What if I told you that there was an easy way to enjoy the flavor of apples while on a low-carb diet? Well, my recipe for keto apple cobbler uses chayote squash as a fantastic apple substitute.
It’s not only delicious, but it’s keto-friendly.
This keto apple crumble cleverly swaps high-carb apples that do not make the list of permitted fruits for low-carb chayotes.
It’s my secret ingredient and gives the best results when craving Granny Smith apples, but I need the grams of net carbs to stay low and not raise blood sugar levels.
It’s the perfect keto apple crisp, allowing you to enjoy all the flavor of apples without the extra carbs.
The crisp topping and chayote squash used in place of apples will fool your tastebuds.
Which makes it the perfect mock apple crisp!
With only 3.3 g net carbs per serving, it will become one of your favorite desserts during this time of the year.
My friend, I have managed to crack the code by creating a low-carb apple cobbler that will effectively have you thinking you are eating actual apples.
But rather than apple slices, you use chayote squash as a faux apple by adding a few key ingredients.
Since coming up with a recipe for this keto apple crisp, I’ve also used chayote squash in a flat-out delicious keto apple pie recipe. So make sure you also check that recipe out.
Remember to check out my other keto pie recipes that include traditional pies, tarts, and cobblers!
Low-Carb Apple Cobbler
Like so many of my recipes, this recipe came out of a real need. I was looking for the perfect substitute for apples.
I wanted to enjoy the flavor of cooked cinnamon apples but stay in ketosis.
As much as I dreaded not being able to have this seasonal treat, I wasn’t willing to risk ruining all my hard work and success for it, either.
With the holidays fast approaching, I was looking to figure out a mock apple option that would allow me to create gluten-free apple crisp without the sugar spike of fructose.
I needed something that would impersonate an apple perfectly in the dish.
Frankly, the thought of not being able to have any apple desserts during the holiday season was beginning to sadden me.
I was beginning to think the possibility of sticking to the diet during the holidays would be nearly impossible for this girl.
The temptation would win this battle if I went another season without a decent apple substitute.
I know that sounds just a bit dramatic, but unfortunately, with so many holiday memories wrapped around food, I wouldn’t be frank if I told you otherwise.
The struggle can be challenging sometimes, and for me, holiday foods can be a significant trigger if I don’t plan accordingly.
Can I tell you that apples are the fruit I’ve missed the most doing keto? Probably because there was a period when I had up to two large apples a day.
Ingredients Needed To Make A Mock Apple Cobbler
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
The following are the ingredients needed: Note that the full printable recipe card as well as the nutritional data are at the bottom of the page.
“Apple” Chayote Filling
- Chayote Squash, cooked, peeled, and sliced
- Unsalted butter (cut into small pieces to dot the filling)
- Lemon juice
- Cream of tartar
- Granulated sugar-substitute
- Cinnamon powder
- Ginger powder
- Nutmeg powder
Cobbler Topping (Crumb Topping)
- Eggs, room temperature
- Finely milled almond flour
- Coconut flour
- Cold unsalted butter (sliced into small pieces)
- Baking powder
- Granulated sugar-substitute
- Sea salt
Icing (Optional)
- Sugar-free confectioner’s sugar substitute.
- Heavy whipping cream
- Vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
Are Apples Keto?
Apples are one of the most popular fruits for several reasons: they’re affordable, easy to find, and most people enjoy their taste.
However, apples are not keto-friendly fruits due to their high natural sugar content. One apple can contain up to 25 grams of sugar, which is too much for a keto diet.
All that fructose will be a problem for anyone who is insulin-resistant.
Apples are not keto because, if you consider the high sugar concentration in each apple, the carbs are too high to be allowed on a keto diet. Just one apple will kick you out of ketosis real quick.
Chayote “Apple” Crisp Recipe
The question was if there was at least something I could use in my baking to mimic the texture of apples. I knew that if I could get the texture right, half the battle was won.
