Correct, these are keto hot dogs with *actually* fluffy yeast buns… at just 3g net carbs! They’re pillowy-soft, absolutely delicious and not-eggy (at all!).
Keto Hot Dogs 🐶
With *actually* fluffy yeast buns!
These low carb hot dog buns are the off-spring of my beloved (soft ‘n fluffy!) sandwich bread. A truly delicious grain free bread in its own right, and probably the closest recipe to an actual yeast bread on the site.
Though it does have a bit more ingredients, and you can easily whip my keto bagels as buns too (I know many of you do!). They’re a bit quicker, and also a good one if you can’t have flaxseed.
Still, these buns are my favorite. They keep very well at room temp for 4 days and freeze beautifully (think double batches, stashed away for a rainy day). Oh, and you might also be surprised how good this bread is even without toasting.
And yes, we already know it makes terrific and sturdy (vip!) burger buns too.
The Deets
Making these paleo and keto hot dog buns is incredibly simple really. But, like with any yeasted bread, it does require you take care of a few details to ensure the best possible outcome.
The nice thing about these guys too, is that they didn’t fall at all post bake for me (hurray!). Their size vs a sandwich loaf clearly does help with the lack of structure of grain-free flours.
The yeast also ensures a wonderful texture and taste. And note that you won’t get that gummy and wet texture here of most low carb breads. Plus, as mentioned, I’m baking at high altitude- so if we can make this keto sandwich bread work so can you.
- Weigh your ingredients. This will forever be a staple recommendation for any sort of gluten free baking here at gnom-gnom. As aside from leading to less dirty dishes, it will ensure consistent results time and time again. Remember that gluten free (and particularly keto) baking is notoriously finicky, and measuring by cups is anything but accurate. And if you don’t own a baking scale, measure with cups by dropping the ingredients onto them rather than scooping them out (which often leads to overpacking).
- Ingredients at room temperature. Self explanatory really, but incredibly important (particularly for the eggs). If you add cold eggs to the mix your bread simply won’t rise much (if at all).
- Proof the yeast. This involves mixing dry active yeast with water that’s just warm to touch (between 105-110°F to be precise) and maple syrup or honey for 7 minutes until foamy. And before you scream sugar (!!) remember that the yeast will feed on such sugar to emit carbon dioxide, so it doesn’t affect the carb count (and if it does its a minute amount as its divided up between servings). And yes, this is a scientific fact.
- Avoid abrupt temperature changes and air drafts. Like with any yeast bread, you need to cuddle your dough. Make sure it’s able to rest undisturbed in a warm space.
- Baking at high altitude? Yup, so am I (Paola here!!). I’ve tried quite a few combinations, and the one modification I will suggest is to increase your oven temperature by 25°F. You may also need to decrease the baking time by 5 minutes (I baked the bread for 45 mins), but that may change from oven to oven.
Before rise
After rise
And (needless to say) post bake!
The Ingredients & Possible Subs
The buns do have quite a few ingredients (I know, I know! I tried), but you’ll find that most are staple paleo and keto pantry ingredients. In the list below you’ll find details on several ingredients and possible subs. But if possible, please do try and make this recipe without any subs. As out of the 18 permutations I tried, this one really was terrific and the absolute best.
Almond flour. You truly need a super finely ground almond flour here, as if you use meal your bread will turn out dense and oily. Super fine almond flour brands include Anthony’s , WellBees and Bob’s.
Now if paleo, or in keto maintenance, you can lighten up the bread even more by substituting part of the almond flour (1/4-1/2 cup) with arrowroot flour.
Flaxseed meal. You’ll want to use golden flaxseed meal (we use Bob’s), and regrind the flakes in your (very dry!) bullet or blender until finely powdered. Great way to avoid slimy bread. You can technically substitute the flaxseed meal with psyllium husk powder, but we prefer the crumb much more with the flax.
Psyllium husk powder. Same as with your flaxseed meal, you’ll always want to regrind your psyllium husk. We always favor NOW brand as it doesn’t turn bread purple. You can substitute it with more flax, but your bread may lose some elasticity and rise.
Whey protein isolate. This one is an absolute must, as it will ensure your bread doesn’t collapse post-bake. Keep in mind that this ingredient varies tremendously from brand to brand, and we’ve only tried (and are super happy!) with Isopure’s Zero Carb Unflavored.
Oh, and feel free to whip up some (5-minute!) keto mayo with the leftover yolks! And, of course, don’t forget the great option of jicama fries!
Don’t believe me still that these are the real deal? Check out your hundreds of reviews on the burger buns and keto sandwich bread, as its also handy to see when, and why, things can go wrong at times (i.e. your reviews are very important for all of us to learn… and for me to improve recipes!).
