Italian Meatballs without Breadcrumbs (Keto & Whole30)
This easy meatball recipe features healthy, homemade meatballs made with beef, pork, and almond flour. Truly the most flavorful, moist, and tender meatballs without breadcrumbs! Freezer-friendly, keto meatballs– perfect for meal prep!
Table of Contents
What Makes This Recipe Great
Juicy, flavorful, tender, and packed with tons of Italian flavor. There are actually a ton of carbs in meatballs because of the breadcrumbs. However, these keto whole30 meatballs are just 2 net carbs per serving, with no added junk!
These Italian Keto Meatballs without breadcrumbs are keto, Whole30, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, and 100% clean eating. I tweaked my previous go-to recipe to make these easy, healthy meatballs.
They taste just like your classic Italian meatball, just without the bread crumbs. Instead, I use an alternative to breadcrumbs: almond flour. Almond flour is low-carb and the perfect way for meatballs to keep their shape.
Mom Hack: This keto meatball recipe is also my favorite way to get red meat into my boys’ diet. They have a super hard time chewing steak, so I needed an alternative. These delicious meatballs are the perfect way to feed them red meat. The best part? They love them!
Watch The Recipe Video
Note: You can also watch this recipe video on YouTube.
How to Make Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs
The best part about this recipe is that you only need a few simple ingredients and a sheet pan! The oven does most of the work. My secret trick is to rest the meatballs on top of a wire rack on the baking sheet so they cook through and the grease drips to the bottom of the pan.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground Beef/ Ground Pork: The first key to meatballs without breadcrumbs is using both ground beef and ground pork. This combo adds a lot of flavor and fat to keep these meatballs juicy.
- Almond Flour & Chicken Stock: For this recipe, I make a panade using almond flour and chicken broth. This works beautifully and is such a great alternative to breadcrumbs! Almond flour is the perfect gluten-free breadcrumbs substitute. It adds even more protein to the meatballs.
- Olive Oil
- Eggs
- Onion
- Garlic Cloves
- Seasonings: This recipe calls for Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper, parsley, and garlic. If you don’t have fresh garlic or parsley, feel free to substitute garlic powder and dried parsley.
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and set it on the wire rack.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the almond flour and chicken stock. Stir and set aside while it absorbs the liquid.
- Heat a medium-size skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil, onions, garlic, and a pinch of salt & pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and turning golden brown, about 8-10 minutes.
- Combine the cooked onions, garlic, meatball mixture, eggs, parsley, salt, pepper, and Italian seasonings in the same large bowl as the almond flour and chicken stock. Use a spatula or hands to mix until completely combined.
- Use a large cookie scoop (or measure out 3 tablespoons) to scoop out meatballs. Place the meatballs on a wire rack on top of a lined baking sheet in a single layer. Will make 23-24 meatballs.
- Bake the meatballs in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. While baking in the oven, prepare your tomato sauce and hearts of palm pasta.
Expert Tips
- Meat Choice: This recipe combines ground beef and pork. I get my meat through ButcherBox, which I highly recommend! You could use all beef or substitute ground turkey for turkey meatballs. You’ll need 2 pounds of ground meat for this keto meatballs recipe.
- Nut-Free: If you have a nut allergy, you can use pork rind panko in place of almond flour. If you don’t need this to be Whole30 + keto, you can use gluten-free breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs. Same quantities for all substitution options.
- Egg Free: You should be able to use a flax egg or chia egg to make this meatball recipe egg-free. You’ll need 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal or chia seeds soaked in 5 tablespoons water for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Parsley: If you don’t have fresh parsley on hand, dried parsley can work too. You’ll need 1/4 cup of dried parsley.
- Noodles: My favorite Whole30 & keto noodle swap is hearts of palm pasta (code TASTESLOVELY for 15% off). This tastes the closest to regular noodles that I’ve found. You can also use zucchini noodles. Or even serve over mashed cauliflower.
- Slow Cooker: You can make this keto meatballs recipe earlier in the day as instructed above. After they’re done baking, transfer all the meatballs to your slow cooker with a jar of spaghetti sauce over LOW. They’ll stay warm in there for hours!
Serving Tips
Serve immediately while warm. I love serving the cooked meatballs over hearts of palm pasta or zucchini noodles with marinara sauce and parmesan cheese.
Storage Tips
Leftovers/Meal Prep: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave until warm, about 3-5 minutes. I like to sprinkle in a little water to help it steam and prevent the meatballs from drying out. Or reheat in a 350ºF oven until warm, 10-15 minutes. When meal prepping, I prefer serving these with hearts of palm spaghetti because they reheat better.
