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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Easy Low Carb Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs Recipe

    Published: Dec 11, 2021 · Modified: Jul 9, 2022 by Jeri Walker · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

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    Pin for meatballs without breadcrumbs

    This Easy Low Carb Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs Recipe is quick and easy to make. You can have dinner on the table in no time as there is hardly any prep time. These juicy meatballs are made without breadcrumbs, yet they're still tender and moist. They're perfect for spaghetti, smothered in tomato sauce, or with sweet and sour sauce or pineapple sauce. Make these into mini meatballs for an appetizer or a larger size for a main dish meal that everyone will love. Plus, these are keto-friendly and gluten-free too!

    PIN the recipe to try it later!

    Meatballs without breadcrumbs on a bed of rice on a white plate. this …

    Meatballs are a delicious and nutritious way to enjoy a healthy meal while on a low carb diet. This is a great recipe, and these meatballs without breadcrumbs are perfect if you are on a low-carb diet or are looking for a gluten-free recipe. Or maybe you just want to eat healthier and try something new for dinner tonight.

    Low carb meatballs are a healthy and delicious meal that can be served as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. They are easy to make and taste fantastic. These juicy meatballs are a healthy dinner that your whole family will enjoy.

    Home cooks love meatballs, and they are the perfect finger food for parties, tailgates, or football season. They are always a hit with kids of all ages!

    Easy Low Carb Meatballs without Breadcrumbs have a great taste and are based on my classic meatballs recipe but adapted slightly to make it low carb. Try my classic meatball recipe made with homemade sweet and sour sauce, delicious served over a bed of homemade rice.

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love this low carb meatballs recipe
    • Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for best keto meatballs
    • How to make meatballs without breadcrumbs
    • How to make this low carb meatballs recipe without breadcrumbs on the stove
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
    • What to serve with low carb meatballs recipe without breadcrumbs?
    • More Healthy Dinner Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • Food safety
    • More Recipes
    • 💬 Comments

    Why you will love this low carb meatballs recipe

    LOW CARB: Low-carb recipes can be a great diet option for those who want to lose weight and improve their lifestyle. This easy meatball recipe is low carb just by leaving out the breadcrumbs.

    EASY: These tender meatballs make a great meal for dinner, and they can be made in minutes. Plus, they use basic meatball ingredients you probably already have on hand.

    MAKE AHEAD: You can make these homemade meatballs in the morning and cook them later in the day.

    FREEZER MEAL: Turn these into a handy freezer meal by making a big batch and freezing them in freezer containers or a freezer bag for later use. I like to have a bunch in the freezer for a quick meal that I can cook in the slow cooker or air fryer on busy weeknights!

    VERSATILE: These are the best meatballs, made with a ground beef mixture, creating a flavorful dish that can be served with rice, spaghetti squash pasta, or zucchini noodles. You can also serve them in your favorite sauce with a toothpick for a delicious appetizer everyone will love!

    Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for best keto meatballs

    Only a few basic ingredients are needed to make this simple yet hearty meatball recipe.

    Ingredients for meatballs without bread crumbs on a white table
    • Lean ground beef. I used lean ground beef, but a great substitute is any ground meat such as a mixture of ground beef and ground pork for a flavorful meatball. You can also use ground venison. Or make healthy turkey meatballs using ground turkey.
    • Almond flour. Almond flour is a great replacement for bread crumbs if you are looking for a gluten-free alternative. It can be substituted in equal amounts and has a nutty flavor. If you are on the keto diet, you could also substitute pork rinds, pulsed in the food processor until the desired texture is reached. Another good substitute is parmesan cheese.
    • A large egg. I used an organic egg from our chickens.
    • Garlic powder. I used garlic powder, but you could also use 2 garlic cloves, chopped very fine.
    • Onion powder. I used onion powder, but you could also chop ½ an onion very fine and add it to the meatball mixture. Not a fan of onion? Leave it out altogether.
    • Black pepper. Black pepper adds depth and some spice to the meatballs. Feel free to use course ground black pepper as well for a more vibrant flavor.
    • Sea salt. I used sea salt for the best flavor, but you could use regular table salt instead.

