Easy Low Carb Johnny Cakes Recipe

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This easy, low carb Johnny cakes recipe is one you will love! Made with almond flour and unsweetened greek yogurt, you will never know it is good for you! All of the southern flair you love in a Johnny cake without the guilt.

A plate with a high stack of crispy, partially burnt almond flour Johnny cakes sits on a wooden table. The pancakes are irregularly shaped and appear to have crumbled edges, with a golden-brown top and some darker, almost blackened spots.

There isn’t much more Southern than cornbread. Our easy, low carb Johnny cakes recipe gives you that taste of the south without all of the guilt.

Johnny cakes, hoe cakes and LACE CORNBREAD. All have different names but are very similar and all have really great Native American origins. Each one made just a bit different than the other but you cannot go wrong with any of them.

We love finding healthy swaps for our favorite southern dishes and this low carb cornbread recipe is one you will love almost as much as the real thing.

Ingredients

Johnny cakes are traditionally made with milk or cream so we are keeping true to that but adding some other protein filled ingredients and using a coarse ground almond flour in place of the cornmeal.

A close-up of a stack of four crispy, golden-brown almond flour Johnny cakes with a slightly uneven surface on a light blue plate. The pancakes appear to be homemade, with small crumbs scattered around them on the plate.

Coarse ground almond flour – this will give us the same texture as cornmeal.
Baking powder – to give a bit of rise to our Johnny cakes.
Eggs – the ties that bind.
Heavy whipping cream – for a traditional, almost creamy texture that makes these a true cake or pone.
Unsweetened, plain greek yogurt – a protein punch that works with the eggs and heavy cream for that smooth texture.
Butter – of course, we add it in for a buttery taste and cook them in it. Don’t sleep on this healthy fat.
Granulated sugar replacement – for a touch off sweetness.
Salt – for balance and flavor.
Butter extract – optional but adds to the buttery flavor of the Johnny cakes.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

We mix the wet and dry ingredients and combine them. Spoon it into a hot cast iron skillet, cook for just a few minutes and you will have heaven on your plate.

A person is pouring a can of Carnation evaporated milk into a mixing bowl containing a dry ingredient. A whisk and another empty bowl are on the wooden cutting board next to the mixing bowl. To the right is a black skillet on a stove.

In a large bowl, combine almond flour or meal and baking powder.

Person pouring Splenda Magic Baker sweetener into a mixing bowl. The scene includes additional mixing bowls, a whisk, and a frying pan on the stove. The person's wrists are adorned with multiple bracelets and a watch.

Add in sugar alternative and salt. Mix well. Set aside.

A pair of hands is seen measuring plant-based milk from a carton into a measuring spoon over a white bowl on a wooden cutting board. Nearby, there is another white bowl containing dry mixture, a whisk, and a black pan resting on a stovetop.

In another bowl, Add heavy whipping cream.

A person is pouring plain Greek yogurt from a container into a mixing bowl on a wooden countertop. A whisk, a bowl with flour, and a cast-iron skillet are also visible. The stove is partially seen on either side of the countertop.

Add in greek yogurt.

Hands are seen holding a small bowl with cracked eggs over a larger bowl. Next to the larger bowl is another bowl containing breadcrumbs. A whisk is placed on the wooden cutting board in the background. The setup is on a stove with a skillet on the right.

Lightly whip and mix in eggs.

A person is adding a small bottle of vanilla extract to a white bowl containing yellow liquid, possibly eggs or oil, on a wooden cutting board. Another white bowl with dry ingredients and a whisk are also on the cutting board, placed on a stovetop.

Add in butter extract and melted butter. Mix well.

A white mixing bowl containing batter and a spoon is placed on a wooden cutting board on a stovetop. Next to it, a black skillet with a piece of butter is on a burner, ready for cooking.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well. Heat a pat of butter in a cast iron pan over low to medium heat.

A person is mixing batter in a white bowl with a spoon over a wooden cutting board, beside a black frying pan on a stovetop. The frying pan contains four dollops of batter being cooked.

