Keto ladyfingers are a sugar-free version of a classic Italian pastry with a texture somewhere between a cake and a cookie. They're delicate with a subtle sweetness and light vanilla flavor. Pair them with a hot cup of coffee or make a batch to use in a keto tiramisu!

While ladyfingers are commonly found at most grocery store bakeries, this low-carb and sugar-free ladyfinger recipe is the easiest way to enjoy them without the carbs, gluten and sugar.
My keto ladyfingers aren't quite as cake-y as traditional lady finger biscuits but they're still a delicious, low-carb treat with a delightfully crisp exterior!
If you're looking for another delicious keto cookie recipe to add to your baking lineup, this is a new one to love.
about ladyfingers
Authentic Italian ladyfingers, also called "savoiardi," are light pastries that are crisp on the outside and light and sponge-y in the center.
These Italian biscuits are like a cross between a cookie and a cake, and they are traditionally used to create the cake layers in a classic tiramisu (great news: you can use these to make a keto tiramisu!).
They're dipped in a strong coffee mixture and their sponge-like texture absorbs the liquid well without getting soggy.
A traditional recipe for ladyfingers is actually quite simple. Whipped egg whites make the ladyfingers light and airy, flour gives it structure and regular sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness.
And I've taken the simplicity of authentic, homemade ladyfingers and created a keto-friendly version that is just as easy to make!
why this recipe works
I have been testing a keto tiramisu recipe for some time, which means I had to develop these keto ladyfingers for the cake. And let me tell you, I wasn't expecting to enjoy them on their own as much as I do!
Whether you're planning to make a low carb tiramisu or you simply want a sugar-free version of the classic sponge cookie, this keto ladyfingers recipe is ideal!
It's a light and sweet treat, but is gluten free, keto and low-carb diet friendly. Here's why you'll love them:
- The main ingredients are similar to the authentic recipe, but we're skipping the sugar for monk fruit sweetener and using almond flour instead of wheat flour.
- Keto ladyfingers are a delicious treat with a hot cup of coffee or tea, but you can also use them in a keto tiramisu cake.
- This sugar-free version of an Italian dessert cookie is easier to make than you might think!
- They are not only sugar free and keto-approved, but they are also grain/gluten free and blood sugar friendly with only 1-2 net carbs per serving.
ingredients for sugar-free ladyfingers
Compared to traditional ladyfingers, the main ingredient swaps in this keto recipe include powdered monk fruit sweetener and almond flour for the sugar and flour.
Powdered monk fruit sweetener is essential and helps create a lighter, airy cookie without weighing the meringue down or giving it a grainy texture.
Here's a look at the ingredients you will need for this easy keto recipe:
- Eggs. A total of three large eggs plus one egg white is required to get the perfect consistency. Separate the eggs, then mix the yolks with half of the sweetener and whip the egg whites with the other half. Later, the two mixtures will be folded together to create the airy batter. Use room temperature eggs for the best results.
- Powdered monk fruit sweetener. This type of keto sweetener dissolves best in the meringue and egg yolks. I like Lakanto but you can use any powdered monk fruit sweetener blend you prefer.
- Baking powder. Along with the egg whites, baking powder helps give the keto ladyfingers a bit of rise. Try to use an aluminum-free baking powder whenever possible.
- Blanched almond flour. Finely ground and skins removed, blanched almond flour is the wheat flour substitute that makes these low carb diet friendly! Make sure you're using fine almond flour and not almond meal.
- Pure vanilla extract. A sweet splash of vanilla flavor is perfect in these sponge cookies!
- Salt. Just a little bit of salt adds more flavor.
- Xanthan gum. Since almond flour lacks gluten, a little bit of xanthan gum will help bind the sugar-free ladyfingers.
You will also need an electric mixer (either a standup mixer, hand mixer or both), a sifter (or fine-mesh strainer) and a piping bag to pipe the batter.
the recipe
Here's a look at the steps required in my keto ladyfingers recipe to help give you an idea of the process.
Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to view the full recipe in the printable recipe card.
In a large mixing bowl, add the egg yolks and half of the powdered sweetener. Use a mixer to beat the egg yolks until smooth, then add the vanilla.
In a separate bowl (or bowl of a standup mixer), whip the egg whites with the other half of the sweetener until stiff peaks form.
With a rubber spatula, fold the egg whites into the beaten egg yolks until the whites are fully incorporated.
In a small bowl, combine the dry ingredients, then sift them into the meringue mixture. Fold in portions of almond flour before adding more.
Transfer batter to a piping bag. On a baking tray lined with parchment paper, pipe the batter into log shapes, about 1-inch wide by 4- 5 inches long.
Bake the cookies at 350°F for 12-14 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden brown. Cool completely on the baking sheet.
