Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs (Healthy Recipe) - Maria Ushakova

This quick and easy recipe bakes a batch of Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs without sacrificing taste and texture.

Instead, you’ll use almond flour to bind your choice of ground meat, Parmesan, and spices into tender & juicy gluten-free meatballs.

Can you make meatballs with no breadcrumbs?

Absolutely, and this gluten-free meatball recipe will show you exactly how it’s done. Gluten-free almond flour plays the role of breadcrumbs, and it’s nearly impossible to notice the difference.

In 30 minutes or less, you’ll make a large batch of bite-size, seasoned, tender meatballs from scratch.

These homemade meatballs are juicy and plump. You can serve them plain or coated in various sauces and glazes.

The best part? These delicious meatballs freeze wonderfully, so you can bake a batch to enjoy now and a bunch to freeze and enjoy later. Then, when you’re ready to make your frozen batch, they can be thawed and reheated directly in the sauce of your choosing.

Jump to:

1. Why You’ll Love This Recipe
2. Ingredient Notes
3. How To Make Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs
4. Recipe Video
5. Recipe Tips
6. Variations & Serving Ideas
7. Storing & Freezing
8. Frequently Asked Questions
9. More Easy Protein Recipes
10. Printable Recipe Card

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here are five reasons why this meatball recipe is a keeper:

• This easy meatball recipe has a short list of simple ingredients you might already have on hand.
• These healthy meatballs are made with naturally gluten-free almond flour instead of breadcrumbs.
• The meatballs are baked, so there’s no need to stand over the stove.
• The recipe can be made dairy-free with a minor modification.
• They’re the perfect meatballs to make with any meatball sauce.

Ingredient Notes

For the exact measurements and detailed cooking instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Here is an overview of the ingredients you will need to make meatballs without breadcrumbs:

• Almond flour (or almond meal) – Almond flour is the best option for making moist meatballs without breadcrumbs that won’t fall apart.
• Parmesan cheese – Use finely grated cheese from a nice block of Parmesan for the best flavor.
• Spices & seasonings – Garlic powder enhances the savory flavors, while smoked paprika adds a touch of warmth.
• Salt & black pepper – Use kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper if you have it.
• Eggs – Act as a binder, holding the meatball mixture together and helping the meatballs keep their shape.
• Ground meat – I prefer turkey meatballs, but you can also use any ground meat or a combination like ground chicken and beef or ground turkey and beef.
• Fresh parsley – Adds a pop of fresh flavor.

How To Make Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs

Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to make this recipe:

Step 1. Combine the dry ingredients.

Mix the almond flour, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt in a medium bowl.

Step 2. Make the meatball mixture.

In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs with a fork until smooth, then add the ground meat, chopped parsley, and the almond flour mixture. Using your hands or a sturdy wooden spoon, mix until just combined.

Step 3. Form the meatballs and bake.

Shape the meat mixture into meatballs using about 1 1/2 tablespoons for each. Then, bake in a 375F preheated oven until no longer pink inside.

Step 4. Serve.

Let the cooked meatballs rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. If storing, let them cool to room temperature.

Recipe Video

Here is the recipe video to help you make it:

 

Recipe Tips

Here are a few tips to help you make the best meatballs possible:

• Do not overmix! Combine the meatball mixture thoroughly but without overworking it.
• Keep your hands wet as you form the meat into balls. This helps keep the meat from sticking to your hands.
• You can also set the mixture in the freezer for 5-10 minutes to make it easier to work with.
• The exact baking time will vary depending on the type of meat used. Bake the meatballs until they reach the appropriate internal temperature for that specific meat.

Variations & Serving Ideas

Add sausage – Replace half of the ground turkey, chicken, or beef with savory ground sausage. The high-fat content in ground sausage helps keep the meatballs from drying out.

Make them dairy-free – To make these meatballs without any dairy, swap the Parmesan for nutritional yeast to achieve a similar rich nutty flavor.

The simplicity of these no breadcrumb meatballs makes them the perfect canvas for an array of flavors.

Here are a few ways to serve them:

• Spaghetti & meatballs – Heat the meatballs in your favorite spaghetti sauce and serve with pasta.
• Italian meatballs – Add 1/2 tablespoon of Italian seasoning to the meat mixture and cook the meatballs in your favorite tomato sauce or homemade or store-bought Marinara sauce.
• Grape jelly BBQ balls – Heat the meatballs in a large pot with equal parts grape jelly and BBQ sauce until the mixture becomes a thick, sticky glaze.
• Swedish meatballs – Gently simmer in rich and creamy Swedish meatball sauce.

Storing & Freezing

• Storing: Let the meatballs cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.
• Freezing: Likewise, these meatballs can be frozen for two months. Let cool, place the meatballs on a baking sheet, and set them in the freezer for an hour or until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag and keep them frozen until you’re ready to reheat them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best meat for meatballs without breadcrumbs?

