Low carb appetizers can feel pretty uninspiring and boring for your holiday get together if you don’t have the right recipes to choose from. It’s easy to find fancy and complicated ideas but it’s hard to find time to make them. Try these creative and easy recipes instead!
What Makes These Low Carb Appetizers So Great?
- Fast. Many of these appetizers can be made in under 30 minutes .
- Easy. Spent more time with your guests this holiday season than tending to the food.
- Delicious. You’ll love all of the keto comfort food options you’ll have to choose from.
- Low Carb. All of the recipes I’ve included are perfect for a low carb lifestyle.
What Appetizers Can I Eat On A Low Carb Diet?
This list of keto or low carb appetizers should be quick, simple, and flavorful without adding too many carbs to your holiday festivities.
Who says you have to load up on chips and high carb crackers to snack? Not to mention, these aren’t boring in any way, shape, or form. Lots of flavors and ideas to choose from that won’t leave your guests bored!
Want a preview of some of the delicious options you’ll find in this list of my favorite low carb appetizers ? Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Air Fryer Wings
- Prosciutto Wrapped Brie
- Jalapeno Popper Dip
- Kababs
- Pepper Dip
Are These Keto Appetizers Good For a Crowd?
All of the low carb appetizers I’ve listed here can be made quickly. Preparing multiple batches of these shouldn’t be too terribly time-consuming.
And from the feedback I’ve received when I’ve taken these dishes to a party, the whole crowd certainly seems to love them!
If you’re needing some ideas for healthier appetizers at your holiday celebration, this list of low carb appetizers will suit you nicely. Serving the same cheese and veggie trays can get boring, so offer up some variety!
Prosciutto Wrapped Brie
This Keto Prosciutto Wrapped Brie is one of the easiest dishes I’ve ever made, but it’s bursting with flavor! Who knew that only 3 ingredients could taste so good?
Low Carb Queso Fundido | Air Fryer Appetizer Recipe
This recipe is bursting with flavor, as you would expect with a cheese-heavy recipe. It’s also extremely easy to make and would work as an awesome topping for nachos or other Mexican dishes and appetizers.
Creamy Herb Filled Bacon Rolls (low carb appetizer)
These creamy herb filled bacon rolls are sure to be a hit at your next party. As a low carb appetizer it’s easy and delicious. The herb cream filling can be used on cucumber slices as well.
Tabouli Recipe with Hemp Hearts | Keto Tabbouleh Recipe
Instant Pot Green Beans with Bacon
This Instant Pot Green Beans with Bacon recipe is a quick, low carb, and nutritious dish that can be eaten either as a side dish or as a low carb meal. Just beans, bacon, and a few seasonings make this a fast and easy dinner or side dish.
Scrumptious Cheese Biscuits Recipe | Air Fryer Side Dish
Lebanese Muhammara | Low Carb Roasted Pepper Dip
This Lebanese Muhammara is low carb which makes it a perfect snack for most diets. When I’m eating it as a snack while doing keto, I’m always sure to eat the vegetables with it instead of the pita chips since it makes it an even healthier choice.
Taco Meatballs | Air Fryer Keto Taco Meatballs
You can never go wrong with a good meatball as an appetizer. These taco meatballs are bursting with flavor and you would never guess they were low carb.
Easy Low-Carb Ham and Dill Pickle Appetizer Bites (Video)
These little unique bites will please your guests and take little time to prepare.
Cauliflower Breadsticks | Keto Breadsticks
Some recipes that replace carbs with cauliflower work, and some don’t. These Cauliflower Breadsticks definitely work and I can’t wait for you to try them.
Sweet Pepper Poppers: Low Carb Appetizer
Make these mini sweet pepper poppers for game day or as the perfect holiday appetizer for your next gathering.
Keto Spicy Tuna Salad + Video
This Spicy Tuna Salad is a low carb recipe that is no roll, no rice, no fuss, but still delicious take on a spicy tuna roll. This method gives you the taste you crave without the work of rolling up the sushi!
The Keto Deviled Eggs With Bacon Recipe You Will Put On Repeat (Low Carb, Keto, Whole30)
Grab a hat and hang onto it because today we’re doing a Southern-style Keto Deviled Eggs with Bacon recipe that’s going to be your go-to party appetizer, easy snack, and possibly tomorrow’s low carb breakfast on the go!
Spicy Crab Dip | Air Fryer Recipe
This is an easy dip recipe that is perfect as an appetizer, or even as a quick lunch idea. It’s creamy, spicy, cheesy and loaded with crab, so it’s basically all the best type of foods combined into one amazing dip.
