14 Best Pre-Packaged Keto-Friendly Snacks, Ranked
If you've ever tried the keto diet, you understand how challenging it can be to stick with it. Your meals should have high amounts of fat, some protein, and minimal carbohydrates, and cheating isn't exactly a thing. What makes things more difficult is the lack of accessibility to delicious, pre-packaged, low-carb products. Today, the keto food market is booming, but not all snacks are created equal, and your taste buds generally know that to be true at first bite.
A typical homemade keto treat consists of celery and cream cheese or a ham and cheese roll-up with avocado, both of which take prepping and pre-planning. It's especially important to track carbs and count calories if you're on the keto diet for weight loss. In a modern world where everyone is always on the go, having pre-packaged keto-friendly snacks is more than ideal. With all that hard work, dieters deserve a break — and a tasty one at that!
Since the diet has gained popularity over the years, companies have honed in on creating conveniently packaged treats for all low-carb eaters. We chose 14 pre-packaged keto snacks available and rated them from worst to best based on taste, convenience, and keto-friendliness.
14. Wonderworks Keto Friendly Cereal
Creating keto-friendly cereal that's even remotely comparable to a sugary childhood classic is undoubtedly a challenge right from the get-go. Wonderworks tried but sadly did not meet our high expectations. While the texture of each puff is pretty spot on at first, you tend to miss that detail over the overpowering powdery mouthfeel of what should be chocolate or peanut butter. It then turns into an unpleasant gummy mouthful of chalky cereal afterward, making things worse. We tried to imagine we were eating Cocoa Puffs or Cap'n Crunch's Peanut Butter Crunch, but our imagination just didn't cut it.
If you look forward to slurping down the sweetened chocolate milk after a bowl, you won't get that with Wonderworks chocolate cereal, either. After letting it sit for over 15 minutes, the almond milk still presented its original hues and didn't boast any chocolatey swirls of flavor.
After subtracting dietary fiber, sugar alcohols, and allulose, you'll find that each serving of the cereal contains only three grams of net carbs (via Wonderworks). While keto-friendly and convenient to grab a box and munch on the snack, you'll pay $8.39 per container (as of November 2022), which is a bit too pricey if you ask us. Sorry, Wonderworks: We wanted to enjoy your product so badly, but it just didn't hit the spot.
13. Ella's flats
Ella's flats are another crispy and crunchy treat you can find at your local supermarket next time you plan to go shopping. You have plenty of options with flavors like sesame, hemp, spicy, caraway, cumin, and "everything." They are tasty and could potentially serve as a snack, though not a satiating one.
Depending on which flavor you choose, you're looking at between zero to four grams of net carbs and 160 to 180 calories per serving. While most options make for a yummy snack on the keto diet, the serving size is pretty tiny (via Ella's flats). Three flats make up one serving, meaning you're looking at over 300 calories if you love them and decide to eat another three thin pieces.
However, these snacks work great if you need a crunchy low-carb salad topper or something to dip into homemade guacamole. Otherwise, there are a few alternative options for something a little more satisfying to the tummy.
12. Cabot Seriously Sharp cheddar cheese snack sticks
Cheese often makes an excellent snack on the keto diet. When you're in the mood for a little umami boost of flavor, a Cabot's Seriously Sharp cheddar cheese stick will surely meet those needs.
Each serving contains seven grams of total fat, with more than half being saturated, the unhealthy fats you want to avoid (via healthline). Keep that in mind if you're keeping track of heart-healthy foods. Then again, one cheese stick only has 80 calories and only one gram of net carbs, which will help when you need a salty treat to kick that hunger (per Cabot).
One downside to these tasty cheese snacks is that they need consistent refrigeration to stay fresh, making them less convenient than other pre-packaged options. If you work from home or have a fridge at your office, feel free to store a package in the refrigerator. However, if you have a busy lifestyle that requires a lot of driving and on-the-go, this might not be your best option.
11. :ratio keto friendly yogurt
Some yogurts are a no-go on the keto diet, considering how much added sugar goes into a small serving. While enjoying it as a snack is possible, always check nutritional facts before grabbing a container.
Luckily, more and more low-sugar options are becoming available today, which is excellent for anyone on the keto diet. The keto-friendly yogurt from :ratio is one of the best available on the market. With 15 grams of total fat, only two grams of net carbs, and 200 calories per container, it's an excellent option to consider (via :ratio). The texture is light and fluffy without feeling excessively whipped, and the triple berry flavor is lovely. Both the peach and coconut varieties are nice too.
The only issue here is that yogurt needs refrigeration to keep fresh. So it's not a snack you can throw in your car for a rainy day or travel with without a cooler. It's a pre-packaged (and pre-portioned) treat which is excellent, but it's a perishable product that needs to be consumed within a few weeks of being purchased.
