Looking for a quick, delicious, and keto-friendly snack or appetizer? Keto cheese roll-ups are the answer! These versatile bites are easy to customize and perfect for satisfying cravings without derailing your low-carb lifestyle. Whether you're a seasoned keto dieter or just looking for a healthier alternative to traditional snacks, there's a cheese roll-up recipe for you.
Keto Pizza Roll-Ups: A Classic Reinvented
For pizza lovers, these keto pizza roll-ups are a dream come true. They capture the essence of pizza without the carb-heavy crust.
Ingredients:
- Mozzarella slices
- Pepperoni (traditional or turkey)
- Italian seasoning
- Optional: Low-carb tomato sauce for dipping
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Find pre-cut parchment paper that fits the sheet pan.
- Arrange the mozzarella slices in rows on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them so they don't touch.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning on each cheese slice.
- Add two slices of pepperoni per mozzarella slice, placing them in the middle.
- Bake for 6-8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned around the edges. Keep a close eye on them, as oven times may vary. Trust your oven to get the perfect cooking time. You know if your oven cooks a little faster or a little slower. Look for the cheese to melt and turn a little brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a couple of minutes before rolling up. This is the most important part! You have to let the cheese cool for just a minute or two after it comes out of the oven. It needs to be cool enough to handle, but still very warm and pliable. I find using a small spatula to help lift the edge and start the roll is the easiest way to do it without burning your fingers.
- Serve as is or with low-carb tomato sauce for dipping.
Tips and Variations:
- Crispier Roll-Ups: For a crispier texture, cook the roll-ups for the full 8 minutes, but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Dipping Sauces: Marinara sauce is a classic choice, but feel free to experiment with blue cheese or ranch dressing, ensuring they are keto-friendly.
- Freezing: These roll-ups freeze well. Let them cool completely, then place them on a baking sheet in the freezer for about an hour. Once solid, transfer them to a freezer bag. Reheat in an air fryer or oven at 375°F (190°C) until hot and crispy.
- Additions: Drizzle with the olive oil/herb spread. Try adding a few leaves of spinach or basil instead of the meat. Grab a jar of keto-friendly sauce and spread a 1/2 tsp on the cheese slice. Or make the easy homemade marinara sauce.
Keto Spinach and Bacon Cream Cheese Roll-Ups: A Savory Delight
These roll-ups offer a creamy, savory flavor with the added benefits of spinach.
Ingredients:
- Cheese slices (for wraps)
- Cream cheese
- Spinach
- Bacon
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Heat bacon grease or olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Bake the cheese in the oven for 8-10 minutes until the edges are browned and crispy.
- Combine cream cheese and spinach.
- Fill the cheese wraps with the cream cheese and spinach mixture.
- Serve and enjoy!
Ingredient Swaps:
- Cheese: You can also use ricotta cheese instead of cream cheese in this recipe.
- Bacon: In order to get the most flavor in them, I used pork bacon. Unfortunately, this also means that there is some saturated fat and cholesterol in pork bacon.
Everything Bagel Keto Tortilla Roll-Ups: A Flavor Explosion
For a different twist, try these roll-ups with keto tortillas and Everything Bagel seasoning.
Ingredients:
- Keto tortillas or wraps
- Cream cheese
- Everything Bagel seasoning
- Melted butter (optional)
Instructions:
- Spread a layer of cream cheese on a keto tortilla or wrap.
- Sprinkle generously with Everything Bagel seasoning.
- Roll the tortilla up tightly.
- Slice into rounds, as thick as you like.
- Brush the top and bottom of the rounds with melted butter (optional).
- Air Fryer: Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Add the rounds to the air fryer tray and cook for 3 minutes per side, until crispy.
- Skillet: If you don't have an air fryer, heat them in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, flipping to get both sides browned, about 3 to 5 minutes per side.
Tips and Variations:
- Tortilla Options: Ole Mexican Foods Xtreme Wellness High Fiber Tortilla Wraps (4g net carbs per serving) are a good option. Other options for more of a clean, keto tortilla or wrap would be Crepini Egg Wraps, Jicama wraps from Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s, or Folios cheese wraps. You can also check out all the low-carb and keto tortillas on Amazon or at your local grocery store.
- Additions: Consider adding chopped or shredded chicken breast or smoked salmon for a heartier snack or lunch.
- Cheese: Adding in the shredded cheese makes for a cheesier result and the grab-and-go bites are perfect as a lunch idea too!
General Tips for Keto Cheese Roll-Ups
- Cheese Selection: Mozzarella is a popular choice for its mild flavor and melting properties, but feel free to experiment with other cheeses like cheddar, provolone, or Monterey Jack.
- Customization: The possibilities are endless! Add your favorite pizza toppings, deli meats, vegetables, or herbs to create unique flavor combinations.
- Presentation: Serve roll-ups on a platter with single-serve cups of keto-friendly dipping sauces for an easy and appealing appetizer.
- Make-Ahead: These are ideal for meal prep. Assemble the roll-ups ahead of time and bake them just before serving.
Why Keto Cheese Roll-Ups are a Great Choice
- Low-Carb: Perfect for those following a ketogenic or low-carb diet.
- High-Protein: Provides a good source of protein, which helps with satiety and muscle building.
- Quick and Easy: Requires minimal preparation and cooking time, making them ideal for busy individuals.
- Versatile: Can be customized to suit individual tastes and preferences.
- Satisfying: Helps curb cravings and provides a satisfying snack or appetizer option.
Other Low-Carb Appetizer Ideas
Looking for more inspiration? Here are a few other low-carb appetizer ideas:
Read also: Cream Cheese Keto Dessert
- Deli Meat Roll-Ups: Spread cream cheese on slices of deli ham, turkey, or roast beef. Add a strip of dill pickle or avocado and roll up. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before slicing into one-inch pieces.
- Stuffed Celery Sticks: Fill celery sticks with cream cheese, peanut butter, or guacamole.
- Keto Deviled Eggs: A classic appetizer that's naturally low-carb.
- Vegetable Sticks with Dip: Serve a variety of colorful vegetable sticks with keto-friendly dips like ranch, blue cheese, or hummus.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide