This is the kind of dessert that makes people think you worked way harder than you did. Just heat, stir, chill—and you get a smooth, rich set pudding that’s perfect plain or topped with berries. I’ve tested dairy-free and extra-creamy versions too, depending on your vibe (or macros).
💡 The Secret Behind This Low-Carb Win
Most traditional panna cotta is already keto-adjacent—it’s just cream, sugar, and gelatin. So we just swap out the sugar for non-glycemic sweeteners and keep all that luscious texture thanks to heavy cream and a little almond milk (or go full cream if you want the thickest finish).
🧾 What I Used (And Why It Worked)
- 1 cup almond milk – Lightens it slightly. Use unsweetened only (or swap with coconut cream for dairy-free).
- 1.5 cups heavy cream – Full-fat and rich, gives that smooth, indulgent mouthfeel.
- 1/4 cup erythritol (or 1–2 tbsp monk fruit blend) – Keeps it sweet without raising blood sugar.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract – Warmth and flavor without carbs.
- 10 drops SweetLeaf Vanilla Creme (optional) – Boosts the flavor; can sub 1/2 tsp more vanilla.
- 1 tbsp powdered gelatin – Sets the whole thing like a dream. Use a quality gelatin that fully dissolves.
🔁 Low-Carb Substitutions That Hold Up
Ingredient | Swap | Notes |
---|---|---|
Almond milk | Coconut cream or full cream | Coconut makes it richer, cream thickens it |
Erythritol | Allulose or stevia blend | Allulose = smoothest mouthfeel |
Gelatin | Agar agar (for vegetarian) | Use less (about 1/2 tsp agar powder) |
⚠️ What Went Sideways (And Why)
What Went Wrong | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
---|---|---|
Lumpy texture | Gelatin not fully dissolved | Whisk well and scrape bottom |
Didn’t set properly | Not enough gelatin or underheated | Heat to just before boiling, use full 1 tbsp gelatin |
Too sweet / not sweet | Sweetener strength varies | Taste before pouring into ramekins |
👩🍳 How to Make It (Step-by-Step)
- In a saucepan, combine almond milk and heavy cream over medium heat.
- Stir in sweetener, vanilla, and optional flavor drops. Heat gently—don’t boil.
- Remove from heat. Sprinkle gelatin over the top. Let sit 1 min, then whisk until completely dissolved.
- Pour into 6 ramekins (each about 1/2 cup size).
- Chill 3–4 hours or overnight until set.
- Serve as-is, or invert onto plates for that restaurant look. Optional: top with berries or sugar-free coulis.

🧠 Keto Cooking Tricks That Help
- I always check the bottom of the pan to make sure all the gelatin is whisked in—it likes to hide.
- If using all cream, the texture gets richer but also higher in calories—worth it if you’re doing strict keto.
- Let it sit at room temp 5–10 mins before unmolding—helps it release easier.
🧊 Meal Prep Notes That Matter
- Fridge: Lasts 5–6 days, covered.
- Freezer: Can be frozen, but texture may suffer—stick to fridge for best results.
- Portioning tip: Pour into silicone muffin molds for easy pop-outs and tracking.
❓ Can I Eat This on Keto? (Yes, Here’s Why)
- Zero sugar
- Only 2g net carbs per serving
- High in fat, moderate protein—perfect keto dessert macros
- Sweetened with non-glycemic options that won’t spike blood sugar
🧮 Full Nutrition Facts (Per 1 Serving – Makes 6)
Nutrient | Amount |
---|---|
Calories | 212 kcal |
Total Fat | 19g |
└ Saturated Fat | ~12g |
Cholesterol | ~65mg |
Sodium | ~20mg |
Potassium | ~90mg |
Total Carbs | 2g |
└ Fiber | 0g |
Net Carbs | 2g |
Protein | 3g |
Sugar | 0g |
Calcium | ~60mg |
Iron | ~0.1mg |
Check out More Recipes:
- Low Carb Keto Cottage Cheese Bread
- Low Carb Keto Ricotta Dessert
- Sugar-Free Protein Muffins – High-Protein, Low-Carb, and Blueberry-Stuffed

Sugar-Free Panna Cotta – Keto, Creamy, and Just 2g Net Carbs
Description
Silky-smooth vanilla panna cotta with rich cream and no sugar—chilled to perfection with just 2g net carbs per serving.
Ingredients
Notes
- Use a spoon to check for undissolved gelatin at the bottom—whisk again if needed.
- For dairy-free, use full coconut cream in place of both almond milk and cream.
- Want a mocha twist? Add 1 tsp instant espresso to the hot cream mix.
- Top with sugar-free berry coulis or grated 90% dark chocolate for flair.