Tomato Mozzarella Appetizer with Spinach and Bacon
An easy low carb tomato mozzarella appetizer with spinach and bacon that takes little time to prepare. Friends and family will love these tasty bites.
Tomato Raita
Low Carb Mongolian Beef Meatballs
These low carb Mongolian beef meatballs will satisfy your craving for takeout food. Eat over cauliflower rice or take to your next party as a low carb appetizer.
Tomato Mayonnaise Shrimp | Air Fryer Recipe
Set aside your reservations for this recipe, and what the name sounds like, and make this Tomato Mayonnaise Shrimp. This shrimp is spicy and creamy and is really tasty. The sauce is the perfect blend of sweet and heat and marries with the shrimp really well.
Low Carb & Keto Buffalo Chicken Dip Appetizer Recipe
A delicious, easy, and spicy dip that’s perfect for veggies or other low carb dipping options!
Smoked Salmon and Cheese Appetizer
The Keto Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe You Need For Gameday [Low Carb Crockpot or Oven Baked Appetizer]
If you love Buffalo Chicken Wings, this Keto Buffalo Chicken Dip will be your jam & go-to low carb appetizer at potlucks, parties, tailgates, & gameday. All of the classic spicy flavors in one easy to eat & easier to prep – 4-cheese & chicken dip!
Air Fried Tomatillo Salsa
Once you try this, I’m quite sure you won’t be buying canned salsa anymore. Better, tastier, easy, and you know exactly what went into this tomatillo salsa.
Keto Air Fryer Scotch Eggs Recipe
Love scotch eggs but hate all the extra fat that comes with frying them? My Keto Air Fried Scotch Eggs give you all the great flavor of traditional scotch eggs without all of extra grease and fat since they’re made in your Air Fryer.
Savory Bacon Cranberry Cheese Tartlets
Savory Bacon Cranberry Cheese Tartlets are a delightfully tasty appetizer that is gluten free, low carb and grain free. Simple to prepare and have become quite the big hit with my family and holiday guests.
Air fryer Kofta Kabab Recipe Low Carb
Juicy, fat little kofta kababs are easy, family-friendly, and if you make up the mix ahead of time, they can be ready in 10 minutes in your air fryer or oven.
Smoked Salmon Platter Cucumber Bites (Low Carb, Gluten-free)
This smoked salmon platter of cucumber bites is the perfect app for any occasion.
Amazing Antipasto Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette
This Antipasto Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette is a delightful Italian salad that’s perfect any day of the week! It also makes a great keto lunch option thanks to my addition of salami, olives, and greens.
Low Carb Pizza Cups | Keto, Gluten-Free, THM-S
If you’ve been missing the flavor of pizza since you started eating low carb, that ends now. These keto pizza cups are made with fathead pizza dough, the best low carb pizza sauce, and topped with all things that you love about pizza.
Low Carb Crackers with Seeds
These Low Carb Crackers with Seeds will satisfy your craving for a crisp and crunchy snack without sacrificing your diet! They make a fantastic cracker substitute for dips and spreads, and they taste great on their own as well.
Warm Ranch Crack Dip Recipe With Bacon and Cream Cheese
What is crack dip? The most delicious, addictive appetizer ever! This warm ranch crack dip recipe with bacon and cream cheese takes just 10 minutes prep and can be made ahead.
Apple Zucchini Salad
Experience the fresh and delicious flavors of zucchini and apples paired in this oh-so-yummy Apple Zucchini Salad!
Low Carb Bacon Jalapeño Cheese Bombs
These awesome Bacon Jalapeño Cheese Bombs are perfect for parties, snacking or for serving as an appetizer! Low carb, keto, gluten free, and LCHF recipe.
Keto Air Fryer Korean Chicken Wings | Gochujang Chicken Wings
Tangy, sweet, spicy Air Fryer Korean Chicken Wings with Gochujang make a delightful easy keto appetizer or meal. Make these in your air fryer or oven and enjoy the finger-licking goodness.
Easy Caprese Kebabs - healthy low carb appetizers for summer!
These easy caprese kebabs are a fun and healthy appetizer or even a low carb snack for summer. Using a variety of fruits and vegetables with fresh mozzarella and basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a fresh summer bite.
Keto Baked Chicken Poppers
One step Baked Chicken Poppers combine chicken, 2 kinds of cheese, peppers and bacon to get a hearty, keto-friendly low carb appetizer.
Pepperoni Chips - Easy Keto Friendly Snack
Don’t have the time to make homemade low carb crackers? Try pepperoni chips! They are an easy keto friendly snack which can be eaten on their own or with low carb sauce and dips.
