Need more keto holiday treats? You’ll love my keto Christmas cookies, keto English toffee, and keto pecan pie bars. I’ve only recently started adding gingerbread men to my baking repertoire. I struggled to achieve the perfect cookie texture using low-carb flour for the longest time. After many trials and errors, I can safely say these men are ready for the holidays!
Why I love this recipe
Made with 6 ingredients. Other gingerbread recipes have a laundry list of ingredients, but this low-carb version has only six baking staples. The perfect texture. The almond flour gives the cookies a snappable texture and the perfect bite. Easy to make ahead. I always make a double-batch of the dough and freeze it. It stays fresh for up to two months, so I can make it as soon as I feel the holiday spirit! Fun to decorate. Kids and the young at heart will get a kick out of decorating their gingerbread men.
Ingredients needed
Almond flour. You’ll want to use blanched almond flour, NOT almond meal, which will make for a gritty, darker cookie. I also tested this recipe with coconut flour, and the cookies didn’t have the crispy texture we wanted. Granulated sweetener. I prefer using keto brown sugar, which gives the cookies a subtle molasses flavor. Alternatively, Brown Swerve is a reliable brand. Gingerbread spices. If you don’t have gingerbread spice, use a mixture of cinnamon, ground ginger powder, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. Baking powder. Gives the cookies rise and depth. Large eggs. Room temperature eggs. Butter. Use softened, unsalted butter. Alternatively, you can also use melted coconut oil. Vanilla extract. A must for any good cookie!
For the keto royal icing:
Egg whites. The bulk of the icing. Save the yolks to make keto lemon curd! Lemon juice. Works with the egg whites to help achieve a sturdy icing. Powdered sugar substitute. For sweetness and to firm up the frosting. I find making my own is cheaper and better quality.
How to make keto gingerbread cookies
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Step 1- Mix dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Step 2- Mix wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, softened butter, and vanilla. Carefully fold in the dry ingredients. Using your hands, gently knead the dough into a ball. Step 3- Chill. Cover the dough ball in plastic wrap, press down on it, and refrigerate for 45 minutes. Step 4- Prep. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Step 5- Shape. Place parchment paper onto a kitchen surface. Unwrap and place the dough ball on top. Place a second sheet of parchment paper on top. Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough to ¼-½ inch in thickness. Cut out cookies and place them on the sheet using a gingerbread cookie cutter. Step 6- Bake. Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, until the edges just begin to brown. Remove from the oven and let them cool on a cooling rack before icing them. Step 7- Make the icing. Whisk together the egg white and lemon. Gently fold in the powdered sugar until a thick icing remains. If it is too thin, add more powdered sugar. Transfer to a piping bag, and once the cookies have cooled, frost them.
Arman’s recipe tips
Refrigerate the dough. This helps the cookies keep their shape and not overspread. Roll out the scraps as much as you want. Since there’s no gluten, there’s no worry about overworking the cookie dough. Prefer crispy cookies? Add an extra 4-5 minutes in the oven. Let the cookies cool completely before icing. Otherwise, you’ll have some very sad looking gingerbread men.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or in the refrigerator for up to one month. To freeze: Place leftovers in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to six months.
Frequently asked questions
More keto cookie recipes you’ll enjoy
Keto crinkle cookies Keto sugar cookies Keto chocolate cookies Keto peanut butter cookies
