With spring almost over and summer creeping up in a hurry, I find myself making easy low carb snacks and other keto recipes that I can make quickly and are convenient to grab-and-go. That is where these delicious low carb keto sausage balls with cream cheese fit in perfectly! They require minimal effort, and this easy sausage ball recipe is simply irresistible. Years ago, I would hear people talk about sausage cheese balls, but I didn’t understand what was so great about them. Then one day I tasted these little balls of food heaven, and it all made sense.
What Are Sausage Balls?
Cream cheese sausage balls are an easy, hearty meatball appetizer made from ground sausage, cheeses (typically cheddar and cream cheese), seasonings, and traditionally, Bisquick.
Are Sausage Balls Keto?
The Bisquick in many sausage ball recipes is not suitable for a keto diet, which is why I swapped it for almond flour in this low carb keto sausage ball recipe. You can’t even tell the difference — they taste just like the real thing!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for this keto sausage ball recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Almond Flour – This is our Bisquick substitute for keto sausage balls. I highly recommend using Wholesome Yum Almond Flour here, because it’s blanched and super fine, which creates the best texture. Other brands can vary in coarseness. If you want to use coconut flour instead, you can try replacing the 2 cups almond flour with 1/2 cup coconut flour (yes, 1/4 the amount, because coconut flour is very drying!) if you want to try this swap for a nut-free option.Shredded Cheese – Makes the recipe for sausage balls cheesy and also helps them stay together. I love the flavor of using sharp cheddar cheese, but you could also use a mild cheddar, or really any other keto cheese you like. I recommend medium-hardness cheeses (like cheddar) over very hard ones (like parmesan cheese).Italian Seasoning – Adds flavor. You can use store-bought or make my 5-minute homemade Italian seasoning. If you like some heat in your seasoning, add 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.Baking Powder – Makes the keto sausage balls fluffy, so they aren’t so dense. I like this brand, which is non-GMO.Ground Sausage – Use any kind of sausage you like — ground pork sausage, mild or hot Italian sausage, breakfast sausage, or even ground chicken or turkey sausage.Cream Cheese – I say the best sausage balls are with cream cheese! I recommend plain, full-fat cream cheese. However, savory flavored varieties, such as garlic and herb, would also work nicely.Garlic – Optional, but recommended. I prefer to use (two) fresh minced garlic cloves, but you can sustitute 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder if you like. You can also add 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder.
How To Make Keto Sausage Balls
This section shows how to make low carb sausage balls, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep sausage cheese balls in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.Reheat: You can reheat sausage balls in the oven at 350 degrees F, or in the microwave, until warm. You can also enjoy them at room temperature.
Can You Freeze Sausage Balls?
Yes, you can freeze sausage ball recipes — which is great because this one makes a big batch of 56 pieces. The easiest way that I have found to freeze keto sausage balls with cream cheese is by laying them out on a baking sheet to flash freeze them. After a couple of hours, they will be solid, and you can toss them in a freezer bag. They will last in the freezer for at least 4 months. These keto sausage balls with cream cheese can be baked on parchment paper instead of aluminum foil. However, you tend to get a more browned sausage balls appetizer using foil. It’s up to you! Mixing meat too much can make it rubbery.
Dipping Sauce Ideas For Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
Keto Honey Mustard – The most popular sausage ball dipping sauce is honey mustard. Since this is a low carb sausage ball recipe, we can make that with a slight modification. You can use Wholesome Yum Keto Honey to make a sugar-free honey mustard that tastes just like the real thing, or just use a powdered sweetener with the recipe in my Wholesome Yum Easy Keto Cookbook.Ranch dressingSugar-free BBQ sauceChimichurri sauce
More Low Carb Appetizer Recipes
Looking for more ideas for low carb appetizers? Try these crowd pleasers: Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram, or in our Facebook support group, too – I’d love to see it!
