Best Keto Sausage Balls
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Introduction
If you’re the type who makes straight for the sausage balls at a get-together, this recipe is for you.
Keto Sausage Balls are perfect bite-sized treasures to save your meaty cravings. Savory sausage, melted cheese, and aromatic spices, all baked to perfection.
They’re the kind of dish that just disappears off the plate at gatherings and holiday feasts. But they’re not reserved for special occasions alone. Midday snack, quick breakfast, or just because you fancy a nibble - keto sausage balls come through every time.
Plus, the best thing about these sausage balls is they’re straightforward to prepare, with no intricate steps and no obscure ingredients.
Let’s get rolling and make a keto version of the classic Bisquick sausage balls!
How To Make Keto Sausage Balls
Gather Your Ingredients
Mild pork breakfast sausage
This forms the flavorful base of our balls. Mild sausage balances well with our other flavors, but feel free to switch it up with hot sausage if you prefer spicy sausage balls.
Cream cheese, softened
Our secret ingredient for super moist sausage balls. Cream cheese also adds a tangy richness and helps bind the ingredients together. Let it soften for easier mixing.
Cheddar cheese, shredded
This gives a beautiful golden brown on the outside. Shredded cheddar gives a beautiful melty texture and deep cheesy flavor. Feel free to substitute with sharp cheddar or pepper jack for an extra kick.
Almond flour
A perfect substitute for classic Bisquick in regular or traditional sausage balls, keeping it keto-friendly.
Onion powder and garlic powder
These two add a depth of flavor to the sausage balls, highlighting the hearty flavors of the meat and cheese.
Preheat Your Oven
Get your oven preheated up to 350 degrees. A preheated oven ensures your sausage balls cook evenly from the inside out.
Mix Your Ingredients
Combine all your ingredients in the large mixing bowl. Use your hands to knead the ingredients. It’s a bit messy, but this is the best way to make sure all the flavors mingle.
Form the Sausage Balls
Use a cookie scoop or your hands to shape the mixture into 22 evenly-sized balls. Keep the size uniform for even baking and the perfect bite-sized snack.
Bake the Keto Sausage Balls
Place the formed balls onto a rack over your prepared baking sheet. Leave a little space between each ball for even cooking. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
They should turn a beautiful golden brown and be cooked through when done.
Let it Cool and Serve
Let the sausage balls cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before serving. This makes them easier to handle.
Serve these scrumptious keto sausage balls as is or with a side of sugar-free honey mustard or sour cream for dipping.
Ingredients
All Ingredients
- 1 lb sausage, mild
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup almond flour
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Nutrition Facts
22 servings per recipe| Per Serving 120 | Per Recipe 2670 | |||
| 8 ⅒ servings of sausage, mild (1 lb) @ 180 each | 66.27 | 1457.97 | ||
| 4.05 servings of cream cheese (4 oz) @ 100 each | 18.41 | 404.99 | ||
| 4 servings of cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup) @ 110 each | 20 | 440 | ||
| 4 servings of almond flour (½ cup) @ 90 each | 16.36 | 360 | ||
| ½ serving of onion powder (½ tsp) @ 8 each | 0.18 | 4 | ||
| ½ serving of garlic powder (½ tsp) @ 9 each | 0.2 | 4.5 | ||
| 11g | 14% | 238g | 305% | |
| 8 ⅒ servings of sausage, mild (1 lb) @ 16 g each | 5.89 g | 129.6 g | ||
| 4.05 servings of cream cheese (4 oz) @ 10 g each | 1.84 g | 40.5 g | ||
| 4 servings of cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup) @ 9 g each | 1.64 g | 36 g | ||
| 4 servings of almond flour (½ cup) @ 8 g each | 1.45 g | 32 g | ||
| 4.5g | 22% | 99g | 494% | |
| 8 ⅒ servings of sausage, mild (1 lb) @ 6 g each | 2.21 g | 48.6 g | ||
| 4.05 servings of cream cheese (4 oz) @ 6 g each | 1.1 g | 24.3 g | ||
| 4 servings of cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup) @ 6 g each | 1.09 g | 24 g | ||
| 4 servings of almond flour (½ cup) @ 0.5 g each | 0.09 g | 2 g | ||
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0% | 0g | 0% |
| 25mg | 8% | 545mg | 182% | |
| 8 ⅒ servings of sausage, mild (1 lb) @ 40 mg each | 14.73 mg | 323.99 mg | ||
| 4.05 servings of cream cheese (4 oz) @ 30 mg each | 5.52 mg | 121.5 mg | ||
