These keto turtles will satisfy your sweet tooth without breaking your low carb diet. Made with sugar-free chocolate, sugar-free caramel and toasted pecans, these gluten-free treats are the perfect low carb indulgence.
I have made these based on the Turtle candies although my shaping of them may be more apt for keto pecan clusters! Either way they are an irresistible sweet treat or dessert.
Turtle candies were not something I had growing up in the UK so only got to enjoy these when living abroad. After consuming my first one, fell in love with them and vowed to make a low carb version. It is an easy recipe to make with the only problem of not eating the whole batch in one sitting!
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What are turtle candies?
Turtle candies are a type of confectionery made with pecans or sometimes other nuts, typically covered in caramel and then dipped or coated in chocolate. The name "turtle" comes from their resemblance to the shape of a turtle, with the nuts and caramel representing the turtle's shell and the chocolate acting as the turtle's body.
They are often considered a decadent treat and are popular during the holiday season or as a special indulgence. Some variations may include additional ingredients such as nougat or marshmallow. Overall, they are known for their rich, sweet and nutty flavor profile.
Carbs in turtles
Traditional turtle candies are typically high in carbs due to the caramel and chocolate coatings, which often contain sugar. A single traditional turtle candy can contain around 10-15 grams of carbohydrates, with most of those carbs coming from sugars. However, in this keto-friendly version, the carb content is just 4 grams net carbs a serving.
Ingredients
For this keto turtles recipe you need to make the caramel sauce ahead and let it thicken overnight. We use our sugar free caramel sauce recipe. The end result may not be a gooey caramel filling for the pecan turtles but the flavor is there.
- Chocolate chips - sugar free dark chocolate chips like Lily's are a great option.
- Pecans - lightly toast them before use for extra flavor.
- Sugar free caramel sauce - our homemade keto caramel sauce recipe has just 3 ingredients. Heavy cream, butter and brown monk fruit sweetener. Allulose could be substituted for the sweetener.
- Coconut oil - added to the chocolate when melted. Gives the end result a glossy finish. You could omit this if you wanted to reduce the fat and calorie content.
How to make keto turtles
This is an easy recipe but requires some chilling time in between stages.
Arrange pecans on a tray.
Spoon caramel sauce in the middle and chill.
Drizzle and cover with melted chocolate and chill to firm.
Eat and enjoy.
Storage
If your kitchen tends to be warm or if you live in a hot climate, it's best to store keto turtles candies in the refrigerator. Place them in an airtight container or ziplock bag to prevent any absorption of odors from other foods.
Recipe Tips
Toasting the nuts before assembling the turtles can enhance their flavor. Simply spread the nuts on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden and fragrant.
If you're using real chocolate (not chocolate chips), consider tempering it for a smoother texture and glossy finish. Tempering involves heating and cooling the chocolate to specific temperatures to stabilize its crystalline structure. This prevents it from becoming dull and grainy when it sets.
Get creative with your sugar free turtles by adding flavor variations. For example, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the caramel for a sweet and salty contrast, or mix chopped sugar-free bacon into the caramel for a savory twist.
More keto candy recipes
For those of you who have a sweet tooth, try these other keto candy recipes:
Keto Turtles
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Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar free caramel sauce (recipe in link)
- 2 cups pecans halves, toasted
- 4 oz sugar free chocolate
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil optional
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange pecan halves on the parchment paper in clusters, forming the base of each turtle.
- Spoon a small amount of caramel over each cluster of pecans, ensuring that each pecan is coated.
- Place the baking sheet in the fridge to cool for 30 minutes to allow the caramel to set slightly.
- In the meantime, melt the sugar-free dark chocolate with the coconut oil either in a double boiler or in the microwave, stirring occasionally until smooth.
- Once the caramel has set, spoon a dollop of melted chocolate over each cluster, covering the caramel and pecans.
- Use a spoon or spatula to smooth out the chocolate and create a rounded shape resembling a turtle shell.
- Allow the chocolate to set completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Once set, your keto turtles candies are ready to enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.
