keto dinner recipes Archives - Keto Diet Kickstart

June 6, 2023July 16, 2024

Keto Sausage Balls {10 minute appetizer!}

These keto sausage balls are cheesy and juicy on the inside, and use simple ingredients! No Bisquick and no flour needed, they are low in carbs but full of flavor and ready in 10 minutes!

Keto sausage balls

When it comes to delicious keto appetizers, my favorite recipes to make are fluffy biscuits, spinach artichoke dip, and these easy keto sausage balls.

I definitely take after my mom when it comes to entertaining. I LOVE having friends and family over for dinners and parties and always ensure my guests are very well fed. This means that I spend the day before preparing a bunch of appetizers, entrees, and desserts.

While entrees are easy (I alternate between crack chicken and zucchini lasagna) and so are desserts (always brownies or a chocolate cheesecake), I tend to struggle with appetizers. See, my friends have this perception that keto appetizers are non-existent. They reckon besides a charcuterie board, options are limited.

That is FAR from the truth and actually, keto appetizers are some of the most delicious out there. I always have a few options for everyone (including the charcuterie board!) and my go-to recently, have been sausage balls!

This keto sausage ball recipe is the kind of recipe you’d make your non-keto friends to knock their socks off. It’s the kind of dish you can easily find a second stomach for and one you’ll be fighting others to eat the last one. Now, these sausage balls are a little bit different than mainstream ones, as it is made without Bisquick.

No Bisquik and no grains are needed, but you’d never tell. They are soft and juicy in the middle and have a lovely tender exterior. They are cheesy and flavorful and with a hint of sweetness, without being overpowering.

I made these delicious sausage balls for a recent birthday event and everyone was OBSESSED with it- Everyone begged me for the recipe after!

How do you make keto sausage balls?

The Ingredients

Ground pork– While any ground meat can be used, ground pork is what is most commonly used in sausages. You can use ground sausage, too. I used lean ground pork as there are plenty of wet ingredients to keep the sausage balls juicy.
Almond flour– Either blanched almond flour or superfine almond flour. If you’d like more tender sausage balls, you can even use keto bread crumbs.
Baking powder– Adds structure and helps bind everything together.
Cheddar cheese– Finely shredded cheese.
Cream cheese– Full fat cream cheese.
Sugar free maple syrup– Skip the expensive store bought kind and make your own keto syrup!
Milk– Any milk works.
Onion powder– Adds a subtle onion flavor without needing any onions (and keeping the carbs down!).
Salt and pepper– To taste.
Green onions– Adds a subtle peppery kick.

The Instructions

Start by adding all the ingredients, except for the green onions into a food processor and pulse several times until all the ingredients are incorporated. Add the green onions and pulse once more.

Next, use a mini cookie scoop or ice cream scoop to neatly scoop out portions of the mixture, then use your hands to shape them into balls. Place them on a lined baking sheet.

Finally, bake the sausage balls for 8-10 minutes, until they reach an internal temperature of 160C or higher. Remove them from the oven and serve immediately.

Can I make these in the air fryer?

If you own an air fryer, easily make air fried sausage balls.

Simply prepare the recipe as instructed and when they are ready to cook, lightly grease an air fryer basket and place the sausage balls at the base in a single layer. Air fry at 200C/400F for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through. Repeat the process until all the sausage balls are cooked.

Tips to make the best recipe

Do not overbake the sausage balls as they are are prone to drying out. Once they reach an internal temperature of 160C and some are mostly tender on the outside, they are ready to be removed from the oven.
Freshly grate your cheddar cheese instead of the pre-shredded kind. This will keep the sausage balls juicy and cheesy throughout.
I add some keto maple syrup because I LOVE the maple sausage combination, but feel free to omit this completely.

Storing, freezing, and reheating low carb sausage balls

To store: Sausage balls will keep in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 5 days.
To freeze: Place leftover sausage balls in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Reheating: Either microwave them in 20-second spurts until warm, in a preheated oven, or in the air fryer.

What to serve with sausage balls

Condiments are the key sidekick for these sausage balls. Some of my favorite keto condiments include ketchup, bbq sauce, honey mustard, mayonnaise, and even ranch dressing.

More keto appetizer recipes to try

Frequently Asked Questions

How many carbs are in sausage balls?

