There is a reason that my Keto Nanaimo Bars are widely considered the best. It was my favorite dessert as a kid! And as a stickler for taste and texture, I worked overtime to make this recipe as close to the original as possible. Now it’s one of my most popular no-bake keto desserts.
They’re almost as popular as my keto peanut butter bars, and that’s saying something!
If you are scratching your head, wondering exactly what they are, you are not alone. They aren’t a well-known dessert outside of Canada, although they have has become increasingly popular in the United States. They consist of a dense chocolate crust, a sweet vanilla layer that’s somewhere between frosting and pudding, and a rich chocolate topping. And once you try my low carb Nanaimo bars, you will be hooked.
Wondering how to pronounce the name? Repeat after me: “Na-Nigh-Mo”. Nanaimo. It’s a small city on Vancouver Island, and originally comes from the anglicized version of a First Nations word meaning “big, strong tribe”.
Reader’s Thoughts
“These are one of the best desserts I’ve ever had. We LOVE them, especially the crust, which I’ve been using for all kinds of keto deserts. There are a lot of steps here, but the final product is worth it!” — Zhenya
Why you will love this recipe
- Three indulgent layers: My keto version has the same rich chocolate base, creamy custard filling, and a silky chocolate topping as the original.
- Made with healthier ingredients: This recipe contains no instant pudding mix or custard powder, just high-quality keto-friendly staples.
- Freezer-friendly: You can make these bars in advance for holidays, potlucks, or just to have some sweet treats on hand.
- Customizable: You can easily adapt these bars to be dairy-free or nut-free.
- Canadian nostalgia: My fellow Canadians will be delighted to enjoy Nanaimo bars again, without blowing their macros!
- Crowd-pleaser: I’ve served these bars to keto dieters and non-keto folks alike. Everyone always loves them!
Ingredient notes
- Heavy whipping cream: This helps make the luscious vanilla cream filling for these bars.
- Almond or hemp milk: I updated the filling with a bit of nut milk to lighten it up just a touch. You can use all heavy cream if you prefer.
- Sweetener: I recommend using powdered sweetener for both the crust and the filling.
- Cream cheese: Conventional Nanaimo bars don’t use any cream cheese, but this allows for a thicker filling without using a ton of sweetener.
- Cocoa powder: I prefer Dutch process cocoa powder as it has a deeper, richer chocolate flavor.
- Almond flour: This replaces the graham cracker crumbs in the original bars.
- Shredded coconut: If you really don’t enjoy coconut, you can use more almond flour instead.
- Nuts: Nanaimo bars almost always have some chopped nuts in the crust.
- Sugar free chocolate: Do note that this isn’t the same as unsweetened chocolate, which contains no sweetener whatsoever. You do want some sweetness in the topping. I usually use Lily’s dark chocolate.
- Kitchen staples: Butter, eggs, vanilla extract and salt.
Recipe overview: How to make Keto Nanaimo Bars
Don’t be daunted by the long ingredient list and lengthy instructions. These are actually quite easy to make, require no baking and are undoubtably worth it. And you get a little taste of Canada into the mix!
- Make some pastry cream: Traditional Nanaimo bars use custard powder for the unique texture and flavor. But custard powder contains cornstarch which isn’t keto friendly. My solution is to create an actual vanilla custard (aka pastry cream) to add to the filling. Preparing pastry cream is very much like making keto pudding on the stove.
- Prepare the crust: The ingredients for the no-bake crust are cooked together in a saucepan for a few minutes. This helps them bind together well before pressing the mixture evenly into a square baking pan. Then the crust is chilled for a little while to set and firm up.
- Complete the filling: While the crust is chilling, beat the cream cheese together with the butter until it’s nice and smooth, then beat in the the cooled pastry cream until combined. Don’t over-beat is as it can begin to separate. Some additional powdered sweetener gives it the classic Nanaimo bar flavor.
- Add the topping: Melt the chocolate and butter and spread evenly over the filling and let set.
Tips for Success
I created an early version of these keto Nanaimo bars back when I first started out on my low carb journey. Not being quite as adept at low carb dessert as I am now, I relied on sugar-free pudding mix to replace the standard custard powder. But I don’t use these things anymore as they have usually contain questionable ingredients.
My solution to this dilemma? Creating a real vanilla custard and mixing that into cream cheese and butter to achieve the requisite flavor and consistency of conventional Nanaimo bars. It’s so good and making custard (pastry cream) is easier than you think.
But keep a close eye on it! Mixtures like this can thicken up suddenly and you don’t want it to curdle. Be sure to stay close to your stove and not walk away while it’s cooking. And make this part first, as indicated in the recipe, so it has time to cool before you add it to the filling.
Chocolate toppings like this can crack as you try to cut them into bars. I recommend heating up your knife so that it slices through the chocolate more easily. I do this over the flame of my gas stove but dipping it into a glass of hot water works as well.
Dairy-Free Option: If you can’t tolerate dairy, you can use coconut cream and your favorite butter substitute in the pastry cream. For the crust and topping, coconut oil or another butter substitute will work nicely. Cut back to 6 tablespoons of coconut oil for the crust as it can be more greasy.
Nut-Free Option: Replace the almond flour with sunflower seed flour and use hemp milk or another nut-free milk for the pastry cream.
Sweetener Options
The sweetener you choose for this recipe definitely has an impact on how it turns out. The crust can be made with your favorite powdered sweetener, but the filling is more finicky. I’ve made it with both erythritol and allulose, and while both technically work, allulose can make it extra soft. This means it takes longer to set properly and it can be a little squishy when you try to cut the bars.
