🧀 Carnivore Cheese Balls (Full Recipe)
⏱ Time
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Prep: 10 minutes
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Cook: 10–12 minutes
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Total: ~20 minutes
🍽 Yield
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About 10–12 cheese balls
🛒 Ingredients
(Strict carnivore – adjust only if you’re doing “relaxed carnivore”)
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1½ cups shredded hard cheese
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Cheddar, mozzarella, provolone, or a mix
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4 oz cream cheese, softened
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1 large egg
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½ cup pork rind crumbs (very finely crushed)
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½ tsp salt (optional, many cheeses are salty)
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Optional (still carnivore-friendly for most):
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½ tsp garlic powder substitute ❌ (skip if strict)
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Bacon bits (100% pork, no sugar)
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👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat
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Oven: 400°F (205°C)
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Line a baking sheet with parchment
(or prep an air fryer)
2️⃣ Make the Mixture
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In a bowl, mix:
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Shredded cheese
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Cream cheese
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Egg
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Pork rind crumbs
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Stir until fully combined — thick and sticky is perfect.
3️⃣ Form the Balls
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Scoop about 1½ tablespoons per ball
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Roll tightly and place on baking sheet
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Slightly flatten the tops if you want more crisp
4️⃣ Cook
Oven Method
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Bake 10–12 minutes
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Broil last 1–2 minutes for extra browning
Air Fryer Method
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375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes
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Shake halfway through
5️⃣ Cool Slightly
Let rest 3–5 minutes — they firm up as they cool and won’t fall apart.
🔥 Texture & Flavor Tips
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Crispier: Use more pork rind crumbs
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Gooier center: Add a cube of cheese inside each ball
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Richer: Mix in chopped cooked bacon
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Stricter carnivore: Use only cheese + egg (they’ll be softer but still work)
🧊 Storage
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Fridge: up to 4 days
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Reheat in air fryer or skillet (microwave makes them softer)
