Category Archives: Keto

Blueberry Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Balls (Low-carb)

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Low-carb Blueberry Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Balls are the perfect little, no-cook solution for summer snacking. They store in the fridge or freezer, making them cool and at-the-ready when hunger strikes.   

These blueberry chocolate chip cheesecake inspired "bites" satisfy your sweet-tooth with no added sugar. Plus, added collagen gives a protein boost to provide a sustaining snack and post-workout refuel. Super easy, no bake! Low carb and keto friendly.

Blueberries add so much flavor and natural sweetness, plus all those amazing blue and purple food nutrients that you don’t find many other places. I used a (no-sugar-added) berry-flavored collagen (THEFITFORK10OFF) will save you at GreatLakesWellness.com) which amplifies the berry flavor even more, but I’ve made the recipe also with unflavored cohttps://bit.ly/GreatLakesWellnessllagen (and even vanilla whey) and the snack is still just as special. The choice is yours!

Save 10% at greatlakesgelatin.com with code THEFITFORK10OFF
I used collagen powder from Great Lakes Gelatin — Save with code THEFITFORK10Off

Cream cheese makes the base of this recipe, along with a little coconut flour (and the previously mentioned collagen powder) to firm it up. Then it’s just stirring in chopped blueberries (fresh or frozen), some chopped sugar-free chocolate chips (or mini chips, if you can find them), setting in the freezer for 10 minutes to set up, then forming into eight little balls.

These blueberry chocolate chip cheesecake inspired "bites" satisfy your sweet-tooth with no added sugar. Plus, added collagen gives a protein boost to provide a sustaining snack and post-workout refuel. Super easy, no bake! Low carb and keto friendly. For more clean eating recipe inspo, visit thefitfork.com

So EASY, so YUMMY, so BLUE – blueberry and chocolate loaded collagen cheesecake balls are perfect finger food treats for Red, White and Blue celebrations. I’m making a batch for a post-workout snack for an upcoming 4th of July workout with my fitness boot camp. I like how they are pre-portioned and snack-sized, I can just pop one of the blueberry cheesecake bites my mouth rather than eating an entire chocolate chip blueberry cheesecake!

These blueberry chocolate chip cheesecake inspired "bites" satisfy your sweet-tooth with no added sugar. Plus, added collagen gives a protein boost to provide a sustaining snack and post-workout refuel. Super easy, no bake! Low carb and keto friendly.

Each piece has about 100 calories, 4.6g net carb and 4.5g protein. If you want a keto cheesecake balls, make sure you are using full-fat cream cheese (which is what I have in the recipe and nutrition facts)

save 10% Great Lakes Wellness collagen and products with code THEFITFORK10off
save 10% Great Lakes Wellness collagen and products with code THEFITFORK10off

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission from products purchased through links here — however, price to you remains the same. Proceeds are used to offset operating expenses at The Fit Fork, thank you for your support!

These blueberry chocolate chip cheesecake inspired "bites" satisfy your sweet-tooth with no added sugar. Plus, added collagen gives a protein boost to provide a sustaining snack and post-workout refuel. Super easy, no bake! Low carb and keto friendly.
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Blueberry Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Collagen Bites
Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 
Course: Snack, workout
Keyword: blueberry, cheesecake, collagen, low carb
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
  • 4 oz. cream cheese softened
  • 4 Tbsp. collagen powder* berry flavored or unflavored
  • 2 Tbsp. sugar-free choclate chips chopped
  • 1/3 cup blueberries fresh or still frozen
  • 1/3 cup coconut flour
Instructions
  1. Coarsely chop chocolate chips and blueberries, add to bowl.
  2. Stir in softened cream cheese, collagen powder* , and coconut flour until combined.
  3. Put in freezer for 10 minutes to firm up. Use hands to roll into one big ball.
  4. Cut this ball in half, and each half into 4 pieces – to make 8 total pieces.
  5. Roll each piece between hand to make into tidier ball.
  6. Keep leftovers in the fridge.
Recipe Notes

I used Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen Powder in Berry flavor (discount code THEFITFORK10OFF at bit.ly/ShopGreatLakesGelatin ) but an unflavored collagen or berry or vanilla whey or plant protein powder may be substituted in the same quantity.

 

Sun-Dried Tomato Blue Cheese Spread | Easy Low Carb

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Sun-dried Tomato Blue Cheese Spread is rich, creamy and bursting with bold flavor! With only three ingredients, it’s a simple, no-cook appetizer that can be made in mere minutes to delight guests who drop by unexpectedly – or to just satisfy your everyday snacking needs!