These sausage balls have less than 2 grams net carbs per serving. The carbs are mainly found in the almond flour used.

Can you have sausage on keto?

Depending on the brand of sausage, you can enjoy it on a keto diet. Just be sure it has no added fillers or preservatives in it.

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1 lb ground pork or ground sausage * See notes
1/2 cup almond flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup cream cheese softened
1/4 cup keto maple syrup
3 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
2 green onions chopped

Preheat oven to 210C/425F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a food processor, add all the ingredients, except for the green onions, and pulse several times until fully incorporated. Add the green onions and pulse twice until combined.
Using a small cookie or ice cream scoop, scoop out equal size portions of the sausage ball mixture. Use your hands to shape them into balls and place them on the lined baking sheet.
Bake the sausage balls for 7-10 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160C.
Remove the sausage balls from the oven and serve immediately.

TO STORE: Sausage balls will keep in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 5 days.
TO FREEZE: Place leftover sausage balls in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
REHEATING: Either microwave them in 20-second spurts until warm, in a preheated oven, or in the air fryer.

This content first appeared here

June 6, 2023July 16, 2024

The Best Keto Stuffed Peppers (20 Minute Recipe!)

These keto stuffed peppers are a quick, easy, and healthy dinner recipe that comes together in less than 20 minutes! Filled with ground beef, cauliflower rice, and topped with melted cheese, everyone will beg for seconds!

Keto Stuffed Peppers

When it comes to keto ground beef recipes, my favorites to make are meatballs, meatloaf, and these easy stuffed peppers.

Are peppers okay on keto?

Bell peppers are a fantastic keto friendly vegetable to include on a low carb diet. Per 1 cup serving (150 grams) yields a mere 38 calories, 5 grams of fiber, and a mere 3 grams net carbs.

There are some who say the colors change the carb count, but they are incredibly negligible. Regardless, the bell peppers play a star role in these stuffed peppers!

These keto stuffed peppers recipe is one you’ll make on a weekly basis. Tender and juicy peppers filled with a Mexican-inspired beef and cauliflower mixture, topped with plenty of cheese. It’s the kind of dinner that comes together in minutes and something the whole family will love, keto or not.

What I love about this recipe is just how customizable they are. You can literally fill the peppers with anything and everything. Whenever I have leftover spaghetti sauce or even alfredo sauce, I love adding it to some peppers, sprinkling some cheese, and voila- Instant dinner.

How do you make keto stuffed peppers?

The Ingredients

Bell peppers– Green, yellow, red, or a combination of the three. Try to choose equal sized ones so they all cook evenly.
Olive oil– To sauteed the fillin.
Onion– Finely chopped.
Ground beef– Lean ground beef is preferred, as it keeps the overall recipe lower in fat and reduces the excess moisture that higher fat cuts of ground beef tends to have excess carbs.
Taco seasoning– To give this dish a Mexican spin, I love adding some homemade taco seasoning.
Canned diced tomatoes– No added salt or sugar canned tomatoes in their natural juices.
Cauliflower rice– Steamed until tender. This not only adds extra nutrients but helps bulk out the filling without needing excess carbs.
Cheese– Half will be mixed into the filling and half with be baked on top. I used a Mexican cheese blend but any full flavored cheese will work.

The Instructions

Start by slicing the peppers in half and removing the stems and innards. Place them in a large baking dish and set them aside. Next, prepare the filling. Add the oil into a non-stick pan and add the ground beef and onion. Cook until the beef is no longer pink. Drain excess liquid then add the taco seasoning, followed by the canned tomatoes. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir through the steamed cauliflower rice, along with half the shredded cheese.

Now, distribute the filling amongst the halved peppers and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Place the stuffed peppers in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until tender and the cheese has melted.

Air fryer and instant pot instructions

Easily make this dish in the air fryer or instant pot, if you own either of them.

Air fryer stuffed peppers– Place the prepared stuffed peppers in an air fryer basket and cook at 200C/400F for 10 minutes, turning halfway through.
Instant pot stuffed peppers– Place the trivet into the instant pot, then add the filled peppers, minus the cheese topping. Cook on high for 10 minutes, covered. Remove the lid, add the cheese, and place the lid back on top. Let the peppers sit for five minutes, or until the cheese has melted.