So I recommend erythritol for the filling. If you want to cut back on it more, you can use a little concentrated sweetener like stevia or monk fruit extract.
Frequently Asked Questions
This keto nanaimo bar recipe has 6.8g of carbs and 3.3g of fiber per serving. That comes to 3.5g net carbs per bar.
Store the bars in a covered container on the counter for up to 4 days or in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
Keto Nanaimo Bars Recipe
Ingredients
Pastry Cream
- 1/3 cup (78.86 ml) whipping cream
- 3 tbsp (45.65 g) almond or hemp milk
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup (47.5 g) powdered sweetener
- Pinch salt
- 1 1/2 tbsp (21.3 g) butter, cut into two pieces
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Crust
- 1/2 cup (113.5 g) butter
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup (47.5 g) powdered sweetener
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (112 g) almond flour
- 3/4 cup (69.75 g) unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup (54.5 g) chopped pecans or walnuts
Vanilla Filling
- 4 ounces (113.4 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup (56.75 g) butter, softened
- Pastry cream, (from above)
- 6 tbsp (60.87 g) powdered sweetener
Chocolate Topping:
- 3 ounces (85.05 g) sugar-free dark chocolate, such as Lily’s, chopped
- 2 tbsp (28.4 g) butter
Instructions
Pastry Cream:
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the whipping cream and almond milk to a simmer. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the sweetener and salt until well combined.
- Slowly whisk about half of the hot cream into the yolks to temper, then stir the yolk/cream mixture back into the remaining cream in the saucepan and cook until thick and glossy, about 3 to 4 minutes, whisking continuously.
- Remove from heat and whisk in the butter and vanilla. Let cool to room temperature.
Crust:
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Stir in the cocoa powder and the sweetener, and then slowly whisk in the egg.
- Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, almond flour, shredded coconut and nuts. Press the crust evenly into a 9×9 or 8×8 square pan and refrigerate until firm.
Filling
- Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in the cooled pastry cream until well combined, then beat in the powdered sweetener. Spread the filling over crust and refrigerate until firm, at least one hour.
Chocolate Topping
- Combine the chopped chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir until melted and smooth. Spread over filling and let set.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.
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Cannot wait to make my Hubby’s favourite dessert, but keto for me! I do have a question about the chocolate topping. Where I live, sugar-free chocolate does not exist – could I use cocoa powder & coconut butter instead?
Where do you live? The cocoa powder and coconut oil might work but it will be a little gritty, even if you use powdered sweetener. It just doesn’t always combine that well!
In rural Alberta! It’s the rural part that is the issue. I could order some Lily’s online and wait 3 weeks but I would like to make them sooner rather than later. Perhaps a bar of 90% chocolate? If that won’t work I will just have to wait! 😉
Yes you could do a 90% chocolate bar. Melt it with some butter to make the topping a little less hard.
Hi,
You mentioned that you were able to make your own filling. Is that the pastry cream you have listed? Do you have a recipe for that as well? I assume you would make it beforehand?
Thanks!
Follow the instructions as written, it takes you through everything, including the pastry cream.
OMG . . . When I went Keto a year and a half ago I was sad about not being able to enjoy Nanaimo Bars ever again. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You Carolyn for creating this amazing low carb version of this traditional Canadian treat that I grew up with. Even my husband, who is Nanaimo Bar Expert, loves this version . . .
So happy to hear it. I consider myself a Nanaimo Bar expert too. 😉
Making these again for the 4th (or is it 5th!)time. Our all-time fave dessert! Hubby’s request..I must teach him how to make it lol. It takes awhile, but so totally worth it! Ty ty Carolyn..from a Canuck Nanaimo bar fanatic!
yay!! I love it too.
I was so excited to see this recipe tonight while cruising through Pinterest. I have grown up on these squares..one of my absolute faves! Keto has become a way of life fairly recently. So thanks so much.
I grew up on them too! My fave dessert as a kid.
Hi! Just wondering if you’ve added peanut butter to the custard before? I just had a peanut butter Nanaimo bar from a low carb bakery here in Calgary and I must have more! Lol easier to make myself! Thanks so much for this!!
I haven’t but I’d imagine it’s easy to do.
These are amazing! Before Keto I had always wanted to make these from Cook’s Illustrated, but never did. Couldn’t resist this time. They are incredible! Thanks so much for having amazing keto dessert skills/talent!!
Glad you like them!
Thanks so much for this recipe! I never made the other one due to the aspartame in sugar free pudding mixes (allergic to it!). Mr Keto hubby asked me this morning if there’s a low carb Nanaimo bar recipe out there & I said “why yes, I believe Foodreamer (All Day I Dream About Food) does”. Next step..rummaging in cupboard for the shredded coconut! Thanks Carolyn!! Can’t wait to get your dessert book!
I learned something new today. I had never heard of this dessert before, but I hope I never forget it. It looks and sounds INCREDIBLE!
Could I substitute coconut flour for the almond flour? If so, would it be cup for cup?
No, not in this recipe.
Oh yeah, I want to try these so much!
These look crazy delicious!! I will have to make these asap!!
The Canadian in me LOVES these!
Love these bars! Saving to try soon!
Wow, these are so decadent! Amazing that they’re low carb!
Can’t wait to try these with some Swerve. I’ve got some in my pantry!