| 4 servings of cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup) @ 25 mg each | 4.55 mg | 100 mg | ||
| 180mg | 8% | 3880mg | 169% | |
| 8 ⅒ servings of sausage, mild (1 lb) @ 340 mg each | 125.18 mg | 2753.95 mg | ||
| 4.05 servings of cream cheese (4 oz) @ 110 mg each | 20.25 mg | 445.49 mg | ||
| 4 servings of cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup) @ 170 mg each | 30.91 mg | 680 mg | ||
| ½ serving of onion powder (½ tsp) @ 1 mg each | 0.02 mg | 0.5 mg | ||
| ½ serving of garlic powder (½ tsp) @ 1 mg each | 0.02 mg | 0.5 mg | ||
| 1g | 0% | 22g | 8% | |
| 4.05 servings of cream cheese (4 oz) @ 1 g each | 0.18 g | 4.05 g | ||
| 4 servings of cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup) @ 1 g each | 0.18 g | 4 g | ||
| 4 servings of almond flour (½ cup) @ 3 g each | 0.55 g | 12 g | ||
| ½ serving of onion powder (½ tsp) @ 1.9 g each | 0.04 g | 0.95 g | ||
| ½ serving of garlic powder (½ tsp) @ 2 g each | 0.05 g | 1 g | ||
| 0g | 1% | 4g | 15% | |
| 4 servings of almond flour (½ cup) @ 1 g each | 0.18 g | 4 g | ||
| ½ serving of onion powder (½ tsp) @ 0.1 g each | 0 g | 0.05 g | ||
| ½ serving of garlic powder (½ tsp) @ 0.3 g each | 0.01 g | 0.15 g | ||
| 0g | 8g | |||
| 4.05 servings of cream cheese (4 oz) @ 1 g each | 0.18 g | 4.05 g | ||
| 4 servings of almond flour (½ cup) @ 1 g each | 0.18 g | 4 g | ||
| ½ serving of onion powder (½ tsp) @ 0.2 g each | 0 g | 0.1 g | ||
| ½ serving of garlic powder (½ tsp) @ 0.1 g each | 0 g | 0.05 g | ||
| Sugar Alcohols | 0g | 0% | 0g | 0% |
| 1g | 18g | |||
| 4.05 servings of cream cheese (4 oz) @ 1 g each | 0.18 g | 4.05 g | ||
| 4 servings of cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup) @ 1 g each | 0.18 g | 4 g | ||
| 4 servings of almond flour (½ cup) @ 2 g each | 0.36 g | 8 g | ||
| ½ serving of onion powder (½ tsp) @ 1.8 g each | 0.04 g | 0.9 g | ||
| ½ serving of garlic powder (½ tsp) @ 1.7 g each | 0.04 g | 0.85 g | ||
| 5g | 11% | 117g | 235% | |
| 8 ⅒ servings of sausage, mild (1 lb) @ 9 g each | 3.31 g | 72.9 g | ||
| 4.05 servings of cream cheese (4 oz) @ 2 g each | 0.37 g | 8.1 g | ||
| 4 servings of cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup) @ 6 g each | 1.09 g | 24 g | ||
| 4 servings of almond flour (½ cup) @ 3 g each | 0.55 g | 12 g | ||
| ½ serving of onion powder (½ tsp) @ 0.2 g each | 0 g | 0.1 g | ||
| ½ serving of garlic powder (½ tsp) @ 0.5 g each | 0.01 g | 0.25 g | ||
About these numbers: We are home cooks, not certified nutritionists. Nutrition is shared as a courtesy and calculated with free online nutrition calculators — we compare a few to get as close as we can — so please treat it as a helpful estimate rather than a guarantee. The brands you buy, any swaps you make, and how generously you portion the recipe will all move these numbers.
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
A preheated oven is what cooks the balls evenly from the inside out, so give it the full time it needs to come up to temperature.
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Mix together all of the ingredients in a bowl.
Kneading with your hands is the best way to make sure the ingredients are evenly distributed. It is a bit messy, but nothing else combines cold sausage, cream cheese, and shredded cheddar as thoroughly.
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Form the mixture into 22 evenly sized sausage balls.
A cookie scoop keeps them uniform, which matters more than it sounds — mismatched sizes finish baking at different times.
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Place the sausage balls onto a rack over a baking sheet, and bake for 20-25 minutes until browned and cooked through.
Leave a little space between each ball. The rack lets the rendered fat drip away instead of pooling underneath them.
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Let the sausage balls cool for a few minutes before serving.
They firm up as they cool, which makes them much easier to pick up.
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Notes
Tools To Prepare
- Large mixing bowl — big enough to knead in without pushing the sausage mixture over the sides.
- Baking sheet with a wire rack — the rack keeps the bottoms from sitting in rendered fat and going soggy. Line the sheet with parchment paper for an easier cleanup.
- Stand mixer (optional) — you can absolutely do this by hand, but a mixer speeds up the combining and gives an even mix.
