Spicy & Savory Keto Firecracker Meatballs (Air Fryer, Low-Carb & Juicy!)
Ignite your taste buds with these Spicy & Savory Keto Firecracker Meatballs! Juicy, homemade low-carb meatballs are air-fried to perfection, then tossed in a sweet and spicy “firecracker” sauce that’s bursting with flavor. These quick, easy, high-protein, and naturally gluten-free meatballs are a delightful addition to your health journey, perfect as an appetizer or a main dish!
Yields: Approximately 20-24 meatballs (3-4 servings) Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 10-12 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Keto Meatballs:
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 recommended for juiciness)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup finely ground pork rinds (crushed into fine crumbs)
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh or dried parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for coating, optional, if not using air fryer)
For the Firecracker Sauce (Keto-Friendly):
- 2 tablespoons liquid aminos or low-sodium tamari (keto-friendly soy sauce alternative)
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar (unseasoned)
- 2 tablespoons Swerve Brown Sugar Substitute (or preferred brown sugar erythritol blend)
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce or other hot sauce (check for no added sugar)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Optional: 1 teaspoon xanthan gum (for thickening, optional, use sparingly)
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Small mixing bowl (for sauce)
- Whisk
- Air fryer
- Tongs or spatula
- Serving dish
Instructions:
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, eggs, smoked paprika, onion powder, and parsley. Mix gently but thoroughly with your hands until well combined.
- Add the finely ground pork rinds and shredded Parmesan cheese. Mix again until just combined; do not overmix.
- Form Meatballs: Roll the mixture into uniform meatballs, about 1-1.5 inches in diameter. You should get approximately 20-24 meatballs.
- Air Fry Meatballs: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Place the meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd; cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes total. Air fry for 5 minutes, then flip them over and cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until deeply browned and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 160°F / 71°C).
- Make Firecracker Sauce: While the meatballs are cooking, in a small bowl, whisk together all the Firecracker Sauce ingredients: liquid aminos/tamari, rice wine vinegar, Swerve Brown Sugar Substitute, Sriracha sauce, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder.
- (Optional thickening: If you want a thicker sauce, you can gently heat this in a small saucepan over low heat for 1-2 minutes, whisking in ¼-½ teaspoon of xanthan gum at the end until desired consistency is reached. Simmer for a minute.)
- Serve & Enjoy! Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to a serving dish. Drizzle or baste generously with the Firecracker Sauce. Serve immediately as an appetizer or over cauliflower rice for a meal. Enjoy!
Tips for Success:
- Ground Pork Rinds: For best results, use a food processor to grind pork rinds into a fine flour consistency. This helps bind the meatballs without adding carbs.
- Don’t Overmix Meat: Mix the meatball ingredients until just combined to prevent the meatballs from becoming tough.
- Air Fryer Batches: Cooking in a single layer is crucial for even browning and crispiness. Cook in batches if your air fryer basket is small.
- Keto Sauce Swaps:
- Soy Sauce: Liquid aminos or tamari are excellent gluten-free and low-carb alternatives to traditional soy sauce.
- Swerve Brown Sugar: This provides the necessary sweetness without the sugar.
- Sriracha/Hot Sauce: Always check labels for hidden sugars in hot sauces.
- Meatball Doneness: Ground beef should be cooked to 160°F (71°C). A meat thermometer is your best friend!
- Sauce Adherence: You can toss the cooked meatballs directly in a bowl with the sauce for a more even coating.
Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification:
These Keto Firecracker Meatballs are a delicious addition to your health journey!
- High Protein: Yes, from the ground beef, eggs, and Parmesan cheese.
- Low-Carb: Yes, this recipe is very low-carb by using pork rinds as a binder and sugar-free ingredients in the sauce.
- Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly, provided the soy sauce alternative, brown sugar substitute, and hot sauce are sugar-free and low-carb. All other ingredients are naturally suitable for a ketogenic diet.
- Gluten-Free: Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.
Read on some cheat sheets or tip sheets to help you along with your keto/low carb journey.