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    How to make meatballs without breadcrumbs

    These easy meatballs are easy to make. This recipe is for baking the meatballs in the oven. However, the directions are also included below if you want to make this homemade meatball recipe on the stove.

    Prepare the pan: Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet.

    Make the meatballs: Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix well. I find the best option is to use my hands to mix up the meat mixture. Mix the meatballs until the ingredients are combined well.

    Meat mixture for meatballs being mixed together

    Next, make the meatballs about 1 to 1.5-inch diameter, smaller if you want mini meatballs. The best way to do this is to use a small ice cream scoop or a cookie dough scoop. Alternatively, you could use a kitchen scale to ensure each meatball is the same size. I prefer the cookie dough scoop. 🙂

    Use a small ice cream scoop to scoop up the meat and make the meatballs
    A fully formed meatball held in the palm of my hand

    Place raw meatballs in a single layer on the lined baking sheet.

    Place the rimmed baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F. Cook the meatballs until nicely browned. The cook time will be about 40-45 minutes. The meatballs are ready when they are nicely browned. Remove immediately from the oven and serve with your favorite sauce.

    Raw meatballs on a cookie sheet
    Cooked meatballs on a cookie sheet

    I hope you agree that these are the best gluten-free meatballs, and it is such an easy recipe!

    NOTE: When I first cooked these meatballs, I sprayed a cooling rack with cooking spray and placed the meatballs on the rack. I placed parchment paper underneath for easy cleanup. However, the meatballs were not easy to remove, and they stuck to the rack. The next time I made them, I just placed them on the parchment paper, and there was no sticking.

    How to make this low carb meatballs recipe without breadcrumbs on the stove

    A favorite way to cook these delicious meatballs is to cook them in a frying pan on the stove for a 30-minute meal. This requires that you stay in the kitchen and stir the meatballs, so they do not overcook.

    Follow the recipe above by mixing the meatballs in a large bowl. However, instead of placing them on a cookie sheet, heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan.

    Next, add meatballs to a large skillet and brown them. Flip them over to brown on all sides. Continue to cook until the meatballs are cooked all the way through.

    That's it! Serve the cooked meatballs with your favorite sauce.

    HINT: If you are using these meatballs as an appetizer or at a party, place cooked meatballs into a slow cooker with your favorite sauce, and keep them warm on low heat or the warm setting.

    Meatballs in a red baking tray with sauce and sesame seeds on top

    Variations

    The possibilities of these meat balls are endless. Some great tasting variations for this keto meatball recipe are:

    • Make the best Italian meatballs by using parmesan cheese instead of almond flour, mix the beef meatballs with your favorite marinara sauce, top with mozzarella cheese and fresh parsley.
    • Sweet and sour meatballs are delicious using the sauce ingredients of brown sugar, water, vinegar, soy sauce, and cornstarch.
    • Teriyaki pineapple meatballs are another favorit using the sauce ingredients of crushed pineapple, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, and cornstarch.
    • Meatball stroganoff is also delicious. Use heavy cream, sliced mushrooms, and beef stock used to make a sauce and serve over egg noodles.
    • Make the meatballs spicier by adding in ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes or chili powder to the meat mixture.

    Equipment

    To make this easy dinner recipe, you need a large mixing bowl and a rimmed baking sheet or frying pan.

    Storage

    Fridge: Cooked meatballs will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days.

    Freezer: Cooked meatballs can be frozen (once cooled) in an airtight container for up to two months. I like to place them in a freezer bag first, remove all the air, then place them in an airtight container. This helps prevent freezer burn.

    Top tips

    • Make the meatballs the same size for even cooking.
    • Do not overmix the meatballs, otherwise they will not be as tender.
    • Do not overcook the meatballs. They just need to be nicely browned on the outside.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    What can you use instead of breadcrumbs in meatballs?

    Instead of breadcrumbs in meatballs, you can use almond flour, pork rinds, parmesan cheese, oatmeal, crushed crackers, bread, or pretzels.

