You can’t have apples on a keto diet, right?
In this sneaky recipe, I transform a vegetable from the squash family into an Instagram-worthy keto dessert that checks all the flavor and texture boxes of your standard high-carb, autumn-scented apple dessert. Firm, flavorless and naturally low-carb, chayote squash offers a flavor remarkably similar to roasted apples when cooked with warm spices.
What’s chayote squash, anyway?
Chayote squash, also known as mirliton squash, is part of the gourd family; it’s related to zucchini and pumpkin. You can cook chayote as you would zucchini and pumpkin by boiling or roasting. You can mash it, fry it, and add it to salads and salsas. MORE: This keto custard dessert recipe tastes just like chocolate cheesecake In post-World War II Australia, where apples were scarce and don’t grow well, chayote often was used as a substitute in apple pie recipes. Conversely, chayotes grow in abundance in Australia and are a popular vegetable dish to this day.
Sweetening your keto apple cobbler to avoid sugar spikes
As the co-founder of The Sola Company and initial developer of Sola sweetener, I highly recommend this sugar substitute for sweetening low-carb recipes. I created the sweetener because of a personal mission as a chef: to make a sweetener that actually worked like sugar in recipes. Sola caramelizes and gets sticky, helps cakes rise and brown, and keeps ice cream soft. It uses ingredients found in nature, measures 1:1 like sugar, and has been clinically tested to show no impact on blood sugar or insulin levels. It tastes just like cane sugar but packs 75 percent fewer calories and 0 net carbs. MORE: Our healthier, low-carb Twinkie recipe is a dessert lovers dream Sola sweetener is made from:
Tagatose, a low-glycemic sugar found in yogurt Erythritol, a sugar alcohol found in pears and grapes Maltitol, a low-calorie sweetener found in chicory leaves Stevia leaf extract Monk fruit extract, from a small, melon-shaped fruit Xanthan gum, a natural ingredient that helps create texture
If you can’t find Sola sweetener, here are some other recommendations you can use to make these keto apple cobbler cones:
Swerve: A blend of erythritol and oligosaccharides, which are considered dietary fiber and are derived from fruits and vegetables. Swerve contains no artificial ingredients, preservatives or flavors, and is safe for diabetics. Human clinical trials have shown that Swerve does not affect blood glucose or insulin levels: Lakanto: A blend of erythritol and monkfruit extracts. Pure erythritol: Your next best bet. You might notice a slight cooling taste and crystallization in liquids. Wholesome Sweeteners Zero brand erythritol is widely available in retail outlets and on the company’s website. Pure xylitol: Has the highest glycemic index (7) on my list of recommendations but is a decent option if you can’t find any of the above sweeteners. Widely available through natural food retailers, it’s made primarily from birch trees. A warning for dog owners: Xylitol is highly toxic for dogs. Xyla Brand xylitol is widely distributed and easy to find.
In the keto apple cobbler waffle cone recipe below, we’ll walk you through every step from making your roasting your “apples”, cooking and forming a keto waffle cone and perfectly churning low-card ice cream. Yield 8 servings
1 cup (101 grams) finely ground almond flour2 tablespoons arrowroot starch1/2 cup (95 grams) Sola sweetener or granulated sweetener of your choice (see sweetener advice below)1 stick (110 grams) unsalted butter, melted2 egg whites1 teaspoon vanilla extract1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum (optional but creates crispier cone)
Roasted “apples”:
5 chayote squash, peeled, cored, and sliced3 cups water1/2 cup (95grams) Sola sweetener or granulated sweetener of your choice (see sweetener advice below)*5 cinnamon sticks4 slices fresh ginger1 star anisePinch salt3 tablespoons lemon juice4 tablespoons Sola sweetener2 tablespoons lemon juice1 teaspoon ground cinnamon4 tablespoons unsalted butter
No-churn faux apple ice cream:
8 ounces (225 grams) full-fat cream cheese, softened1/2 cup (95 grams) Sola sweetener or granulated sweetener of your choice (see sweetener advice below)2 cups (480 milliliters) heavy cream, divided1/4 cup (60 milliliters) brandy, optional (bourbon, whiskey and dark rum also work well; you can omit entirely, but alcohol helps ice cream stay soft when frozen)2/3 roasted “apple” mixture, divided1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Shortcake crumbs:
1 cups (110 grams) finely ground almond flour2 tablespoons Sola sweetener or granulated sweetener of your choice (see sweetener advice below)1 teaspoon vanilla extract1/2 stick (57 grams) unsalted butter, cold, diced
Make roasted “apples”: Make ice cream: Make shortbread crumbs: Build waffle cones:
