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14 Ways to Use Cacao Nibs with Keto Recipes

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Out of all of the different cacao foods, the nibs are the most confusing and hardest to approach. I’m often asked, “What are the ways to use cacao nibs?”

A glass with smoothie topped with cacao nibs.
Credit to Healthful Pursuit

Many people are interested but have no idea where to begin.

We love cacao powder mixed into a healthy hot chocolate and brownie batter. Creamy cacao butter is known as the main ingredient in white chocolate. Cacao paste gets featured in fudge and chocolate bars. Cacao nibs… well, hum, how?

Let’s start for the beginning. Everyone knows about chocolate. But where does it come from?

From the chocolate tree, of course! Kidding…

Well, only slightly. The crude form of chocolate does, in fact, grow on trees.

The theobroma cacao tree, grows fruit pods filled with cacao beans which are then harvested, dried, and transformed into various cacao products or further processed into baking chocolate, cocoa powder, and chocolate bars.

What are “Cacao Nibs” Anyway?

Quite simply, cacao nibs are unprocessed cacao beans that have been peeled, dried, fermented, and coarsely chopped into crunchy, bitter chocolate crumb-like pieces.

They have a bold, robust flavor and satisfying, crisp texture. Crunchy like a nut, they contrast well in smoothies, ice cream, and soft baked goods like muffins, cakes, and bars.

About the same size as chocolate chips, they are similar in some regards and differ in others. While they can’t be a direct replacement because they don’t melt and aren’t as sweet, cacao nibs are delicious in all the same kinds of recipes. Think chocolate chip pancakes, chocolate chip cookies, sweet breads, chocolate candies, and more!

8 Ways to Use Cacao Nibs

Nibs provide texture, flavor, and visual appeal. They can be easily added into any of your favorite easy keto recipes for an extra touch of chocolate! Sprinkle nibs on top of a smoothie, over keto ice cream, and into fudge or muffin batter.

1
A cup of no churn keto ice cream with a spoon.
Mason Jar Keto Ice Cream
Keto mason jar ice cream is the easiest sugar-free ice cream recipe! You only need four ingredients (or just three ingredients for vanilla ice cream) and less than 10 total minutes of prep time. Plus, no ice cream maker needed for this frozen keto treat – just shake, freeze, serve and enjoy!
Check out this recipe
2
Keto chocolate mousse in a glass with strawberry on a wooden surface.
Chocolate Avocado Keto Mousse
Keto avocado chocolate mousse whips five ingredients into a light and fluffy, no-cook dessert you can make in 10 minutes or less. It’s a delicious sugar-free, low-carb treat for anyone with a chocolate craving.
Check out this recipe
3
Three stacked oat and chocolate chip cookie bars sit on a white plate, with extra chocolate chips scattered around.
Keto Banana Breakfast Bars
These easy keto breakfast bars have a sweet banana flavor and a tender, oatmeal-like texture. They’re packed full of protein, and fiber to really satisfy.
Check out this recipe
4
Keto Fat-Burning Iced Blended Coffee
Keto Fat-Burning Iced Blended Coffee
Burn fat all morning with this creamy, vegan, keto frappuccino recipe. Specifically made to assist women in regulating hormones and abolishing cravings.
Check out this recipe
5
Oatmeal cookies with white icing drizzle are cooling on a wire rack, offering a delicious twist if you're looking for new ways to use cacao nibs—simply sprinkle them on top before the icing sets for added crunch and rich chocolate flavor.
Low Carb Coconut Chip Cookies
Swap standard chocolate chips for bitter cacao nibs and coconut to give your cookie jar a quick upgrade. Beyond their chewy, crunchy texture, the nibs deliver a heavy dose of magnesium that naturally quiets stubborn sweet cravings. The result is a simple keto treat with more heart-healthy antioxidants than a bowl of blueberries or a cup of green tea.
Check out this recipe
6
Keto Chocolate Ice Cream
Keto Chocolate Ice Cream
You can whip up a batch of this incredible low carb chocolate ice cream with just 7 ingredients! Cure your chocolate craving with keto chocolate ice cream.
Check out this recipe
7
Coconut Oil Fat Bombs with Cacao Nibs and Flake Salt
Coconut Oil Fat Bombs with Cacao Nibs and Flake Salt
Three-ingredient, coconut oil and raw cacao fat bombs. Sweetened with stevia and layered with cacao nibs and flake salt. A filling vegan and keto snack recipe.
Check out this recipe
8
Cacao Peanut Butter Fat Bombs (Gluten Free, Grain Free, Keto, Vegan + Low Sugar)
Cacao Peanut Butter Fat Bombs (Gluten Free, Grain Free, Keto, Vegan + Low Sugar)
Cacao Peanut Butter Fat Bombs taste indulgent, but they’re actually filling & fueling! These fat bombs are a gluten-free, keto, vegan, and low-sugar treat.
Check out this recipe

You can now see how many ways to use cacao nibs there are for easy and delicious keto recipes! Hope you are inspired by these recipes for a keto diet as much as I am!

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2 Comments

  1. Thank you for the list! I just passed cacao Debs to put on top of my nondairy low carb ice cream. I didn’t know what else I could do with them.

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