Cheesy Keto Sausage Balls Recipe

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Get ready to whip up a batch of irresistible Keto Sausage Balls that are as delicious as they are easy to make. These savory bites are packed with flavorful sausage and cheese, perfect for a low-carb breakfast, keto-friendly appetizer, or snack. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a batch of delicious low-carb sausage balls in no time.

platter with sausage balls

Keto Sausage Balls 

Sausage Balls make a fantastic appetizer or breakfast, but the ones I used to make were full of carbs. So, I started working on creating the perfect keto Sausage Ball Recipe. Most of the ones I tried were extremely dry; like, give me a gallon of water right now before I can take another bite dry. So, I started experimenting from scratch to see if I could create a moist and flavorful recipe.

My first attempt was a thumbs-down. Then, I remembered my delicious keto biscuit recipe. I could tweak that recipe to make it keto friendly. I was right! They turned out perfectly! Due to the added moisture content when using keto-friendly flours, they are more like sausage puffs than perfectly round balls, but the taste is spot on!

If you don’t love sausage or want to try a variety, check out my Low Carb Cheesy Bacon Bites.

Are Sausage Balls Keto Friendly?

Traditional Sausage Balls are not keto-friendly due to the high-carb ingredients, but this low-carb version is perfect for a ketogenic or low-carb diet.

Kitchen Supplies You’ll Need

Cookie Sheet
Large Bowl
Parchment Paper
Small Cookie Scooper
Measuring Cups & Spoons
Cheese Grater

Ingredients You’ll Need

Breakfast sausage provides protein and flavor to the recipe. You can use milk or hot.

Butter – adds richness and moisture to the sausage balls.

Coconut flour – a low-carb alternative to regular flour.

Full-fat sour cream – full-fat sour cream adds creaminess and tang to the recipe.

Eggs – provide structure and binding to the sausage balls.

Salt: Salt is used in this recipe to enhance the flavors of the other ingredients.

Baking powder – a leavening agent that helps the sausage balls rise and become light and fluffy.

Sharp shredded cheddar cheese – adds a savory taste and gooey texture to the sausage balls.

melted butter pouring out of a bowl

How to Make Low-Carb Sausage Balls

Step 1: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 365°F degrees. Brown and drain 1 lb of breakfast sausage. Melt 4 1/2 tablespoons of butter and allow it to cool.

small bowl dumping coconut flour into larger bowl with eggs/melted butter

Step 2: Add coconut flour and baking powder to the butter. You will notice it thickens very quickly. Coconut flour is very absorbent. The longer it sits, the thicker it will get.

adding sausage to the mixing bowl for keto sausage balls

Step 3: Add your browned breakfast sausage to the batter and stir until just combined.

Tip: You don’t have to brown your sausage beforehand. I’ve always preferred sausage balls cooked this way. I haven’t tested making them any other way than the recipe is written, so I can’t give exact baking times.

keto sausage balls batter in a mixing bowl

Step 4: Incorporate the freshly shredded cheese and stir until just combined. Scoop them on a baking sheet and bake until they start to brown.

Tip: If you want a rounder shape, you’ll want to chill your batter before baking. They tend to be more of a Keto Sausage Ball Puff if the butter and sausage are still hot when added to the batter. Chilling the batter will help them not to flatten. They won’t be as round as traditional sausage balls, even with chilling the dough.

low carb sausage puffs on a platter

Since you aren’t rolling these out like more traditional sausage balls, I recommend using a cookie scoop.  It is super fast and works perfectly for this recipe. Plus, cleanup is much easier than using your hands to roll them into balls.

Tips & Tricks

  1. Prevent Overmixing: Mix the ingredients just enough to combine, as overmixing can make the sausage balls to be tough.
  2. Chill the Mixture: Let the mixture chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before shaping into balls. This makes it easier to handle and shape.
  3. Use a Cookie Scoop: Using a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop makes portioning the mixture evenly and shaping the balls much easier.
  4. Don’t Overbake: Bake the sausage balls until they are golden brown and cooked through. Overbaking can result in dryness.

Variations to Keto Low Carb Sausage Balls:

  • This recipe calls for cheddar cheese, but you could swap it for another variety like Colby, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a combination of cheeses.
  • You can substitute cream cheese for the sour cream in this recipe. Both add a bit more moisture to the Keto Sausage Balls recipe.
  • Add veggies like chopped spinach, grated zucchini, or finely diced bell peppers.
  • Consider adding spices like garlic powder, onion powder, dried herbs like thyme or oregano, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat. Don’t be afraid to experiment and adjust the flavors to your liking.
  • Instead of using a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, you could use a mini muffin pan instead.
  • Use hot sausage instead of milk to add a little kick.

low-carb sausage balls piled on a white plate with bacon in thee background.