You can make these meatballs using any ground meat—beef, turkey, chicken, pork, or a blend. I usually use ground turkey or a mix of 1 pound ground chicken and 1 pound ground beef.

Why do you need to add eggs to meatballs?

Eggs play an important role as the binding agent in meatballs, which keeps them from falling apart as they cook.

Why do you need to add almond flour to this meatball recipe?

You’ll need almond flour for this meatball recipe since we aren’t using any breadcrumbs.Coarse almond flour absorbs the meat juices as they’re released during the cooking process, keeping the moisture trapped in the meatball and preventing them from drying out.

What’s the difference between almond flour and almond meal?

Almond flour and almond meal are both made from ground almonds, but the almond meal is made from ground unpeeled almonds, while almond flour is made from blanched almonds.

More Easy Protein Recipes

Here are a few easy dinner recipes you might like: 

• Healthy Turkey Meatballs in Sauce
• Meatballs in Mushroom Sauce
• Yogurt Marinated Chicken Kebabs
• Chicken Breast with Spinach

Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs

4.77 from 13 votes Make a big batch of juicy meatballs your whole family will love! These tasty meatballs can be served on their own or with your favorite sauce. Author: Maria Ushakova Prep Time: 20 minutes minsCook Time: 15 minutes minsTotal Time: 35 minutes mins Servings: 35 -40 meatballs Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

Video

Equipment

• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Spoons
• Measuring Cups

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark.

Ingredients

• ▢ ½ cup almond flour or almond meal
• ▢ ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ▢ 1 tsp garlic powder
• ▢ 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ▢ ½ tsp black pepper
• ▢ ½ tsp salt
• ▢ 2 eggs
• ▢ 2 pounds ground meat (For example, ground turkey or 1 pound ground chicken and 1 pound ground beef.)
• ▢ ½ cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 375F.
• In a bowl, combine the almond flour, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt.½ cup almond flour or almond meal, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp salt
• In a large bowl, beat the eggs using a fork. Add the ground meat, parsley, and almond flour mixture. Mix all the ingredients until combined.2 eggs, 2 pounds ground meat, ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
• Shape the mixture into meatballs, using about 1½ tablespoons for each.
• Bake the meatballs for 15 minutes or until cooked through. Make sure to cook the meatballs to the safe minimum internal temperature for the type of meat you are using.
• Let the cooked meatballs rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Recipe Notes

Tips for Perfect Meatballs

• Feel free to use any ground meat you prefer—beef, turkey, chicken, pork, or a blend. 
• Mix the ingredients just until combined—overmixing can make the meatballs tough.
• Keep your hands wet while forming the meatballs to prevent sticking.
• If the mixture feels too soft, chill it in the freezer for 5–10 minutes to firm it up.
• Baking time will vary based on the type of meat used. Cook until the meatballs reach the proper internal temperature for that meat (e.g., 160°F for beef, 165°F for poultry).

Variations

• Add sausage: Swap half the ground meat for sausage to keep meatballs moist and flavorful.
• Dairy-free: Replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast for a similar nutty flavor.

Serving Ideas

• Spaghetti & meatballs: Simmer in your favorite spaghetti sauce and serve with pasta.
• Italian style: Mix in ½ Tbsp Italian seasoning with the meat mixture and cook in marinara sauce.
• Grape jelly BBQ: Heat meatballs in equal parts grape jelly and BBQ sauce until thick and sticky.
• Swedish: Simmer gently in creamy Swedish meatball sauce.

Storage, Freezing & Reheating

Storage:

Let meatballs cool, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezing:

Cool completely, freeze on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Store for up to 2 months.

Reheating:

• Oven: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes or until heated through.
• Microwave: Heat in 30-second bursts until hot.
• Stovetop: Warm in a covered skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth to keep them moist.

Reheating Frozen Meatballs:

Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat using your preferred method. Add sauce after reheating, if desired. Nutrition FactsMeatballs Without BreadcrumbsServing Size 5 meatballsAmount per ServingCalories478% Daily Value*Fat 33g51%Saturated Fat 10g63%Trans Fat 1gPolyunsaturated Fat 20gCholesterol 153mg51%Sodium 273mg12%Carbohydrates 6g2%Fiber 3g13%Sugar 1g1%Protein 39g78%* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

The nutrition facts are an estimate. Variations in ingredient brands, portion sizes, or substitutions can affect the final nutritional values. For the most accurate information, please use a nutrition calculator or consult with a healthcare provider. Always ensure that each of the ingredients is allowed in your diet.

Course: Main CourseCuisine: AmericanDiet: Gluten Free Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

Meet Maria

Maria Ushakova is a holistic nutritionist and food blogger. She focuses on developing easy recipes using real food ingredients. She believes that healthy food is delicious and anyone can learn how to cook it. Maria’s work has appeared on numerous popular websites as well as in print.