Air Fryer Sausage Balls!
Savory Air Fryer Sausage Bites (Keto, High Protein & Gluten-Free)
Whip up these incredibly flavorful and perfectly crisp Air Fryer Sausage Bites! Packed with aromatic garlic, curry, and fresh herbs, and bound with keto-friendly pork rinds, these make a delicious snack, appetizer, or quick protein boost.
Yields: Approximately 30-36 bites Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 7-10 minutes per batch
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- ¼ cup pork rinds, crushed finely (about ½ oz bag)
- ¼ cup minced fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
- 2 pounds bulk pork sausage (e.g., breakfast sausage, Italian sausage; check label for no added sugar/fillers)
Equipment:
- Air fryer
- Small skillet
- Large mixing bowl
- Instant-read meat thermometer
Instructions:
- Preheat Air Fryer & Sauté Aromatics: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. While it’s preheating, heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and curry powder. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is tender and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the lightly beaten egg, crushed pork rinds, minced fresh parsley, minced fresh rosemary, and the cooled garlic-curry mixture. Add the bulk pork sausage.
- Mix Thoroughly: Using your hands, mix all the ingredients lightly but thoroughly until well combined. It may take a few minutes to fully incorporate everything.
- Shape Sausage Balls: Roll the mixture into uniform 1 ¼-inch balls (about the size of a golf ball).
- Air Fry: Place the sausage balls in a single layer on the tray in your air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking and crispness.
- Cook Until Golden: Air fry for 7-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the sausage balls are lightly browned and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C) when measured with an instant-read meat thermometer.
- Serve & Enjoy! Serve warm with your favorite keto-friendly dipping sauce or simply with toothpicks for easy grabbing.
Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification
This Air Fryer Sausage Balls recipe is a fantastic, flavorful, and compliant option for your app!
- High Protein: Yes, this recipe is very high in protein. Pork sausage and egg are excellent protein sources, making these bites very satisfying.
- Low-Carb: Yes, this recipe is low-carb. It uses pork rinds as a binder instead of breadcrumbs and avoids high-carb ingredients.
- Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly.
- Pork Sausage: Generally keto-friendly. Always check labels for hidden sugars, starches, or fillers, especially in seasoned or flavored bulk sausages. Plain ground pork is ideal if you prefer to control all seasonings.
- Olive Oil, Garlic, Curry Powder, Egg, Pork Rinds, Parsley, Rosemary: All are keto-compliant ingredients.
- Gluten-Free: Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free, assuming your pork sausage and any seasonings used are certified gluten-free.