Can I use a different meat instead of sausage?

Absolutely! While sausage is traditional, you can try using ground beef, ground chicken, or ground turkey for a different twist on the recipe. Just keep in mind that the flavor and texture may vary slightly, but the low-carb aspect will remain intact.

Can I make mini-sized sausage balls instead of regular ones?

Of course! If you prefer bite-sized snacks, you can easily make mini sausage balls. Shape smaller portions of the mixture into bite-sized balls and adjust the baking time accordingly or use a mini muffin pan. Keep an eye on them to ensure they’re cooked through without becoming too dry.

How can I make the sausage balls stay moist?

To keep your sausage balls moist, make sure you don’t overcook them. Be mindful of the baking time, and remove them from the oven as soon as they’re cooked through.

Why is it necessary to melt and cool the butter before adding it to the mixture?

Melting the butter allows it to mix evenly with the other ingredients. Cooling it ensures that it won’t cook the eggs when combined. This step helps to maintain the right texture and consistency of the sausage balls.

What dipping sauces pair well with keto sausage balls?

Keto-friendly dipping sauces like ranch dressing, sugar-free ketchup, or mustard can complement the flavors of sausage balls.

Can I use pre-shredded cheese instead of shredding it?

You can, but pre-shredded cheese often has additional ingredients added to keep it from caking that adds carbs. For me, that number isn’t a big deal It adds convenience and saves time. However, I prefer using freshly shredded cheese as I think it adds more flavor.

How many sausage balls does this recipe make?

The recipe should make around 33-36 sausage balls, depending on the size of each ball. The nutritional info that I’ve included in the recipe card is per sausage ball, so each can determine their own serving size. Each one is about .3 net carbs based on making 36 sausage balls.

keto sausage ball batter on a cookie sheet before baking and a pile of them frozen in a casserole dish

How to Store Them

To store easy and delicious low-carb recipes like keto sausage balls, one can place them in an airtight container or ziplock bag and store them in the refrigerator for up to five days.

You can also freeze them! They’ll stay yummy for about three months. What I usually do is scoop the batter onto a baking pan and pop it in the freezer for a quick freeze. Then, I put the sausage balls in a safe container safe for the freezer.

This makes it super easy for me to take out just how many I want whenever I feel like it. Sometimes I want a bunch for my whole family, and other times I just want a few for myself. So no matter what, I can always enjoy freshly baked sausage balls.

Try these Keto Breakfast Recipes:

More Keto Appetizers:

If you want to try more great recipes like this one, check out my Keto Recipe Index. I also post a weekly keto meal plan for inspiration. Some of our favorite recipes are listed below! These make perfect appetizers for your next party. The best part? Nobody will realize they are keto-friendly!

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4.68 from 221 votes

Keto Sausage Balls Recipe {Low Carb}

Cheesy Keto Sausage Balls are as delicious as they are easy to make. These savory bites are packed with flavorful sausage and cheese, perfect for a low-carb breakfast, keto-friendly appetizer, or snack.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time17 minutes
Total Time32 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American, casual
Keyword: Keto Sausage Ball Recipe
Servings: 36
Calories: 89kcal
Author: Kasey Trenum

Ingredients

  • 1 lb breakfast sausage browned and drained (can use mild or hot)
  • 4 1/2 tablespoons of butter melted and cooled
  • 1/3 cup coconut flour
  • 2 tablespoons full fat sour cream
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 cups sharp shredded cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 365°F degrees and either line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease it.
  • Take the melted butter (if it's hot, cool it down by sticking the bowl in the fridge for about 10 minutes), your eggs, and sprinkle in a pinch of salt. Add the sour cream too. Give it all a good mix using a whisk or a fork until it's all nice and blended.
  • Next, grab the coconut flour and baking powder. Stir them into the mixture until it's just combined.
  • Now, it's time to add the sausage that you cooked earlier. Stir it into the mixture.
  • Sprinkle in the shredded cheese and give it a good stir. Pop your batter in the fridge for about 10 minutes. This will help them not to be too flat. The longer you refrigerate them, the puffier they will be. They don't bake the same as traditional sausage balls. Instead, they are more like "puffs" than round.
  • Drop batter by tightly packed spoonfuls on greased cookie sheet. I used a cookie scooper to keep them all uniform in shape.
  • Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the tops are slightly brown.

