Keto Cheese Stuffed Bison Meatballs [Air Fryer Recipe]
Recipe by Brandy Monge
If you’ve never had bison before, and you’re up for something new, many people are surprised to discover what a flavorful and approachable protein it is in a home environment. If you have access to bison, this easy bison meatball recipe is quick turnaround for a family dinner or as a double batch for meal prep.
The perfect keto meal ready in just 15 minutes! These cheese stuffed, bison meatballs are optionally served with a zesty Italian-inspired low carb dipping sauce or with a low carb vegetable like spaghetti squash or zoodles (spiralized zucchini).
What is keto anyway?
The ketogenic diet is high-fat, moderate protein, and low-carbohydrate with the goal of inducing your body to use fat as a primary source of fuel.
How to make bison meatballs
The key elements of a meatball recipe are: meat, binding agents, seasonings, size, and thorough cooking and browning.
- The eggs and almond flour help bind the meat and keep it from crumbling.
- Seasonings include salt, pepper, and any herb or vegetable mixins you’ve chosen. The mixins are what gives the meatballs a flavor profile. Make sure your mixins are finely ground or minced also help keep the meatballs from falling apart and distributes the flavor evenly.
- Since meatballs are made from ground meat, be sure they are cooked all the way through. The smaller your bison meatballs, the more quickly they will cook, and you also have more surface area that browns and gets crispy.
Creating convenience with meal prepping
Ground bison meatballs are great for fast meals whether you’re making it fresh or pulling from the freezer one’s you’ve already prepped. keep in the freezer for a month or even more if they are well stored. Who doesn’t love convenience?!
It is easiest to cook your meatballs before you freeze them.
This method makes it easier to defrost or you can just throw them right into your dish and defrost them while you are cooking. You want to make sure to cook them until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
For ease of cleanup, you can line the bottom of your air fryer with parchment paper.
Allow to cool a bit before popping them into airtight freezer bags, removing as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn. Freeze food in thoughtfully sized portions… as a single serving or the amount for your family, depending on what your meal planning situation is like.
PRO TIP:
Be sure to label and date what you’re putting into the freezer. You think surely you’ll remember, but I promise… you’ll find yourself rummaging through, pulling things out and wondering what the heck it is or how long it’s been buried back there! Fully cooked and frozen meatballs keep well for up to 2 months.
To reheat frozen cooked meatballs
- Preheat your air fryer to 300 degrees.
- Cook the meatballs for about 5 minutes, until heated thoroughly.
Mealtime conversation starters
The song by Dire Straits called Tunnel of Love. It has been replaying in my head for months now. What I have recently come to realize with this song is that I have a ton of misheard lyrics. It’s easy to make a mistake when it comes to words in a song.
Today’s conversation pairing asks:
What song lyrics did you think you knew, but found out you were wrong?
Keto Cheese Stuffed Bison Meatballs [Air Fryer]
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Equipment
- whisk or fork
- Parchment paper optional
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground bison grass fed or pasture raised preferred
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup warm water
- ⅓ cup almond flour
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp fresh basil
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp jalapeno minced (optional for some kick)
- ½ cup feta cheese crumbled, or mozzarella
- 1 tsp avocado oil or olive oil
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and water, then stir in almond flour and seasonings.
- Add ground bison, and use your hands to finish mixing thoroughly.
- Divide mixture into 4 parts, and then each of those again into 4 parts to create the portion of each meatball. Roll each portion between your palms to form 16 tiny meatballs.
- Stuff about 1½ tsps of cheese inside the ball. Even out the mixture to surround the piece of cheese.
- Coat the bottom of the Air Fryer with the oil.
- Lay the meatballs in the Air Fryer, leaving a little bit of space between them.
- Set Air Fryer to 350 and cook for 10-12 minutes
Notes
After frying, add to 3 cups any low carb marinara sauce such as Rao’s.
Serve over: 2 cups of fresh spinach, or a package of frozen Zucchini Spirals or Spaghetti Squash
Hand Size Portions
Hand Portions
When you look at the nutritional values of a meal to log what you are eating, that is called tracking macros. A lot of people use this method to reach their health goals.
Looking at hand portion size and using this method to gauge how and what you eat is also a great method to help you reach your health goals. Many people who use this method often think this form of tracking meals is easier and more sustainable for a lifetime.
Want to learn more about hand portion size and how to use it to reach your goals? Check out the article How to Get Started with Hand Portion Sizes.
Chaos Tamer Brandy Monge guides busy professionals to find balance between the chaotic life of a successful career and the desire to be healthy, fit, and energetic. She shows professionals that they don’t have to choose between being successful or being healthy. Brandy is a nutrition coach, gym owner, and fitness trainer who has a start with what we love approach to nutrition and fitness. Find other articles written by Brandy on her coach profile and start creating systems and habits to get your body in tip-top shape just like your career.