Well, I had this thought running repeatedly when I stumbled upon a solution. Pure happenstance got me to consider using chayote squash as an apple substitute for a keto apple cobbler.
At the time, I was boiling some chayote to use in a side dish when I thought about how much it reminded me of apples. This probably only happened because I was dreaming about cinnamon-spiced apples.
Thankfully, the idea worked like a charm. My first attempt was to sauté the cooked chayote with some sugar substitute, cinnamon, and butter.
The result was good, but it was missing the tartness of apples. So I added some lemon juice and cream of tartar, and bingo, it was a home run! I could use chayote to create more keto apple recipes.
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Since then, I’ve learned that using chayote squash as an apple substitute isn’t a new thing in the low-carb community. It’s funny how much the ingenuity of this community never ceases to amaze me.
I may not have been the first girl to figure this out, but I will tell you that my recipe is hands-down a great option.
Background Of Chayote Squash
If you are unfamiliar with chayote, let me share some of its characteristics with you. Chayote is a light green, firm vegetable from the gourd family.
It’s a Cucurbitaceae, along with melons, cucumbers, and squash.
The chayote squash is native to central Mexico, where it’s seen as a Mexican version of zucchini. It grows rather abundantly, and it is therefore not uncommon to see it used in various Mexican dishes.
Chayote is quite versatile and can be eaten raw, steamed, baked, or boiled. When eaten raw, it tastes similar to jicama.
Because they are so mild, they are a great candidate for a recipe like this low-carb apple dessert.
Chayote Nutrition
Chayote not only mimics the texture of apples but is quite low in carbs. One cup of chayote has only 4 net carbs, so it fits well with your keto macros. It’s also low in calories, with only 25 calories per cup.
Chayote is undoubtedly a low-glycemic food, rich in folate, vitamin C, and minerals like manganese. Moreover, it is high in fiber, making it a perfect choice for keto.
Chayote Squash As An Apple Substitute
The flavor of chayote reminds me of a very, very mild pear with the mouthfeel of an apple once cooked. A winner for my low-carb, keto fall recipes!
Honestly, I really didn’t know a lot about the origins of chayote or its nutritional benefits until I thought of using it as an apple substitute.
I will tell you that although the chayote worked perfectly in my keto apple cobbler and then in my keto apple pie. It may not have enough of an apple taste for some.
This is because chayote is pretty bland, and what reminds you of apples is more the cinnamon and sugar substitute combo. For a more intense apple flavor, you can add a teaspoon of apple extract.
The best part is that they are low in carbs and high in potassium, manganese, iron, folate, zinc, copper, fiber, and vitamins C, B1, B2, and B6. Plus, it is loaded with antioxidants.
It’s important to remember that the chayote squash secretes a sap that can irritate the skin, which is why I recommend using gloves when handling it.
All I can say is that I am thrilled that I went with my instincts and attempted to use chayote in my low-carb mock apple cobbler.
Tag Us
My failed attempts when I first went keto are what caused me to be very intentional with my Keto Baking recipes.
I threw away so many ingredients initially, and I never want anyone to be so frustrated that they give up on the diet before they can see long-lasting results.
Even though those early days were not fun, the fact that I stayed the course has made this journey very rewarding. Besides, if I had quit at the first sign of struggle, I would not have had the opportunity to engage with you all.
I sure hope you will give this recipe a try. Once you do, remember to tag us on Instagram and Facebook. It’s what keeps this girl encouraged to keep sharing and perfecting her recipes.
If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to check out our keto apple cranberry cobbler for another seasonal treat!
Also, check out our Amazon Store for our recommendations. You might be surprised by how many great keto options are at your disposal.
Grab Our Books!
In case you don’t know, I have authored two books for you, Essential Keto Bread and Essential Keto Desserts, both inspired by your requests over the years. I pray these keto cookbooks will help make keto a delicious breeze for you.
Join Our Jesus And Keto Movement
Looking for an online support system to help you stay the course on keto? As a family, we came to the keto diet, looking at it from a Christian perspective. As believers, we live our lives supported by God’s grace.