Tips to make the best recipe

Remove any excess liquid from the cauliflower rice mixture before adding it into the hollowed out peppers. This will ensure the filling remains fluffy and tender, instead of soggy.
The larger the peppers, the easier they will be to fill. Try and find the largest ones possible, so you won’t be left with excess cauliflower fried rice.
Do not overbake them as we want the peppers to be soft yet still tender.

Dietary swaps and flavor variations

Make it vegetarian. Swap out the ground beef for equal amounts of chopped mushrooms, eggplant, or other vegetables.
Make it vegan. Replace the meat with vegan ground beef (like Beyond meat) and the cheese with vegan shredded cheese.
Switch the meat. Enjoy turkey stuffed peppers or chicken stuffed peppers by replacing the ground beef with ground turkey or ground chicken, respectively.
Cheesesteak stuffed peppers. Fill the peppers with homemade Philly cheesesteak.
Buffalo chicken stuffed peppers. Fill the peppers with shredded buffalo chicken.

Storing, freezing, reheating and make ahead instructions

To store: Leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator, completely covered or in a sealed container. Some moisture will begin to form, but that can be removed when you reheat it. They will keep well for up to 5 days
To freeze: Place cooled stuffed peppers in an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Reheating: Microwave them for 30-40 second spurts or reheat in a preheated oven until warm.
To make ahead: Prepare everything as instructed then cover the baking dish with aluminum foil (tin foil). Place it in the freezer for up to 1 month. When ready to cook, remove from the oven and bring it to room temperature, then cook as instructed.

What to serve with keto stuffed capsicums

This is the kind of dish that goes SO well with vegetable or low carb bread. My favorites include onion rings, keto French fries, coleslaw, cornbread, rolls, buns, and biscuits.

More easy keto dinner recipes to try

Frequently Asked Questions

How many carbs are in keto stuffed peppers?

This keto stuffed peppers recipe yields 5 grams net carbs per serving. Using cauliflower rice instead of white or brown rice cuts down the carbs considerably.

What color bell pepper is best for keto?

Green bell peppers have the lowest in carbs, then red peppers, then yellow ones. However, the difference is very minimal so use whichever you have on hand.

Should peppers be blanched before stuffing?

Bell peppers don’t need to be blanched before stuffing them. They naturally soften during the cooking process.

4 large bell peppers
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion finely chopped
1 lb lean ground beef
2 tablespoons keto taco seasoning
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes in their juices
1 cup cauliflower rice steamed
2 cups shredded cheese divided

Preheat the oven to 190C/375F. Lightly grease a large baking dish.
Slice the tops of the bell peppers off, and de-seed them, and remove excess membranes. Slice each bell pepper in half and place them in the lined dish.
In a large non-stick pan, heat up your olive oil on medium. When hot, add your onions and sautee for around one minute. Add your ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Add the taco seasoning then pour in the can of diced tomatoes along with the juices. Let simmer for 1 minute.
Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the steamed cauliflower rice and one cup of shredded cheese.
Evenly distribute the filling amongst the bell pepper halves and top with remaining cheese.
Bake the stuffed peppers for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the bell peppers are tender.
Remove the stuffed peppers from the oven and serve immediately.

Air fryer and instant pot options are included in the post.
TO STORE: Leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator, completely covered, or in a sealed container. Some moisture will begin to form, but that can be removed when you reheat it. They will keep well for up to 5 days.
TO FREEZE: Place cooled stuffed peppers in an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
TO REHEAT: Microwave them for 30-40 second spurts or reheat in a preheated oven until warm.
TO MAKE AHEAD: Prepare everything as instructed then cover the baking dish with aluminum foil (tin foil). Place it in the freezer for up to 1 month. When ready to cook, remove from the oven and bring it to room temperature, then cook as instructed.

This content first appeared here

June 1, 2021July 16, 2024

Net Carbs in Almond Milk: Which Type Is Keto Friendly?

Cow’s milk is one of the first foods you’ll need to give up if you go on a low-carb or keto diet because it contains too many carbs and sugar. Additionally, it’s highly inflammatory for many people and can lead to digestive issues, especially among those with autoimmune conditions.

Luckily, almond milk is an excellent alternative to cow’s milk. It’s low in carbs and contains no hard-to-digest milk sugars – but there are several things to keep in mind when buying it at the store. In this guide, we’ll discuss how to include almond milk in your low-carb or keto diets!