- Cookie scoop (optional) — the easiest way to get 22 balls the same size. A spoon and your hands work too.
Preparation Tips
- Let the cream cheese soften before you start. Cold cream cheese stays in lumps no matter how long you knead.
- Bring the rest of the ingredients to room temperature as well, so the mixture holds together instead of crumbling as you roll it.
- Mild sausage is the balanced choice here, but hot pork sausage works in the same quantity if you want some heat. If you would rather skip pork altogether, turkey sausage or ground chicken are the usual swaps — we have not tested either, so treat them as variations.
Serving and Meal Prep
- Serve them as low-carb appetizers on their own, or portion them out for meal prep as a packed lunch, a portioned breakfast, or a snack.
- Alongside a veggie they make a full keto meal; with scrambled eggs they make a keto-friendly breakfast.
Dipping Sauces For Sausage Balls
These keto sausage balls are great on their own, but a dipping sauce turns up the flavor. Sugar-free options we like:
If you are eating these for breakfast, make some sunny side up eggs and dip the sausage balls in the yolk. Super yummy!
Storage
- Short term: put leftovers in an airtight container or plastic bag and store them in the fridge for up to two or three days.
- Long term: freeze the sausage balls spread out on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a container or freezer bag. Freezing them while still warm — or even at room temperature — lets the moisture fuse them into one block that is difficult to portion out later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Could turkey sausage be used instead of pork in the keto sausage balls recipe?
Turkey sausage is the usual swap if you would rather not use pork, in the same one-pound quantity. We have tested this recipe with mild pork breakfast sausage only, so treat turkey as an untested variation — it is leaner, so expect a slightly drier, milder result.
Can we switch the cheese?
These sausage cheese balls pair perfectly with sharp cheddar cheese but feel free to use any of your favorite keto cheeses like Parmesan cheese, mozzarella or pepper jack cheese, etc.
What can I use instead of almond flour in the keto sausage balls?
Coconut flour is the usual keto stand-in, but it is far more absorbent than almond flour, so it is not a one-for-one swap — a half cup of coconut flour in place of the half cup of almond flour will dry the mixture out. We have not tested a coconut flour version of this recipe, so if you try it, start with a small amount and add more only until the mixture holds together.
Can I add other seasonings to my keto-friendly sausage balls?
Absolutely! While garlic and onion powders are a good starting point for our delicious sausage balls, feel free to experiment with other seasonings like Italian seasoning, paprika, or even some heat with red pepper flakes.
Are keto sausage balls freezer-friendly?
Yes, these are excellent for meal prep. Store them in an airtight container, and freeze them either before or after baking. Reheat in the microwave or the oven.
Freeze them spread out on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a container or freezer bag. Frozen together while still warm, they fuse into a block that is hard to portion.
Can these keto sausage balls be made in an air fryer?
We have not tested this recipe in an air fryer, so treat it as an untested variation. If you try it, 350°F is a sensible starting point, and you are looking for the same cues as the oven: browned outside, cooked through.
Since these are cream cheese sausage balls, use a nonstick spray on the air fryer basket to prevent the cheese from sticking.
How long do these keto sausage balls stay fresh?
For short-term storage, put the leftovers in an airtight container or plastic bag and keep them in the fridge for up to two or three days. Reheat them in the microwave or the oven before serving.
For anything longer than that, freeze them.
What's a good dipping sauce for keto sausage balls?
A sugar-free honey mustard or a ranch dressing complements these best — G Hughes makes sugar-free versions of both, and their sugar-free BBQ sauce works too. Some people also enjoy them with a spicy hot sauce or sour cream.
If you are eating them for breakfast, fry a couple of sunny side up eggs and dip the sausage balls in the yolk.
Is it possible to make sausage balls ahead of time?
Yes. Roll the balls, arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and refrigerate until you are ready to bake — within the same two-to-three-day window that applies to the baked ones. They also freeze well raw, spread out on a sheet first so they do not fuse together.
Wrap-Up
And that’s a wrap!
Have you given this keto sausage ball recipe a go, or perhaps you’ve tried other recipes from our blog? Or do you want more sausage ball recipes?
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please rate the recipe below and share your thoughts in the comments! Your feedback is always valued and appreciated.
Looking for more low-carb appetizers? Try our Air Fryer Keto Mozzarella Sticks, Crispy Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders, or our Tasty Keto BBQ Chicken Pizza.
For more breakfast ideas, there is the White Bread Keto Chaffle, the Best Homemade Keto McGriddle Sandwich, and Keto Cinnamon Bagel Bites.
Happy baking!
Updated — August 18, 2026: We added the full recipe card this post was missing — measured ingredients, directions, times and nutrition — plus an ingredient walkthrough and answers to the questions readers ask most.