So when the Holy Spirit led us to combine our Christian faith and the keto diet, we did so in hopes of finding lasting transformation. When we followed the Holy Spirit’s prompting, we got on the path to real transformation.
Knowing firsthand the benefits of this decision, we have created a closed Christian group using the keto diet to transform their lives. We invite you to join our Private Facebook Group and see if it’s not the key you have been missing.
Be sure to request our FREE Jesus and Keto E-Book (First 7 Days). We hope it blesses you.
Fittoservegroup Keto App
Looking for a fast way to access our keto recipes? We’ve got you covered. There’s an app for that. Yup, there’s a Fit To Serve Group App that will make your keto diet a delicious breeze!
Access hundreds of recipes that are all sugar-free, gluten-free, and keto-friendly.
Enjoy early access to recipes on the website before they go live. Plus, there are bonus recipes exclusive to the app. You can also create personal cookbooks to organize your favorite recipes.
Search recipes by title, ingredients, keywords, and categories, and of course, every recipe shows complete nutritional facts.
Get the Fit to Serve Group App for easy-to-follow keto recipes made with easy-to-source ingredients.
The app is loaded with hundreds of yummy recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and even desserts!
Learn more by visiting our Fit To Serve Group App Page.
Keto Apple Cobbler (Gluten-Free)
This recipe for keto apple cobbler uses chayote squash as a fantastic apple substitute. It's not only delicious, but it's keto-friendly. Enjoy all the flavor of apples minus all the carbs!
Ingredients
"Apple" Chayote Filling
- 4 Chayote Squash, cooked, peeled and sliced
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter (cut into small pieces to dot the filling)
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar substitute
- 2 tablespoons of cinnamon powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of ginger powder
- 1/4 of teaspoon of nutmeg
Cobbler Topping
- 2 large eggs , room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups of finely milled almond flour
- 1/2 cup of coconut flour
- 1/4 cup of cold unsalted butter (sliced into small pieces)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar-substitute
- 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
Icing (optional)
- 1/4 cup of sugar substitute confectioners sugar.
- 4 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and butter a 9X9 baking dish. Set it aside and prepare the filling.
Filling
- Boil the whole chayote with enough water to cover them.
- Cook the chayote squash for about 25 30 minutes. They should still be firm but cooked through.
- Allow the chayote squash to cool for about 10-15 minutes. Using gloves, peel and slice the cooled chayote into 1/4-inch slices.
- Place the chayote slices into a medium-sized bowl.
- To the chayote, add the cinnamon powder, ginger powder, nutmeg powder, spices, granulated sugar substitute, cream of tartar, and lemon juice. Combine well.
- Add the chayote filling to the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
- Dot the filling with two tablespoons of sliced butter.
Cobbler Topping
- Create the cobbler crust by combining almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, salt, and three tablespoons of sugar substitute.
- Add the thin slices of butter to the dry ingredients and use two forks, a pastry cutter, or your fingers to distribute the butter evenly into the dry ingredients. Mix until crumbly and resembles coarse cornmeal.
- Next, add the eggs to the mixture and combine well but do not over-mix. Set aside.
Assemble The Cobbler
- Top the "apple" cobbler with the cobbler crust. Make sure to break up the crust topping into small pieces and evenly distribute them.
- Bake in the oven at 350 degrees until hot and bubbly for 35-40 minutes.
- Serve warm or cold.
Icing (Optional)
- Combine the confectioner's sugar substitute, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
- Stir until well combined.
- Drizzle on top of the warm cobbler.
Notes
Handling Chayote Squash
It's essential to keep in mind that the chayote squash secretes a sap that can irritate the skin, which is why I recommend using gloves when handling it.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 113Total Fat: 9.4gSaturated Fat: 3.1gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 43mgCarbohydrates: 4.8gNet Carbohydrates: 3.3gFiber: 1.5gSugar: 0.6gProtein: 3.5g
