Description
These keto bacon-wrapped jalapeño popper meatballs are a spicy, creamy, and crispy snack perfect for keto diets. They combine juicy beef, spicy jalapeños, and melty cheeses wrapped in crispy bacon for an indulgent low-carb treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20)
- 2 large jalapeños, finely diced (remove seeds for less heat)
- 4 ounces (115g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (50g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 12 slices thick-cut bacon
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Finely dice the jalapeños, removing seeds if desired to reduce heat.
- Soften the cream cheese by leaving it out for about 30 minutes or microwaving for 15 seconds.
- Shred the cheddar cheese.
- Lay out bacon strips on a cutting board for wrapping.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, diced jalapeños, softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika if using. Mix gently with clean hands until just combined.
- Form the mixture into 12 even meatballs, about the size of a golf ball.
- Wrap each meatball with one slice of bacon, tucking the end underneath or securing with a toothpick if needed.
- Place the bacon-wrapped meatballs on a wire rack set over a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until bacon is crispy and meatballs are cooked through (internal temperature 160°F/71°C).
- Serve warm with optional dipping sauces like ranch, blue cheese, or spicy aioli.
Notes
Use thick-cut bacon for best results. A wire rack helps bacon crisp evenly. You can freeze raw meatballs and bake from frozen, adding 5 extra minutes to cook time. Adjust jalapeño heat by removing seeds or adding more peppers. Serve with ranch, blue cheese, or spicy aioli for dipping.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack, Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs per serv
- Calories: 380
- Sodium: 720
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
Keywords: keto, bacon-wrapped, jalapeño popper, meatballs, low-carb, spicy snack, appetizer, keto snack