For those following a ketogenic (keto) diet, finding satisfying and convenient snacks can sometimes be a challenge. Many readily available options are loaded with carbohydrates, making them unsuitable for maintaining ketosis. However, with a little creativity, it's easy to create delicious and satisfying keto-friendly snacks. Cheese bites are a perfect example: they are easy to make, packed with flavor, and fit perfectly into a low-carb lifestyle. This article explores several keto cheese bite recipes, ranging from sweet to savory, providing options for any craving.
Keto Mini Cheesecake Bites
These mini cheesecakes are a sweet treat that won't derail your keto diet. They are easy to make and perfect to have on hand for whenever you want a sweet treat.
Ingredients:
- Crust:
- Almond flour
- Granular sweetener
- Butter
- Filling:
- Cream cheese
- Egg
- Powdered sweetener
- Sour cream
- Vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners.
- Crust: Mix together the almond flour, granular sweetener, and butter. Spoon the mixture evenly into the muffin cups and press in with your fingers.
- Filling: Combine the cream cheese, egg, powdered sweetener, sour cream, and vanilla extract with a hand mixer until smooth. Spoon the mixture evenly into the muffin cups, about 2 tablespoons for each cup.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours to firm up.
- Serve as is, or topped with some sliced fruit.
Low Carb Crispy Cheese Balls
These keto cheese balls can be made in about fifteen minutes, so are great for a low carb snack, side dish, or a last minute party offering.
Ingredients:
- Eggs
- Shredded cheddar
- Mozzarella
- Parmesan
- Baking powder
- Almond flour
- Black pepper
Instructions:
- Put two eggs into a bowl and whisk until lightly beaten.
- Add shredded cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, baking powder, almond flour and black pepper.
- Mix everything together until it forms one large ball.
- Divide it into 8 sections, and roll each section into a ball.
- Bake until golden brown and crispy.
These cheese balls offer a delightful combination of textures and flavors, making them a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Keto Cheese Balls with Bacon, Chives, and Pecans
These keto cheese balls are a delicious, low-carb, bite-sized appetizer that’ll jazz up any party table. They’re made from a mixture of cheeses, bacon, chives, and pecans. The textured crust makes these cheese balls super moreish.
Read also: Cream Cheese Pepperoni Bites
Ingredients:
- Cream cheese (full-fat)
- Cheddar cheese (sharp)
- Bacon
- Chives
- Pecans
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, blend together cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper.
- Using a cookie scoop or roll with your hands to make 18 small balls.
- Place on a parchment lined plate and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- In a small bowl, mix bacon, chives and pecans.
- Roll the cheese balls in the bacon mixture.
Tips:
- Shape the balls small to keep them bite-sized.
- Get your cream cheese to room temperature before mixing it with anything else.
- Use a cookie scoop and roughly weigh each ball to make sure you get the exact number of balls.
- Taco seasoning is a fun way to flavor the cream cheese for a Mexican-inspired night.
Jalapeño Cream Cheese Bites
These low-carb treats are packed with chopped ham, sharp cheddar cheese, and diced jalapeños. This is an incredible keto breakfast or snack option that is completely meal prep friendly.
Ingredients:
- Cream cheese
- Chopped ham
- Shredded cheese
- Chopped jalapeño
- Eggs
- Almond flour
- Baking powder
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Combine the chopped ham and cream cheese until completely combined.
- Stir in the shredded cheese, chopped jalapeño, eggs, almond flour and baking powder until a thick dough forms.
- Chill the dough 15 minutes. You cannot skip this step.
- Use a small cookie scoop to portion the bites out.
- Bake until golden brown and cooked through.
Crispy Cottage Cheese Balls
These crispy cottage cheese balls are high protein, low carb and keto-friendly. They need just 3 ingredients and are easy to make. There is no frying required. These crispy cheese balls are an easy appetizer, snack or side dish.
Ingredients:
- Cottage cheese (high protein 4%)
- Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
- Almond flour (superfine)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, almond flour, and Parmesan. Mix until the cottage cheese is fully incorporated and a crumbly dough forms. When you pinch some of it, it should stick together. You do want the dough to be slightly on the drier side. If the dough is too soft, it won't hold its ball shape as it cooks.
- Pack and scoop the mixture into a 1.5 tbsp cookie scoop. Release onto your prepared baking sheet.
- Roll each portion between your palms to form smooth balls, spacing them 1 inch apart.
- Optional step: For a more even golden coating, you can lightly brush or spray the tops of the balls with avocado oil. This is optional because they will still crisp up and bake up golden without it.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until dark golden brown and crispy on the outside. These can also be cooked in an air fryer at 400°F for about 8 minutes. If cooking in an air fryer, I recommend lining the basket insert with parchment paper, otherwise the balls will get stuck in the holes of the insert as they cook.
- Let the balls cool slightly before serving. You can serve with your favorite dipping sauce. You can also garnish the balls with some coarse salt if needed.
Tips for Keto Cheese Bites
- Cheese Selection: Experiment with different types of cheese to find your favorite flavor combinations. Cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, and cream cheese are all excellent choices.
- Binders: Almond flour is a common keto-friendly binder.
- Seasoning: Don't be afraid to get creative with seasonings. Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning are all great options.
- Add-ins: Consider adding chopped vegetables, cooked meats, or nuts for added flavor and texture.
- Storage: Store leftover cheese bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Read also: Grab-and-Go Keto Breakfast
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers