These keto appetizers are here to make your dine-in meals a lot more interesting! Swapping out the low carb recipes I use in our first course creates a lot more diversity on my menu.
Not only are these dishes great for making keto dinners, but they also make perfect, light, keto lunch ideas! Cook up a recipe, and you’re good to go for mid-day meal prepping, plus you probably will have some leftover for keto snacks.
Seriously, these recipes are what you need right now! Let’s dive in!
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18 Best Keto Appetizers
From crackers and chips to dips to meatballs… oh my! These appetizers are here to show you that you don’t need to center your meals around carbs for them to be tasty and exciting.
Use the table of contents above to skip to the low carb appetizers you’re craving!
Here are the 19 best keto appetizers :
Classic Appetizers
These classic keto appetizers are versions of our favorites that have undergone a healthy glow up!
Each of these dishes is fast, easy, packed with flavor, and makes a perfect start to your dinner. They are also some of my favorites for a quick lunch – (hello, deviled eggs!) You’ll love putting these classic appetizers in the rotation.
Tried and True Recipes:
- Antipasto Skewers. Decadent Italian flavors in dressy and easy to eat bites!
- Keto Deviled Eggs. One of my fave recipes – so fast and super satisfying.
- Keto Sausage Balls. Take your potluck favorite and make it a quick lunch option!
Tips for Making Your Own:
- Do: match flavors! Making an Italian appetizer with a Mexican main dish can feel disjointed.
- Don’t: be afraid to do an appetizer dinner. Skip the main dish and serve an array of these instead.
- Do: double the recipe! Kill two birds with one stone and have leftovers for meal prepping lunches.
- Don’t: be married to the recipe! Feel free to swap the ingredients for your favorite low carb options.
Keto Crackers + Chips
One of the quickest, low carb appetizers pairings around is serving keto crackers with a luscious dip or topping.
These crackers and keto chips are just as nosh-worthy as more traditional options, and they are way healthier for you. Whip up a batch and enjoy their crunchy, salty, addictive flavors!
Tried and True Recipes:
- Keto Slice and Bake Crackers. A keto favorite – these are fast, easy, and scrumptious!
- Cheese Crackers. You can make these in all sorts of cheesy flavors!
- Flaxseed Crackers. Full of fiber, these are extra healthy and just as delicious.
- Parmesan Crisps. Unbelievably quick and easy, you’ll have a crunchy snack in no time!
- Keto Tortilla Chips. Hello, Taco Tuesday, you’re bestie is back!
Tips for Making Your Own:
- Do: store correctly! Some chips need to be eaten right away, some can be stored in airtight containers.
- Don’t: ignore portion sizes. Low carb goes out the window if you eat six servings of the chips.
- Do: customize! Play with flavors and seasonings to get the combo you’re looking for.
- Don’t: stop trying. Sometimes, the flavor or texture isn’t what you’re expecting. Don’t be afraid to switch it up a little and try again!
Keto Dips
What good are chips and crackers without some yummy dips? These mouthwatering options are amazing as sauces for many of my low carb recipes, or as toppings for crunchy snacks!
Good for you and good tasting, these dips are a great way to add a pop of flavor to a simple dish – I mean, what isn’t irresistible with queso on it??
Tried and True Recipes:
- Keto Guacamole. Always a classic, always devastatingly delicious.
- Avocado Sauce. Your tacos never had it so good.
- Keto Queso. One word of advice? Make extra chips.
Tips for Making Your Own:
- Do: pre-measure portions! It makes it easier to stay on track with servings.
- Don’t: Skip the salt. You’ll be surprised at how fast the flavor will change.
- Do: mix it up! Try different seasoning combinations.
- Don’t: forget these are a dip! And not the main course. (We see you, guacamole, trying to convince us otherwise)
Keto Meatballs
Who doesn’t love meatballs? These are low carb appetizers everyone will love, so they’re a great option when serving dinner for carb lovin’ friends or fam.
I love making keto meatballs because they are so fast and easy, I always have the ingredients on hand, and I can freeze extras.
They taste amazing and make dinner super easy. Win win win!