Only 3 ingredients and even fewer minutes needed to make this easy low carb appetizer. Bold, creamy and amazing on crackers to melted on chicken or steaks, this tomato blue cheese spread will please! No cook, suitable for keto diets, and gluten free. Only 45 calories and 0.6g carb per serving.

This blue cheese and tomato spread is also a flavorful addition to any charcuterie tray, cheese board, and snack tray for low-carb summer entertaining.

Only 3 ingredients and even fewer minutes needed to make this easy low carb appetizer. Bold, creamy and amazing on crackers to melted on chicken or steaks, this tomato blue cheese spread will please! No cook, suitable for keto diets, and gluten free. Only 45 calories and 0.6g carb per serving.

Other serving suggestions for this creamy spread is to stir into warm pasta or veggies for an irresistible sauce. Additionally, a dollop of leftover creamy sun-dried tomato spread on a baked potato or over a plain grilled chicken breast creates “next level” yumminess.

The simplicity of this easy blue cheese spread with sundried tomatoes is legit – I mean, it’s REALLY EASY. Almost embarrassingly so, lol! Soften cream cheese and stir in blue cheese crumbles and sun-dried tomato pesto until mostly creamy (but I do like a few little lumps of the blue cheese to remain). Use a little spatula to transfer to a serving dish – the recipe yields enough to fill a 5 or 6-oz standard ramekin. If you want to get fancy, you can garnish with a sprig of fresh basil!

Only 3 ingredients and even fewer minutes needed to make this easy low carb appetizer. Bold, creamy and amazing on crackers to melted on chicken or steaks, this tomato blue cheese spread will please! No cook, suitable for keto diets, and gluten free. Only 45 calories and 0.6g carb per serving.

The first time I made this, I CHOPPED oil-packed sundried tomatoes by hand . . . but quickly realized that I could just purchase a sundried tomato pesto and save so much time and mess. Do what you prefer – just don’t use the dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes though – they don’t add as much flavor and incorporate as well into the spread.

As I hinted, this recipe is low carb by nature – use full-fat cream cheese (which I did) if you are looking for a Keto cheese spread with the lowest possible carb yields.  Each serving of this easy keto appetizer (about ½ ounce) has 46 calories, 4.4g fat, 0.6g carbohydrate and 1.4g protein.

This post contains affiliate link.

5 from 2 votes
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Sun-Dried Tomato Blue Cheese Spread | Keto, Low Carb, Gluten Free
Prep Time
3 mins
Total Time
3 mins
 
Course: Appetizer, party, Snack
Keyword: blue cheese, cream cheese, pesto
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 45 kcal
Ingredients
  • 4 oz. full-fat cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
  • 1 Tbsp. sun dried tomato pesto from jar
Instructions

  1. Soften cream cheese and blue cheese on counter for 15 minutes. Mix together cheese along with pesto in bowl until mostly smooth, but some lumps of the blue cheese is wanted. Keep chilled until serving.

  2. Serve with crackers or bread. Also great melted into warm veggies, noodles or a spoonful dolloped on a baked potato or over a simple grilled chicken breast or steak.

Recipe Notes

Low Carb Lemon Coconut Bites with Collagen- Keto, Gluten-Free

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save 15% on Great Lakes Wellness with THEFITFORK15OFF

Oooh la-la-la, lemon! Low-carb Lemon Coconut Bites are a quick, no-bake treat to make that taste just like little morsels of creamy cheesecake.

Low Carb Lemon Coconut Bites are no-bake, delicious and suitable for keto and gluten-free diets. Also uses collagen powder for added protein and wellness benefits!

Sublimely sweet-tart, low-carb and suitable for keto and gluten-free diets, these two-bite dessert bites are easier to manage portion size than slicing a wedge from the whole lemon cheesecake. Only 108 calories, 9g fat, 2.2g net carb, 5g protein per lemon coconut ball.

Low Carb Lemon Coconut Bites are no-bake, delicious and suitable for keto and gluten-free diets. Also uses collagen powder for added protein and wellness benefits! Save 10% at GreatLakesGelatin.com with discount code: THEFITFORK10OFF

https://bit.ly/GreatLakesWellnessI incorporated lemon-lime collagen powder from Great Lakes Gelatin as a way to add protein, keep the carb count low and “dough” firm enough for shaping into balls. Plus, I get a boost from al the health benefits of collagen. As an older athlete, I use it for joint support and workout recovery, but also appreciate all the extra benefits it brings to hair, skin, nails . . . and even sleep.