Tip: If baking two trays at a time, swap the position of the trays in the oven halfway through the bake time.
Once cooled, the cookies are ready for your homemade tiramisu, or you can dust them with powdered sweetener and enjoy them on their own!
tips for the best results
ingredient substitutions
- Sweetener: You can use powdered erythritol (like Swerve) or another powdered sugar substitute (as long as it's a 1:1 swap for sugar). I personally like the taste of Lakanto powdered monk fruit over other sweetener blends and find it has less of a cooling aftertaste than erythritol alone.
- Almond flour. Almond flour is a key ingredient in this recipe. Do not substitute coconut flour for the almond flour. Coconut flour is incredibly absorbent and does not work as a 1:1 substitute for almond flour.
piping and baking
- If you don't have a piping bag, a gallon-sized Ziplock bag will work just fine too! It doesn't need a tip- simply cut a small piece off of the corner of the bag and pipe the batter onto the cookie sheet.
- Before piping the ladyfinger cookies, you can practice piping 1-2 cookies on a small plate. It's important to make them as even as possible so they bake evenly.
storage
Keep any leftover keto ladyfingers in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh up to five days but will lose some of their sponginess after day two.
If you're making a homemade tiramisu, the almond flour ladyfingers will be fairly delicate when dipped in the coffee. They only need a quick dunk!
you might also love
- Keto Coffee Cheesecake has a rich espresso flavor and an Oreo-inspired crust! It's deliciously rich and creamy and is a keto dessert that coffee lovers will appreciate.
- These Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies are an easy baking project that results in a rich, nutty, chewy cookie! Low carb and gluten free, this easy cookie recipe is bound to become a favorite.
- Keto Chocolate Sauce is the perfect, sugar-free topping for sundaes, cakes and even smoothies! This low-carb and dairy-free recipe takes just minutes to prepare.
- Keto Tiramisu is a sugar-free version of the classic Italian dessert that calls for a batch of these ladyfingers! A creamy mascarpone filling, coffee soaked sponge layers and a dusting of cocoa powder on top create a dreamy dessert.
Keto Ladyfingers
These sugar-free ladyfingers are light and airy with a sweet vanilla flavor and a crisp exterior. This keto-friendly version of the classic Italian sponge cookie is delicious on its own or as layers in a tiramisu.
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs, separated (at room temperature)
- 1 egg white
- 1 cup powdered monk fruit sweetener, divided (plus 2-3 tablespoons extra if dusting the cookies)
- 1-½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1-½ cups blanched almond flour
- 1-½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon xanthan gum
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Beat egg yolks: In a large mixing bowl, add the egg yolks and a ½ cup of the powdered sweetener. Use a hand mixer to beat the egg yolks until smooth and well combined, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Mix in the vanilla.
- Whip egg whites: In a separate bowl (I use a standup mixer for this part), whip the egg whites with the remaining ½ cup of powdered sweetener. Start on low speed then increase to high once the sweetener is incorporated. Whip for about 2-4 minutes or until stiff peaks form.
- Fold: Use a rubber spatula to gently fold portions of the egg whites into the beaten egg yolks until all the whites are fully incorporated.
- Add dry ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the almond flour, baking powder, salt and xanthan gum. With a sifter or fine mesh strainer, sift portions of the dry ingredients into the meringue mixture. Fold the dry ingredients in, then add more, and repeat until all of the dry ingredients are added.
- Pipe: Transfer the batter to a piping bag (or a gallon-sized Ziplock bag). Cut a small piece off the tip of the bag. Pipe the batter onto the prepared pans in log shapes about 1-inch wide by 4-5 inches long. Try to keep them as even as possible.
- Bake: Transfer the pans to the oven and bake at 350°F for 12-14 minutes, swapping the position of the pans halfway through the bake time. The cookies are done when the edges are light golden brown.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheets.
- Enjoy: Once cooled, you can dust the cookies with extra powdered sweetener if enjoying them on their own, or set them aside to use for tiramisu.
Notes
- Powdered sweetener is important in this recipe since it dissolves well and won't leave your meringue cookies with a gritty texture. I prefer Lakanto Powdered Monkfruit Sweetener but you can use any powdered sweetener that is a 1:1 substitute for sugar.
- Before piping the ladyfinger cookies, you can practice piping 1-2 cookies on a small plate. It's important to make them as even as possible so they bake evenly.
- Keep any leftover keto ladyfingers in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh up to five days but will lose some of their sponginess after day two. If you're making a homemade tiramisu, the almond flour ladyfingers will be fairly delicate when dipped in the coffee- they only require a quick dunk.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 34 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 49Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 52mgCarbohydrates: 2gNet Carbohydrates: 1gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 2g
This nutritional information is approximate and is provided for convenience as a courtesy.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!