Keto Air Fryer Caramel Goat Cheese Balls

Published December 15, 2020 • Updated June 2, 2025

Reader Rating

4.8 Stars (5 Reviews) 4 Comments

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An elegant holiday appetizer, these caramel covered air fryer keto goat cheese balls contain only a few simple ingredients. Creamy goat cheese is covered with a gluten-free coating and fried in an air fryer to create a crispy bite. Then finished with a sugar-free caramel syrup.

crispy panko coated goat cheese balls with sugar free syrup on top

bitten cheese ball on a plate with crispy goat cheese appetizer behind it on a white plate

sticky syrup on round balls of crispy cheese

rows of cheese balls appetizer on a plate with small plates nearby

48 Mins

Nutrition Facts

Servings

Calories

3.3g

Fat

2.9g

Protein

0.6g

Net Carb

Total Carbs

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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Ingredients

8 oz soft goat cheese
3 tablespoons almond flour
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup ground pork rinds
1/4 cup sugar free caramel syrup

Step by Step Instructions

STEP

1

Portion the cheese

Pinch off a small piece of goat cheese and roll into 24 – 1/2 inch size balls. Place on a parchment lined baking tray and freeze for 30 minutes.
STEP

2

Fill the bowls

Remove from the freezer. Add almond flour to a small shallow bowl, beaten egg to another. And ground pork rinds to a third bowl.
STEP

3

Make a ball

Roll a goat cheese ball into the almond flour.
STEP

4

Dip it

Then dip in the egg wash to coat.
STEP

5

Pork rind coatings

Then dredge in ground pork rinds. Repeat with remaining goat cheese balls.
STEP

6

Add balls to tray

Place balls in a single layer on an air fryer tray or basket leaving space for air to circulate around the balls. Spray with cooking spray. Air fry at 400 degrees for 6 to 8 minutes.
STEP

7

Drizzle

Drizzle with sugar-free caramel syrup.
STEP

8

Oven instructions

Oven Instructions: Place goat cheese balls on a parchment lined baking tray and bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

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crispy cheese balls with caramel syrup on top next to toothpicks

These keto goat cheese balls are coated with a gluten-free crust made up of almond flour and ground pork rinds. Then fried to a crispy perfection bite sized snack in the air fryer. Sugar-free caramel syrup is drizzled on these golden brown creamy snacks.

Caramel and goat cheese pair very well together. The sweet and tangy combination is a surprisingly nice compliment. The result is an elegant low-carb appetizer worthy of any holiday party or gathering.

half eaten cheeseball showing the soft cheesy center

Is goat cheese keto?

Yes, goat cheese is keto approved.

Like most cheeses, you will find goat cheese to be very low in carbohydrates. At most, a soft goat cheese has about 1 gram net carb per 1 ounce serving.

Goat cheese substitutions

Don’t have goat cheese or you don’t like it?

The good news is that you can substitute with other soft cheeses. Try cream cheese or mascarpone cheese. Both have a similar texture to goat cheese; although, they don’t have the same tangy flavor. If you are wanting that punchy flavor, then just add a little yogurt to your cream cheese.

Benefits of cooking goat cheese balls in the air fryer

An air fryer works by circulating air all around the food. It helps to crisp up the exterior of your dish while keeping the inside moist and juicy.

That is the case for these keto cheese balls. The outside coating is crispy with the pork rinds and the inside is creamy and cheesy.

Oven instructions

Don’t have an air fryer, no worries! You can still enjoy these caramel drizzled keto cheese bites. Simply bake them in the oven at 400 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. Then drizzle with your favorite sugar-free caramel syrup.

Make ahead cheese balls

For convenience, you can make these keto goat cheese bites ahead of time.

After you have breaded your cheese balls, store them in an air tight container and freeze them until you want to serve them. You can even freeze these for up two a few days in advance.

To cook from frozen, add them to your air fryer straight from the freezer and fry at 400 degrees for 6 to 8 minutes.

Why do I freeze goat cheese balls?

It is necessary to freeze your cheese balls before frying. Since goat cheese is a soft cheese, frying it without hardening it first will cause the cheese to ooze out of the crusty breading. If you freeze your goat balls before you fry them, they will keep their shape and have a warm, soft melty center.

pouring caramel syrup on crispy cheese balls

Sugar free caramel syrup

Sweet caramel syrup is the perfect compliment to the tangy goat cheese.

Of course, you need to find a sugar-free version. ChocZero is my favorite sugar-free caramel syrup. It is also sugar alcohol free. You can save 10% off your order with code KETOFOCUS at checkout.

Keto Air Fryer Caramel Goat Cheese Balls: FAQS

Can I use a different type of cheese instead of goat cheese?

Absolutely! While goat cheese adds a unique flavor, you can substitute it with cream cheese or ricotta for a similar creamy texture. Just keep in mind that the flavor will change slightly.

What can I use instead of almond flour?

If you're looking for an alternative to almond flour, you can use finely ground sunflower seed flour or a keto-friendly all-purpose flour blend. Just be aware that the taste and texture may vary.

How should I store leftover goat cheese balls?

Store any leftover caramel goat cheese balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain their crispiness!

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the goat cheese balls ahead of time and refrigerate them before air frying. Just coat them in the breading, place them in the fridge, and cook them fresh when you're ready to serve!

Is this recipe suitable for a low-carb diet?

Yes, this recipe is perfect for a low-carb or keto diet! The ingredients are low in carbs, especially when you use sugar-free caramel syrup, making it an elegant yet diet-friendly appetizer.

Nutritional information & Macros

Amount Per Serving
Calories	48
Fat	3.3g
Protein	2.9g
Total Carbs	3g
Net Carbs	0.6g

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About Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie Lampella is a Doctor of Pharmacy, mom, and the recipe creator behind KetoFocus. With a B.S. in Genetics from UC Davis and a Pharm.D., she has over 11 years of experience developing family-friendly keto recipes based on the science of human metabolism. She is the author of the Protein Packed cookbook, published by Victory Belt Publishing.

Learn more about Annie →

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