10. Pearls Olives to Go
Don't get us wrong here; we enjoy olives. They bring a briny, fragrant quality to several recipes and pair well with fish, poultry, and much more. Whether you're making Mediterranean braised chicken or a quick spaghetti with clams and green olives, they are a fabulous addition.
A small Olives to Go container makes for a great treat for an afternoon pick-me-up. The kalamata variety contains zero net carbs, 10 grams of total fat, and only 100 calories per every one-cup serving — making them both keto-friendly and appropriate for a snack size (via Pearls).
But let's get real here. When deprived of your favorite snacks for so long, your first thought isn't, "Wow. I could go for a cup of olives right now." It's probably more like, "Where can I find some cookies and chips?" Yes, they are healthy. Yes, they are convenient and very low-carb. But they just don't provide that much-needed "oomph" to curb a real-life craving you will undoubtedly encounter while on the keto diet. If you find yourself wanting olives on the regular, we won't judge. Eat those briny stone fruits and enjoy every bite.
9. Rib Rack pork rinds
Pork rinds are a crispy, processed snack made by frying pig skin. They are super popular in the keto world for being very low in carbohydrates and high in fat. Plus, they are the closest potato chip alternative for the diet. The savory flavor and crispy texture curb that craving when robbed of chips for too long.
The truth about pork rinds is that they've become so popular with the keto crowd that folks crush them up to coat chicken, top casseroles, and even make cookies. So why haven't they made it to the top of our list, you ask? While they are technically healthier than potato chips, they can still affect your heart: A half-ounce serving has between 300 and 420 milligrams of sodium (per Rib Rack).
We were curious to see what a half-ounce serving looked like; only 10 medium-sized pieces made up a full portion. Considering how delicious they are, you'll likely exceed your limit in a few handfuls taking your (already high) sodium levels up a notch. The chile lime had a lovely piquant tang, and the subtle sweetness of the barbecue-flavored variety complemented beautifully with the salty pork rinds. Still, if you're watching your sodium intake, you might consider sticking to other natural snacks.
8. Justin's classic almond butter
Almond butter is an excellent fat source and is super convenient when you need an energy boost. These little packets from Justin's carry a whopping 220 calories in a 1.15-ounce pouch (via Justin's). So, if you're counting calories, you might miss out on a larger plate with more ingredients and flavors. However, if you're constantly on the go and don't always have time to eat a full meal, the 19 grams of fat in these packs will help you get some sustenance while on the keto diet.
The natural flavor is lovely with no added sugar, and the compact packet can be conveniently stored in your backpack or handbag. One ingredient that might steer you from enjoying most pre-packaged nut butters is the use of palm oil, which is rooted in controversy. Between the palm oil industry often causing concern for climate change and the effect it has on endangered species, it's an ingredient many people avoid.
Fortunately, Justin's focuses on responsibly sourcing all its ingredients, including palm oil, to ensure sustainable practices are being met on the farm (via Justin's). So, throw a pack in your bag, and whip it out anytime you need a quick energy boost.
7. Gimme roasted seaweed snacks
Gimme roasted seaweed snacks differ from most pre-packaged keto treats because they are filled with many healthy ingredients. According to gimme, seaweed carries beta-carotene, fiber, and iron, and the product is made using only three ingredients: organic seaweed, sunflower oil, and sea salt.
One package contains only 30 calories and zero net carbs, making it a fantastic low-calorie product to enjoy on its own. If you don't love the taste, you'll have difficulty eating the entire package, and seaweed isn't the most filling snack. However, if you love the flavor, it can help enhance several dishes, thanks to its unique umami boost. Feel free to crumble it up and add it to salads, cooked vegetables, and other keto-friendly meals.
Another plus is that snacking on seaweed helps marine ecosystems as companies harvest seaweed through regenerative farming. With all the meat you're likely eating on the keto diet, replacing it with seaweed now and then will also help lower your carbon footprint.
6. Atkins keto peanut butter cups
If you're a peanut butter fanatic, then we're guessing Reese's Cups are your all-time favorite sweet treat when you need a little pick-me-up. No other brand does it better than Reese's, but when low-sugar, low-carb needs get in the way, you will have to find an alternative.
So, when your taste buds are calling for that oh-so-sweet chocolate and peanut butter combination, Atkins' keto peanut butter cups are the closest thing you'll get to a victory. One serving is loaded with 14 grams of total fat and only two grams of net carbohydrates after subtracting dietary fiber and erythritol from total carbs (per Atkins).
When you eat a lot of savory foods like cheese, nuts, and meat on the keto diet, your yearning for something sweet can be pretty killer. This 160-calorie dessert treat is an excellent snack-sized portion to celebrate your hard work after a tough day on a restrictive diet. Plus, for being so low in sugar, this product does a pretty bang-up job in the flavor category.