When butter has melted and pan is hot, add batter by the spoon full to the pan. Cook 2 to 4 minutes until edges turn brown. Carefully flip and cook until golden brown.

Close-up image of a stack of crispy, pan-fried mashed potato cakes on a light gray plate. The cakes, reminiscent of almond flour Johnny cakes, are golden-brown on the outside with a slightly uneven texture that suggests homemade preparation. Some crumbs are scattered on the plate.

Why Brooke loves this recipe!

Recipes are like antiques. They are meant to be handed down from one generation to another. Each one holding a special memory or nostalgic memory. Here is why we love this one!

Southern comfort food always speaks my love language. This recipe is proof positive you can have the things you want and love in a healthier way. We just have to step out and try these things to keep in line with a healthier diet.

Substitutions

Here are some yummy ideas for alternate ingredients.

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Greek yogurt – cottage cheese blended smooth has even more protein and adds a bit more texture without sacrificing the health benefits.
Heavy cream – half and half or even regular milk will also work.
Butter extract – this can be left out completely or you can use about half of what the recipe calls for of vanilla extract or maple syrup.

Equipment

🔧 I love to share recipes that are no special equipment required but here are a few things that would definitely make this recipe easier!

Storage

These are best eaten right away. You can store them at room temperature in an air tight container for 1 or 2 days. They also freeze well, thaw completely and reheat in a low temperature oven.

⭐ LOVE THIS RECIPE? It would mean so very much to me if you would take a moment to rate this recipe and leave me a sweet comment in the recipe card below! ❤️❤️We hope you love all of the Southern and healthy recipes we share here at The Buttered Home and would love to see you back here often!

A close-up of three cooked almond flour Johnny cakes stacked on a light blue plate. The cakes are slightly overcooked with a golden brown and dark brown crust, and crumbs are scattered on the plate around them.

Easy Low Carb Johnny Cakes Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 8

Serving Size

Ingredients

1 cup almond flour coarse grind
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
2 tbsps heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup unsweetened greek yogurt
1/4 cup butter melted, plus 2 tbsps
1 tbsp swerve sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp butter extract

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine almond flour, baking powder, swerve and salt. Mix to combine.
1 cup almond flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tbsp swerve sugar, 1/2 tsp salt
In another bowl, combine wet ingredients; heavy cream, greek yogurt, eggs and butter extract. Mix well. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix. Add in 1/4 cup melted butter and mix well.
2 eggs, 2 tbsps heavy whipping cream, 1/2 cup unsweetened greek yogurt, 1/4 tsp butter extract, 1/4 cup butter
In a large skillet, heat one tablespoon butter over low to medium heat until pan is hot and butter is melted. Add batter by the spoonful, careful to keep from touching.
1/4 cup butter
Cook 2 to 4 minutes until the edges start to bubble and brown. Carefully flip and cook a minute or two more until golden brown. Add another tablespoon of butter for each batch you cook.

See How To Make It!

🍴 PRO TIP!

While we recommend about 2 tablespoons of butter for 8 Johnny cakes, keep some nearby as you may need more depending on your pan. Don’t feel like you can use too much. Keeping the pan hot and well greased will mean a great cake every time.

🗹 RECIPE FAQ’S

Can I pan fry them in bacon grease?

Yes. That is one of the tastiest ways to have them. Just know that will alter the nutritional value of the recipe.

What can I use in place of greek yogurt?

Sour cream or blended cottage cheese are both good options.

Can I use a combination of different flours or meals?

You can use a combination of almond flour and cornmeal, about half and half to improve the texture. Or even add in a bit of self rising flour, maybe 1/4 cup. These changes will also alter the nutritional values.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

🍽️ SERVING SUGGESTIONS. What goes great with this recipe? Let me tell you!

These are my favorite dishes to serve with low carb Johnny cakes:

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Reader Review

“I loved the freezer tips and made a double batch so we could enjoy some next week. This easy delicious recipe is a keeper.”

– Karen

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Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Easy Low Carb Johnny Cakes Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

Why Brooke loves this recipe!