Made with fresh strawberries, this delicious keto panna cotta is perfectly smooth and creamy. It’s an easy no-bake dessert that takes only 5 ingredients. And it has less than 4g net carbs per serving!
I sincerely believe that we all need more keto panna cotta in our lives.
From the first moment that I tried this lovely Italian dessert, I was hooked. It’s deceptively simple, and takes only a few short minutes to make, but it has an elegance that belies the simplicity.
And this strawberry version is the perfect no-bake keto dessert for summer. Creamy and smooth, and full of fresh berry flavor.
What is panna cotta?
Panna cotta is an Italian term that translates to “cooked cream” in English. It has a consistency similar to custard, but it’s set with gelatin rather than egg yolks.
You don’t really cook it much either. Unlike custard, which you have to stand over watching carefully, panna cotta is warmed just enough to dissolve the gelatin.
It’s not really like jello either. Properly done, panna cotta should be barely gelled once it sets. It is creamy and rich, with a little wobble to it when you dig in your spoon.
Panna cotta should also be sweet and full of flavor, and this keto panna cotta recipe meets those standards. It is fresh and light tasting but also cold and creamy. And at 4g net carbs, it was infinitely satisfying too!
Ingredients you need
This keto panna cotta takes only 5 simple ingredients!
- Strawberries: If you can get your hands on fresh local strawberries, they will give the best flavor. But you can also use raspberries or blueberries too.
- Heavy cream: Cream gives panna cotta a wonderfully rich consistency but it also makes it pretty high in calories. If you want to lighten it a bit, try replacing half a cup of the cream with half a cup of almond milk or hemp milk.
- Gelatin: I like to use good grassfed gelatin for this recipe, such as Great Lakes. If you choose to use Knox gelatin, you will need one envelope. You also want to bloom it first, by allowing it to sit on the liquid for 5 minutes, before heating.
- Powdered sweetener: I recommend using an erythritol-based sweetener, such as Swerve Confectioners. BochaSweet may also work. But allulose sweeteners will make the panna cotta very soft and it will take a long time to set properly.
- Vanilla extract: A touch of vanilla complements the creamy strawberry flavor.
Step by Step Directions
1. Prepare the dessert cups: If you plan on unmolding the panna cotta, lightly grease four small ramekins. But you can also serve this recipe in dessert glasses, which don’t need to be greased.
2. Puree the berries: Place the chopped berries in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
3. Heat the cream and gelatin: Sprinkle the gelatin over the cream and bring to a light simmer over medium heat. Whisk to make sure the gelatin dissolves. Then whisk in the strawberries, sweetener, and vanilla.
4. Chill until set: Divide the mixture between the ramekins or dessert cups and chill 2 to 3 hours. If you wish to unmold the keto panna cotta, sit the ramekin in a bowl of hot water for 30 seconds, then flip out onto a plate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dairy-Free Option: You can easily make dairy-free keto panna cotta by replacing the heavy cream with full fat coconut milk.
Sweetener Substitutions: I recommend powdered sweetener for panna cotta, to avoid grittiness. Most should be fine but allulose sweeteners tend to make things very soft and they take a long time to set.
Frozen berries: You can use frozen berries in this recipe as well. Just make sure to thaw them and drain them before blending.
Conventional panna cotta contains a lot of sugar, so it’s not keto-friendly. However, this keto panna cotta recipe is made with alternative sweeteners that don’t raise blood sugar, so it is appropriate for keto and low carb diets.
This keto panna cotta contains 5.7g of carbs and 0.8g of fiber, so it has only 4.9g net carbs per serving.
Store the panna cotta tightly wrapped up in the fridge for up to 5 days. As long as your cream is fresh when you made it, it won’t spoil.
More delicious Italian-style desserts
- What’s more classic Italian than Keto Tiramisu? It features layers of coffee-soaked almond flour cake with creamy mascarpone filling.
- These easy Keto Ricotta Cookies are pillowy soft and perfect for any holiday or occasion.
- Love white chocolate? Then you need to try my White Chocolate Panna Cotta!
- Who needs cannoli when you’ve got Keto Cannoli Tart?
Keto Strawberry Panna Cotta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped strawberries
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 ¾ teaspoon grassfed gelatin
- ⅓ cup Swerve Confectioner’s
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Lightly grease 4 small (4 ounce) ramekins. Or simply use dessert cups if you don't plan on unmolding them.
- Puree the strawberries in a blender or food processor until smooth.
- Pour the cream into a medium saucepan. Sprinkle with the gelatin and whisk well to combine. Set over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Whisk well until the gelatin is dissolved.
- Remove from heat and whisk in the strawberries, Swerve, and vanilla extract. Divide the mixture among the ramekins or dessert cups and refrigerate until set, about 2 to 3 hours.
- To unmold, set the ramekins in a bowl of hot water for 15 to 30 seconds. Cover with a plate and flip over. Give the ramekin a good shake to loosen the panna cotta. You can also simply eat the panna cotta right out of the dishes.
Anya Gimpel says
I was craving strawberries and wondering what to make with some I had in the fridge. Quick, easy, and delicious.
Brigida says
I am planning a dinner party for Valentine’s Day this year. I will have 14 guests for dinner I see I can use a slider to increase the amounts to accommodate so many people. Will this still come out nicely if I update to 14 people? Have all your books love all your recipes
Carolyn says
I have no idea, I’ve never made it for 14 people. As long as you have your ratios right, it should!
Toni says
I love how easy this is! I will definitely make it again and again! Thank you so much for the recipe!
Taylor says
This was sooo creamy and delicious. Simple to make and the perfect strawberry flavor. Loved it!
Anna says
Another dessert winner recipe! A perfect treat on a hot summer day. Thank you for sharing!
Jennifer says
So easy and delicious!
I used the 1c HWC and 1/2c almond milk…
I will make this again!
Mark says
Made this today and it was wonderful! It unmolded from the ramekin with no trouble. Wonderful creamy texture with a delightful strawberry flavor. Great summertime dessert! Thank you.
Carolyn says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Maya V. says
Just made it, it’s still warm but it tasted great when I licked my finger ????Easy to make. Thank you as always!
Gail Krebs says
Could homemade mascarpone with pure monk fruit as the sweetener be the base? Would gelatin still be required?
Carolyn says
Yes and yes.
Carol says
Hi it was my first time to bake a keto recipe then I just wanna try this keto strawberry soon.hope that I had some keto recipe to learn.i’ m into a Lowcarb advocate but the rest of the family are not advocate that’s why i’ll make it a bake even they eat or not ????????thank you for sending me some technique and simple ingredient to make.thank you have a wonderful day????
Veronica says
It turned out amazing, and so easy to make! I want to try and make it lemon-flavoured next time. I’m thinking to substitute 1 cup strawberries for 1/2 cup lemon juice, a couple of teaspoons lemon zest, and a bit more sweetener. Does it sound like a good idea, or would you suggest other proportions?
Belinda says
Hello, I’m not really familiar with gelatin in recipes and I read not to use Knox. OK, would Now brand Beef Gelatin Powder be the same as the Great Lakes Brand? It’s more affordable to me and I would really love making this Panna Cotta! Thanks!
Carolyn says
Yes, that one should be fine.