Keto Rum Balls
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My keto rum balls come together with simple ingredients and have only 2 grams of net carbs per serving. They are soft, dense, and practically melt in your mouth!
With layers of flavor, from buttery shortbread to toasted nuts and smooth dark chocolate, my low-carb rum balls are addictive after one bite. Folding in a little rum extract really is the icing on the cake!
This is one of those keto desserts that took a significant amount of recipe testing to get right (which is ironic, since traditional rum balls are among the easiest desserts to make). The trick was to use a versatile keto cookie as the base for the balls, because the other ingredients are naturally low-carb. I think I experimented with nearly every cookie recipe on my website before landing on a few suitable options. The end result is rum balls that look and taste like the original!
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- A no-bake treat. With no baking required, that means less time in the kitchen and fewer dishes to wash.
- Diet-friendly. They’re also easy to make vegan and gluten-free with a few effortless swaps.
- The perfect keto Christmas treat. I grew up snacking on rum balls during the holidays, and to this day, they’re one of my favorite treats to gift my friends. Just because I’m keto doesn’t mean I have to miss out on all the fun!
- Safe for kids. While ‘rum’ is in the title, there isn’t actual rum in these. Rather, there’s rum extract, which has no more alcohol than one teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Key Ingredients
Here’s what goes into my low carb rum balls, along with kitchen notes. The complete list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
- Shortbread cookies. Traditional rum balls use any plain cookie or biscuit. To keep them keto, I simply blended up my homemade keto shortbread cookies. I also didn’t mind them with keto sugar cookies, too. My keto peanut butter cookies or almond butter cookies also work, but the nut butter flavor can be a little overpowering.
- Walnuts and almonds. Any nuts can be used. Be sure to chop them VERY finely or even blend them to a very fine texture.
- Butter. Salted and melted.
- Cocoa powder. Unsweetened cocoa powder or dark cocoa powder for a richer flavor.
- Powdered sugar. Keep it keto by using sugar free powdered sugar.
- Shredded coconut. Both in the rum balls and to roll them in!
- Rum extract. Optional, but gives them their name! If you would like to add actual rum to it, you can do so.
- Water. Only need if the dough isn’t sticky.
How to make keto rum balls
Step 1- Make the shortbread base. In a high-speed blender or food processor, combine the shortbread cookies and walnuts, and blend until the mixture forms thick crumbs.
Step 2- Finish the batter. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add ½ cup of shredded coconut along with the remaining ingredients, and mix to combine. If the dough is too thick, add some water, one tablespoon at a time, until smooth.
Step 3- Coat. Using your hands, form 12 small balls of dough. Roll each ball in the remaining coconut, then place them on a lined plate or tray. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Avoid over-blending. The batter should be smooth but still coarse. If it’s too fine, you’ll need to add extra cookie crumbs to keep its shape.
- Make a test ball. Roll out a small rum ball, decorate it, and give it a taste. Adjust any flavors as needed before shaping the remaining balls.
- Use a small cookie scoop. To get even-sized rum balls.
- Gift them! Use a glass jar or a paper box lined with parchment paper. Place the rum balls in them and refrigerate until ready to give as the perfect edible gift.
Flavor variations
These rum balls are delicious as is, but you can play around with the mix-ins or take them up a notch with a few extra final touches. Here are some ideas:
- Add more chocolate. Fold in sugar-free chocolate chips into the dough, or dip the balls in melted chocolate and dust with cocoa powder.
- Citrus rum balls. Swap the water for orange juice and add orange zest from one orange.
- Nutty rum balls. Instead of rolling the balls in coconut, roll them in crushed pistachios or peanuts.
- Nut-free rum balls. Swap the nuts for sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
Storage and make-ahead tips
To store: Rum balls can be stored at room temperature, covered, for up to 2 weeks. The balls will be soft in texture. However, if you’d like them firmer and thicker, keep them refrigerated. They will keep well for up to 2 months.
To freeze: Place rum balls in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Gifting: Use a glass jar or a paper box lined with parchment paper. Place the rum balls in them and refrigerate until ready to give as edible gifts.
✅ Nutrition reviewed
“These keto rum balls are a fantastic holiday treat that keeps nostalgic flavor while the carbs remain low. The addition of nuts adds extra fiber, and the sugar substitute keeps blood levels steady.” – Felicia Newell, MScAHN, RD, CPT.
Keto Rum Balls
Ingredients
- 10 keto shortbread cookies
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup sugar free powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut divided
- 1 teaspoon rum extract Optional
- 1/4 cup water * See notes
Instructions
- In a high speed blender or food processor, combine your shortbread cookies and walnuts, and blend until thick crumbs remain.
- Transfer the mixture into a large mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup shredded coconut, along with the melted butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar substitute, and rum extract, and mix until combined. If the dough is too thick, add some water, one tablespoon at a time, until smooth.
- Using your hands, form 12 small balls of dough. Roll each ball in the remaining coconut and place the coconut-covered balls on a lined plate or tray. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
Notes
- Water: You only need to add water if the mixture is too thick.
- Tips: See my recipe tips for making the best keto rum balls.
- Leftovers: Keep at room temperature for 2 weeks or in the fridge for 2 months.
- Gifting: Use a glass jar or a paper box lined with parchment paper. Place the rum balls in them and refrigerate until ready to give as edible gifts.
Nutrition
More no-bake keto recipes
- Keto fat bombs– Perfect for keeping the hunger pangs at bay.
- Keto fudge– Thick, creamy, and the ultimate guilt-free chocolate dessert.
- Keto fruit dip– Made with 3 ingredients and pairs well with everything.
- No bake caramel cookie dough bars– After one taste, let’s just say portion control goes out the window!
Quick, easy, and kid-approved!
Thanks so much, Emily!
Arman… Is it possible to use almond flour, a combo of almond/coconut flour, or a combo of almond/GF flour instead of shortbread cookies in this recipe? I do not want to make shortbread cookies just for this recipe… as I’ll be the only one here to eat the left over ones… lol! And I’d much rather eat the rum balls! Thanks for your input. 🙂
Hi Deanne- I don’t see why not. I’d suggest adding that last, and adding the almond flour slowly until a thick dough remains!