Video

Notes

Tips & Tricks
Prevent Overmixing: Mix the ingredients just enough to combine, as overmixing can make the sausage balls to be tough.
Chill the Mixture: Let the mixture chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before shaping into balls. This makes it easier to handle and shape.
Use a Cookie Scoop: Using a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop makes portioning the mixture evenly and shaping the balls much easier.
Don't Overbake: Bake the sausage balls until they are golden brown and cooked through. Overbaking can result in dryness.
Variations to Keto Low Carb Sausage Balls:
  • This recipe calls for cheddar cheese, but you could swap it for another variety like Colby, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a combination of cheeses.
  • You can substitute cream cheese for the sour cream in this recipe. Both add a bit more moisture to the Keto Sausage Balls recipe.
  • Add veggies like chopped spinach, grated zucchini, or finely diced bell peppers.
  • Consider adding spices like garlic powder, onion powder, dried herbs like thyme or oregano, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat. Don't be afraid to experiment and adjust the flavors to your liking.
    Instead of using a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, you could use a mini muffin pan instead.
  • Use hot sausage instead of milk to add a little kick. 

Nutrition

Calories: 89kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.6g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Fiber: 0.3g
Tried this recipe?Mention @kaseytrenumblogger or tag #kaseytrenumblogger!

collaage image of a sausage ball puff being held between two fingers on top and plated sausage balls on the bottom.

388 Comments

  1. Thank you for this recipe. These are amazingly yummy and easy to make. I made a big batch and froze them. I take a few out when I want to eat and they reheat beautifully in the microwave.

  2. These are delicious as is. This morning I made them and substituted garlic salt for salt. I also added chives and garlic powder, then brushed the top with melted butter and a garlic mix. Next level delicousness was achieved!

  3. OMG, these are really good. My husband who usually turns his nose up towards the keto foods I cook, came into the kitchen asking why the kitchen smelled so good. When he saw the puffs on the counter, he ate them without asking what it was and he is really liked it. These are really good, I have 1/2 of them in the freezer and the remaining in the fridge for this week. thank you.

  4. These are absolutely delicious! I just made them for my keto sweetheart and we may have to store them in the freezer so they don’t all get eaten in one day.

    Thanks for the tasty recipe!

  5. I entered all of the ingredients into my Carb Manager app and my macros were:
    Calories 121.2
    Total Carbs 1.9g
    Net Carbs 1.2g
    Fiber 0.7g
    Protein 5.2g
    Fat 10.7
    My recipe ended up being 30 puffs due to the size of my scooper. Why are the macros different do you think?

    1. Perhaps because the macros provided in the recipe are based on 36 maybe? I have a professional nutritional plugin that calculates macros automatically. Of course it could also depend on the exact ingredients you used compared to what I used.

  6. This looks so good! I am going to try it tomorrow while my son in school and it. ?? so it’s all mine. Dont have to worry about my husband he is picky and dont like trying new food, this will be my go to for breakfast and snacks on my keto diet

  7. I made these tonight for my family. They turned out really well. I will say that I thought it was easier to scoop them out after the mixture had been refrigerated for a bit. We have recently been trying to go grain free for my 2 year old daughter, and these were approved by the hubs and daughter both. #MomWin Thank you for the recipe!

    1. Thank you so much! Unfortunately, this happens often. They add one additional ingredient or change up the instructions and they can claim it as “their” recipe. It is very frustrating.

  8. I don’t know what I did wrong but these came onto flat 🙁 They still taste good…oh and I made the mistake of putting foil on the cookie sheet with spray, half of them stuck to the foil…Bummer.

    1. Your butter may have still been too warm or your baking powder was old. Next time try keeping the batter in the fridge a little longer. I would suggest using parchment paper. Keto friendly flours are very sticky and tend to stick unless you use parchment paper.

  9. I grew up eating sausage balls with bisquick and used to eat them with my oatmeal. Two days ago I was craving them and was going to see if there were any keto recipes. I forgot to look them up and these came up on my IG. I just made them. Although not as pretty as yours, (didn’t have an ice cream scoop) they are very good. You do all the hard work figuring these recipes out and it is very appreciated. Thank you!

  10. Just made these for breakfast meal prep and they are delicious! It’s important that you squish the mixture together tight or it will flatten while baking. I used parchment paper and they did not stick to pan. I may add a little garglic powder or parsley for a little more flavor next time but my husband loves them so I will definitely have to make them again!

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