High-Protein Keto Key Lime Cheesecake Cups

Creamy, tangy, and refreshing, these individual key lime cheesecake cups combine rich cream cheese, bright lime, vanilla protein powder, and a buttery keto crumb for a delicious no-bake dessert.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 1–2 hours
Total Time: About 2 hours
Servings: 4 cups

Ingredients

Cheesecake Filling

• 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup fresh key lime juice
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream
• 2–3 tbsp powdered keto-friendly sweetener, to taste
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp finely grated lime zest

Keto Crumb

• ½ cup almond flour
• 1 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tbsp powdered keto-friendly sweetener
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Topping

• ½ cup whipped cream
• Lime zest
• Thin lime slices or wedges
• A little extra keto crumb

Instructions

1. Make the Keto Crumb

1. Combine almond flour, melted butter, sweetener, vanilla, and salt.
2. Mix until crumbly.
3. For a toasted flavor, cook in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. Let cool completely.

2. Make the Cheesecake Filling

1. Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
2. Add lime juice, protein powder, sweetener, vanilla, and lime zest.
3. Beat until creamy and well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until fluffy.
5. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.

3. Assemble the Cups

In four small serving cups, layer:

1. Keto crumb
2. Key lime cheesecake filling
3. Another layer of crumb
4. More cheesecake filling

Finish with whipped cream, lime zest, and a sprinkle of crumb.

4. Chill

Refrigerate for 1–2 hours before serving. The filling will become firmer and more cheesecake-like as it chills.

Tips

• Use fresh lime juice for the brightest flavor.
• Let the cream cheese soften completely before mixing.
• Add sweetener gradually because protein powders vary in sweetness.
• For a stronger lime flavor, add another ½–1 teaspoon of zest.
• For the prettiest presentation, pipe the cheesecake filling into the cups.

Optional Variations

• Chocolate-lime: Add 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder to the crumb.
• Coconut-lime: Add unsweetened shredded coconut to the crumb.
• Berry-lime: Add a few fresh raspberries or strawberries between layers.
• Extra protein: Use a higher-protein Greek yogurt in place of part of the heavy cream.

Storage

Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

For the best texture, keep the crumb separate if preparing several days ahead and add it just before serving.

Approximate Nutrition Per Cup

Using unsweetened almond flour, a low-carb sweetener, and a typical vanilla protein powder:

• Calories: 390
• Protein: 18 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Net Carbs: 8 g
• Fat: 32 g

Nutrition varies depending on the protein powder, sweetener, and cream cheese used.

Allergen Information

• Milk/Dairy: Yes — cream cheese, butter, heavy cream
• Eggs: Usually no, but check the protein powder and whipped topping labels
• Wheat/Gluten: None in the listed ingredients
• Soy: May be present in some protein powders
• Tree Nuts: Yes — almond flour
• Peanuts: None intentionally

For a nut-free version, use a keto-friendly seed-based crumb instead of almond flour.

Q&A

Q: Can I use regular limes?
Yes. Regular Persian limes work very well if key limes aren’t available.

Q: Can I use Greek yogurt?
Yes. Replace part of the cream cheese with full-fat Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier filling.

Q: Can I make these without protein powder?
Yes. Omit the protein powder and adjust the sweetener to taste. The filling will simply have less protein.

Q: What protein powder works best?
Vanilla whey, whey/casein blends, or vanilla plant-based protein can work. Different powders absorb liquid differently, so adjust the consistency if needed.

Q: Can I freeze them?
Yes. Freeze without the whipped-cream topping for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Q: How do I make the filling firmer?
Chill it longer, or use slightly less lime juice. You can also add a little more cream cheese.

Q: Can I make this completely sugar-free?
Yes. Use an unsweetened protein powder and a zero-sugar sweetener such as powdered erythritol or allulose. Check all packaged ingredients for added sugar.