Keto Hot Dogs (with fluffy yeast buns!)
Ingredients
For the keto hot dog buns
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey, to feed the yeast (pssst! no sugar will remain post bake)*
- 120 ml water lukewarm between 105-110°F
- 168 g almond flour **
- 83 g golden flaxseed meal finely ground
- 15 g whey protein isolate
- 18 g psyllium husk finely ground
- 2 teaspoons xanthan gum or 4 teaspoons ground flaxseed meal**
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 egg at room temperature
- 110 g egg whites about 3, at room temperature
- 56 g grass-fed butter or ghee, melted and cooled
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 58 g sour cream or coconut cream + 2 tsp apple cider vinegar, at room temp
For the hot dogs
- sausages
- pico de gallo salsa
- mustard
- keto ketchup
- etc. i.e. whatever your heart desires!
Instructions
For the hot dog buns
- (Pretty please!) see recipe video for guidance on the deets for keto yeast breads- hint they're easier than you think, as there's no kneading involved! In fact, I think you'll soon realize that the only annoying thing here is the long list of ingredients. That said, try not to sub for best results but do check out the post for possible subs and some tips 'n tricks.
- Line a baking tray with a baking mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
- Add yeast and maple syrup (to feed the yeast, see notes) to a large bowl. Heat up water to 105-110°F, and if you don't have a thermometer it should only feel lightly warm to touch. Pour water over yeast mixture, cover bowl with a kitchen towel and allow to rest for 7 minutes. The mixture should be bubbly, if it isn't start again (too cold water won't activate the yeast and too hot will kill it).
- Mix your flours while the yeast is proofing. Add almond flour, flaxseed meal, whey protein powder, psyllium husk, xanthan gum, baking powder and salt to a medium bowl and whisk until thoroughly mixed. Set aside.
- Add in the egg, egg whites, lightly cooled melted butter (you don't want to scramble the eggs or kill the yeast!) and vinegar. Mix with an electric mixer for a couple minutes until light and frothy. Add the flour mixture in two batches, alternating with the sour cream, and mixing until thoroughly incorporated. You want to mix thoroughly and quickly to activate the xanthan gum, though the dough will become thick as the flours absorb the moisture.
- Divide dough into 6-8 (I did 6 here as my sausages were on the bigger side), shaping them into strips using lightly wet hands. Cover with lightly oiled cling film (saran wrap), cover with a kitchen towel and place in a warm draft-free space for 40-60 minutes until the buns have substantially increased in size (see post for pics!). How long it takes depends on your altitude, temperature and humidity- so keep an eye out for it every 20 minutes or so. And keep in mind that you do need a bit extra warmth than traditional gluten doughs (say placing the tray on top of the oven!). Another trick you guys have given, and I can confirm works great, is to turn on the oven until just warm, turn it off (very important!) and place the buns inside to proof for the first 30 minutes- it will kickstart the proofing and give you fluffier buns.
- Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C while the dough is proofing. And if you're baking at high altitude, you'll want to bake it at 375°F/190°C.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until deep golden, covering with a lose foil dome after 15 minutes if you notice they begin to brown too quickly. Just be sure that the foil isn't resting directly on the buns.
- Allow to cool completely for best texture, but (and I really shouldn't encourage this!) you can get away with waiting just 15-20 mins for fresh warm buns. But they really are better completely cool ok?
- Keep stored in an airtight container (or tightly wrapped in cling film) at room temperature for 4-5 days, giving it a light toast before serving. Though you'll find that this keto bread is surprisingly good even without toasting!
- Grill up those sausages and get your favorite toppings ready. I'm clearly a pico de gallo and mustard kinda gal- oh, and yes please to pickled jalapeños when they're around! Though I suppose with hot dogs, more than a recipe, its kinda about enjoying your thing- isn't it? So do you 🙂
Can I substitute cassava flour instead of arrowroot? I have tried several recipes for rolls and would really like to lighten up the texture. How much sugar would you sub for the honey? Thank you.
You know Nancy, I’ve actually never baked with cassava! But It’s my understanding that it behaves a lot like garbanzo (and slightly like lupin), so I don’t see why you can’t use some (I would try subbing 1/4-1/3 of the almond). Xo and it would be wonderful if you get the chance to report back!
I can’t see my question and there are others that were posted and even answered after I posted mine. 😢 I keep checking back all day because we want to make these. Please help.
Holly I’m so sorry, your comments went to the spam folder (happens every once in a while). I’m getting to you now!
