What binders can I use for low carb meatballs?

Keto meatballs are actually not so different from regular ones. You just need meat, binders, seasonings, and moisture - just like in a meatloaf. The latest version of these keto Italian meatballs is made with almond flour, but you have other options. Here are the basic binder options that could be used in a low carb meatball recipe: Almond flour - my personal favorite Coconut flour - be careful with this one, it can lead to dry meatballs, so use 1/4 the amount Flax seed meal (regular or golden) - pretty good, but can be slimy if you use too much Crushed pork rinds - these are salty, so reduce the salt if you use them as a binder Grated Parmesan cheese - not ideal on its own, but great mixed with other binders Ground sunflower seeds - a 1:1 almond flour replacement in these meatballs, if needed Other ground nuts or nut meal I originally had this recipe made with golden flax seed meal, but now don't recommend it. It can lead to a slightly slimy texture that can be off-putting for some people. Instead, I recommend using a combination of parmesan cheese and either almond flour or sunflower seed meal. The taste is identical with both, so it's up to you. Almond flour might be a little easier to find, whereas sunflower seed meal is nut-free.

Easy Low Carb Keto Meatballs Recipe

Name: Easy Low Carb Keto Meatballs Recipe (30 Min!)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup Grated parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour ((or sunflower seed meal for nut-free)); 1 tbsp Italian seasoning; 3/4 tsp Sea salt; 1/2 tsp Black pepper; 1/4 cup Unsweetened coconut milk beverage ((can also use almond milk or heavy cream)); 3 tbsp Onion ((grated)); 1 large Egg; 3 cloves Garlic ((minced)); 2 tbsp Fresh parsley ((chopped)); 1 lb Ground beef; 3/4 cup Marinara sauce

Learn how to make keto meatballs juicy and flavorful, every time! This easy Italian low carb meatball recipe takes just 30 minutes, with simple ingredients.

By Maya Krampf

73 Comments

Pile of low carb keto meatballs with marinara sauce and cheese, on a plate

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These gluten-free low carb meatballs were originally inspired by Wholesome Yum readers, who were asking for a great recipe for super easy keto meatballs without breadcrumbs. That was back in 2017, and I’ve made them about a gajillion times since then. They’re a favorite now for everyone in my family, including my kids – and I hope this Italian keto meatball recipe makes its way into your family’s favorite list, too.

These are not quite no carb meatballs, but they are pretty close… and they taste just like the real thing!

And if you like these, be sure to try out my keto buffalo chicken meatballs, Asian turkey meatballs, zucchini spaghetti with meatballs, keto Swedish meatballs, and healthy chicken meatballs next!

This low carb meatball recipe with marinara sauce and cheese was originally published on April 12, 2017, and the post was republished in January 2020 to add useful tips and step-by-step directions.

Over the years, this recipe has undergone several minor variations. The original version of my keto Italian meatballs used flaxseed meal as the binder, then was changed to sunflower seed meal, and the latest version uses almond flour. The results are very similar with all 3, but I settled on almond flour because it’s more commonly available, it’s lower in carbs, and I personally prefer the texture best. However, any of these 3 binders will work in the same amount, and you can read more about binder options in the FAQs below.

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How To Make Keto Meatballs

This simple keto meatball recipe comes together start-to-finish in just 30 minutes! Here’s how to make keto meatballs without breadcrumbs:

Stir dry ingredients. Stir together grated parmesan cheese, almond flour, Italian seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper.
Add wet ingredients. Whisk in almond milk, grated onion, egg, minced garlic, and fresh parsley. Let the mixture sit to soak a bit (see tips below on why!).
Add meat. Add ground beef and mix until just incorporated.

FYI: Adding the ground beef last helps prevent over-mixing.

Shape. Form the mixture into 1 inch balls and place on baking sheet.

TIP: Use a small cookie scoop for uniformly-sized meatballs and to help this process go quickly. This also reduces handling, making them more tender!

Bake. Bake meatballs until barely done.
Top & serve. Top with marinara sauce and return to oven and bake another few minutes. Serve keto meatballs with cheese (parmesan or mozzarella are great!) and fresh parsley.

Tips for The Best Keto Meatballs

The best keto meatballs are tender and juicy and taste just like real ones! Use these tips to get just that.

1. Soak the dry ingredients in (some kind of) milk.

To make your keto friendly meatballs tender and juicy, soak the dry ingredients in your keto milk of choice. Use coconut milk beverage for nut-free or unsweetened almond milk otherwise. Heavy cream also works fine.

Letting everything soak for a few minutes before adding the meat goes a long way in improving the texture of your meatballs, so don’t skip that step! Not only does it let the flavors develop, it also lets the moisture soak into the dry ingredients more thoroughly.

Adding the meat last prevents overworking it by avoiding repeated mixing, which is also helpful in improving tenderness.

2. Don’t over-mix the meat.

If you do, you’ll end up with tough meatballs. Add the meat last and mix only until combined.

3. Form the keto meatballs gently.

You don’t want to pack the meat too much, or your low carb meatballs will be dense. A small cookie scoop is great for this.

If you use your hands instead of a scoop, make sure they are cold and lightly covered in oil. This prevents sticking and ensures that the fats in the meat don’t break down prior to cooking.

4. Broil or pan fry for a golden top.

If you want your meatballs browned, you can lightly pan fry them or place them under the broiler. Take this into account ahead of time, taking them out of the oven a little early if you plan to broil or pan fry, so that you don’t overcook them at the end.

FAQs About Low Carb Meatballs

Are meatballs keto friendly?

Most meatballs are made with breadcrumbs, so they would not be keto friendly. This keto meatball recipe uses a different binder that is both low carb and nut-free, but there are more options below.

What other binders can I use for low carb meatballs?

Keto meatballs are actually not so different from regular ones. You just need meat, binders, seasonings, and moisture – just like in a meatloaf.

The latest version of these keto Italian meatballs is made with almond flour, but you have other options. Here are the basic binder options that could be used in a low carb meatball recipe:

Almond flour – my personal favorite
Coconut flour – be careful with this one, it can lead to dry meatballs, so use 1/4 the amount
Flax seed meal (regular or golden) – pretty good, but can be slimy if you use too much
Crushed pork rinds – these are salty, so reduce the salt if you use them as a binder
Grated Parmesan cheese – not ideal on its own, but great mixed with other binders
Ground sunflower seeds – a 1:1 almond flour replacement in these meatballs, if needed
Other ground nuts or nut meal

I originally had this recipe made with golden flax seed meal, but now don’t recommend it. It can lead to a slightly slimy texture that can be off-putting for some people.

Instead, I recommend using a combination of parmesan cheese and either almond flour or sunflower seed meal. The taste is identical with both, so it’s up to you. Almond flour might be a little easier to find, whereas sunflower seed meal is nut-free.

What keto sauce for meatballs can I use?

These low carb Italian meatballs are made with marinara sauce. I used store bought – just make sure there is no sugar added in the ingredients.

Alternatively, you can also make keto meatballs with buffalo sauce, sugar-free sticky Asian sauce, or a creamy meatball sauce.

How To Store Low Carb Meatballs

Can you make these ahead?

Yes, this keto meatball recipe is perfect for meal prep or making ahead, because they store very well. Store them in the fridge for up to a week.

Can you make keto meatballs to freeze?

Yes! To freeze these (almost) no carb meatballs, arrange them in a single layer on a parchment paper lined baking sheet (without sauce) and freeze until solid. After that, you can transfer them to a freezer bag. To serve, they can go into the oven straight from the freezer.

How to reheat meatballs:

Reheat this low carb meatball recipe in the microwave or a 350 degree F oven, until heated through.

What To Serve With Keto Meatballs

Looking for what to serve with keto meatballs? Here are a few ideas:

Noodles – Low carb noodle recipes like zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or even zucchini roll ups all pair well with this keto meatball recipe.
Salads – Keto antipasto salad, avocado caprese salad, or chopped Mediterranean salad are all great veggie sides to the meatballs.
Keto Breads – Low carb bread recipes like keto garlic bread, cauliflower breadsticks, or garlic parmesan chaffles are a great side to meatballs, or can be used to make a meatball sub.
Serve As An Appetizer – Skewer them with little appetizer forks
Casseroles – Include them as part of a meatball casserole

Tools To Make Keto Italian Meatballs

Tap the links below to see the items used to make this recipe.

Glass bowls – This set is perfect for keto meatballs… and a million other things. I love that it has so many sizes in one set.
Small cookie scoop – Makes it quick and easy to form the low carb meatballs, and more importantly, makes them extra tender, thanks to less handling.
Baking sheet – This one has a silicone non-stick surface, so you can even skip the parchment paper or foil if you want to.

