These tender Keto Cranberry have a light fluffy crumb that is bursting with fresh cranberries. They’re easy to make and perfect for quick breakfasts or snacks.
I am not much of a hoarder, but I do have a tendency to hoard fresh cranberries in the fall. Once I start seeing them in the stores, I find myself buying a bag or two on every shopping trip. And although I already have a few bags stashed in my freezer, I can’t resist the call of these tart red berries.
All the better to make recipes like these Keto Cranberry Muffins, right? I also like to have them on hand for Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce and Keto Cranberry Orange Bread. Really, there is a never-ending supply of delicious low carb cranberry recipes!
Grab a bag (or five!) the next time you’re at the store, because there is so much keto baking to be done!
Why readers love this recipe
I created this recipe in 2016 and it was the first time I ever used my blender to make keto muffins. And I was utterly thrilled with the results. They came out so fluffy and with a delightfully fine crumb.
For anyone who thinks that almond flour can’t rival wheat flour for texture, this is the recipe you need to try! They are easy to whip up in your blender and the sour cream gives them an incomparable texture.
And they are bursting with fresh cranberries. I love how cranberries hold their shape but also release their juices while baking. All that tart flavor comes through perfectly.
Muffins like these are great for stocking your freezer. Simply place them into a ziplock freezer bag and freeze. They can last for several months. They can also be refrigerated for up to a week for easy keto breakfasts.
Reader Reviews
“I am so glad these are low carb, because they are so good!! Super soft & chewy from the cranberries. I did add nuts, because I love the crunch!” — Natalie
“I love these muffins, made them several times!! Very easy!! I put most in the freezer and when I want a little treat I have with a cup of tea and put a little cream cheese on the muffin!! Delicious! Sometimes I have for breakfast with coffee! Love your recipes. Thank you!!” — Charlotte
“I just made the recipe today, followed everything to the letter! AMAZING!!! I just loved eating that muffin, it’s my new recipe from now on. Many thanks for being so generous and sharing. This recipe is a 5***** one!” — Claire
Ingredient Notes
- Sour cream: I love using sour cream in baked goods like muffins and keto cakes. It makes them extra tender. You can also use Greek yogurt, but I recommend full fat for the best flavor.
- Almond flour: As with any almond flour recipe, the finer your flour, the finer the consistency. I always have good results with Bob’s Red Mill.
- Sweetener: I use an erythritol based sweetener but others may also work. Please see the Tips for Success for more information.
- Eggs: Be sure you bring them to room temperature first for smoother blending.
- Cranberries: Fresh cranberries will work best. You can also use frozen but make sure to thaw them first.
- Pecans: Other nut options include walnuts or almonds.
- Pantry staples: Vanilla extract, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
Step by Step Directions
1. Blend the wet ingredients: Combine the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract in a large blender jar. Blend about 30 seconds.
2. Add the dry ingredients: Add the almond flour, sweetener, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Blend again until smooth, about 30 seconds to a minute. If your batter is overly thick, add ¼ to ½ cup of water to thin it out (different brands of almond flour can vary).
3. Add the cranberries: By hand, stir in cranberries, keeping a few for the top of the muffins, and chopped pecans if using.
4. Bake the muffins: Divide the mixture in a muffin tin lined with parchment or silicone liners. Bake at 325ºF for 25 to 30 minutes, until just golden brown and firm to the touch. Remove and let cool completely.
Tips for Success
I like using a high-powered blender for this recipe, to really combine the batter and fluff it up a little. I am a huge fan of my BlendTec and it’s been going strong for over 12 years! You can blend it in a food processor as well. Mixing in a bowl is fine but you don’t get quite the fluffiness.
When baking keto muffin recipes, always use silicone or parchment paper liners. Regular paper liners stick badly and you lose too much of the muffin when trying to peel it off.
You aren’t limited to cranberries and pecans in this recipe. Let your imagination run wild! Lemon blueberry, cranberry orange, chocolate chip, you name it. You can use this as a basic keto muffin recipe and add in whatever you want.
These muffins should work with any kind of sweetener. Do keep in mind that if you use one that contains a lot of allulose, they will darken quickly in the oven. Keep your eye on them as you may need to take them out earlier. I also recommend using silicone muffin liners when baking with allulose.
Are cranberries good for you?
- Fresh cranberries are very low in carbs and high in fiber
- 1 cup of cranberries has only 12 grams of carbs
- They are full of phytonutrients and antioxidants
- They are anti-inflammatory
- Cranberries are high in vitamin C
- Beware of dried cranberries, as they are usually full of added sugars. I have a great recipe for sugar-free dried cranberries that you can make at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresh cranberries are very tart on their own so I don’t recommend eating them raw. But they don’t need to be cooked in advance when adding them to baked goods. They soften and release their juice so as long as the recipe is sweet, they will add a delightful tartness.
These muffins freeze very well so go ahead and make a big batch. Let the muffins cool completely and then place in an airtight container or freezer bag. They will last up to 3 months.
This keto cranberry muffin recipe has 8.4g of carbs and 3.9g of fiber per serving. That comes to 4.5g net carbs per muffin.
Keto Cranberry Muffin Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup sour cream
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups almond flour
- ½ cup Swerve Sweetener
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- ½ cup chopped pecans optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF and line a muffin tin with parchment or silicone liners.
