Perfect Gluten Free Low Carb Apple Dump Cake Recipe

This Keto Low Carb Apple Dump Cake is an easy one-bowl dessert that is grain-free, gluten-free, and sugar-free. Updated to be even softer and moister thanks to recent testing with sunflower seed meal and Greek yogurt. A perfect fall dessert recipe made with fresh apples (or zucchini if ​​you’re on a keto diet) that delivers the comforting flavor of apple pie filling with only 5g net carbs per serving (or just 1g net carbs if you use zucchini).

Are apples suitable for keto?

Strictly speaking, there are no foods that qualify as “keto.” Ketosis is a metabolic state that the body enters when carbohydrates are very low.

One small apple (149 g) contains about 20 g of total carbohydrates, which can use up your daily carbohydrate limit for strict keto followers.

Some people on the keto diet limit their carbohydrate intake to no more than 20 grams a day. So eating just one small apple won’t help you and may bring you out of ketosis.

But using a small amount of apples in a recipe that makes a lot fits perfectly with both a low-carb lifestyle and a midlife macro-balance lifestyle.

Carbs in regular apple dump cake vs. carbs in this low-carb version

Traditional dump cake recipes made with boxed yellow cake mix, sugar, and canned apple pie filling can easily exceed 55 to 65 grams of total carbohydrates per slice and over 35 grams of added sugar.

This updated Sugar Free Mama version contains 9 grams of total carbs and 6 grams of net carbs per serving made with fresh apples, while the fully keto version made with zucchini and apple pie extract drops to just 6 grams of total carbs and 4 grams of net carbs per serving. All without added sugar. You get the cozy comfort of apple pie without the carb crash that usually follows.

simple fall favorites

We moved from the city to the country a few years ago and found a gorgeous apple tree in our new backyard, so I felt it was appropriate to post this apple recipe.

Much like our family’s slow pace, this recipe reminds us that the best things in life are simple. Just mix up a few basic ingredients in a baking dish and bake to cozy perfection.

How to make low carb apple cake

I love easy dump cake recipes. Because you literally just throw all the simple ingredients together in a baking dish and bake. boom! end!

This is one of our favorites this time of year and the easiest dessert for the family.

Apple dump cake makes you feel happy just by looking at it. Like simple recipes, they remind us that life can be simple. Because if you have a family and the necessities, you can do anything.

Although we use fresh apples, here are some adaptations to reduce carbohydrates to incorporate into a ketogenic diet.

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To see exact amounts, view nutritional information, and print the recipe, scroll to the bottom of this post for the printable recipe card.

coconut flour

Sunflower Seed Meal — Nut-free, grain-free, keeps cakes moist.

Monk fruit allulose granular sweetener

grand cinnamon

baking soda

big eggs

melted butter

Plain lactose-free Greek yogurt – I use FAGE 5.3 oz cups for added protein and moisture

cinnamon liquid stevia (or vanilla stevia)

Fresh apple (or zucchini if ​​on a keto diet), peeled and chopped

Directions (latest method)

Let cool, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

In a mixing bowl, combine coconut flour, sunflower seed flour, sweetener, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.

In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, melted butter, and Greek yogurt until smooth. Add stevia drops if desired.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until combined.

Add apple mixture (or zucchini).

Spread evenly on prepared plate.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.

Remove the foil (leaving the center slightly exposed) and continue baking at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the center is just set.

Enjoy hot from the oven or at room temperature with unsweetened whipped cream or ice cream.

How to make a keto dump cake

To further reduce carbohydrates:

Add 1/2 teaspoon apple pie extract to recreate the flavor of baked apples. This swap reduces total carbohydrates from 10g to 6g and net carbohydrates to 1g per serving. All the comfort of apple pie without the sugar.

Instead of apples, add peeled and sliced ​​zucchini.

It may not be the most beautiful cake, but it is a very easy dessert. Top with sugar-free whipped cream or keto vanilla ice cream to add comfort and flavor to your plate.

Just as this cake doesn’t need anything fancy to be fancy, this country house we’re in doesn’t need anything fancy.

With minimal effort, this apple dump cake will remind you that the simple things in life always make for the best recipes.

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baking tips

If the center is too jiggly after 35 minutes, increase the temperature to 350 degrees F and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, covering the edges with foil if necessary. The cake will continue to set even as it cools. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Gently reheating the slices in the microwave or oven will restore the baked texture.

Brenda’s note:

I use an apple corer and peeler tool to make the preparation quick and even.

If you don’t have monk fruit allulose, check my sweetener conversion table and adjust with another sugar-free sweetener.

Greek yogurt keeps the cake moist and adds protein. This version doesn’t require heavy cream.

For a fall twist, sprinkle with a little sugar-free cinnamon “crumble” before baking.

Updated October 2025: This recipe originally used 1 cup coconut flour and 1/2 cup butter. A lot of commenters said it was drying so I decided to make it perfect. I added Greek yogurt for more protein and reduced the butter. There is an option to make it keto by using zucchini instead.