Freezer: To freeze, place the raw meatballs on a baking sheet in the freezer for 1 day until fully frozen. Transfer to a freezer bag for up to 6 months. Bake the frozen meatballs on a baking sheet in a 350ºF oven for 35-45 minutes until heated through.
Recipe FAQS
The carbs in meatballs come from the breadcrumbs. They are used to keep the meatballs in the correct shape. Because these are meatballs without breadcrumbs, that eliminates most of the carbs! There are just 2 net carbs in each serving of this keto meatballs recipe!
Yes! Making meatballs without breadcrumbs, plus the other ingredients I used, means they are Whole30 compliant.
More Keto Italian Recipes
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Italian Meatballs without Breadcrumbs (Keto & Whole30)
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, grated or finely minced
- 1 pound ground beef, 85% lean
- 1 pound ground pork, 80% lean
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup packed finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian herb seasoning
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425ºF. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil (for easy clean up), and set in the wire rack.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the almond flour and chicken stock. Stir and set aside while it absorbs the liquid.
- Heat a medium size skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil, onions, garlic and a pinch of salt & pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and turning golden brown, about 8-10 minutes.
- In the same large mixing bowl that has the almond flour and chicken stock, add the cooked onions & garlic, ground beef, ground pork, 2 eggs, parsley, salt, pepper and Italian seasonings. Use a spatula or hands to mix until completely combined.
- Use a large cookie scoop (or measure out 3 tablespoons) to scoop out meatballs. Place meatballs on wire baking sheet. Will make 23-24 meatballs.
- Bake the Whole30 meatballs in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Notes
Expert Tips
- Meat Choice: This recipe combines ground beef and pork. I get my meat through ButcherBox, which I highly recommend! You could use all beef or substitute ground turkey for turkey meatballs. You’ll need 2 pounds of ground meat for this keto meatballs recipe.
- Nut-Free: If you have a nut allergy, you can use pork rind panko in place of almond flour. If you don’t need this to be Whole30 + keto, you can use gluten-free breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs. Same quantities for all substitution options.
- Egg Free: You should be able to use a flax egg or chia egg to make this meatball recipe egg-free. You’ll need 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal or chia seeds soaked in 5 tablespoons water for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Parsley: If you don’t have fresh parsley on hand, dried parsley can work too. You’ll need 1/4 cup of dried parsley.
- Noodles: My favorite Whole30 & keto noodle swap is hearts of palm pasta (code TASTESLOVELY for 15% off). This tastes the closest to regular noodles that I’ve found. You can also use zucchini noodles. Or even serve over mashed cauliflower.
- Slow Cooker: You can make this keto meatballs recipe earlier in the day as instructed above. After they’re done baking, transfer all the meatballs to your slow cooker with a jar of spaghetti sauce over LOW. They’ll stay warm in there for hours!
184 Comments on “Italian Meatballs without Breadcrumbs (Keto & Whole30)”
This is now my go-to meatball recipe. My whole family loves them!
I am so glad you are enjoying my meatballs Erica! I love that they are your go to recipe now. Even better that your family enjoys them.
So delicious! I had extras and put them in the freezer, but am already reconsidering pulling them out to have again tomorrow. THANK YOU.
I vote to take them out of the freezer and have them for lunch Dana! LOL!
Excellent recipe. Better than bread crumb meatballs. I didn’t have fresh parsley but I had fresh basil. So yummy and leftovers rock too! Can’t wait to try with parsley next time
It’s good to know that they turned out well with basil as opposed to parsley Nicole. Basil sounds delicious actually! Thanks so much for the feedback, it really means a lot to me.
These meatballs were delicious! I am in the middle of doing a round of Whole30, and the only other meatball recipe I tried was bland and bleh! This one was scrumptious. Wouldn’t change a thing. I will be keeping it in rotation even after Whole30.
I am so glad they turned out scrumptious and you will be making them again Robin. Good luck with your Whole30 journey!
I made the recipe exactly as directed and the meatballs were very tasty. My only critique is that they fell apart so easily. Cutting them with a fork when eating and they fell to pieces. I think if I make them again I will just make them much smaller, like bite sized, and reduce the cooking time accordingly.
Sorry they fell apart when you cut into them Ellen. I haven’t experienced that when I have made them. You may be very right about the size of the meatballs. I sure hope they hold together for you next time.