Keto Air Fryer Chinese-Style Spareribs
Air Fryer Keto Chinese-style spareribs use black bean sauce, and a few other classic Chinese ingredients to give you finger-licking ribs that are just perfectly tender and chewy at the same time. Once they’re marinated, they cook in under 10 minutes in your air fryer or convection oven.
Crazy Good Salmon Cream Cheese Dip
Sophisticated, smoky, creamy, and absolutely yummy, this keto 5-ingredient salmon cream cheese dip is a crowd pleaser. Spend just $5 and have it taste like you spent about 4 times that much!
Keto Creamy Avocado Tomatillo Salsa
If you have a better recipe for an easy, spicy, creamy, authentic tomatillo salsa, I need to see it immediately because if not, I am going to claim that this is the BEST tomatillo salsa you’ve ever had–especially when you consider that it is keto and low carb.
Pressure Cooker Keto Low Carb Wontons
Make these keto low carb wontons in your Instant pot, for the most tender and succulent low carb wontons you’ve ever had. Make these wontons with no wrappers, but all of the taste of regular wontons. Okay, let me just this out of the way. I know they don’t look great. It’s hard to make steamed meat look great. But they taste freaking fantastic.
Keto Dip | Best Ever Keto Savory Thyme Dip
Great Keto savory thyme dip goes well with vegetables as well as with grilled meats.
Low Carb Indian Chicken Tikka Bites
These Low Carb Indian Chicken Tikka Bites are one of the simplest, quickest appetizers I make, and you can cook it either in an oven, in an air-fryer, or my favorite, simply in a skillet with lots of lovely ghee.
Easy Cucumber Guacamole Appetizer Bites
Easy Cucumber Guacamole Appetizer Bites are fun to nibble on, and these little bites of guacamole goodness are low-carb, Keto, low-glycemic, gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, Paleo, and South Beach Diet Phase One.
Low Carb Scuffins
Use some dried fruit or fresh berries and Carbquick to make these delicious low carb scuffins-a cross between a low carb scone and low carb muffin that are sure to satisfy your sweet craving. These scuffins are light, moist, and tasty.
Bacon Jalapenos
You can’t have a cookout without wrapping something in bacon. These bacon jalapenos are a delicious appetizer that ensures bacon is included somewhere!
Baked Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
These keto Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are the perfect low carb appetizer! I love to serve them with extra buffalo sauce and ranch.
Easy Taco Dip | Keto Appetizer
Want to make an Easy Taco Dip your whole family will love? This one is so simple, but is absolutely delicious! Perfect when you’re craving junk food but trying to keep it low carb or keto.
Creamy Spicy Shrimp | A Super Simple Shrimp Recipe
This Creamy Spicy Shrimp Recipe is a delicious yet SUPER simple dish that’s low carb and high in protein! The recipe is only 4 ingredients and takes only 15 minutes to make!
Simple Creamy Chicken Salad
Very popular Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe. You’ll wonder if this will be bland and tasteless with just a few ingredients, but I promise you, it won’t. Super flavorful and extremely easy.
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
The beauty of this is you can make it all from scratch, or if you’re in a hurry, buy some pico de gallo and get boiled shrimp and make this in a jiffy.
African Merguez Sausage
Here’s a recipe for a low carb African Merguez Sausage that is bursting with flavor but can be created from spices you probably already have. Fast, delicious, and low carb, all while bringing in a new and different taste using familiar spices.
Low Carb Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe (Keto, Gluten-free)
This hot, low carb spinach artichoke dip recipe is so easy and quick - just 10 minutes to prep. You won’t believe it’s healthy and gluten-free.
Baked Zucchini Fries - Keto, Low Carb & Gluten Free
These Zucchini fries are a healthy low carb alternative to french fries, served with a zesty dipping sauce!
Need More Keto Recipes?
- Instant Pot Butter Chicken
- Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash
- Low Carb Garlic Chicken
- Instant Pot Green Beans with Bacon
- Low Carb Italian Sausage Soup
- Instant Pot Chicken
- Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
- Peppercorn Sauce
Don’t forget to check out my other Ketocookbooks.
Keto Instant Pot, Keto Fat Bombs, Sweets, & Treats , and Easy keto in 30 minutes.
Originally Published December 18, 2019
If you already signed up, you should have received an email with a password to give you unlimited access to our FREE Printable Library. The password is case sensitive. Enter it below and get printing!
Password:
Meatball Casserole is a tasty low carb take on a meatball sub. Next time you find yourself tempted with a trip to the sub shop, whip up this delicious keto meatball sub sandwich bake instead!
Why You’ll Be Skipping The Sub Shop
- Fast. Ready in under 30 minutes with the help of your air fryer .
- Easy. Mix up the ricotta mixture, toss on some meatballs, cherry tomatoes, and cheese, then air fry. That’s it.
