This keto Crème Brûlée is everything you love about the classic dessert—smooth, creamy, and packed with rich vanilla flavor—but without the sugar! It’s my low-carb, sugar-free take on this elegant treat, and it’s just as easy to make. With only five simple ingredients, you’ll have a perfectly creamy, gluten-free dessert that feels fancy but is totally doable at home.
The silky smooth custard in this keto Crème Brûlée instantly takes me back to my childhood trips to Spain. I still remember sitting in our hotel, happily enjoying it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—it was just that good!
I first tried it in Spain, then later in France, and even had a custard-filled donut in England that reminded me of it. No matter where I went, that creamy, rich custard always felt like a little taste of heaven.
The best part? It’s so easy to make low-carb! The only thing that changes is swapping the sugar for a keto-friendly sweetener, but trust me—it still tastes just as rich, smooth, and delicious.
- 1 What is Crème Brûlée?
- 2 Is Crème Brûlée Keto?
- 3 Why Are You Going To Love This Keto Crème Brûlée
- 4 Keto Crème Brûlée Ingredients
- 5 How to Make Keto Crème Brûlée
- 6 What Sweetener to Use?
- 7 Can I Make Vegan Creme Brulee?
- 8 Is Keto Creme Brulee Low Carb?
- 9 Can I Make Keto Crème Brûlée Ahead Of Time?
- 10 Why Is My Crème Brûlée Not Setting?
- 11 Can I Bake Crème Brûlée Without A Water Bath?
- 12 More Keto Desserts
- 13 Keto Crème Brûlée – Just 5 ingredients
What is Crème Brûlée?
Crème Brûlée is a rich and creamy custard dessert topped with a perfectly caramelized, crackly sugar crust. It’s surprisingly easy to make, requiring just five simple ingredients, and is often served with fresh berries for a touch of freshness.
I love simple recipes, especially with my chaotic work schedule and night shifts. With so little time to cook, I’m always on the lookout for flavorful dishes that take less than an hour to make—and this one checks all the boxes!
If you’re a chocolate lover, you might also enjoy my keto mug cake or keto lava cake—they’re just as quick, easy, and delicious!
Is Crème Brûlée Keto?
Traditional Crème Brûlée isn’t keto-friendly because it’s made with sugar, which adds a lot of carbs. But the good news? It’s super easy to make a keto-friendly, low-carb version by simply swapping the sugar for a keto-approved sweetener.
With just a simple ingredient swap, you can enjoy the same rich, creamy custard and perfectly caramelized top—without the extra carbs!
Why Are You Going To Love This Keto Crème Brûlée
It’s rich, creamy, and just like the real thing – The custard is silky smooth, and the caramelized top cracks perfectly with a spoon.
- Super easy to make – Just 5 simple ingredients and minimal prep, but it looks like a fancy restaurant dessert.
- Low-carb and keto-friendly – With only 4g net carbs per serving, you can enjoy a classic treat without the sugar.
- Make it ahead – Perfect for meal prep! Make it the night before, chill, and it’s ready when you are.
- That crispy brûlée topping – Thanks to allulose or a monk fruit blend, you still get that signature crunchy caramel layer.
- Perfect for any occasion – Whether you’re making it for a fancy dinner or just a treat for yourself, it never disappoints!
Keto Crème Brûlée Ingredients
You only need 5 simple ingredients to make this rich, creamy, and sugar-free Crème Brûlée with a perfect vanilla flavor:
- Heavy cream – Don’t use low-fat cream, or you’ll lose the rich, creamy texture that makes this dessert so special.
- Egg yolks – These give the custard its smooth, velvety texture and help it set perfectly.
- Sweetener – Choose a keto-friendly sweetener that caramelizes well and adds a slight caramel-like flavor when torched.
- Whole vanilla bean – This is the best choice for a deep, authentic vanilla flavor. You can also use vanilla bean powder or pure vanilla extract, but avoid imitation vanilla, as it can give the dessert an artificial taste.
- Sea Salt – Just a pinch enhances the flavors and brings out the sweet, creamy vanilla notes. It helps balance the richness of the custard.
How to Make Keto Crème Brûlée
Making keto Crème Brûlée is easier than you think! Follow these simple steps to get a creamy, rich, and perfectly caramelized dessert.
- Start by prepping the ramekins: I’ve tested this recipe with different ramekin sizes, and while they all work, I prefer 4-ounce ramekins for the perfect serving size. Place the ramekins in a metal baking pan and set them aside—we’ll bake them in a water bath to ensure a smooth, creamy texture.
- To make the custard filling: In a mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks with vanilla bean seeds and a keto-friendly sweetener until smooth and well combined. If you’re using organic eggs, they’ll give the custard a beautiful golden-yellow color.
- Don’t toss the vanilla pod—simmer it in the heavy cream to bring out even more rich vanilla flavor. If you don’t have a vanilla bean, you can swap it for a high-quality pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean powder.
- To bake the vanilla custard: Slowly whisk the warm heavy cream mixture into the egg yolks, stirring continuously to avoid curdling. Once fully combined, pour the mixture into the ramekins.