Easy Keto Meatballs Recipe

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73 Comments

silvana
0 June 24, 2022Reply

Hi I would like to try this recipe tonight, it sounds so good. I know you said coconut flour can be used in place of the almond, was just wondering how much to use?
- Wholesome Yum D
  0 June 27, 2022Reply
  
  Hi Silvana, You will want to use 1/4 the amount of almond flour.
Donna
0 June 4, 2022Reply

These were the first meatballs I’ve made probably in more than a decade. The tips for how to keep them tender were very helpful and effective, making the most of the increased cost of even hamburger these days. I ate the meatballs plain because they were so good. My cookie scoop only gave me 30 balls rather than 36 (6 servings at 6 meatballs each). I will cut down the salt a little bit next time for my own preference. Thanks for the recipe!
Amanda
0 June 1, 2022Reply

Could you cook these in a slow cooker?
- Wholesome Yum D
  0 June 2, 2022Reply
  
  Hi Amanda, I think cooking these meatballs in crock pot will make them too wet. They can, however, be transported and kept warm in a crock pot for serving.
Robin Gee
0 December 30, 2021Reply

FanTASTIC!! My husband, an Italian, absolutely loved these meatballs, as did I!!
I doubled the recipe.
Easy to make. I followed your wonderful recipe but added a few substitutions, based on what I had on-hand…dried parsley, dried chopped onions (that I put into a zipper bag and crushed with a rolling pin), 1/2 heavy cream and 1/2 half and half.
Cooking time was perfect. I used a bit of a heapingTBL spoon to measure them. Used 2 baking pans with parchment paper.
Rao’s roasted garlic pasta sauce in the quantity recommended was perfect. Topped with grated Parmesan and Romano cheese was the crowning touch to a perfect, special meal!
Paired with a romaine salad, it was heavenly! Thank you~!
Cheryl
0 December 30, 2021Reply

Love, love these! Just made this week and eating the last of them tonight. So good, very flavorful, great texture and taste! Will definitely make again. Thank you!
Theresa
0 November 18, 2021Reply

I used this recipe as a base for something I was making off the top of my head. I like experimenting with recipes and this one fits the bill for me. I used ZA’ATAR for my spice mix, dijon, siracha turmeric, and a blend of super seeds ground up. It was amazing. I served it with my own mix of a kind of Ratatouille.
R Arant
0 November 3, 2021Reply

Delicious!!! Just the perfect amount of flavor. I made them with almond milk. Will definitely make again, kids loved. May I recommend using American Wagyu beef? The fat in Wagyu is unique and so flavorful. I’m a huge fan recently. I use OKLAHOMA WAGYU and they ship nationwide.
Larkin
0 September 20, 2021Reply

The BEST meatballs i have ever made! These were SO GOOD! I did not have almond flour so I used coconut flour and used 2 T of that. I used onion and garlic power as I did not have a fresh onion or garlic on hand. Also I used heavy cream as I that is what I had. I added 2 t of Worcestershire. So although I made revisions to what I had on hand these were delicious. I would have never thought to made meatballs like this. Even my picky eater ate them AND i served them with spagetti squash! Thank you so much for this recipe!
Rebecca
0 August 5, 2021Reply

The most easy and delicious meatballs every time! Personally I cook them in a frying pan and they turn out great
Dawn O'Donoghue
0 July 5, 2021Reply

Absolutely delicious! Thank you. My husband didn’t even realise they are keto..
Elaine
0 January 24, 2021Reply

Excellent tender meatballs. I subbed heavy whipping cream for almond milk as I did not have any.
Christine
0 October 6, 2020Reply

These meatballs are AWESOME! Lovely and moist. My 7 1/2 month old granddaughter absolutely loved them. Easy to make, basic ingredients that most everyone has in their fridge/pantry. This recipe is not just a “will make again” recipe. It’s a “MUST make again” recipe.
Trish A
0 September 10, 2020Reply

I’m kind of late to the show here. Has anyone cooked these in an AirFryer yet? Thanks.
- Wholesome Yum M
  0 September 10, 2020Reply
  
  Hi Trish, Yes, these can cook in an air fryer. Depending on the style of air fryer you have, you may have to cook them in batches.
Carol Ann
0 September 3, 2020Reply

My husband raved about these and wanted them again the next night. It’s seldom that he gets excited about food.
Donna
0 May 7, 2020Reply

To freeze, do you do so before or after cooking?
- Wholesome Yum M
  0 May 7, 2020Reply
  
