Keto Sausage Balls are hearty and delicious. You can throw together a batch with just 5 ingredients and 30 minutes. Feel good about eating these heavenly cream cheese sausage balls because they are also low carb, gluten-free, and grain-free.
There are many things I enjoy about these easy sausage balls, but the biggest thing is that you can make them for any reason.
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Want a classy appetizer? Sausage cheese balls are the answer!
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There isn’t a wrong time to make the keto sausage balls, and once you take that first bite, you will get why they are so addictive. Honestly, if you even have leftovers, I will be surprised. My family pretty much devours every single crumb!
I love to make a few low carb appetizers and just have appetizers for dinner. A batch of these, some Spinach Balls, Baked Chicken Tenders, and some Keto Fries and we have a fabulous spread.
Ingredients
Ground sausage - I use Italian pork sausage but chicken or turkey sausage both work well in keto sausage balls. Just check for added sugar. You can even use breakfast sausage.
Shredded cheddar cheese - I use mild cheddar in this recipe but sharp cheddar cheese is delicious too.
Cream cheese - make sure it is room temperature so it mixes in easily.
Coconut flour - this is my secret ingredient to perfect low carb sausage balls.
Egg - helps to hold the sausage balls together.
Salt - you only need a small amount since sausage is already seasoned and cheese can be salty.
How To Make Keto Sausage Balls
I think you will be surprised when you see how easy this low carb appetizer is. My keto sausage ball recipe is easy and flavorful despite just having five ingredients.
Step One: Mix the sausage, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, coconut flour, egg, and salt together in a large bowl.
Expert Tip: If your sausage comes in a casing slight the length of the casing with kitchen shears. This is much easier than trying to squeeze the sausage out of the casing.
Step Two: Form 30 balls from the sausage mixture.
Expert Tip: Use a cookie scoop to form them into evenly shaped balls. I scoop right from the mixing bowl with the scoop.
Step Three: Bake the keto sausage balls in the oven at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
Tips
Use Parchment Paper - Add some parchment paper or a silicone mat to the baking sheet to prevent them from sticking to the pan. Cleanup is a breeze this way! I use parchment in many of my low carb recipes to save on washing dishes.
Evenly Size - Keep the sausage balls the same size, so they are able to cook more evenly. Otherwise, you may have some that get done way before the others.
Fresh Cheese - To make them taste even better, try shredding your own cheese. It’s fast and really enhances the way it tastes. Plus, it helps keep the ingredients bind together easier.
Don't Overbake - Never bake the sausage balls too long. They become dry and more rubbery if they cook too long.
Variations
I love everything about these easy keto sausage balls the way they are, but if you are in the mood to add extra ingredients, that’s more than fine. Here are some keto recipes to consider trying:
Pepper Jack Cheese - If you are in the mood for a little bit of spice, swap out the cheddar for shredded Pepper Jack. A little bit of spice is so good.
Parmesan Cheese - If you choose to add some parmesan you can omit the added salt.
Jalapenos - Add in some chopped jalapenos. I recommend only adding ¼ cup or so because you don’t want to add too much or they won’t stick together properly.
Green Onions - Toss some diced green onions into the mixture before cooking. Yum!
Stuffed Mushrooms - I loved these so much I made them into the filling for my Keto Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms!
Seasonings - Boost the flavor by adding garlic powder, onion powder, or Italian seasoning.
Common Questions
How many carbs are in sausage balls?
These have just 0.6 net carbs each. I have the nutrition facts showing a serving of 3 pieces for 1.8 net carbs.
Do I Need To Use Coconut Flour?
Yes, using coconut flour allows the keto sausage balls to be fluffy and have a light and delicious flavor. I love the texture that using coconut flour provides. I promise that you cannot taste the coconut flour at all. Almond flour doesn't absorb liquid the way coconut flour does so I don't recommend subbing it in this. However, if you have a coconut allergy go ahead and use almond flour.
The most popular recipes for sausage balls use Bisquick. Not a low carb ingredient at all. But it is easy to make gluten free sausage balls without Bisquick. To make my sausage balls low carb I use coconut flour and an egg to help absorb the liquid the sausage gives off when cooking.
Why won't my sausage balls stick together?
In general, they need both a binding agent (eggs) and something to absorb that binder (coconut flour).
What Sauce Do I Serve With Sausage Balls?
Well, you can totally eat them without any kind of sauce if you want. The way they taste allows them to be dipped in a variety of dipping sauces and taste great. Just watch out for added sugar when using store-bought sauces on a keto diet.
Ranch dressing, spicy mustard, sugar-free honey mustard, or sugar-free ketchup are all great options. You can also dip them in some sour cream. We typically eat them plain, but if you are serving them to other people, it’s nice to have a variety of sauces available.
Can I Make Air Fryer Sausage Balls?
Yup, you can make these in an air fryer at 375 for 8 minutes. Make sure they are in a single layer and not touching. You may need to cook in batches.
How Do You Store Leftovers?
After the keto sausage balls have cooled down, put them in a container with a tight fitting lid. They will last in the fridge for 3-4 days and can be reheated in the microwave.
Additionally, you can freeze the sausage balls too. This will make them last longer and are wonderful for meal planning. Flash-freeze them, then put them in a freezer bag. Always label the container, so you remember what’s in there. They make an easy breakfast or keto-friendly lunch!
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📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 oz ground sausage
- 4 oz shredded cheddar
- 4 oz cream cheese
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven o 400. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine all the ingredients and form into 30 balls.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally Published November 16, 2020. Revised and Republished January 17, 2023.
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Tammy Varnado says
These were super easy to throw together. I love the use of coconut flour because they are not as grainy as almond flour. I omitted the salt and they were perfect for our taste. I am going to use pepper jack cheese on the next ones and taking them to a Father’s Day church breakfast. They’re so full of flavor, I bet no one knows they’re low carb. Thank you for this recipe.
Cassidy says
Honestly I saw SO many recipes for these but I went with this one because of the amount of ingredients it involves. SIMPLE AND DELICIOUS. no other sausage balls have this good of a char on the bottom and a beautiful golden top. For extra crispy- leave in oven for an extra 2 minutes
Cassidy says
(Total time for mine was 22 minutes by the way)
Lisa Kanagy says
So enjoyed this recipe! Very full of flavor!
Khrystal Fleming says
So easy and delicious!!
Kelly M says
I make these sausage balls often. I always keep a supply in freezer.
Gabriele says
easy and so delicious
B Menius says
Very moist and delicious. Easy to make!
Heidi says
These are delicious! I know the secret to these is the coconut flour but didn’t have any 😞 I subbed with THM Baking blend and they turned out just fine!
Carrie Morrison says
These are delicious!! Very simple. Definitely will make again!
Heather says
Amazing 🤩
Lisa says
I make this often.
Terri says
Delicious!!!
Terri says
These are AMAZING (as are ALL her recipes!)!! Delicious!!