Sausage balls have long been a favorite appetizer, gracing holiday tables for decades. Now, you can enjoy this classic treat while staying true to your low-carb lifestyle with this keto-friendly sausage balls recipe. This recipe uses almond flour instead of traditional Bisquick, resulting in a delicious, guilt-free rendition of a beloved dish.
Why Keto Sausage Balls?
These keto sausage balls are not just for holidays; they're perfect any time of year. They're portable, reheat well, and can be enjoyed in various ways:
- Breakfast: Serve them alone or with eggs.
- Lunch or Dinner: Pair them with a hearty salad.
- Snack: Enjoy them as a quick and satisfying bite.
- Appetizer: Perfect for parties and gatherings.
You can even mix things up by adding cream cheese and fresh herbs for a unique flavor twist.
The Secret to Moist Keto Sausage Balls
Many keto sausage ball recipes suffer from dryness, but this recipe avoids that pitfall by incorporating key ingredients and techniques. The result is a moist and flavorful sausage ball that rivals the traditional version.
Ingredients
This keto sausage ball recipe requires just a few simple ingredients:
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- Breakfast Sausage: Provides protein and flavor. You can also use ground beef, ground chicken, or ground turkey for a different twist. Consider using Italian pork sausage, chicken sausage, turkey sausage, pre-seasoned ground sausage, or spicy sausage. Just be sure to check for added sugar.
- Almond Flour: Replaces Bisquick, keeping the carb count low.
- Shredded Cheese: Adds flavor and helps bind the ingredients.
- Cream Cheese: Contributes to the moist texture and adds a tangy flavor.
- Egg: Acts as a binder.
- Baking Powder: Helps the sausage balls puff up.
- Optional Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, dried herbs like thyme or oregano, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create perfect keto sausage balls:
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease it.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a bowl, mix the melted (and slightly cooled) butter, eggs, and sour cream (or cream cheese). Add a pinch of salt and whisk until well blended.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the coconut flour and baking powder to the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Add Sausage and Cheese: Stir in the cooked sausage and shredded cheese until evenly distributed.
- Chill the Mixture: Refrigerate the batter for about 30 minutes. This helps the balls hold their shape during baking.
- Shape the Balls: Use a cookie scoop to portion the mixture into evenly sized balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C).
Tips for Success
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing can result in tough sausage balls. Mix the ingredients just enough to combine.
- Chill the Mixture: Chilling the mixture helps the balls hold their shape and prevents them from flattening during baking.
- Use a Cookie Scoop: A cookie scoop ensures uniform size and shape.
- Don't Overbake: Overbaking can lead to dry sausage balls. Bake until golden brown and cooked through.
- Freshly Shredded Cheese: While pre-shredded cheese is convenient, it often contains added ingredients that can increase the carb count. Shredding your own cheese ensures the best flavor and lowest carb count.
- Cooling Butter: Melting the butter allows it to mix evenly, but cooling it prevents it from cooking the eggs when combined.
Variations and Substitutions
- Cheese: Experiment with different cheeses like Pepper Jack for a spicy kick.
- Meat: Use ground beef, ground chicken, or ground turkey instead of sausage.
- Spices: Add garlic powder, onion powder, dried herbs, or red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
- Additions: Mix in chopped jalapenos or diced green onions.
- Dairy-Free: Substitute dairy-free cream cheese for the sour cream.
Serving Suggestions
These keto sausage balls are delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with various dipping sauces:
- Low-carb barbecue sauce
- Dairy-free keto ranch dressing
- Keto chive blue cheese dressing
- Ranch dressing
- Spicy mustard
- Sugar-free honey mustard
- Sugar-free ketchup
- Sour cream
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerate: Store leftover sausage balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
- Freeze: Freeze the sausage balls for longer storage. Flash-freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
To reheat, microwave the sausage balls on a microwave-safe plate covered with a paper towel for about one minute, or until heated through.
Nutritional Information
This recipe makes approximately 30-40 sausage balls, depending on the size. The nutritional information is per sausage ball, allowing you to determine your own serving size.
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