Low Carb Lemon Coconut Bites are no-bake, delicious and suitable for keto and gluten-free diets. Also uses collagen powder for added protein and wellness benefits! Save 10% at GreatLakesGelatin.com with discount code: THEFITFORK10OFF (ad)

 If interested, use my affiliate code THEFITFORK15OFF to save 15% off most any products at Great Lakes Gelatin.

Low Carb Lemon Coconut Bites are no-bake, delicious and suitable for keto and gluten-free diets. Also uses collagen powder for added protein and wellness benefits! Save 10% at GreatLakesGelatin.com with discount code: THEFITFORK10OFF

Keep Low-carb Lemon Coconut Bites are as easy as mixing up a few easy ingredients, rolling into balls, and storing in the fridge to snack on whenever the urge for something sweet comes on (they are sugar free)! Just a tiny bit of turmeric is the secret ingredient that gives a natural yellow color!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links (don’t forget to use my Great Lakes Gelatin Discount Code). I may make a small commission from generated sales, but price to you remains the same. Thank you!

5 from 4 votes
Low Carb Lemon Coconut Bites are no-bake, delicious and suitable for keto and gluten-free diets. Also uses collagen powder for added protein and wellness benefits! Save 10% at GreatLakesGelatin.com with discount code: THEFITFORK10OFF
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Low Carb Lemon Coconut Bites with Collagen
Prep Time
5 mins
chill
25 mins
 

A two-bite treat that is friendly for keto and gluten-free diets — creamy, citrusy and easy-peasy to make! Incorporates collagen powder for extra protein and wellness benefits.

Course: Dessert, Snack, workout
Keyword: coconut, collagen, lemon
Servings: 10 bites
Calories: 108 kcal
Ingredients
  • 4 oz. full fat cream cheese softened
  • 1 tbsp. full fat sour cream
  • ½ cup super-fine almond flour
  • 2 tbsp. coconut flour
  • ¼ cup Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen Lemon-Lime Flavor*
  • ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut divided
Instructions

  1. Mix together cream cheese and sour cream until blended. Next stir in almond flour, coconut flour, collagen powder, and 2 tbsp. shredded coconut (sprinkle remainder of coconut on a plate. Now, place “dough” in fridge to firm up for 25 minutes. Remove and make approximate 1 tbsp. balls by rolling between clean hands. Then roll in coconut to stick on top, repeat with remaining dough. Makes 10. Store leftovers in air-tight container in fridge for up to 1 week.

Recipe Notes

*You can substitute plain unflavored collagen and add 10 -20 drops liquid stevia and ¼ tsp. lemon extract to the recipe instead.

Great Lakes Gelatin 10% Discount Code: THEFITFORK10OFF

5-minute Party Prep with (Zero ABV) Red Raiderade and Pineapple-Bacon Cream Cheese Dip

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Whether it’s football season, basketball season or summer break sitting out by the pool, we all want some tasty, easy-to-make snacks and beverages to tide us through the fun.

I decided to pay tribute to Texas Tech University, mainly due to a new Red Raider in the family this Fall (my youngest son) and also taking into account my husband and I are both graduates of this fine institution in Lubbock, just south of the Panhandle.  Hit ‘em, Wreck ‘em, Texas Tech!!

Here’s the kid going to Texas Tech, shhh let’s not tell him Mom posted his photo here!

In just five minutes, I can whip together a non-alcoholic drink (Red Raiderade – a Michelada mocktail) and snack dip that the whole gang loves thanks to a few of my new favorite products. Keep reading for all the delicious deets!

First, let’s start with the drink Zero-AFB “Red Raiderade” – think of a Michelada mocktail or Ojo Rojo that is alcohol free and you get the idea, but lighter, fewer calories and no hangover. These types of tomato beer drinks are so popular in Texas and so refreshing with a spicy bite! Instead of a Mexican beer though, I just substitute unsweetened sparkling water with lime or lemon flavor in my non-alcoholic Michelada version. This sparkling water, along fresh juice of a lime, Clamato juice and a splash of Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce are all poured over ice in a tall pint glass – and I garnish the glass edges with Tajin!

