18 Festive and Nutritious Paleo, Low-Carb and Keto Holiday Recipes
- Celebrate without sacrificing your macros with keto holiday recipes and other low-carb and paleo dishes that support your lifestyle.
- Healthy holiday recipes that incorporate quality fats can help fuel your body and brain efficiently, thanks to the power of ketones.
- You don’t have to give up flavor and creativity when following low-carb holiday recipes. High-quality ingredients and a little love make a huge difference!
Were you left forkless and frowning when the pumpkin pie made its appearance on Thanksgiving? Well, we’re here to ensure you don’t make that same mistake twice! From Hanukkah latke making to Christmas cookie decorating, we’ve got plenty of keto holiday recipes and paleo treats to help you celebrate this season.
Even if you’ll be enjoying the festivities with a smaller crowd (social distancing doesn’t take holiday breaks), you can still impress your pandemic pod with a holiday spread filled with delicious—and nutritious—dishes.
While we’re leaving the main courses to you this year, we’ve rounded up 18 holiday recipes to accent your meal. Consider adding these tasty starters, sides, snacks, sweets and sips to your holiday table this year. No matter if you’re following paleo, keto, or a low-carb diet plan, you’ll be sure to find everything you need. And yes, there’s eggnog!
The importance of quality fats for holiday cooking
While a typical holiday meal often includes plenty of carbs from sides such as mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and buttery biscuits, that may not be the best way to fuel and satiate your body.
In reality, consuming quality fats should be the focus. But, why’s that?
Those who follow the keto diet or a low-carb approach consume more fats than carbs for several reasons. First, there are potential brain-boosting effects from ketones. Plus, when your body uses ketones for fuel, it runs more efficiently. (And believe me, this is a much better route than my guilty post-pasta carb crashes that have wreaked havoc on my plans for the rest of the day!)
And, you know that feeling of being hungry 20 minutes after you’ve downed some chips or other carb-heavy food? Ketones keep ghrelin (your hunger hormone) in check.[1] Plus, because fat is such a satiating macronutrient, you will feel fuller for longer. That means you’ll have more time to interact with friends and family during your holiday feast this year!
Wondering how to get an abundance of nutritious fats? You’re in luck. We’re ready to serve up the products that will fuel your body—and your low-carb, paleo or keto holiday recipes!
When cooking your holiday meal this year, consider Bulletproof staples like:
- Bulletproof Grass-Fed Ghee: Gluten-free and non-GMO, this rich and creamy fat can be the ideal source in helping you achieve flavorful and buttery veggie sides (caramelized Brussels sprouts, anyone?)
- Bulletproof C8 and C10 MCT Oil: Sourced from 100% pure coconut oil, this keto-friendly product helps fuel your body, curb cravings and help keep you sharp.
- Bulletproof Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil: Give your brain (and body) a super boost from this ketogenic MCT oil. Mix it into your morning coffee for a fat-fueled concoction that will give you plenty of energy to whip up some low-carb holiday recipes.
Before you get started, we have one final important MCT guideline for you. Unlike when cooking with coconut oil, which can tolerate a heat of up to 350°F, the smoke point of MCT oil is much lower, at around 320°F. So, make sure to adjust temperatures accordingly when cooking with MCT oil. (Those festive little gingerbread cookies definitely don’t deserve a holiday scorching!)
Holiday recipes for scrumptious starters, sides and snacks
Keeping your net carbs low during the holiday season can be a challenge. Especially when it comes to starters, sides and snacks.
But fear not! Whether you’re looking for an appetizer to start your holiday meal or you need a macro-friendly side dish recipe to complete your holiday table, we’ve got you covered.
1. Roasted Carrot Soup
There’s something magical about the sweet, savory flavor of carrots roasted in ghee that soothes the soul. When it comes to low-carb holiday recipes (less than 10g net carbs per serving!), this one definitely hits the mark.
2. Gluten-Free Vegetable Latkes
Fact: You can’t celebrate Hanukkah properly without homemade latkes. With a short but flavorful list of ingredients (and just five steps), this is one of the easiest paleo holiday recipes to make!
3. Roasted Butternut Squash
This is the way veggies are supposed to be treated. A tablespoon of MCT oil and a pinch of fresh herbs is all you need (along with a pre-heated oven) to turn basic butternut squash into something extraordinary!
4. Paleo Cauliflower Fritters
Thanks to Bulletproof Collagen Protein, this paleo-friendly recipe packs 42 grams of protein per serving. Take your holiday breakfast buffet to the next level, or serve them as a side (or latke alternative) with your festive dinner spread.
5. Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a staple of any holiday meal. Kick yours up a notch by incorporating coconut milk and ghee to achieve an amazingly smooth and creamy consistency while also giving your body quality fats.
6. Maple-Roasted Nut Mix With Turmeric and Black Pepper
Contrary to popular belief, keto recipes don’t always come with a complicated list of ingredients. A great snack option, this nut mix packs tons of flavor and quality fats and is incredibly easy to put together.
Pro tip: Use sugar-free maple syrup that’s sweetened with stevia or monk fruit in order to keep the net carb count down.
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Keto and low-carb holiday recipes for sweet treats
Pecan pie, mint chocolate chip cookies and cheesecake may be tasty, but they aren’t exactly healthy holiday recipes.
Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t whip up some macro-friendly desserts to finish your holiday meal on a sweet note. After all, aren’t the holidays all about celebrating and having fun?
Here are some sweet treats that may work for keto, paleo or low-carb dieters.
7. Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing
These aren’t your grade school sugar cookies… The refreshing taste of coconut pairs perfectly with the zestiness from the lemon icing. And at 4g net carbs per cookie, this low-carb holiday recipe won’t mess up your macros!
8. Chocolate-Cinnamon Keto Donuts
Keto holiday recipes that look and taste as good as this one don’t come around very often. Instead of using almond flour, this donut recipe uses banana flour to keep the carb count really low. If you’re craving jelly donuts for Hanukkah—aka sufganiyot—coat these treats with some quick and easy low-carb strawberry jam!
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9. Keto No-Bake Ginger Shortbread Cookies
These keto cookies will be a huge hit at your holiday celebration, and you don’t even need an oven to make them! All you need are Vanilla Shortbread Collagen Protein Bars, Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil, coconut butter and ginger and you’ll have a flavorful, keto-friendly cookie in no time! (Well, 20 minutes, actually.)
10. Paleo Mexican Wedding Cakes
Paleo holiday recipes like this one can take traditional cookies to the next level, thanks to added nutrition. Plus, ’tis the season for yummy snowball cookies…amirite?
Pro tip: These buttery pecan bites will taste even better on Christmas morning with a warm cup of Bulletproof Coffee.
11. Carrot Cake Collagen Muffins
Veggies and protein all in one tasty, easy-to-eat dish? Yes! Sign me up for all the carrot cake things this holiday season.
12. Keto Fudge 3 Ways
Impress your holiday guests with three different types of fudge that fit well within the ketogenic diet. You’ll forget all about traditional chocolate fudge that’s sweetened with sugar after you take your first bite…or two… or three…
13. Keto Rocky Road Bars
It almost seems impossible that keto holiday recipes could be as delicious and as these chewy, chocolatey rocky road bars—and not kick you out of ketosis. Each one has just 2.5g net carbs. Two words: portion control!
14. Lemon Drizzle Cake
Full disclaimer: I am a sucker for sour flavors. So if you’re like me, this tart and sweet lemon drizzle cake hits the spot. You can cut out some sugar by swapping the maple syrup for a keto-friendly liquid sweetener.
15. Keto Tres Leches Cake
A sweet addition to any holiday dessert spread, this traditional Latin cake can now be devoured, without refined sugar and a high carb count! Plus, you’ll find added benefits from two Bulletproof products that will help you access more quality fats and protein: Bulletproof French Vanilla Creamer and Bulletproof Vanilla Bean Energy Collagen Protein.
Related: Keto Desserts That’ll Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Festive sips to soothe the soul
The holidays include much more than baked goods and fancy dinner spreads…
Whether you want to start your morning strong or finish the night off right, here are a few festive drinks that still qualify as healthy holiday recipes.
16. Keto Peppermint Mocha
Keto dieters will love this concoction that combines the richness of chocolate with the bite of peppermint for a satisfying serving of fat- and protein-fueled goodness.
17. Creamy Spiced Eggnog
You’ve never had eggnog quite like this one. The addition of collagen protein adds more purpose than a celebration to this spiced, low-carb, custardy cup!
18. Golden Turmeric Latte
Tumeric makes for an excellent health-supporting ingredient. Start your holiday vacation off with a latte that also contains quality fats and protein.
As you can see, it’s entirely possible to enjoy the holidays while following a paleo, keto or low-carb lifestyle this year—and always! Additionally, if you find yourself with leftovers taking up too much fridge space, you can get creative with extra holiday eats so no food goes to waste. Happy Holidays!
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