YAYYYY!! 👏🏼 🤞🙏🏼
😅
Is there a substitute for flax? My dr does not want me to eat flax because it feeds my breast cancer
Psyllium husk! Just keep in mind that they’ll come out a bit less fluffy xo!
Sure, but here they’re sold in multiple pieces, and I am not used to go at the bar or restaurant and order a coffe to take away a single serving packet 😉 it’s not a nice thing to do in our culture and it’s considered unpolite, you can ask to take home leftover (or ask for a “doggy bag”if the food is appropriate for that, or simply ask to have a packet for yourself since it’s anyway paid, but it’s something you may do with real food, not a packet of sugar, and in some places you also have to pay for the box/sachet they put your leftover into, or they give you some of they reusable cotainers that if you’re a known client you can then wash and take back the day after). In any case, just do not want that ingredient in my home since I really never use it so I asked about inulin, which I often have on hands for other puropose so I’d be ok with that. Anyway, thank for your suggestion… even if calling me “sugar” that sounds a bit acid ;-P
Inulin does work Roberta, I forgot to answer! And thanks for reminding me to include it as a note in the post xo!!
PALOA- please answer 🙏🏼 Is it okay to sub egg white powder for the whey?? Other Keto and low carb baked recipes have worked for me doing that HOWEVER, you usually offer any kind of substitutions that will work but you didn’t offer that here so I don’t want to throw out all my organic ingredients by just trying w/out asking you. I don’t know if this will help but I will be adding the arrowroot you’re suggesting. Thank you so much.
We ♥️ Your pasta is it still available??
Hi Holly!! Again, sorry that your comment went to spam.
Ok so pretty please don’t use egg white powder, as in my experience at least, your baked goods will come out super dry. That said, since you’re ok with using arrowroot, I would sub it with that (the carbs in it will help, at least partly, to offset the structure that the whey isolate gives).
(And unfortunately that keto pasta won’t be back, as my business partner and I decided to part ways and are winding down the business)(p.s. 2 I’m sorry I’ve been unable to give you guys any sort of update, but I will soon).
Xo!!
I just want to say how much I enjoy reading through your posts, and even through the lengthy instructions. You’re delightful Paola! Thank you and five stars alone for this.
Can you sub in some lupin flour for some of the almond flour? Have you tried this? I’m just curious.
I’ve been making your bread for over two years now. Two loafs every couple weeks or so thank you!
Whoaaa that’s so cool to hear! I’m happy you’ve enjoyed it 🙂
To be honest I have not tried this recipe yet tho it is certainly in the rotation for soon. But as a keto veteran, having made white keto ‘Soul Bread’ many times, Hoosier Hills isolated whey protein is just as good as the Isopure. Other ones just don’t do the trick for truly light stable keto bread, imo.
Interesting Diane, thanks for sharing! I’m going to have to try that brand now.
I’ve been using the grass fed one from Opportuniteas too lately and it’s quite good. Xo!
Where is the video, I only see a video for focaccia bread?
I’m sorry Dale, that’s the video I’ve got for you guys right now. I’m including it though, as the methodology is exactly the same (just a change around of flours) so it should still give you guys an idea of how my keto breads work.
(But promise that making a proper video is on my to do list)
At .5 I read: “You want to mix thoroughly and quickly to activate the xanthan gum”… apologize my ignorance here, but what does it mean that xanthan gum needs to be activate? It’s the first time I find this instruction using this ingredient (that I use often though… so I’m curious to understand what I’ve been missing until now!). I haven’t even found it in the ingredients list actually… Amount needed and time to add it in the process? And then, about feeding the yeast: in this case inulin wouldn’t work? I’d prefer not buying sugar or honey just for this kind of recipe since I do not want something I do not use for anything else and would just require a place in my already full pantry…
Thanks for keeping alive our desire to cook even in crazy days: you’re posts are always so appealing and encouraging that laziness has to leave place to action 😉
Hi Roberta! Nice to chat with you again 🙂 Good question on the xanthan gum! I suppose that by activate what I mean is that I’ve noticed that with my keto bread doughs, mixing the dough very thoroughly makes it more elastic and it rises better (and I suppose that it’s a mixture with the flaxseed and psyllium husk too!). You just want those ingredients super thoroughly mixed so they become elastic (or sticky, lol!).
I do see it in the ingredients, 2 teaspoons.
And I’m so happy to hear that I’ve managed to provide at least some delight of sorts…! I’ve got a lot of fun things planned you’ll see 😉 xo!!
Thank you, Paola, gotcha! I’ve read the ingredinets list again and again, and under my nose I had the 2 tsp clearly indicated: so dumb, thanks for your patience 😉
Always a pleasure!
RE: Sugar, small restaurant packets should do the trick for the yeast so no storage problem.