Sugar Free Rum Balls (Keto, Low Carb)

These sugar free rum balls are an easy no-bake holiday treat with a rich chocolate-rum flavor and soft, slightly chewy texture.

I make mine with almond meal, coconut flour, and finely shredded coconut instead of cookie crumbs, so they stay low carb and keto-friendly while still having that classic rum ball texture.

Things to Know About Sugar Free Rum Balls

• No baking required - These take about 15 minutes to mix and shape, then chill until firm.
• They're low carb, keto friendly, diabetic friendly, and gluten free - Each rum ball has about 2g net carbs and does not add sugar.
• The texture is soft and slightly chewy - Almond meal and finely shredded coconut replace the crushed cookies used in traditional rum balls.
• The rum flavor is mild - You get the chocolate-rum flavor without it tasting overly boozy. But feel free to add more!
• These are great for the holidays - Easy to make ahead for Christmas candy trays, parties, or as a gift.

If you're putting together a tray of low carb sugar-free holiday treats, be sure to add our low carb peanut butter fudge, sugar free chocolate covered almonds, and keto blondies! No one will know they're healthier and made without sugar and gluten.

Grab our FREE 150 no carb foods list here OR Snag our Keto Comfort Food Bundle HERE!

Ingredients You'll Need

Get the full ingredients list down in the recipe card at the bottom. This is just an overview.

• Cocoa powder - We use Dutch-process cocoa powder for a deeper chocolate flavor. Unsweetened cocoa powder works too, you might just need a touch more sweetener.
• Powdered monk fruit - Powdered sweetener blends more smoothly into the mixture than granulated. You can make your own by briefly pulsing granulated monk fruit in a blender.
• Unsweetened shredded coconut - Use finely shredded coconut. If yours is coarse, pulse it briefly in a food processor or high-powered blender.
• Almond meal - We like the slightly coarser texture here because it helps mimic the crumbly texture you'd normally get from crushed cookies in traditional rum balls.
• Coconut flour - A small amount helps absorb moisture and keeps the mixture easy to roll.
• Butter - Melted butter helps bind the ingredients together. Coconut oil can also work for a dairy-free version.
• Rum - We use 1-2 tablespoons for a mild rum flavor. You can add a little more if you prefer a stronger flavor. Start light and mix in more as you prefer.

How to Make Keto Rum Balls

Step 1: Prep the pan

Line a baking sheet or tray with parchment paper.

Step 2: Finely shred the coconut

If the coconut is coarse, pulse it briefly in a food processor or blender until the pieces are much finer.

Step 3: Mix the rum ball mixture

In a medium bowl, combine the cocoa powder, powdered monk fruit, finely shredded coconut, almond meal, coconut flour, melted butter, and rum.

Stir until the mixture is evenly combined.

Step 4: Check the consistency

Roll a small amount into a ball to test the texture. If the mixture feels too dry and won't hold together, add a little more melted butter or coconut oil. If it's too soft, add a small amount of almond meal or coconut flour.

Step 5: Shape the rum balls

Roll the mixture into about 18-20 small balls, roughly 1 inch each.

If you want a coating, roll them in finely shredded coconut, cocoa powder, powdered monk fruit, or finely chopped nuts.

Step 6: Chill

Refrigerate the rum balls for 1-2 hours, or until firm.

Recipe Tips

• Finely shred the coconut - This makes the biggest difference in texture and helps the rum balls hold together more easily.
• Make one test ball first - It's much easier to adjust the mixture before rolling the whole batch.
• Add rum gradually - If you want a stronger rum flavor, add a little at a time so the mixture doesn't become too soft. 1 tablespoon was plenty to me but feel free to double the rum if you want extra boozy rum balls!
• Keep them chilled - The butter firms up in the refrigerator, which helps the rum balls hold their shape.
• Use powdered sweetener - Granulated sweetener can leave the finished candy a little gritty.

Substitutions and Variations

• Make them alcohol free - Use rum extract instead of rum. Start with a small amount since the flavor is concentrated.
• Try another liquor - Bourbon or brandy can be used for a different holiday flavor.
• Change the coating - Roll the finished rum balls in cocoa powder, shredded coconut, powdered monk fruit, or finely chopped nuts.

Storage & Freezing

• Store keto rum balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
• For longer storage, I freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Separate layers with parchment paper if needed and thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.
• I prefer keeping them chilled until shortly before serving because the texture stays firmer and the rum balls hold their shape better.

Nutrition & Macros

Per rum ball, based on 20 servings:

• Calories: 112
• Protein: 2g
• Total carbs: 5g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar alcohols: 1g
• Net carbs: 2g
• Fat: 10g
• Sugar: 0g

Note: Net carbs are calculated by subtracting fiber and sugar alcohols from total carbohydrates. The exact numbers can vary slightly depending on the brands of monk fruit sweetener and other ingredients used.

More Low Carb Cookies & Candy

Looking for more holiday season inspo? Check out our low carb sugar free treats:

• Sugar free chocolate covered strawberries
• Low carb chocolate mint buttons
• 35 low carb sugar cookies
• Low Carb sugar free Christmas cookies
• Sugar free candy recipes
• Low carb sugar free candy to buy

Common Questions

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Recipe

Easy Keto Rum Balls

Jenni Cole

Easy keto rum balls with a rich chocolate-rum flavor and soft, slightly chewy texture. These no-bake treats are sugar free, low carb, and perfect for Christmas or holiday candy trays.

4.48 from 19 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Email recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Additional Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Desserts

Servings 18

Calories 112 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ½ cup cocoa powder dutch process
• ¼ cup powdered monk fruit
• 1 cup finely shredded coconut unsweetened
• ½ cup almond meal
• ½ cup coconut flour
• ½ cup butter melted
• 1-2 tablespoon rum

Instructions

 

• Add parchment paper to a large baking sheet.
• Shred the coconut into finer pieces by pulsing it in a blender or food processor.
• In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the cocoa powder, powdered monk fruit, finely shredded coconut, almond meal, coconut flour, butter, and rum.
• Make a test ball to make sure the dough holds its shape. If your dough won't form a ball shape, add a touch more melted butter or coconut oil until it binds. Likewise, if it seems too wet, add a little more coconut flour or almond meal.
• Shape the dough into small balls with clean hands, it should make about 18-20 small 1"+ sized balls.
• Roll the low carb rum balls in a coating such as powdered monk fruit, finely shredded coconut or cocoa powder, or crushed freeze-dried berries.
  
  Refrigerate the sugar-free rum balls until firm, for an hour or two. They'll store in the fridge for a couple of weeks or freeze well up to 3 months.

Notes

• Adjust the rum to taste - We keep the rum flavor fairly mild, but you can add more if you prefer a stronger flavor or swap in another liquor. For an alcohol-free version, use rum extract to taste.
• Use almond meal and finely shredded coconut for texture - Traditional rum balls often use crushed vanilla wafers for a little texture. In this low carb version, almond meal and finely shredded coconut do that job instead.
• Use finely shredded coconut - We pulse unsweetened shredded coconut in a blender until it's very fine. You can also buy desiccated coconut, which is already finely shredded.
• Try these substitutions - Almond flour can replace almond meal for a smoother texture. Use coconut oil instead of melted butter for a dairy-free version, or finely crushed unsalted almonds instead of almond meal for a nuttier texture.
• Scale the recipe as needed - Cut the recipe in half for a smaller batch, or double or triple it and freeze the extras for later.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ballCalories: 112kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 40mgFiber: 2g

Keyword keto, low carb, sugar free

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