Gluten Free Sugar Free Low Carb Keto Vanilla Wafers
Sugar Free Gluten Free Low Carb Keto Vanilla Wafers are the perfect make ahead cookie that can be rolled into a cylinder form, wrapped and stored in the fridge or frozen for easy slice and bake cookies whenever you like. Just 1 total carb per cookie and 0 net carbs!
Sugar Free Vanilla Wafer Cookies
Vanilla wafers were and will always be a classic, comforting cookie from my childhood.
Crumbles all over my pajamas and a glass a milk on a little folding table by the couch, sitting with my grandmother watching TV; a fond memory I will always cherish.
While my copycat recipe for those classic cookies my grandmother and I used to enjoy may be quite different, the distinct taste in my homemade vanilla wafers is still prevalent and comforting all the same. The smell alone while baking will remind you of home, wherever that may be.
The best part about these vanilla cookies is how easy they are to prepare. Basically like a slice and bake cookie dough recipe that makes life so easy when you want fresh homemade vanilla cookies on your keto diet or low carb diet. You can even freeze after you roll it and thaw for whenever you feel like baking some cookies.
That’s the best way to keep your portions under control in my opinion.
Why You’ll Love These Keto Vanilla Wafers
If you’ve been missing classic vanilla cookies on your keto diet or low carb diet, these homemade low-carb vanilla wafers are about as close as it gets. They’re lightly sweet with a rich natural vanilla flavor, crisp around the edges with a tender center, and they’re sturdy enough to use in your favorite desserts.
Unlike traditional vanilla wafer cookies, these are made with wholesome ingredients and contain no added sugar, making them a wonderful option for anyone watching their blood sugar or following a sugar-free lifestyle.
They’re also:
- gluten free
- grain free
- nut free
- low carb
- keto friendly
- made with coconut flour
- easy to freeze
- perfect for meal prep
- just 1 gram total carbs and 0 g net carbs per cookie
Whether you’re craving a simple sweet treat with coffee or looking for free vanilla wafers to use in a recipe, these cookies are a great alternative to store-bought versions.
Low-Carb Vanilla Wafers
My favorite cookie recipes from my childhood and baking with my grandmother are these Vanilla Wafers, Peanut Butter Blossoms and Butter Balls!
Sometimes basic and plain is a good thing. Why mess with perfection? No need to add anything to these cookies really, they are perfect as is.
Maybe they don’t look exactly like a thin vanilla wafer cookie recipe and may not be exactly as crisp as the ones you can buy, but for a grain free, gluten free, low carb, sugar free cookie, oh my these are spectacular!
What Makes These Homemade Vanilla Wafers Different?
Traditional vanilla wafers are made with wheat flour and plenty of added sugar, which means they’re not ideal for a low carb diet or ketogenic lifestyle.
This copycat recipe skips all of that while still delivering the comforting classic flavor you remember.
Instead of flour, these cookies use coconut flour, which keeps the total carbs incredibly low while creating a delicate cookie with a buttery vanilla taste.
The combination of monk fruit extract, allulose and vanilla creates a sweetness very similar to traditional cookies without the cooling effect many sugar alcohols can leave behind.
Can I use a different sweetener?
Yes, but I don’t recommend every low carb sweetener.
The combination of monk fruit and allulose creates the best texture and browning. If you replace it with an erythritol blend, your cookies may become drier and harder because erythritol tends to recrystallize as it cools.
For the closest classic vanilla flavor, I recommend sticking with a monk fruit allulose blend.
Use my Sweetener Guide & Conversion Chart to help you determine how much to use.
Can I make these into crisp cookies?
Yes!
For extra crisp cookies, simply bake an additional minute or two until the edges are a deeper golden brown, then allow them to cool completely on the cookie sheet.
As they cool to room temperature, they’ll continue to crisp up.
How should I store them?
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
For longer storage, wrap the cookie dough in plastic wrap before baking or freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months.
I actually love freezing the cookie dough so I can slice off a few cookies whenever the craving strikes.
Can I make these vegan vanilla wafers?
