These crispy cottage cheese balls are high protein, low carb and keto-friendly. They need just 3 ingredients and are easy to make. There is no frying required. The balls are crispy on the outside and soft in the center.
Cottage cheese balls in a pile

These crispy cheese balls are an easy appetizer, snack or side dish. You can eat them plain or dip them in your favorite dipping sauce.

Ingredients

  • Cottage cheese
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Almond flour

Cottage cheese: This recipe works best with a high protein 4% cottage cheese. Avoid brands of cottage cheese that are watery.

Parmesan cheese: Make sure to use finely grated parmesan cheese. This is the kind that looks like small crumbs. This recipe does not work well with shredded parmesan cheese.

Almond flour: These cheese balls use superfine almond flour. Make sure to use superfine almond flour and not regular almond flour. Almond flour acts as a binding agent for these cheese balls.

How to Make Crispy Cottage Cheese Balls

  • The cottage cheese, parmesan cheese and almond flour are mixed together until you have a crumbly dough. When you pinch some of it, it should stick together.
  • Use a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop and pack the dough. Release it onto your prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining mixture.
  • Compact, squeeze and roll each dough portion into a smooth ball and place back onto the baking sheet.
  • Bake cheese balls for about 15 minutes or until dark golden brown on top.

Crispy Cottage Cheese Balls with a side of marinara sauce

Texture

These cheese balls have a firm crispy exterior and a soft center. The center will taste cheesy but it’s not just cheese in the middle. It’s more of a bready texture in the center.

Expert Tips

  • You can also cook these in the air fryer.
  • Some brands of cottage cheese are more watery than others. If your brand looks visibly watery, then strain the cottage cheese with a fine mesh strainer before using.

A cottage cheese ball dipped in marinara sauce

More Cottage Cheese Recipes

4.75 from 8 votes

3 Ingredient Keto Crispy Cottage Cheese Balls

These savory, high-protein bites are made with just three ingredients and bake up golden and crispy in 15 minutes—perfect for snacking, dipping, or serving as a fun appetizer. They’re naturally low-carb and make an easy, satisfying option for any time of day.
Servings: 13 balls
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (109g) 4% high protein cottage cheese, see note before starting
  • 1 1/2 cups (141g) superfine blanched almond flour
  • 1 cup (80g) finely grated parmesan

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, almond flour, and Parmesan. Mix until the cottage cheese is fully incorporated and a crumbly dough forms. When you pinch some of it, it should stick together. You do want the dough to be slightly on the drier side. If the dough is too soft, it won't hold its ball shape as it cooks.
  • Pack and scoop the mixture into a 1.5 tbsp cookie scoop. Release onto your prepared baking sheet. Roll each portion between your palms to form smooth balls, spacing them 1 inch apart.
  • Optional step: For a more even golden coating, you can lightly brush or spray the tops of the balls with avocado oil. This is optional because they will still crisp up and bake up golden without it. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until dark golden brown and crispy on the outside. These can also be cooked in an air fryer at 400°F for about 8 minutes. If cooking in an air fryer, I recommend lining the basket insert with parchment paper, otherwise the balls will get stuck in the holes of the insert as they cook.
  • Let the balls cool slightly before serving. You can serve with your favorite dipping sauce. You can also garnish the balls with some coarse salt if needed. Store any uneaten balls in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Notes

  • Cottage cheese note: This recipe works best with a high protein cottage cheese that contains 14 grams of protein per 1/2 cup (110g) serving. You want to avoid using low fat cottage or low protein cottage cheese, which are too watery. I tested these with Good Culture.* Avoid brands like Knudsen which doesn't contain enough protein. If your brand of cottage cheese appears a little watery, I recommend straining the cottage cheese first before using. Good Culture brand is quite thick and does not have much liquid in its cottage cheese.
  • Parmesan cheese: Make sure to use finely grated parmesan cheese, the kind that is like small crumbs. I used Belgioioso grated parmesan cheese.*
  • *These product links are affiliate links. This means I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Serving: 1ball, Calories: 103kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Sodium: 82mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, NET CARBS: 1
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. This is not a comprehensive list of all the nutrients in the recipe (i.e., does not include vitamins, cholesterol, etc). I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
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