I’ll be honest—lupini beans used to scare me.
Bitter, rubbery, weirdly squeaky? Yeah, I wasn’t sold.
But then I figured out the right way to season and crisp them—without wrecking my macros—and now they’re a crunchy snack I actually crave.

These chili-lime lupini beans?
Crunchy, zesty, and only 2.2g net carbs per serving.
Perfect for popping straight out of the air fryer… or tossing on salads when you need a little oomph without the carb bomb.

💡 Why This Recipe Actually Works (Low-Carb Edition)

• Drying = Crunch: Wet beans = sad beans. Drying them first is non-negotiable.
• Fat + Acid = Flavor Magic: Olive oil clings the spices to the bean, lime cuts any lingering bitterness.
• Air Fryer = MVP: Crisp without deep frying. Oven works too, but air fryer is king for snacky texture.

🧾 Ingredients That Kept It Keto

• Lupini Beans (225g / 1 ½ cups) – Crazy low net carbs and super high in fiber and protein. Rinse well to ditch any extra sodium or brine funk.
• Lime Juice (1 tbsp) – Brightens the beans and tames bitterness.
• Olive Oil (1 tbsp) – Helps the seasoning stick and adds heart-healthy fats.
• Chili Powder (1 tsp) – Gives a smoky, spicy kick without carbs.
• Sea Salt (¼ tsp or to taste) – Balances the whole flavor party.
• Black Pepper (¼ tsp) – Tiny bit of heat without overpowering.

🔁 Keto Swaps That Actually Work

• Swap the lime juice for lemon if you’re out—still acidic, still bright.
• Add smoked paprika for a BBQ vibe.
• Want it spicier? Toss in a pinch of cayenne.
• Oil options: Avocado oil works just as well, but coconut oil makes the flavor weird here. Trust me, I tried.

⚠️ Keto Missteps and How I Fixed Them

What Went Wrong	Why It Happens	How to Fix It
Beans didn’t get crispy	Didn’t dry them enough or overcrowded the basket	Pat dry aggressively and spread in a single layer
Bitter aftertaste	Didn’t rinse the lupini beans well	Soak/rinse thoroughly to wash off the brine
Mushy texture	Overcooked or left in a clump	Stir halfway through cooking

👩‍🍳 How To Make It (Step-by-Step)

1. Drain + Dry: Rinse lupini beans under cold water. Pat dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. (No visible moisture = crispier beans.)
2. Season: In a bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Toss the beans until every one is glossy and coated.
3. Cook:
   • Air Fryer: 380°F (193°C) for 10 minutes, stirring/shaking halfway.
   • Oven: 400°F (204°C) for 15 minutes, stirring once midway.
4. Cool It: Let them sit for 5 minutes. They’ll crisp up even more as they cool.
5. Snack Attack: Eat as-is, or sprinkle over salads for a crunchy topping.

👉 Tracking Tip: I portion these into 6 servings (about a small handful each)—makes carb tracking idiot-proof.

🧠 Keto Cooking Tricks That Help

• Air dry the beans for 5 minutes after patting dry for even better texture.
• Double the seasoning batch and keep it in a jar—it’s awesome on chicken, shrimp, even avocado.
• Shake the air fryer basket halfway through to make sure every side gets crispy, not soggy.

🧊 How I Store and Track It

• Store: Airtight container in the fridge, good for up to 5 days.
• Reheat: Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 5-7 minutes to revive the crunch.
• Tracking note: Still around 2.2g net carbs per serving even after reheating.

❓ Real Keto Questions, Real Answers

Can I eat lupini beans on keto?
✅ Yes—super low in net carbs, high in fiber and protein. Just rinse and track properly.

Are canned lupini beans okay?
✅ Yup. Just rinse them well to ditch the brine and sodium.

Will this recipe spike blood sugar?
🚫 Nope. High fiber + low net carbs = blood sugar friendly for most people.

Can I batch these ahead?
✅ Totally. They keep crunchy if cooled fully before storing.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 6 serving

Nutrient	Per Serving (1 of 6)	Full Recipe (All 6 Servings)
Calories	61 kcal	366 kcal
Total Fat	3.4g	20.4g
— Saturated Fat	0.6g	3.6g
Cholesterol	0mg	0mg
Sodium	7mg	42mg
Potassium	407mg	2442mg
Total Carbohydrates	3.3g	19.8g
— Dietary Fiber	1.1g	6.6g
— Sugars	0.1g	0.6g
Net Carbs	2.2g	13.2g
Protein	5g	30g

🔥 Quick Notes:

• Net Carbs per Serving: 2.2g ✅ (calculated: 3.3g total carbs – 1.1g fiber)
• Protein Punch: 5g per serving = a super satisfying keto snack
• Fat Boost: Thanks to the olive oil—helps keep this snack keto and filling
• Potassium Bonus: 407mg per serving = helps balance electrolytes on keto (important if you’re prone to “keto flu”)

Important:
If you heavy hand the oil or seasoning (it happens 👀), fat and sodium will creep up a little—but the net carbs should stay pretty much the same.
Always a good move to weigh or measure ingredients if you’re strict-tracking.

Check out More Recipes:

• Low Carb Keto Pita Bread
• Low Carb Keto Tahini Sauce Recipe
• Low Carb Keto Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles