer to make.
The trick here is the keep your hands damp while rolling the dough into small puffs — it’s a tedious task, but when you’re done, you’ll love every crunchy bite!
Low Carb Breakfast Cereal Variations
I know some of you don’t love using protein powder in your low carb recipes. I will say that it makes a HUGE difference in this low carb breakfast cereal, as it’s what gives this low carb cereal it’s crunch.
When testing low carb cereal recipes, I tried using almond flour (like many of the recipes you’ll find online). I was super disappointed in the lack of crunch, and thought they tasted more like low carb brownie bites than a cereal.
So, yes, you can swap low carb protein powder for almond flour in this recipe — but keep in mind your low carb cereal will lose its crunch!
As far as other low carb cereal keto variations go — feel free to swap peanut butter with almond butter, or any nut butter you prefer. I haven’t tried this low carb cereal with different flavor of protein powder, if you do, let me know what you think in the comment below!
The type of low carb protein powder you choose is important — if you don’t like the flavor of your protein powder pre- low carb cereal, you’re not going to like it in the final product. Find one you love before you spend the time making this recipe!
I switch back and forth between this vegan protein powder and this whey protein powder — both are delicious, low carb and packed with protein!
Milk For Keto Cereal
Most of you probably know this already, but regular milk is high in carbs — so don’t go pouring it over your hard keto cereal work! Instead opt for a low carb milk substitute, such as almond or coconut milk. They’re incredibly delicious and low in carbs!
Other Ways To Eat This Sugar Free Cereal
For those of you who are sugar free cereal fanatics like me, you’ll want to find as many ways to enjoy this low carb cereal as possible. Here are some ideas:
- Sprinkle it into low carb Greek yogurt along with some low carb fruits (strawberries, raspberries, etc.)
- Low carb snacks mix — great to bring in a baggie when you’re out and about. Add salted low carb nuts and dried raspberries (no sugar added) for a delicious trio.
- Low carb desserts topping — think of them as cookie crumbles to top your favorite sugar free white chocolate bars or low carb fudge recipes!
Other Options For Low Carb Cereals
Unfortunately, there’s no special k low carb cereal or low carb cereal walmart sells, so you’ve gotta make your own low carb cereal recipe. Luckily, there are some ridiculously delicious low carb cereals for diabetics:
Low Carb Granola
Similar to a low carb muesli, but WAY better. This low carb granola is a combination of your favorite keto nuts, combined with cinnamon and just the right amount of sweetness. Tastes delicious over yogurt or milk!
Chocolate Keto Granola
This keto granola is absolutely ridiculous — in the best possible way! Bake it into low carb cereal bars for an on the go solution!
Low Carb Cereal Recipe
I can’t wait to hear what you think of this low carb cereal recipe! Did you make low carb cereal squares or puffs? Let me know in the comments below, and enjoy!
pinLow Carb Cereal
Ingredients
- 2/3 Cup Chocolate Protein Powder
- 1 Egg
- 1/4 Cup Peanut Butter , softened!
- 1 Tablespoon Erythritol , or sweetener of choice
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
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To make cocoa puff balls (takes a LOT more time, but they’re REALLY fun): pinch a little thumbnail sized amount of dough and roll between your hands to form a ball. Place on the baking sheet. Bake for 8 minutes, then take baking sheet from oven and carefully move the balls around so they cook on the other side. Place bake in the oven and cook another 5 minutes. Allow to cool and enjoy!
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To make squares: Place dough on a piece of parchment paper, with a second piece of parchment on top. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a thin and even layer about 1/4-1/8” thick. Remove the top piece of parchment paper. Using a pizza cutter, cut into small squares (about 1”). Bake in the oven for 5 minutes, then take baking sheet from oven and carefully break up the squares (so they’re no longer connected). Bake for another 7 minutes. Allow to cool and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- As cute as the low carb cereal cocoa puffs are, they take a ton of time! Make the squares to save yourself some time.
- Nutritional value will change based on the low carb protein powder you use! I use this whey chocolate protein powder, or this plant based chocolate protein powder.
Nutritional Information
Nutrition information will vary based on the specific products. To be safe, check the nutrition facts labels of your products. Optional object listed above have been left out of nutritional data.
Gluten Free Cereal
If you’re more of a gluten free-er than a low carb-er, check out this list of gluten free cereals I threw togethers (before I was diagnosed with diabetes). You’ll be shocked to see that some of your childhood favorites make the list!
What is a serving size? This is next on my list! Do you think you could make a vanilla cinnamon one? How would I adjust it?
Hi Kari! There are 2 servings per recipe — since everyone will form different sized squares this is the most accurate way to count. And yes, vanilla cinnamon would be delicious! Try this recipe with vanilla protein powder instead of chocolate and add cinnamon 🙂