- Fill the baking pan with boiling water, making sure it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins—this water bath helps the custard cook evenly and stay silky smooth.
- Bake at 325°F (163°C) for 30-35 minutes, or until the center is slightly jiggly but set. Let the custard cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours (overnight is even better for the best texture).
- Serve the keto creme brulee: When you’re ready to serve, sprinkle a thin layer of powdered erythritol on top of each custard. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize it until golden and crispy.
- For the perfect finishing touch, top with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh berries. Enjoy your rich, creamy, sugar-free Crème Brûlée!
PRO TIP: If you don’t have a kitchen torch, move your oven rack to the top position and heat your broil to high. Once hot, add the custards topped with sweetener and broil for about 1 to 3 minutes. Watch closely, so it doesn’t burn.
What Sweetener to Use?
Choosing the right keto-friendly sweetener for this low-carb Crème Brûlée can be tricky because you need one that caramelizes well, just like sugar. Here are the best options:
- Monk Fruit Allulose Blend – A great option that browns and caramelizes beautifully, giving you that classic crunchy brûlée topping.
- Allulose – One of the best choices! It has zero carbs and behaves just like sugar when heated, making it perfect for the crispy caramelized top.
- Inulin – Another sweetener that caramelizes well, but keep in mind that it’s not as sweet as sugar or other substitutes.
For the best results, allulose or a monk fruit-allulose blend will give you the most authentic golden, crunchy topping—just like traditional Crème Brûlée!
Can I Make Vegan Creme Brulee?
Yes! You can make a keto vegan Crème Brûlée, but it requires a few key swaps to get that rich, creamy texture without dairy or eggs. Here’s how to do it:
Ingredients you’ll need for dairy-free creme brulee:
- 3 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk or coconut milk – This replaces heavy cream while keeping it creamy.
- ¾ cup keto-friendly sweetener – Use allulose or a monk fruit blend for the best caramelization.
- ½ cup cornstarch – Acts as a thickener to replace egg yolks.
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract – Adds that classic vanilla flavor.
Mix the ingredients – In a large bowl, whisk together all the ingredients until smooth and clump-free.
Cook the custard – Transfer the mixture to a saucepan over medium heat and whisk constantly until it starts to thicken.
Pour & chill – Once thickened, pour the custard into ramekins and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set.
Caramelize the top – Before serving, sprinkle a keto sweetener that caramelizes well (like allulose) and use a torch to create the crispy brûlée topping.
With this method, you’ll get a creamy, delicious vegan Crème Brûlée that’s keto-friendly, dairy-free, and egg-free!
Is Keto Creme Brulee Low Carb?
Yes! This keto Crème Brûlée is made with low-carb, sugar-free ingredients, making it a great dessert option for anyone following a keto or low-carb diet.
Each serving contains just 4g of net carbs, so you can enjoy its rich, creamy vanilla flavor while staying within your carb goals.
Can I Make Keto Crème Brûlée Ahead Of Time?
Yes! Keto Crème Brûlée is perfect for meal prep. You can make it a day or two in advance and store it in the fridge. Just caramelize the top right before serving for the best texture.
Why Is My Crème Brûlée Not Setting?
If your custard is still runny, it may need more time in the oven. Bake until the center is slightly jiggly but not liquid. Also, make sure you let it chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours (overnight is even better).
Can I Bake Crème Brûlée Without A Water Bath?
A water bath (bain-marie) helps the custard cook evenly and prevents it from curdling. Skipping it may result in a rubbery or cracked custard, so it’s best to use one.
More Keto Desserts
- PERFECT HOMEMADE KETO WAFFLES WITH ALMOND FLOUR
- EASY KETO BLUEBERRY BREAD WITH LEMON CHEESECAKE FROSTING
- THE BEST KETO LEMON BARS – ONLY 4G CARBS
- WORLD’S BEST FUDGY KETO BROWNIES RECIPE
Keto Crème Brûlée – Just 5 ingredients
Description
Ingredients
Crème
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 6 egg yolks
- 6 tbsp sweetener I used Sukrin
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- 1 vanilla bean whole
Topping
- 3 tbsp sweetener powdered
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Infuse the Cream: Scrape out the seeds from the vanilla bean and set them aside. Place the vanilla pod in a small saucepan with the heavy cream and sea salt.
- Heat over medium heat until the cream starts to simmer—don’t let it boil! Remove from heat, discard the vanilla pod, and let it cool slightly. If using vanilla extract, stir it in now.
- Whisk the Egg Yolks: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sweetener until the mixture is smooth and the sweetener dissolves.
- Combine the Mixtures: Slowly pour the warm cream into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly to prevent scrambling.
- Prepare the Ramekins & Water Bath: Pour the custard mixture into six 4-ounce ramekins and place them in a metal baking pan. Carefully add boiling water to the pan, filling it until it reaches halfway up the ramekins—this ensures even baking.
- Bake the Custard: Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the custard is set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
- Cool & Refrigerate: Remove from the oven and let the custards cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours (overnight is even better for the best texture).
- Caramelize the Topping & Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of keto-friendly sweetener over each custard. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the top until golden and crispy.
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.