Speaking of pint glasses, I’m feeling super school spirited with College Town Glassware from Well and Told. Get a pair of classic pint glasses printed with the map of your favorite college town – I picked Lubbock for Texas Tech University, but there are lots of choice from around the country.

5 Minute Party Prep with seedz crackers, bacon pineapple dip and no alcohol Red Raiderade (like a Michelada tomato beer cocktail)

Now, for snacks in a snap, you can’t go wrong with crackers and cream cheese spread – that easy-peasy classic preparation of opening a brick of cream cheese and pouring preserves over the top. However, instead of my typical Jalapeno jam, I found these fabulous “everything sauces” from Ricante – made in Costa Rica and now all over the U.S. (look for them in Whole Foods or on Amazon). There are four different choices in this line up of spicy tropical sauces (which are friendly for keto, gluten-free and Whole30 diets).

Use them for dipping, marinating, salad dressing and reducing/glazing with meats – I chose the Tropical Pineapple Habanero Infused Everything Sauce and just doused it right over the cream cheese and then dumped on extra diced pineapple and crumbled bacon. Pineapple Bacon Cream Cheese Dip will make you feel very tropical and no worries! It’s SO GOOD with veggies sticks or crackers.

And speaking of crackers, I don’t set out crappy crackers for my 5 minute party prep – lol! Only the best stuff for me, the family and lucky guests — I like to serve Top Seedz Crackers. Top Seeds Crackers are SO DELISH are were created by Rebecca, an avid traveler and sports competitor, who knows first-hand (as do I) that healthy eating influences with way we live and feel in our bodies. She insists on good, natural ingredients like roasted seeds that are naturally vitamin and mineral dense with other important nutrients to fuel an active lifestyle like fiber and protein. I just adore these roasted seed crackers, so crunchy, satisfying, and flavorful (several options)– they really tide me over!  

So anyway, cheers to your favorite college, sports team, season of the year or WHATEVER – and drinking and snacking responsibly and with good health in mind! What are your favorite tips for quick entertaining and putting together 5 minute party prep?

Also I encourage you to stay up with the latest healthy eating inspo and entertaining ideas by visit these amazing companies on Instagram @WellToldDesign @RicanteHotSauce @TopSeedz

This post is sponsored by the aforementioned companies and also contains Amazon affiliate links.

5 Minute Party Prep with seedz crackers, bacon pineapple dip and no alcohol Red Raiderade (like a Michelada tomato beer cocktail)
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No Alcohol Red Raiderade (Zero ABV Michelada)
Prep Time
2 mins
Total Time
2 mins
 

Enjoy all the flavor of a citrusy, spicy sparkling tomato drink without any alcohol — my easy Red Raiderade is low-cal, low-carb and no hangover.

Course: beverages, Drinks
Keyword: clamato, entertaining, low carb, no alcohol, party
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: 36 kcal
Ingredients
  • Tajin Chili Lime seasoning for coating the glass rim
  • 4 ounces Clamato tomato juice
  • 4 ounces sparkling water, lemon or lime flavor (unsweetened)
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 lime)
  • 1 tsp. worcestershire sauce
  • 3 to 8 dashes tabasco sauce, depending on heat preference
  • Garnishes like lime slice, cherry tomato, pepper, etc
Instructions

  1. Wet rim of pint glass and set inverted on plat sprinkled with Tajin, move around to get some to stick to the rim.

  2. Turn back over and fill pint glass 1/3 with ice.

  3. Pour in Clamato, sparkling water, lime juice, Tabasco and worstershire sauce, gently stir with tall spoon or straw.

  4. Add any garnishes desired, enjoy.

Recipe Notes

36 calories, 6.5g net carb, 0 fat, 242mg sodium, 0.5g protein

15-minute Shrimp with Hatch Chile Green Sauce (Keto, Low Carb, Gluten-Free)

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So green and so good and so glee-fully easy to make and clean up, my recipe for 15-mintue Shrimp with Hatch Chile Green Sauce, makes a speedy southwestern-inspired meal made with one of my favorite ingredients, Hatch Green Chiles. Suitable for keto and low-carb diets with 3.6g net carb per serving.

This baked shrimp dish can be on the dinner table in 15 minutes -- a quick blender sauce with Hatch green chilies, spinach and cilantro is poured over thawed, cooked shrimp, cooked and garnished with avocado, green onion and crumbled queso fresco cheese!