Almond Milk Nutrition Facts Table

A 100-gram serving of unsweetened almond milk contains the following (*):

15 calories
0.96 grams of fat
1.31 grams of carbs (1.11 grams net carbs)
0.2 grams of fiber
0.4 grams of protein

Store-bought almond milk is usually a good source of fortified calcium and vitamin D because food companies realize that so many people use it as an alternative to cow’s milk. It also contains iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamins A and E, and some B vitamins.

How Many Carbs In Almond Milk?

Store-bought almond milk comes in a variety of options and flavors that may impact its carb content. However, as long as you get the unsweetened and plain kind, it will contain around 1 gram of net carbs per 100 gram serving.

Watch out for flavored nut milk, such as chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla almond milk, which is usually sweetened with sugar and will have more carbs.

The best way to keep the carbs down is to make your own almond milk at home with keto-approved sweeteners. It’s easier to make than you think!

You can follow our step-by-step guide on how to make homemade nut milk.

A blueberry collagen smoothie made with almond milk

Is Almond Milk Healthy?

As long as you are not allergic to nuts, then – yes, almond milk is extremely healthy! It’s an excellent replacement for cow’s milk for people who cannot tolerate dairy or eat carbs, such as the autoimmune, vegan, plant-based, and low carb or keto communities.

Almond milk is lower in sugar AND calories than cow’s milk. Plus, it contains significant amounts of vitamin D and calcium, which is why most people drink cow’s milk to begin with.

Calcium and vitamin D are needed for proper bone formation as well as growth and development. Vitamin D is also crucial for immune health.

Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to serious health conditions, such as autoimmune disorders, heart disease, and even severe upper respiratory reactions (*)(*)(*).

Almond milk is also a good source of vitamin E, which has antioxidant abilities in the body. It helps reduce inflammation, fight oxidative damage, and keep our cells and tissues healthy.

Cow’s milk contains more protein than almond milk, but you don’t usually need to worry about this if you are on a low-carb or keto diet because there are so many other high-protein foods available to you.

Plus, almond milk does NOT contain lactose – a problematic milk sugar that so many adults and children cannot digest. This makes almond milk a great anti-inflammatory alternative to cow’s milk, allowing those with sensitivities to enjoy cereal, smoothies, yogurt, and milk again.

Unsweetened almond milk is also a great choice for diabetics or those with insulin sensitivities because it contains almost no sugar and a low glycemic index of 25.

Almond milk does not contain as much fiber as eating whole, raw almonds. So, if your goal is to get more nuts in your diet for their fiber and heart-healthy fat content, then keep in mind that it’s best to eat them in whole form.

Is Almond Milk Keto-Friendly?

Yes, almond milk is keto-friendly as long as it’s unsweetened or made with keto-approved sweeteners, such as monk fruit, stevia, or erythritol.

If you’re buying nut milk from the store, make sure it contains NO added sugars or carrageenan – an organic additive that may contribute to intestinal inflammation (*).

You can find this information listed in the ‘ingredients’ section of the nutrition label. Many brands will also state ‘carrageenan-free’ on the front of the label.

It’s best to make your own nut milk at home if you are on a strict keto or low carb diet because you can control what goes in it. We recommend using organic almonds and a keto-approved sweetener.

However, if you are using almond milk to meet your calcium and vitamin D needs, then you may want to consider incorporating unsweetened fortified store-bought milk into your diet.

Keep in mind that store-bought nut milk may last longer because it will likely contain more preservatives. Homemade nut milk should be used up as soon as possible.

Try using it in a smoothie, low-carb baking, or your morning coffee. You can also buy almond-milk yogurt as long as it’s unsweetened.

Check these keto recipes with almond milk you can try:

Final Thoughts

Almond milk is a keto-friendly staple for many low-carb dieters. It contains about 1 gram of carbs per 100-gram serving, making it the perfect substitution for cow’s milk.

Be sure to look for a store-brand version of almond milk that is free from sweeteners and carrageenan.

You can also make your own at home to ensure the use of keto-friendly ingredients, such as no-calorie sweeteners, organic almonds, and no additives.

Enjoy almond milk in smoothies, coffee, low-carb baked goods, cereal, or drink it as it!

See more:

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