Tasty Keto Sausage Balls

Featured in: Tasty Bites to Kick Off Any Meal

These addictive keto sausage bites blend ground breakfast sausage with almond flour, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and bacon bits for a protein-rich, savory snack. Just combine everything, roll into balls, and pop in the oven at 400°F for 18 minutes. You'll get snacks with a crunchy outside and juicy, tasty inside - great as a starter, quick bite, or protein boost with any meal. Every mouthful offers a yummy mix of meat and cheese while staying low in carbs.

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Updated on Sun, 13 Apr 2025 14:10:30 GMT
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A bowl of nuts. | tastefullyeats.com

These low-carb sausage balls twist traditional comfort food into a guilt-free treat that's perfect for keto diets. The mix of flavorful sausage, cheese, and bacon creates addictive bites that vanish quickly at every gathering.

I whipped up these sausage balls while hosting friends who followed different eating plans. Even my guests not doing keto kept grabbing more these tasty morsels were gone quicker than anything else I served.

What You'll Need

  • Ground breakfast sausage: Forms the tasty foundation pick quality meat without added sugar
  • Almond flour: Works as the keto-friendly substitute for traditional mixes
  • Green onions: Brings freshness and mild kick include all parts
  • Shredded cheddar cheese: Buy a chunk and grate it yourself for better melt
  • Chopped bacon: Gives smoky richness and can't-resist taste
  • Cream cheese: At room temp adds creaminess and holds everything together

Making Your Sausage Balls

Warm Up Your Oven:
Turn your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This temp makes sure your sausage balls cook right through with a nice golden outside while staying juicy inside.
Mix Everything Together:
Put all your stuff in a big bowl. Make sure your cream cheese isn't cold so it mixes well with everything else. Your hands work best for this job they'll help you mix it all thoroughly.
Shape Your Balls:
Grab some mixture and roll it between your hands to make 24 equal-sized balls around 1½ inches across. Making them the same size helps them cook evenly. Put them on a tray covered with parchment paper or a silicone mat, leaving some space between them.
Cook Them Right:
Let them bake for 18 minutes in your hot oven. Look for a nice brown color outside and check they reach 160°F inside. The meat should be fully cooked with no pink parts left.
Let Them Rest:
Keep the sausage balls on the tray for 5 minutes before moving them to a plate. This waiting time helps them firm up and get their best texture.
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A bowl of food with a yellow lemon on the side. | tastefullyeats.com

I crafted these sausage balls based on my southern grandma's old recipe that always showed up at family events. The old version used Bisquick but this keto version keeps all those familiar flavors while staying low-carb. The secret lies in mixing three types of pork breakfast sausage cream cheese and bacon creating deep savory flavors.

Keeping Them Fresh

These keto bites keep well in sealed containers in your fridge for up to 4 days. To store longer, freeze the cooled balls on a tray until hard, then pop them in a freezer bag where they'll stay good for 3 months. Warm frozen balls in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until hot. They'll taste almost like fresh-made, making them great for planning meals ahead.

Fun Twists

While this recipe works great as is, you can easily change these keto balls to match what you like. Try adding some garlic powder and red pepper flakes for heat. For an Italian style, swap in Italian sausage instead of breakfast meat and use mozzarella rather than cheddar. You can even mix in finely cut bell peppers for color and extra nutrients. The basic recipe handles changes really well.

Ways To Enjoy

These handy sausage balls work in many situations. Eat them for a protein-rich breakfast with eggs and avocado. At parties, put them out with sugar-free BBQ sauce or ranch for dipping. They also fit perfectly in keto lunch boxes or as late-night snacks. My family loves them crumbled over salad with ranch dressing for a complete meal.

A bowl of food with a yellow lemon on top. Pin it
A bowl of food with a yellow lemon on top. | tastefullyeats.com

Munch on these tasty keto sausage balls knowing they fit right into your low-carb way of eating.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make these keto sausage balls ahead of time?

You bet! You can mix everything and shape the balls up to a day before cooking. Keep them in the fridge with a cover until baking time. You can also bake them completely, let them cool down, and keep them in the fridge for 3-4 days. When you want to eat them again, warm them up at 350°F for about 8-10 minutes.

→ Can I freeze these keto sausage balls?

For sure! They freeze really well. You can freeze them raw (put them on a tray until hard, then move to freezer bags) or after you've baked and cooled them. When you're ready to eat, cook the frozen raw balls at 400°F for 22-25 minutes, or warm up cooked frozen balls at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.

→ What can I serve with these keto sausage balls?

They taste great by themselves, but go really well with dips like no-sugar BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, spicy mayo, or plain mustard. They're also good next to a fresh green salad or cut-up veggies for a full low-carb meal.

→ Can I substitute the almond flour with something else?

If you need another keto-friendly option, try coconut flour, but only use about 1/4 cup since it soaks up more liquid. Crushed pork rinds work too - use the same amount as you would almond flour for an even lower carb choice.

→ How do I know when the sausage balls are fully cooked?

Look for a golden brown outside and make sure they reach 160°F inside. If you don't have a thermometer, just cut one open - it should be cooked all the way through with no pink spots left.

→ Can I add different seasonings to these sausage balls?

Go for it! Try adding some garlic powder, onion powder, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes, or a bit of cayenne for extra heat. The basic recipe works great with lots of different flavors you might like.

Cheesy Low-Carb Sausage Bites

Flavorful sausage bites with almond flour, cheese and bacon - an easy keto-friendly snack everyone will crave.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
18 Minutes
Total Time
33 Minutes
By: Barbara

Category: Appetizers & Bites

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 24 Servings (24 meat balls)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 1 lb farm-fresh ground breakfast sausage
02 1 cup finely ground almond meal
03 1/4 cup diced green onions
04 1 cup grated sharp cheddar
05 1/2 cup crispy bacon bits
06 6 oz room temperature cream cheese

Instructions

Step 01

Heat your oven up to 400°F (200°C).

Step 02

Dump everything into a big bowl and mix it all together until you can't see any separate ingredients.

Step 03

Roll the mixture into 24 equal-sized balls and put them on a tray covered with parchment or a silicone mat.

Step 04

Cook them for 18 minutes until they turn golden and aren't pink inside.

Step 05

Let them cool off a bit before you dig in.

Notes

  1. These tasty meat bites work great for anyone doing keto and they're awesome for parties or when you need a quick bite.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big bowl for mixing
  • Flat baking tray
  • Non-stick paper or silicone liner

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Has milk products (cream cheese and cheddar)
  • Contains nuts from trees (almond meal)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 115
  • Total Fat: 9 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 2.5 g
  • Protein: 6 g