- Combine the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract in a large blender jar. Blend about 30 seconds.
- Add the almond flour, sweetener, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Blend again until smooth, about 30 seconds to a minute. If your batter is overly thick, add ¼ to ½ cup of water to thin it out (different brands of almond flour can vary).
- By hand, stir in cranberries, keeping a few for the top of the muffins, and chopped pecans if using.
- Divide the mixture among the prepared muffin cups and bake 25 to 30 minutes, until just golden brown and firm to the touch.
- Remove and let cool completely.
Video
Notes
Kendall Reimer says
I made these today using Greek yogurt, frozen whole berries and Kirkland (Costco) fine almond flour. I found them a bit dry. Might it be because I used a stand mixer with the whisk attachment? I did add a extra 1/4c.of water to thin the batter out.
Carolyn says
It’s more likely that you over-baked them. But you shouldn’t be using a whisk attachment for muffins, it should be the paddle attachment.
Diana Barrett says
Before I make your Easy Low Carb Cranberry Muffins can you please tell me if the cranberries that you used are dried, frozen or from a tin or jar? Fresh are not available in New Zealand. Dried seems to be my main option so I was thinking of swapping for frozen cherries??? suggestions please.
Carolyn says
Whole raw cranberries but you can use frozen as well.
Julie B says
I just made these muffins. Oh my! They are so delicious . Mine didn’t brown as much as I would have liked, but I wonder if that is because I used BochaSweet as my sweetener. In any case, it doesn’t matter. They are light and fluffy, with just enough sweetness to counteract the tartness of the fresh cranberries. I used some Orange Oil extract, too, which added a nice zing.
Love this recipe and will use it to make lemon poppyseed muffins, blueberry muffins and may try to see if I can make a savory muffin with it.
Linda says
first time making these. I was pleasantly surprised. I used paper muffin cups and they did stick to it, but they were quite tasty. I used fresh cranberries that I had in my freezer. I love the tartness of them.
I did put in less fake sugar because I find it very sweet.
Thank you for this recipe as I will make them again with different fruits.
Colinda says
When I put these ingredients into a calculator, without pecans & cranberries, it says that the net carbs are 11 carbs per one muffin. (If the recipe makes 12 muffins). Maybe the recipe makes 24? The numbers don’t add up.
Carolyn says
They don’t add up because your calculator is add in the erythritol. Since it doesn’t affect blood sugar at all, it should not be counted as a carb.
Art says
I made these and they delicious but my blender must be much small it was a real pain!
How can I make these without using blender (could only hold about 1/3 mixture
or
What kind of blender did you use that had much more capacity?
Thanks
Carolyn says
YOu can mix it in a bowl, it’s just not as nice and fluffy. I have a blender that easily holds 8 cups!
S B says
Love this recipe! I have been eating these for years. Love the GF option. I was wondering what the nutritional information is without the sweetner? I feel the cranberries are sweet enough.
Vicki says
Just excellent. I used Greek yogurt in place of sour cream with no issues. Baked 30 minutes. So yummy and moist. I did use a little more lakanto since cranberries are very tart.
Jennie says
These are delicious. My husband who always dislikes my low carb recipes said these were really good.
Carolyn says
So good to hear!
Mary says
Made these with my granddaughter. Simple to make and she even said they were delicious. Made with raspberries and they turned out perfect. I froze them and when I defrosted then I was able to toast and put butter or cream cheese on them.
Carolyn says
Wonderful!
Mary Arnold says
The easiest Keto item I’ve ever made. Mixed up just like you said, in the blender. Baked 25 min. Beautifully raised and browned just right. Just like the recipe and instructions. I’m trying to wait for them to cool. The batter was delicious so I’m sure the muffins will be. Lol!
Zuly says
Hey Carolyn, quick question. Are you using dried cranberries or fresh. I have both on hand and I want to make this recipe soooo bad, lol. TIA
Zuly says
I meant to add that they look dried in the video but the ingredient list says 1 cup cranberries (not dried). I want to make sure I make them right, lol. Thanks again 😉
Carolyn says
Yes, okay… so the video was more about the base recipe. You can use fresh, as I did in the original recipe, you can use dried, or chocolate chips, or pecans or basically anything you want!
Linda says
Love this recipe! I always add orange extract. But I SURE wish you would include measurements in GRAMS! Makes a WORLD of difference!
Jan Gaebe says
I made the cranberry sour cream blender muffins with pecans and they were delicious! I can’t wait to make some more!
Jolene says
Can I use other sweeteners? What are some other options that might work?
Carolyn says
I think you need to read my primer on keto sweeteners. It will help! https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/best-keto-sweeteners/
Linda Lierman says
Can frozen cranberries be used? Should they be thawed before adding to the batter?
Carolyn says
Yes, they are fine and you can add them in frozen.
Mary says
Added water to thick batter and worked great! Fluffy and very little “graininess” that you get from almond flour sometimes. Pretty too! Used a Vitamix.
katerina @ diethood.com says
These low carb Cranberry Muffins are absolutely amazing! Perfect with my morning coffee!!
Toni says
These are really delicious muffins! Everyone at my house loved it!
Natalie says
I am so glad these are low carb, because they are so good!! Super soft & chewy from the cranberries. I did add nuts, because I love the crunch!