  Hi Donna, Freeze these meatballs after cooking.
Jocelyn
0 May 6, 2020Reply

Hi there! Looking forward to trying this recipe. How many carbs per serving would you omit if you did not use this marinara sauce?
- Wholesome Yum M
  0 May 11, 2020Reply
  
  Hi Jocelyn, I’m not sure, but you can enter the recipe into an online recipe calculator to get new macros without the sauce.
Linda Horte
0 April 11, 2020Reply

Hello, I know the serving size for this is 6 meatballs, can you tell the me approx. how many meatballs this recipe makes in total, thank you.
- Wholesome Yum M
  0 April 11, 2020Reply
  
  Hi Linda, The recipe makes 36 1″ meatballs in total.
Dhara
0 February 15, 2020Reply

Is there a vegetarian keto version of meat balls?
- Wholesome Yum M
  0 February 19, 2020Reply
  
  Hi Dhara, Sorry, I don’t have a vegetarian version of meatballs. Best of luck on your search!
Alicia warming
0 January 6, 2020Reply

LOVE these meatballs. So quick and easy and full of flavor! Even my italian boyfriend loves them!!!
Brandi Hougland
0 November 27, 2019Reply

Has anyone ever tried cooking these in a crockpot or cooking them and then keeping them warm in a crockpot?
- Wholesome Yum M
  0 January 21, 2020Reply
  
  Hi Brandi, I think cooking these meatballs in crock pot will make them too wet. They can, however, be transported and kept warm in a crock pot for serving.
Ellen
0 October 27, 2019Reply

I’ve made these meatballs in the past using the original recommendation of flax seed and loved it. Since I still have tons of flax seed on hand, I was going to use it again. Is it 1/4 cup whether we use flax seed or sunflower seed meal? Thanks!
- Wholesome Yum M
  0 January 28, 2020Reply
  
  Hi Ellen, Yes, the amount is the same for almond flour, sunflower seed meal, and flaxseed meal.
DEE
0 October 26, 2019Reply

Would you add the marinara sauce even if you were going to freeze them?
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 October 30, 2019Reply
  
  Hi Dee, You could freeze them with or without the marinara, but without is best.
Donna Reuter
0 September 24, 2019Reply

I made this tonight for myself, they were great! Even my hubby and son hand some and had no idea they were low carb! Thank you!
Barry
0 July 21, 2019Reply

Great recipe. My kids really like coconut flavored meatballs. I used Coconut flour, Organic unrefined coconut oil, and xo but milk. I left of the parmesan cheese and topped each meatball with a chunk of mozzarella when I added the sauce.
Pamela Marceaux
0 May 1, 2019Reply

Maybe I’m missing it on your recipe but how many meatballs does this make? I want to make sure I’m making them the same size so the macros are the same. Thanks
- Wholesome Yum L
  0 August 26, 2019Reply
  
  Hi Pamela, the serving size is 6 meatballs and each serving is 6 one inch meatballs.
Brandi
0 March 29, 2019Reply

Hands down the best meatballs EVER!! Entire family devoured them!
Krissy
0 February 21, 2019Reply

Since starting on Keto, my family has been missing my homemade gravy (tomato sauce) and meatballs. In order to get the gravy right, I have to cook the meatballs in it for 3 hours. Will these meatballs hold up to that?
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 March 6, 2019Reply
  
  Hi Krissy, Yes, they will! Sounds delicious!
Mel
0 February 17, 2019Reply

Best meatball recipe I’ve found! Love it. Thanks!
Teresa
0 February 17, 2019Reply

I want to use ground pork rinds for my filler do I use 1/4 cup?
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 March 19, 2019Reply
  
  Hi Teresa, Yes, use the same amount as the almond flour.
Susan
0 February 3, 2019Reply

These were delicious! If freezing would you suggest freezing before or after baking in marinara sauce?
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 February 4, 2019Reply
  
  Thank you, Susan! Freezing before baking in marinara would work best, but if you did it the other way it would still be okay.
Carla
0 January 17, 2019Reply

These were the best meatballs I have ever made!!! My family loved them.. thank you so much for sharing.. I made them in the air fryer, 7 mins on 400 .
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 January 18, 2019Reply
  
  Thank you so much for sharing, Carla! Great to know they worked in an air fryer.
Jenn S.
0 January 6, 2019Reply

These meatballs were super light, moist and tender! Absolutely delicious. I will definitely make these again. I paired them with a low sugar pasta sauce and homemade keto bun for meatball subs and it was a real treat.
Angel Bidel
0 November 11, 2018Reply