- Low Carb . Only 6 net carbs per serving.
- Gluten Free . Skipping the bread in this keto meatball sub makes it naturally gluten-free.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Meatballs- You can use frozen meatballs or refrigerated meatballs. If you use frozen, you will want to defrost them before getting started.
- Low Carb Marinara Sauce - Grab a jar of your favorite low carb brand or give making your own homemade keto marinara sauce a shot!
- Ricotta Cheese - Adds creaminess, protein, and a flavorful base to this meatball casserole.
- Egg - Provides volume to the ricotta blend when baking.
- Mozzarella Cheese - Becomes the melty, bubbly top to this low carb casserole.
- Cherry Tomatoes - Gives an additional pop of texture and freshness.
- Salt
- Pepper
- Italian Seasoning
How To Make Meatball Casserole
Making this recipe couldn’t be much more simple. Mix together the ricotta filling, layer up the sauce and meatballs, then top with cheese and cherry tomatoes.
Follow the simple list of steps below for a dinner that is just as tasty as it is easy to make!
- In a bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, egg, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Drizzle half of the low carb marinara into the bottom of an oven-safe baking dish that will fit in your air fryer basket. Spread the ricotta mixture into the bottom of the dish on top of the sauce.
- Place the meatballs on top of the ricotta blend and add the remaining marinara sauce.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and air fry the dish for 12 minutes, or until the meatballs are warmed through.
- With 4 minutes remaining in the cooking time remove the aluminum foil, sprinkle on mozzarella cheese and cherry tomatoes and place the casserole back in the air fryer to finish.
Variations
Sometimes a dish can be even more enjoyable when you’re able to put your own personal spin on it. This Meatball Casserole is no different! Try one of these tasty twists next time you’re in the kitchen:
- Skip the tomatoes. Depending on your daily carb goals, the cherry tomatoes in addition to the marinara sauce can be high in carbs. If you’re looking to reduce the carbs per serving, this is an easy way to start.
- Use turkey. For fewer calories per serving, swap out frozen beef meatballs for turkey.
- Add veggies. Though they’re not a traditional topping, still getting a balanced diet when you’re eating low carb is important. You can add a layer of riced cauliflower below the meatballs, dice up some onions, or even serve the Meatball casserole as is over a bed of zoodles.
What To Serve With Meatball Casserole
This Meatball Casserole can be quite a heavy dish with a high protein and fat content, so something light and fresh compliments it quite well. Here are some of my favorite recipes to serve alongside it:
- Keto Creamed Spinach
- Instant Pot Green Beans with Bacon
- Air Fryer Asparagus
If you’re really missing the experience of a great meatball sub, you can still enjoy this casserole on bread for the ultimate experience, just make sure you use a low carb variety to stay within your daily macros. For a keto-friendly slice that doesn’t cost a fortune or taste eggy, try making my keto bread !
How Long Does It Last?
Due to the small size of the pan you need to use to cook this in your air fryer, Meatball Casserole only makes four servings. So, the odds of having much leftover are pretty slim.
If you’re the only one eating low carb in your household or have a smaller family, you may have more casserole to enjoy another day. If that is the case, you can store any extras in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Try to enjoy them within 3-4 days of preparing the dish.
More Low Carb Beef Recipes
If you’re living a low carb lifestyle and can’t stand the thought of eating another meal of grilled chicken and steamed veggies, try out one of these delightfully keto-approved beef dishes:
- Big Mac Salad
- Stuffed Poblano Peppers
- Instant Pot Beef Barbacoa
- Skillet Lasagna
Meatball Casserole | Keto Meatball Sub Bake
Ingredients
- ▢ 12 meatballs
- ▢ 2 cups ricotta cheese
- ▢ 1 egg
- ▢ 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ▢ 1 cup Low Sugar Marinara Sauce
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
- ▢ 1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
- ▢ 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- ▢ 1/2 cup Cherry Tomatoes
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, egg, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Drizzle half of the low carb marinara into the bottom of an oven-safe baking dish that will fit in your air fryer basket. Spread the ricotta mixture into the bottom of the dish on top of the sauce.
- Place the thawed meatballs on top of the ricotta blend and add the remaining marinara sauce.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and air fry the dish for 12 minutes, or until the meatballs are warmed through.
- With 4 minutes remaining in the cooking time remove the aluminum foil, sprinkle on mozzarella cheese and cherry tomatoes and place the casserole back in the air fryer to finish.
Get support & connect with our community on Facebook!
Nutrition
Don’t forget to check out my other Ketocookbooks.
Keto Instant Pot, Keto Fat Bombs, Sweets, & Treats , and Easy keto in 30 minutes.