If fact, I love these mild-to-hot green peppers that hail from Hatch New Mexico so much that I hold the title of Hatch Green Chile Champion in a local Austin cook off (and have been runner up a couple times too). You can find my Hatch green chile cookoff recipes in a past post, 101 Ways to Use Hatch Green Chiles.

I was looking to make a bright green sauce for an entrée, like BOOM . . . GREEN! So, I knew I needed a protein that could cook fast at a high heat so the vibrant green of the blended hatch peppers, cilantro and spinach didn’t start to turn to a darker green – that’s what happens when you cook green stuff too long. I knew shrimp would be the perfect “fast cook” protein to help me avoid blah, deep green sauce . . . and I even short-cut my Hatch green chile recipe even further by using frozen shrimp that had been shelled, deveined and pre-cooked.

If fresh Hatch green chiles are not in season, order from Hatch-Chile-Store.com

After blending my fresh Hatch chile green sauce ingredients (cilantro, spinach, green chiles, garlic, etc) for about 30 seconds, the only task that remained was to dump those thawed shrimp in a baking dish, cover with the sauce and sprinkle of queso fresco, and bake in the oven at 475F degrees for 10 to 12 minutes – just until the sauce bubbling and cheese starting to get slightly browned on top.

Garnish with green onions and avocado hunks to kick up green! If you put on a pot of noodles or rice at the start of this recipe, you’ll have a hearty base to pile on all this green magic! Who doesn’t love a 15 minute meal that is nutritious and tastes great?!  Each serving has 236 calories, 12g fat, 3.6g net carb, and 25g protein making it work for those looking for low carb Hatch green chile recipes and Keto Hatch green chile recipes.

This baked shrimp dish can be on the dinner table in 15 minutes -- a quick blender sauce with Hatch green chilies, spinach and cilantro is poured over thawed, cooked shrimp, cooked and garnished with avocado, green onion and crumbled queso fresco cheese! For more quick, easy and healthy dinner inspo, visit thefitfork.com

If you are looking for Hatch green chile and it’s not August (the short season for this much coveted pepper), you have a couple options. Head over to the Hatch Chile Store and order a bunch of roasted, skinned, seeded and chopped Hatch chiles to be delivered to your door flash-frozen. I get the 1 lb. zip-top bags that are frozen “thin” (like the thickness of a magazine) which makes it easy to pop open the freezer and just break off what you want (even without thawing first). Second, you can substitute canned green chiles, which in some cases can be a reasonably decent substitute (like for stews and such), but this super-fresh tasting shrimp hatch chile recipe turns out much better with fresh or flash-frozen Hatch chiles.

This baked shrimp dish can be on the dinner table in 15 minutes -- a quick blender sauce with Hatch green chilies, spinach and cilantro is poured over thawed, cooked shrimp, cooked and garnished with avocado, green onion and crumbled queso fresco cheese!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

 

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5 from 5 votes
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15-minute Shrimp with Hatch Chile Green Sauce
Prep Time
1 hr 5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 

Green and so good for you, this speedy super is a slightly-spicy lip-smacker thanks to mild Hatch green chiles! Suitable for keto, low carb and gluten-free diets.

Course: dinner, entree
Cuisine: Southwestern
Keyword: fish, black cod, sablefish, merken, spicy, tangerine, 20 minute, gluten free, green bean, hatch green chile, keto, peppers, shrimp
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 lb. frozen medium pre-cooked shelled shrimp (thawed)
  • ¾ cup roasted mild Hatch green chile thawed (I get mine from Hatch Green Chile store)
  • 2 cups packed fresh spinach
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro upper tender stalks okay, but discard bottoms
  • 2 tbsp. avocado oil
  • ¼ cup seafood or chicken stock
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 6 oz. queso fresco cheese crumbled
  • 3 green onion stalks whites and greens chopped
  • ½ avocado diced
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 475F degrees.
  2. Add Hatch chiles, spinach, cilantro, oil, salt and stock to blender; blend for approximately 20 to 30 seconds.
  3. Pour out thawed, drained shrimp into 8”x8” baking dish or 9” round baking dish.
  4. Pour sauce over top of shrimp to cover and sprinkle to with crumbled queso fresco cheese.
  5. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until cheese starting to brown a bit on top and sauce bubbling.
  6. Remove and garnish with chopped green onions and diced avocado.
  7. Great served on rice or noodles of any kind (traditional, gluten-free, zoodles, etc)
Recipe Notes