Bacon Bourbon Keto Meatballs

Prep: 10 min Cook: 6 min Total: 16 min Servings: 48
Annie Lampella @ Ketofocus

By Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Published December 15, 2020 • Updated February 1, 2026

Reader Rating
5 Stars (3 Reviews)
Air FryerBBQDairy Free

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

This appetizer is a crowd favorite for game day, potlucks or New Year's Eve. These bacon bourbon meatballs are a mouthwatering combination of whiskey, BBQ sauce and bacon! Pop them in an air fryer for a simple snack in minutes or bake in your oven.

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Bacon Bourbon Keto Meatballs

5 (3) Prep 10m Cook 6m Total 16m 48 servings

Meatballs Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 6 slices bacon, diced
  • 1/4 cup minced or finely diced onion
  • 1 cup ground pork rinds
  • 1/3 cup sugar-free BBQ Sauce, homemade or store bought
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 1/4 cup minced parsley
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper

Bourbon BBQ Sauce Ingredients

Step by Step Instructions

Step by Step Instructions

1
Add ingredients

Add all ingredients for meatballs into a large bowl.

meatball ingredients in a clear glass bowl
2
Mix it

Mix with a spoon or clean hands until fully combined.

glass bowl with mixed meatball mixture in it
3
Make meatballs

Roll into balls that are about 1 inch thick in diameter.

rolling meatballs and placing them on an air fryer tray
4
Air Fryer Instructions

Place meatballs in an even single layer on the air fryer tray or basket. Air fry at 400 degrees for 6 minutes.

placing a tray of meatballs in the air fryer
5
Now the sauce

To make the sauce, add bbq sauce, water and bourbon to a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until sauce is thickened (about 10 minutes). Drizzle sauce over meatballs.

saucepan with red bbq sauce inside
6
Oven Instructions

Place meatballs in an even layer on a parchment or foil lined baking tray. Bake at 400 degrees for 9-12 minutes.

7
Freezer Instructions

Place uncooked meatballs in a single layer in a freezer safe bag. Freeze to use later. To cook, thaw out the night before and cook as instructed above.

Nutrition Per Serving
42 Calories
2.8g Fat
2.7g Protein
0.5g Net Carbs
0.6g Total Carbs
48 Servings
Nutrition disclaimer

The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.

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Bacon Bourbon Meatballs

whiskey bbq sauce dripping of a plate of meatballs

Bacon bourbon meatballs are juicy and packed with flavor – bacon, whiskey and BBQ sauce all in one bite. They’re made for tailgating and Super Bowl parties. Drizzle with a tangy BBQ bourbon sauce and watch them disappear!

bourbon meatballs with a bottle of whiskey in the background

Besides being the ultimate meatball, they’re easy to make in the air fryer or the oven. Either way, you’ll be popping these beefy bacon balls into your belly in no time!

pulling cooked meatballs out of the air fryer

Air Fryer Meatballs

I’m a huge fan of cooking meatballs in the air fryer. Not only do they cook quickly, but the air fryer makes them extra juicy.

Place your meatballs in a single layer on the air fryer tray or basket. Space them about 1/2 inch apart. Crowding them will keep them from cooking evenly.

For an air fryer to work properly, air needs to flow around each piece of food.

a black philips air fryer

Oven Instructions

If you don’t own an air fryer, you can bake these in the oven. Arrange your meatballs on a parchment or foil lined baking tray. Space them about an inch apart. Bake at 400 degrees for 9 to 13 minutes.

They’ll take longer in the oven, but you can cook more at once since the air fryer basket only holds so many.

Is Bourbon Keto?

Yes! Bourbon is keto friendly. Most hard liquors are low carb, and whiskey has zero net carbs per serving! You can sip it in a cocktail and cook with it – it adds a delicious depth of flavor to recipes.

If you are in the California area, I highly recommend you check out Denny Bar Distillery. Their Roosevelt Rye Whiskey is a 4-year-old rye whiskey and works perfectly in this recipe.

holding a bottle of rye whiskey

BBQ Sauce

Use a low sugar BBQ sauce for this recipe. This BBQ sauce is easy to make and only takes a few minutes before you prep your bacon meatballs.

If you don’t want to make your own, look for a low sugar BBQ sauce at your grocery store. Primal Kitchens and Lillie’s Q both make great options. These are good to have on hand and can be used in some of my other BBQ recipes, like BBQ Cheeseburger Meatloaf and BBQ Chicken.

keto bbq sauce in a small bowl with a basting brush near

Make Ahead Meatballs

If you need an appetizer you can make ahead, add these bacon bourbon meatballs to your list. They can be prepped and stored uncooked in the freezer until the night before you want to serve them.

When you want to cook them, thaw them out in the refrigerator the night before. Then bake as instructed above either in the air fryer or the oven.

Bacon Bourbon Keto Meatballs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef for these meatballs?

Yes! Ground turkey works well here. The flavor will be lighter, so bump up the seasoning a little to compensate.

How can I store leftover meatballs?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months!

What can I use instead of pork rinds for a keto-friendly option?

If you don't have pork rinds, crushed almonds or almond flour both work as a substitute. Adjust the amount to get the right consistency.

Is it possible to make these meatballs without bourbon?

Yes, skip the bourbon and replace it with a little beef broth or apple cider vinegar to keep the moisture and flavor.

Can I bake these meatballs instead of using an air fryer?

Yes! Preheat your oven to 400°F and bake them on a lined baking sheet for 9-13 minutes until cooked through.

About the Author
Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie is a Doctor of Pharmacy, mom, and the recipe creator behind KetoFocus. With a B.S. in Genetics from UC Davis, she has over 14 years of experience developing family-friendly keto recipes based on the science of human metabolism.

Learn more about Annie View My Cookbook

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Reviews 2
5 Stars (3 Reviews)
  1. T
    Tasha G May 18, 2025

    Made these for a game night and they were a hit. I used my own sugar-free BBQ sauce and baked them. They came out juicy and had just the right kick from the bourbon.

    Reply
  2. C
    Carol Apr 4, 2025

    Tried these for a weekend potluck and they disappeared fast. I cooked them in the air fryer and loved how crispy the bacon bits got on the outside. The texture was spot on and held together perfectly.

    Reply

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