This Keto Snack is Taking Over Instagram. Is it Worth the Hype?
I can’t tell you the last time I scrolled through my Instagram feed without seeing at least one ad for a keto-friendly snack. From high-protein bars to low-carb cereals, it truly feels like there are no longer adult humans willing to eat traditional carbs. But while I often caught myself pausing to consider these healthy options, I had zero interest in hopping aboard the keto train. Simply put, I’ve been quite content with my regular snacks, thank you very much.
These were the thoughts that crossed my mind when I first spotted the HighKey brand on my feed (for those who don’t know, they offer a variety of popular snacks, like cereal, granola and biscuits, minus the extra sugar and carbs). But when I saw that the Ryan Reynolds had become a spokesperson for the brand’s mini cookies, I had to reconsider.
So, after doing a bit of research and seeing the positive reviews, I decided to sample four flavors: Snickerdoodle, Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter and Mint Chocolate. Just to offer a bit of background, HighKey launched these cookies as part of their mission to eliminate more sugar from the American diet, or in other words, to “cancel sugar, not cookies.” They’re all gluten free with zero added sugar. Plus, each flavor has under 3g net carbs, making it ideal for the keto diet. It’s worth noting that they’re a tad pricey: On the brand’s website, you can purchase bundles of three for about $14, which adds up to roughly $2 per serving (seven mini cookies). But if you happen to be on a low-carb diet, then these might be a great option for you.
Read on to see my honest thoughts about the popular snack that’s got even celebrities raving.
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Value: 16/20
Quality: 18/20
Aesthetics: 20/20
Aroma: 18/20
Munch factor: 15/20*
Total: 87/100
1. Snickerdoodle
Munch factor: 17/20
As expected, it wasn’t quite like the traditional snickerdoodle cookie. I detected a slight artificial aftertaste after eating these (thanks to the stevia sweetener), but even so, I was still impressed by the flavor. It’s got a soft, crumbly texture and a nice blend of cinnamon and sugar. But while it tastes pretty good on its own, it tasted even better as a topping with vanilla ice cream. I pulled out my Baskin-Robbins, crumbled a few of the cookies on top and, guys, it was so good. FYI, each serving has 150 calories, 14 grams of fat, 4 grams of protein and 1g net carb.
2. Chocolate Chip
Munch factor: 18/20
Think Chips Ahoy, but with less crunch and way less sugar. Within just two minutes of opening this bag, I finished more than half of these cookies (in other words, nearly two servings). One serving of seven pieces has 1g net carb, 130 calories, 13 grams of fat and 3 grams of protein, but from the taste, you’d never guess that they’re healthy for you. They’re a lot like cookie dough bites, although the texture isn’t exactly chewy. The consistency is closer to your average store-bought cookie and, as an added bonus, they don’t have that weird aftertaste. Add a tall glass of milk and you’re in for quite the treat.
3. Peanut Butter
Munch factor: 18/20
In terms of texture, it's far from your typical peanut butter cookie. But given its delicious, peanutty flavor and the fact that it doesn’t actually taste like a healthy snack, it just might drive you to double check the ingredients. At 2g net carbs per serving, these cookies have 130 calories, 11 grams of fat and 4 grams of protein. Not only are they tasty, but they also have a nice texture that’s slightly crunchy and not too grainy. Since they’re not overly sweet, they make for the perfect ice cream topping as well (I paired these cookies with the vanilla ice cream and it was a match made in heaven).
4. Mint Chocolate Chip
Munch factor: 10/20
To be fair, I have never been a fan of mint chocolate flavors. Whether it be a chocolate bar, ice cream or a cookie, I always find that it tastes like sweetened toothpaste with a hint of chocolate. Unfortunately, that was the case when I took my first bite of this cookie. While I did notice a slight crunch to its texture, I was instantly turned off by the minty flavor. Still, this wasn’t overly sweet, so if York Peppermint Patties or Girl Scout Thin Mints tend to be your go-to snacks, then these might hit the spot as a healthier option. Each serving has 1g net carb, 130 calories, 13 grams of total fat and 3 grams of protein.
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*Our final munch factor score was based on the average of the chocolate bars' taste test scores.
The PureWow100 is a scale our editors use to vet new products and services, so you know what's worth the spend—and what's total hype. Learn more about our process here.