5. Fat Snax almond flour crackers
The Fat Snax brand makes tasty keto-friendly treats using only clean ingredients. You'll find cookies in double chocolate, snickerdoodle, and chocolate chip varieties, as well as cracker flavors like cheddar, "everything," original sea salt, and rosemary olive oil (via Fat Snax).
As soon as you open a bag of the cheddar crackers, you'll notice a slight almond-cheese aroma rise and invite you in for a taste. After one bite, you'll find they resemble classic Cheez-Its enough to call them the keto-version of precisely that. While the texture is less crispy, and the flavor isn't an exact replica, Fat Snax does make crackers that anyone on a keto diet can enjoy. Many find them difficult to put down, so if you're watching your sodium intake, keep in mind one serving of approximately 17 crackers has 280 mg of sodium. Then again, you're looking at a 130-calorie snack with only 2-3 net carbs, depending on your selected flavor (per Fat Snax).
If you fancy a few cheesy crackers and need something to dip into guacamole or a keto ranch dip, then you will really enjoy Fat Snax.
4. HighKey mini chocolate chip cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are amongst some of the most nostalgic and delicious treats from one's childhood, but unfortunately, keto-friendly versions are hard to come by. Longings become especially difficult if you find yourself in the baking mood during the cold months of winter. If the time comes, don't tempt yourself with the aroma of caramelized butter and sugar by making a batch if you know you can't enjoy a few yourself.
Instead, grab a bag of HighKey cookies and indulge a little. A serving of seven little morsels is 130 calories and only contains one gram of net carbs after dietary fiber and erythritol are subtracted from the total carbohydrates (via HighKey). They boast a lovely combination of soft and crunchy and give you that sweetness satisfaction you'll often crave on a keto diet. If you choose to try these, we recommend steering clear from ordering them online because they're prone to break easily and sometimes get delivered as bags of crumbs.
3. Whisps Cheese Crisps
We can't say enough about Whisps Cheese Crisps! Nothing quite matches the satisfying crunch of these oh-so-cheesy treats. The brand offers several flavors, including barbecue, garlic herb, asiago pepper jack, nacho, tangy ranch, cheddar, and parmesan, all of which are made with 100% real cheese!
You'll even find keto-friendly crisp and nut mixes, which compare closely to Chex Mix if that's your poison. Whether you purchase a variety pack or a few baggies to munch on through the week, you'll love the bursts of umami in every bite.
The cheese crisps are a bit high in sodium, but the snack's flavor, texture, and overall deliciousness trump that without even thinking twice. With only one gram of net carbs in both cheddar (our favorite) and parmesan, these buttery treats are undoubtedly a tasty keto snack (via Whisps Cheese Crisps). Aside from snacking, you'll love adding these to soups, salads, and even keto-friendly charcuterie boards next time you have guests over.
2. Enlightened butter pecan ice cream
Ice cream lovers rejoice! We have found a keto-friendly cold dessert that will blow your mind. We didn't think it was possible; in fact, we almost decided to skip giving the low-carb ice cream a chance, but boy, are we glad we went for it. We were worried that artificial flavors would come through, but the rich, buttery treat was spot on and didn't taste like an imitation whatsoever. The dotted pecans throughout each spoonful and swirled into the creamy cold dessert provided an authentic delight that we loved. It felt like we were eating non-keto ice cream.
According to Enlightened, each pint comes with three servings. One serving comes with 17 carbohydrates, but once the fiber, sugar alcohol, and allulose are subtracted from the equation, you are looking at about two net carbs per serving. If you're having one of those days, and a whole pint is the only way to fix your troubles, you're looking at about five grams of carbs. We don't recommend it, but hey, we won't judge.
Whether you're on the keto diet or not, Enlightened butter pecan ice cream is out-of-this-world delicious.
1. NuTrail keto blueberry cinnamon granola
After trying a handful of NuTrail blueberry cinnamon granola, we were hooked by each morsel's natural and tasty flavors. Not only is a serving both satisfying and delicious, but the combination of ingredients will give your taste buds an overabundance of joy.
The snack is keto-friendly and low-carb, but it's insanely wholesome and scrumptious, too. You will find sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, coconut chips, almonds, and pecans in every bite, with bursts of blueberry and cinnamon gently coated over every crispy cluster. Plus, one serving boasts 15 grams of healthy fats and four grams of protein, and you'll never have to worry about GMOs in this product.
Forget keto-friendly cereals; this granola is delicious with a bit of keto-friendly milk and pairs beautifully with a bowl of :ratio mixed berry yogurt. Considering one serving contains 160 calories and only two net carbs, you're looking at a pretty wise way to start your day (via NuTrail).
Next time you find yourself in the granola aisle, grab a bag to try; it's worth every penny.