Yes, a great alternative to butter is using coconut oil and replace eggs with a flax or chia seed egg replacement.
Can I swap coconut flour for blanched almond flour?
Coconut flour is quite dense and requires more liquids and eggs than almond flour. 1/4 cup coconut flour is equal to about 1 cup almond flour. I would not recommend swapping them in this recipe.
Can I use these for desserts?
Absolutely!
These homemade keto vanilla wafers work beautifully in:
- keto banana pudding
- sugar free trifles
- cheesecake crusts
- banana cream parfaits
- ice cream sandwiches
- layered desserts
- cookie crumbs for pie crusts
If you’ve been searching for keto banana pudding or a replacement for traditional vanilla cookies, this recipe is the perfect place to start.
Keto Sugar Free Nilla Wafers
With a slight bit of crumbly…….that’s how I like them.
Also perfect for banana cream pie parfaits, or my sugar free keto banana pudding, but that’s for another time.
Right now you can serve these up with any dip you like.
I’ve got a Peanut Butter Cheesecake Dip you might enjoy or my newest creation below!
These pair perfectly with my Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip!
Other Sugar Free Dips you might like:
Helpful Tips
Getting the best results is easy if you follow these simple tips.
Let cookies cool for at least 10 minutes before moving them from the cookie sheet.
Measure the coconut flour carefully using exact measurements. Coconut flour absorbs much more moisture than other flours.
Use softened butter rather than melted butter.
Mix all of the dry ingredients before adding the wet ingredients.
Chilling the cookie dough makes slicing much easier.
Line your baking pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Bake until just golden brown around the edges.
Sugar Free Grain Free Keto Vanilla Wafers
Gluten Free Sugar Free Low Carb Keto Vanilla Wafers
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut flour or 58g
- 1/2 cup monk fruit allulose sweetener or 64g
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp vanilla liquid stevia
Instructions
- Add the first 4 ingredients to your stand mixer and blend on low to combine.
- Place the remaining ingredients into the mixer and blend on medium speed until thoroughly incorporated.
- Place a large piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap on the counter and form the dough into a cylinder shape.
- Wrap tightly and place into the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Unwrap the dough and slice into 18 cookies.
- Place them onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet or silpat-lined baking sheet.Â
- Bake for 10-14 minutes until golden brown around edges.
- Allow to cool slightly before removing, about 10 minutes.
- Enjoy or store in an airtight container.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
About Brenda
Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach, and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & refined-carb free for 20 years and is the author of four cookbooks: Sugar-Free Mom, Naturally Keto, The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, and her newest release, Good, Better, Best (2025). Her work focuses on helping women detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar, and lose weight while enjoying delicious, nutrient-dense whole foods. Brenda is also the creator of the Midlife Macroâ„¢ Method and the weekly Midlife Macro Meal Plansâ„¢, designed specifically for women in perimenopause and menopause who want simple, high-protein, low-carb meals to support hormones, metabolism, and long-term health.She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and the Sugar Free Mom Tribe membership.
..just wondering if I can sub the baking soda with less amount of baking powder ?
Reason being I have to follow a low -sodium diet ..
I haven’t ested that but I think it will work.
Try using MONK FRUIT as your sweetener. I hate Stevia, I think it is bitter & leaves a “diet soda” flavor in my mouth.
Look forward to baking these and no almond flour 🤗🤗
I use Purecane sugar substitute for everything. I buy it online. My husband is diabetic and it’s the only sugar substitute I can use that he doesn’t complain about
I’d love to make your flag recipe. But there’s a problem with the crust. I can’t tolerate sugar alcohols. Only stevia. Do you have a crust with only stevia?
Can’t wait to try out the recipe. I’ve longed for this.
A question, can I reduce the swerve?
I’m sure that would be fine.
Looking forward to test this out.
