Halloween is scary—especially when you’re on a low carb diet and surrounded by candy with nowhere to escape. Don’t turn into a sugar-crazed zombie; back away from the candy bowl. The low carb Halloween recipes below provide homemade, delicious alternatives to your typical sugar-loaded treats. If you simply must indulge in some store-bought treats, try our tips that follow to make Atkins-friendly choices.
Pumpkin Biscotti
With only 1.9g grams net carbs, this Italian cookie fits every Atkins phase. The pumpkin biscotti recipe incorporates the autumnal flavors of pumpkin, almonds, and cinnamon. Dip one into a hot cup of coffee for the perfect treat on a crisp October night.
Chocolate Mint Cheesecake Bars
While chocolate mint cheesecake bars may not sound like a typical Halloween recipe, these bars get the spooky treatment when you apply the chocolate icing in a spider web design. With one bite, you’ll quickly forget all your favorite chocolate bars. One bar has 4.5 grams net carbs per serving and is approved for phases two, three, and four.
Pumpkin Donuts
This dessert combines two scrumptious treats: pumpkin pie and doughnuts. Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and pumpkin create a warm, comforting taste, while coconut flour and flaxseed meal add a nutritious dose of superfoods. Each pumpkin doughnut has 4 grams net carbs, making these ideal for individuals following phases two, three, or four of the Atkins diet.
Coconut Panna Skullotta
What’s panna skullota, you ask? It’s simply panna cotta formed in a skull mold, which you can find online or at a craft store. The results may appear frightening, but with only 3.2 grams net carbs per serving, you’re safe to indulge no matter what Atkins phase you’re following.
No-Bake Halloween Dessert Ideas
It’s okay to give in a little to store-bought treats—just try to choose options without added sugar. Here are a few Halloween dessert tips to help guide you:
- If you have the choice between white, milk and dark chocolate, go for the unsweetened dark chocolate. It contains more polyphenols, a type of antioxidant.
- Choose candy made from more natural, less refined ingredients, such as chocolate with a high-cocoa percentage, unsweetened coconut, or nuts. You’ll feel full longer: chocolate and coconut contain fiber, while nuts and nut butters have protein
- Sugar-free gum and lollipops contain fewer carbs than regular versions. Plus, they’ll keep your mouth occupied so you’re less tempted to sneak something more.
- If you must have that candy bar, plan your day accordingly and limit carbs you still stay within the parameters of the Atkins phase you’re following.
