Get ready for a crispy and savory delight with our fried meatballs recipe! Made with a blend of spices and seasonings, these gluten free meatballs are fried to perfection for a deliciously crunchy exterior and juicy, flavorful interior.
They're perfect as a snack, appetizer or main dish. Try our recipe today and savor the goodness!
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Fried Italian meatballs are a tasty and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Made with a meat mixture of veal, beef and pork and are gluten free and low carb.
Why you'll love these fried meatballs
- Gluten-free: Someone who follows a gluten-free diet due to celiac disease or gluten intolerance can enjoy fried meatballs made with gluten-free breadcrumbs or flour as a substitute for regular breadcrumbs.
- Taste and texture: Fried meatballs have a crispy exterior and a tender and juicy interior, making them a satisfying and delicious dish. The frying process also adds a unique flavor that enhances the overall taste of the meatballs.
- Italian cuisine: a classic dish in Italian cuisine, and someone who enjoys Italian food may appreciate the authentic flavor and texture of these meatballs. They can be served with tomato sauce and parmesan cheese, as well as gluten-free or low carb garlic bread, for a complete Italian meal.
- Versatility: meatballs can be served as a main dish, an appetizer, or even as a topping for pizza or pasta.
- Easy to make: Fried meatballs are relatively easy to make, requiring only a few ingredients and a frying pan.
Ingredients Used
Super easy to make with just a few ingredients, this fried meatball recipe will be ready in no time.
- Ground Meat: Although we prefer a blend of beef, pork, and veal, feel free to switch it up and use your favorite types of ground meat.
- Pork Rind Crumbs: to keep the meatballs moist we used pork rind crumbs, we provide alternatives down below. You can also use gluten free breadcrumbs.
- Parmesan: adding parmesan to the meatball mixture adds flavor and helps bind the ingredients together.
- Egg: giving more moisture to the meatballs while binding the ingredients together.
- Garlic: adding more flavor and depth to these fried meatballs.
- Parsley: adds a fresh and slightly sweet flavor, as well as a pop of color.
- Chili Pepper Flakes: an optional ingredient if you like your meatballs a little spicy.
- Salt, Black Pepper, Olive Oil
See the recipe card for quantities.
Steps by step instructions
How to make gluten free Italian fried meatballs?
STEP 1: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper.
Mix the ingredients together until well-combined, but be careful not to overmix as this can make the meatballs tough.
Using your hands, form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1-2 inches in diameter.
STEP 2: Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat until it's hot but not smoking. Add the raw meatballs to the pan and cook for about 5-7 minutes turning occasionally, until they are browned and crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside.
STEP 3: Remove the gluten free meatballs from the pan and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil. Serve the meatballs hot, either on their own or with a dipping sauce, such as marinara or sweet and sour.
Note: You can also bake, air fry the meatballs or use the instant pot instead of frying to reduce the amount of added fat. Although these are not deep fried meatballs.
See my Air Fryer Meatball and Instant Pot Meatballs recipes. You might also enjoy this Stuffed Meatball recipe.
Other gluten free Italian recipes you might enjoy
Recipe tips
Here are two recipe tips to making the best fried meatballs recipe:
- Use a combination of meats: A blend of ground beef, pork, and veal creates a rich and flavorful meatball, but you can also experiment with other types of meat, such as ground turkey or chicken. Adding some fat, like ground pork or bacon, can help keep the meatballs moist and tender.
- Don't overmix the ingredients: When mixing the meatball ingredients together, be careful not to overwork the mixture as this can make the meatballs tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined, and then use your hands to gently form the meatballs.
What to do with fried meatballs?
There are many delicious ways to enjoy pan fried meatballs! Here are a few ideas:
- Serve them with a low-carb or gluten free spaghetti and tomato sauce for a classic Italian-style meal.
- Use them as a topping for pizza, along with some sliced onions, peppers, and cheese.
- Place them on skewers with some grilled vegetables for a tasty kebab.
- Pair them with a side salad or roasted vegetables for a healthy and satisfying meal.
- Dip them in your favorite dipping sauce, such as a ranch, sugar free ketchup or spicy sauce.
- Use them as a protein in a rice bowl with cauliflower rice, along with some roasted vegetables and a sauce.
Storage
To store fried meatballs:
- Let them cool to room temperature.
- Place them in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag.
- Label the container or bag with the date, so you know how long they have been stored.
- Store the meatballs in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- To reheat, you can microwave them for 1-2 minutes or place them in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
Pork rind alternatives
Instead of pork rind crumbs, you can use almond flour, coconut flour, or ground flaxseed as a low-carb and gluten-free alternative in your meatball recipe.
The amount you use will depend on the recipe and the desired texture, but a general rule of thumb is to use ¼ to ½ cup of the alternative flour for every pound of ground meat.
You may need to adjust the amount slightly based on how the mixture comes together and how it cooks. It's best to start with a smaller amount and add more as needed to achieve the desired consistency.
Frequently asked questions
Cook the meatballs until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature in the center of the meatball.
Yes, you can bake meatballs in the oven at 375°F for 20-25 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Make sure the meatball mixture is well-combined and not too wet. Gently form the meatballs and you can chill them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before frying to help them hold their shape.
Fried Meatballs (Gluten Free)
Ingredients
- ½ lb ground pork
- ½ lb ground beef
- ½ lb ground veal
- 1 cup pork rind crumbs see alternatives
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for frying
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper.½ lb ground pork, ½ lb ground beef, ½ lb ground veal, 1 cup pork rind crumbs, ½ cup chopped fresh parsley, 2 cloves garlic, ½ cup grated parmesan, 1 large egg, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Mix the ingredients together until well-combined, but be careful not to overmix as this can make the meatballs tough.
- Using your hands, form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1-2 inches in diameter.
- Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat until it's hot but not smoking.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Add the meatballs to the pan and cook for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are browned and crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside.
- Remove the meatballs from the pan and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.
- Serve the meatballs hot, either on their own or with a dipping sauce, such as marinara or sugar free ketchup.
Nutrition
Notes
- Use a combination of meats: A blend of ground beef, pork, and veal creates a rich and flavorful meatball, but you can also experiment with other types of meat, such as ground turkey or chicken.
- Don't overmix the ingredients: When mixing the meatball ingredients together, be careful not to overwork the mixture as this can make the meatballs tough.
This recipe card provides the basic details to make this recipe. For more information, questions or variations please review the content above the recipe card.
Updates and Revisions
If conflicting information between the video and recipe card, the recipe card will always have the most up to date information, ingredients and instructions.
Nutritional Information
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Disclosure
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Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooked food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more food guidelines
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