With an incredible crispy crunch and light, sweet flavor, these sugar-free keto meringue cookies are one of the most impressive desserts you can make with just 4 ingredients! They have a similar prep method to cloud bread and the topping on my keto lemon meringue pie, but with a few key differences that give them extra crunch.
Can You Make Meringue Without Sugar?
Yes, you can definitely make meringue sugar free! However, you need to choose the right sugar substitute carefully to create a texture and flavor profile that comes close to the traditional recipe. Some sugar free meringue recipes use ingredients that create results with an aftertaste or off-putting texture, but it’s totally avoidable.
Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for low carb meringue cookies, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Egg Whites – Fresh egg whites work best for keto meringues, since carton egg whites may make less-defined cookies. Save the yolks for recipes like sugar-free lemon curd, keto flan, or hollandaise sauce!Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend – The very best sweetener to use for this keto meringue cookies recipe! It dissolves effortlessly into the egg whites for a non-gritty cookie that will still hold its characteristic meringue shape. You can use a different powdered sugar substitute to avoid a gritty result (and see my sweeteners conversion chart for how much to substitute), but for best taste and cookie shape I only recommend this one.Cream Of Tartar – Acts as a stabilizer for the egg whites and helps them whip into meringue faster.Vanilla Extract – For classic flavor. See other keto meringue flavors you can make below! You can easily swap it with other extracts you have on hand as well, such as coconut extract.Sea Salt – With so few ingredients, a pinch of salt helps make the sweet flavor in these cookies pop. It’s optional, but highly recommended!
How To Make Sugar-Free Meringue Cookies
This section shows how to make keto meringue cookies, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
Flavor Variations
Sugar Free Lemon Meringue Cookies – Replace cream of tartar and vanilla with 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest. Follow recipe steps as written; add lemon juice after egg whites become frothy, and fold in lemon zest just before piping.Keto Chocolate Meringue Cookies – Replace vanilla with 1 tablespoon sifted cocoa powder and increase powdered Besti amount to 1/3 cup. Before piping, sprinkle sifted cocoa powder over the meringue mixture and gently fold in until thoroughly incorporated.Sugar Free Keto Almond Meringue Cookies – Substitute vanilla with 1/2 teaspoon almond extract and use 1/3 cup powdered Besti. Beat egg whites until opaque and frothy, then add cream of tartar and almond extract and beat at high speed until stiff peaks form. Pipe and bake per the recipe card.Keto Peanut Butter Meringue Cookies – Increase powdered Besti amount to 1/3 cup and replace vanilla with 1/4 cup smooth natural peanut butter. Before piping, mix in peanut butter at a low speed until just incorporated.Mint Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies – Replace vanilla with 1 teaspoon pure peppermint extract and increase amount of powdered Besti to 1/3 cup. Prepare per the recipe card, adding 1-2 teaspoons of green food coloring (if desired) at the same time as cream of tartar. Fold in 1/2 cup sugar free chocolate chips before transferring to piping bag.
Storage Instructions
Store: Place sugar-free meringue cookies in an airtight container and store in a pantry or cupboard at room temperature. Avoid heat and moisture, which can make them soft — if that happens, simply bake in a 200 degree F oven for 10 minutes, then cool until crisp.Freeze: With special care, you can freeze these cookies. Cool completely and layer them between sheets of parchment in a hard-sided and airtight container. Cover and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. You may need to crisp them up in the oven afterward.
More Keto Egg White Dessert Recipes
No yolks needed! Once you know how to make meringue cookies sugar free, use egg whites to make these rich and sweet desserts next.
Get the best light and crisp results with these tips.
Choose your mixing bowl carefully. For best results, meringues need a clean, dry bowl made out of glass, stainless steel, or copper. Avoid plastic bowls, which can harbor traces of grease on the surface and prevent your egg whites from forming peaks. Make sure egg whites are at room temperature. This will help them whip more easily. Watch baking time closely. Cookies can go from done to browned quickly. Extend drying time if needed. Time to dry can vary depending on the humidity in your home. It’s fine to leave them in the turned-off oven for a day, or even overnight. More time helps develop their crisp texture. Larger cookies need more time to bake. Smaller ones can take as little as 45 minutes in the oven, but larger ones will need more time.
Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram, or in our Facebook support group, too – I’d love to see it!
Nutrition info does not include salt.