Hi my mother in-law is hooked on vootmans sugar free cookies because they are both diabetics and my father in-law was feeding my dog these same cookies. He started having a issue so I did some research and found that his issue was associated with these cookies. Dad was feeding them each meal as mom was eating them. So I’ve connected the dots to join moms issues as well. Turns out it was all printed on the labeling of these cookies the whole time. I’m out to find an alternative to those nasty cookies replacing them with something she’ll love just as much. Can I replace the vanilla extract with other flavors to offer mom the variety she’s come accustomed to? I’ve made them no added sugar fried pies but the flour is not healthy for either of them. Please any help would be greatly appreciated
Yes replace the vanilla extract with whatever you like. Here’s a blueberry hand pie we just posted:https://www.sugarfreemom.com/recipes/low-carb-blueberry-hand-pies-keto-gluten-free/
I am going to try these and replace the vanilla extract with almond extract but still use the vanilla liquid stevia.
I love almond cookies!
Great idea!
These sound so yummy. But every time I try to bake with coconut flour, the smell and taste are horrible to me. I have only used Bob Red Mills coconut flour. Is this maybe not a good brand for coconut flour? I use their almond flour with no problem. I have not baking anything with coconut flour because of this. Any suggestions? What brand do you use?
I like using Bob’s Red mill but Anthony’s is also a good brand.
I made these to use as a crust for a keto cheesecake (crushed with butter). I didn’t use the vanilla stevia (I don’t have any) and just omitted it. I found I could have still reduced the swerve (a bit on the sweet side for me). But these are the tastiest keto cookies I have made, and will do it again. So quick and easy.
Did you bake them as cookies first or just baked it straight as a crust?
http://www.lorannoils.com
LorAnn oils and flavorings. These are really great and affordable flavoring oils and emulsions in a HUGE variety that are used by both home and professional bakers and candy makers. They have a variety of sizes and kits as well as equipment, such as eye dropper caps for dram-sized bottles, 1 oz., 4 oz. and 8 ounce bottles. They will sell in larger bottles for commercial uses as well.
About what is the length of the cookie dough roll?
I am one of those people who can taste only the bitter of stevia. I can’t use it as it makes everything I put in in/on bitter to me. I can use erythritol (when I can afford it) but usually use sucralose when I can’t afford the natural sweetener. I’m diabetic so any real “sugar” is a no-go for me. Any suggestions on how much erythritol or sucralose I can use in place of stevia?
I’ve never used sucralose so I’m not sure how sweet it is, but using Swerve (erythritol) it is definitely less sweet than many sugar free sweeteners. So I used 1/2 cup Swerve and 1 tsp stevia so that is about 1 cup sweetness of sugar.
If I want to use this cookie recipe for the crust on your other dessert (with cream cheese and berry topping) would I need to double the recipe? and roll it out flat instead but still refrigerate?
No you won’t need it doubled for the patriotic cookie pizza. I just used the whole cookie recipe for the crust.
Can I use granular Splenda for the sweetener. Where can I find the vanilla sweetener? I don’t think I’ve seen it in the baking aisles at the store.
Yes you can use any sweetener you prefer. I have found vanilla stevia in Whole Foods and Walmart, but mostly I buy it on Amazon.
Just tried this recipe and turned out beautiful, the smell was just pure
deliciousness! However, when I took a bite the Swerve granulated sweetener had an awful & overpowering, taste. I am very new to the recommended sweeteners and so far I have not found one that I like. I tried a store brand liquid Stevia and that was awful as well. Has anyone completely omitted the sweetener and had good results? Any other recommendations?
How do I make coconut flour??
I don’t make it sorry I buy it.
Absolutely delicious! I used salted butter because it was what I had on hand. Cookies did not come out salty, they are super buttery and tasty.
Would these be S, E or FP? I am still pretty new to this. Thanks!
I think you’re referring to the Trim Healthy Momma plan? And I don’t know as I don’t follow that plan sorry.
google Trim Healthy Mama S, E, FP chart. They have one that helps you see what category your ingredients fall into.
Is it possible to use powdered swerve rather than granulated? I’m not at home in my own kitchen today and it’s all I’ve got on hand here …. wondering if it would change it drastically. I’m in a small town today so no store availability.
Yes that would be fine to use.