Used Hemp seeds for a binder and found some very low carb sauce and this made a wonder meal!!!
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 November 12, 2018Reply
  
  Great idea, Angel! Thanks for sharing!
Jill
0 November 5, 2018Reply

I keep kosher and don’t mix milk and meat, so I can’t use the parmesan cheese in this recipe. Do you have an idea of what to substitute? Thanks 🙂
Btw, my husband is allergic to nuts (so no ground almonds).
What a challenge!
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 December 26, 2018Reply
  
  Hi Jill, You can replace the almond flour with sunflower seed meal. Most likely you can replace the Parmesan with more sunflower seed meal as well, but I haven’t tried it to say for sure.
  - Ivette
    0 March 15, 2021Reply
    
    Used turkey instead but these were so moist. My bf said to save this recipe so we can eat it again
Amanda
0 September 25, 2018Reply

I made this tonight. I didn’t have the flax seed meal. I used the almond meal, unsweetened almond milk. We enjoyed the meal.
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 October 6, 2018Reply
  
  Thank you, Amanda! I’m glad you liked them.
Beth
0 September 17, 2018Reply

Honestly, these were incredibly delicious! I used ground flaxseed as the recipe suggests, and unsweetened almond milk. I misjudged the size, so I had to refigure the serving size. It was a great recipe.
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 September 20, 2018Reply
  
  I am so happy to hear that, Beth! Have a nice day!
Tina Sansone
0 September 13, 2018Reply

Stuffed each meatball with mozzarella cheese! I’m on the keto eating routine love them!
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 September 14, 2018Reply
  
  Great idea, Tina! I am so happy that you liked them!
Rebeca
0 July 1, 2018Reply

I’m doing keto but I’m doing dairy free. Would I need to substitute the cheese?
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 July 6, 2018Reply
  
  Hi Rebeca, If you are dairy-free you wouldn’t be able to use the cheese. If you’re not nut-free, almond flour would likely work instead.
- Sherry
  0 November 25, 2018Reply
  
  You could try using Nutritional Yeast aka “Nooch” in place of the Parmesan..
Jamie Sokoll
0 June 20, 2018Reply

OMG BEST meatballs I’ve ever had, and certainly the best I’ve ever made!! Used almond flour instead of flaxseed and regular full fat milk. These are a winner 🙂
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 June 23, 2018Reply
  
  Yay I love to hear that, Jamie! Have a great day!
Aubyn
0 May 29, 2018Reply

These were delicious! I used regular flax seed meal and could not taste any flaxyness. Also I mixed the meat with the wet and dry ingredient mixture in the food processor, pulsing just a few times and they came out beautifully tender. Might be a good way to avoid overworking. Served without the marinara but with zucchini noodles and your keto Alfredo mixed with some marinara to reduce carbs. It was amazing! Thanks for the recipe.
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 May 30, 2018Reply
  
  Hi Aubyn! I am so happy you enjoyed the meatballs! Have a great day!
Sarah
0 May 23, 2018Reply

This smelled divine as it was cooking! Tasted equally as good. Had it with zucchini “zoodles” (trying the Keto diet right now). The only thing I’d change next time is add another egg, as these were a little too crumbly. Thank you, Maya! Looking forward to checking out your other recipes.
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 May 26, 2018Reply
  
  Thank you for stopping by, Sarah! Please come back soon!
Rebekah
0 May 8, 2018Reply

I want to use these for mini burgers on a toothpick. Does it matter if I leave the marinara off?
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 May 11, 2018Reply
  
  Hi Rebekah, Yes, you can do that!
Cynthia
0 January 12, 2018Reply

My husband and I just started the keto diet so I have been trying to make things that we both love. Oh my goodness! These are the best meatballs ever!

I did not have any flaxseed so I subbed almond flour, dried parsley (about 3 teaspoons) and dried minced onion that I reconstituted.
After I baked them, I put them into a baking dish with some low carb marinara, topped with mozzarella and baked it more until the mozzarella turned a nice shade of brown.
I served it with spinach alfredo and zucchini noodles.
Our favorite meal YET.

THANK YOU, thank you, thank you for your recipe. I will be repeating this meal for sure!
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 January 14, 2018Reply
  
  Thank you, Cynthia! That sounds absolutely delicious!
Kaitlin W
0 October 9, 2017Reply

Could I use almond flour instead of flaxseed meal? Would it stay 1/4 cup?
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 October 10, 2017Reply
  
  Hi Kaitlin, Yes, you can! The amount would be the same.