    Will meatballs fall apart without breadcrumbs?

    No. When meatballs fall apart, it is because there is no binder. For this recipe, we use an egg as the binder. The meatballs will not fall apart as long as you have the egg.

    Is it better to fry or bake meatballs?

    Baked meatballs are the healthier alternative to fried ones. You can also prepare them quickly and don't have to stay by the stove to flip them so they cook evenly.

    How do you keep meatballs moist?

    The best way to keep your meatballs moist is to make sure you add moisture. For example, the egg in the recipe provides enough moisture not to dry out the meatballs. Also, it is important not to overcook the meatballs.

    Meatballs without breadcrumbs on a bed of ric with sauce

    What to serve with low carb meatballs recipe without breadcrumbs?

    • Rice
    • Zucchini noodles
    • Spaghetti squash
    • Mashed potatoes
    • Egg noodles
    • Ultra Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes
    • Cauliflower rice
    • Roasted vegetables
    • Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
    • Frozen Broccoli in Air Fryer

    More Healthy Dinner Recipes

    • Instant Pot Venison Roast: Quick and Easy One-Pot Recipe
    • Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer - Low-Carb, Healthy & Gluten-Free
    • Savory Buttercup Squash Soup Recipe with Carrots (Low-Carb and Healthy)
    • Tilapia in Air Fryer - No Breading (Keto-Friendly)
    • Best Smoked Salmon on Pellet Grill

    I hope you enjoyed this Easy Low Carb Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs Recipe. If you try it out and like it, I would appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave a star rating below. Also, please leave a comment below saying how much you enjoyed it and what other types of recipes/ingredients would be interesting for me to write about in the future.

    Thank you so much for reading my article, and don't forget to share it with your friends on social media!

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    📋 Recipe

    Meatballs without breadcrumbs on a bed of rice on a white plate.

    Easy Low Carb Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs Recipe

    This Easy Low Carb Meatballs Recipe Without Breadcrumbs is quick and easy to make. You can have dinner on the table in no time as there is hardly any prep time. These juicy meatballs are made without breadcrumbs, yet they're still tender and moist. They're perfect for spaghetti, smothered in tomato sauce, or with sweet and sour sauce or pineapple sauce. Make these into mini meatballs for an appetizer or a larger size for a main dish meal that everyone will love. Plus, these are keto-friendly and gluten-free too!
    5 from 31 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Course: Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 203kcal
    Author: Jeri Walker
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Mixing bowl
    • Rimmed baking sheet

    Ingredients

    • 1½ pounds lean ground beef
    • 3 tablespoon almond flour
    • 1 large egg
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    • Combine ground beef, almond flour, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix together well. Using your hands works the best.
    • Shape meatballs into 1.5" balls. You will get approximately 21 meatballs this size.
    • Place raw meatballs in a single layer on a lined baking sheet. Place meatballs in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 40-45 minutes, until the meatballs are nicely browned.
    • Remove immediately from the oven and serve with your favorite sauce.
    • Enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    Nutritional information is approximate and is meant as a guideline only.
    Storage:
    Fridge: Cooked meatballs will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days.
    Freezer: Cooked meatballs can be frozen (once cooled) in an airtight container for up to two months. I like to place them in a freezer bag first, remove all the air, then place them in an airtight container. This helps prevent freezer burn.
    Top Tips:
    • Make the meatballs the same size for even cooking.
    • Do not overmix the meatballs, otherwise, they will not be as tender.
    • Do not overcook the meatballs. They just need to be nicely browned on the outside.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 31.7g | Fat: 5.8g | Saturated Fat: 2.3g | Cholesterol: 118.6mg | Sodium: 103.9mg | Potassium: 501.6mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 21.4IU | Calcium: 16.7mg | Iron: 3.5mg
    L❤️VE this recipe? PIN it for later! 😊Mention @windingcreek_ranch or tag #windingcreek_ranch on IG!

    Food safety

    • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. nancy

      December 14, 2021 at 4:48 pm

      5 stars
      what a genius idea to use almond flour as the binding instead of breadcrumbs!

      Reply

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