These are delicious! I used Cassava flour instead of almond otherwise followed exactly ❤️ Soooo good !!!
It’s good to know the recipe worked well with cassava flour instead of almond flour Meghan. With so many diet restrictions it’s always great to know alternatives work.
I have made this recipe more than a half-dozen times. My entire family loves it! I think these are the best meatballs that I have ever eaten. The only modification that I make is using Italian sausage in place of ground pork. Otherwise, I follow the recipe exactly as written. Try it!
I love that you have made them so many times and they are your favorite meatball Bea. Using Italian sausage is a fantastic idea. Sounds very delicious!
Delicious and easy to make! 10/10 recommend!
I love to hear they were easy to make and delicious Lauryn. Thank you so much for the feedback, I really appreciate it.
Amazing flavor!!
I am so glad they turned out well for you and had amazing flavor Anthony. Thank you so much for the feedback, it really means a lot to me.
SO good. Made so many! Going to freeze them for when I get the meatball craving!
I am so happy you enjoyed my Italian meatballs Christin! You are very lucky to have a freezer full of meatballs. They can be used in so many different ways and are such a satisfying meal.
These were delicious, Natalie, thank you! I followed the recipe exactly and they were great! My 10 year old son said they tasted just like Nanny’s. That’s quite the compliment :)
I love it that your 10 year old son said they taste like Nanny’s Melissa. My parents nickname for me is Nanny! :)
Made this one night in an attempt for a Whole30, keto meatball (vs. my family’s meatball recipe that includes milk-soaked bread, parmesan cheese, etc.). Husband said they’re the best meatballs I’ve ever made–and I have to agree! These have replaced all other meatballs in this house, and are on rotation pretty often here!
Wow! I am so glad you and your husband enjoyed them!
So delicious! Even plain, they have great flavor. And very tender.
I love to hear that they were tender, delicious and had great flavor Christina. That is music to my ears.
These. Are. So. Good!!! We found them in our first week of Whole30 and they are now our go to for Italian night. So much flavor and they hold up perfectly.
So glad my Italian meatballs are now your go to for Italian night Lindsey! Yeah!
I have tried quite a few Whole30 meatballs recipes and these byfar outshine every. single. other. one. They are LUSCIOUS. So tender, so flavorful, absolutely amazing and easy to throw together. I tend to not like pasta substitutes (whether it’s spiralized veggies or gluten free pastas) so I serve this over rice/cauli rice mixture (or cauli rice when trying to stay away from grains) and a roasted or steamed veggie (currently loving broccoli). Throw on a couple of tablespoons of marinara sauce and you’ve got a simple, delicious meal that took little prep!
Wow! What a fantastic review of my meatballs Lyndsie! You literally made my day! I LOVE that they taste luscious to you! That is quite a compliment! I love the feedback that they are flavorful and easy to make. That is what I strive for with all my recipes!
I made this and it was delicious. I didn’t have parsley, so I just used what I had, 8 oz white mushrooms. I wish doubled the recipe. I ate 4 without blinking and could have eaten another! Very juicy. I may fry up a few on the stovetop to crisp it up all over just to trying out. Definitely a keeper. I love that it doesn’t use gluten free crackers and all, just almond flour. So good, thank you!
I am so happy you liked my meatballs Jennifer! Adding mushrooms is a fantastic idea. I love that you were able to improvise with what you had on hand. These days we are all having to adapt recipes with what is available. I am so glad you will be making them again.
Made these last night for the family and they were amazing! We didn’t have any fresh parsley so we subbed out for some fresh basil, and we also didn’t have almond flour so we subbed half cassava and have garbanzo flour. Amazing flavor and cooked to perfection. Thanks for the great recipe!
I am so happy you liked my meatballs Danika. Your substitutions sound delicious! These days we are all having to make do with what we have available. Thank you so much for the feedback, I really appreciate it!
I’ve made a lot of meatballs that were Whole30 compliant but I think these are the best. Making them a 2nd time tonight!
I am so happy you liked my meatballs Lee Ann! I love to hear that you have made a lot of Whole30 meatballs and these are your favorite! Yeah! Even better that you are making them again tonight!
I am currently doing a paleo/keto challenge and made this for dinner tonight. My son and boyfriend also loved it.
I am so happy you liked my meatballs Jen! Even better that your son and boyfriend enjoyed it.
Could I use this recipe for a meatloaf? The meatballs were fantastic!
I haven’t recipe tested this as a meatloaf but I bet it would work Diana! Let me know how it turns out!