- Keto Meatballs. Just like grandma used to make!!
- Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs. Juicy Lucy style, these meatballs have a delicious surprise.
Tips for Making Your Own:
- Do: Wash your hands. Damp hands will help you roll these out effortlessly.
- Don’t: forget to make extra! Use them for meal prepping lunches or snacks, or freeze them for a quick meal whenever you’re hungry.
- Do: make sure there is enough fat! Meatballs need it to keep them from being too dry.
- Don’t: shy away from the seasoning. These hearty meatballs can take some punch.
Keto Roll Ups
The lunchtime favorite from your childhood got some creative new upgrades!
Instead of just meat and tortillas, we’ve come up with all sorts of new foods to roll into perfectly servable, bite-sized pieces. These make perfect low carb appetizers or amazing smaller meals, and they are packed with flavor (and protein!).
Tried and True Recipes:
- Buffalo Chicken Roll Ups. Bold, spicy flavors take these to a whole new level!
- Smoked Salmon Roll Ups. Fancy schmancy, and oh so tasty!
- Ham Roll Ups. A keto twist on an old classic makes these fresh.
- Italian Sub Roll Ups. How many meats can you stuff into a rollup? We’ll see!
- Keto Sushi. Forget the rice! These are flavor-packed without it.
Tips for Making Your Own:
- Do: use for meal prepping. These roll ups are surprisingly lasting.
- Don’t: forget the greens! You can sneak some healthy veggies into most of these for extra vitamins.
- Do: use a sharp knife! Cutting roll ups can get tricky, it’s way easier with the right tools.
- Don’t: want a roll up? You can make these into wraps with my keto tortillas too.
More Keto Recipes:
Inspired to make every dish low carb? I have you covered! There are recipes for every possible meal, check out some of my favorites!
- Keto Breakfast. Most important meal of the day, or so they say!
- Keto Bread. You don’t have to live without it, there are options!
- Keto Side Dishes. Dress up every dinner with some to die for sides.
- Keto Desserts. These are so amazing and healthy you’ll want to eat them first!
- Keto Chicken Recipes. Chicken recipes for every cuisine!
18+ Best Keto Appetizers
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
Shrimp:
- 20 Shrimp peeled, deveined + tails removed (about 1 pound)
- 2 Teaspoons Cajun Seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon Mild Tasting Oil (Note 1)
Avocado Layer:
- 1 Avocado (Note 2)
- 2 Teaspoons Lime - Juice
- 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Cilantro chopped
- 1/4 Cup Yellow Onions chopped
Assembly:
- 1 Cucumber sliced 1/4" thick
- Parmesan Crisps broken into small pieces (Note 3)
Instructions
- Shrimp. Pat shrimp (20) completely dry using paper towels and place in a large bowl. Sprinkle with cajun seasoning (2 teaspoons) and toss to evenly coat. Heat oil (1 tablespoon) in a large skillet. Once shimmering add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the edges are golden and the center is cooked through.
- Avocado. Meanwhile, mash together the avocado layer ingredients together in a bowl.
- Assemble. Place cucumber slices (1/4" thick) in a single layer on your serving dish. Cover with a dollop of avocado, then place a piece of shrimp on top. Sprinkle the top with additional cilantro and smashed cheese crisps. Enjoy!
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Lindsey's Tips
- Mild Tasting Oil. You want an oil with a high smoke point and mild flavor -- think avocado, vegetable, safflower, sunflower, peanut. Skip EVOO, coconut, or sesame oil.
- Avocados. Go for haas! They’re higher in fat, creamier, and WAY more delicious than regular.
- Parmesan crisps add a bit of crunch to this recipe. I like to buy the individual snack packs and break them into small pieces by hitting the closed bag with a rolling pin.
- Storage tips. These are best served immediately, but if you do have leftovers, place them on a plate covered in paper towels (the cucumbers will release liquid!) and squeeze extra lime juice over the top to prevent the avo from bowning.
- Nutritional information is for 1 cucumber bite if you make 20 using this recipe and doesn't include the parmesan crisp topping:
Nutrition
Conclusion
These low carb appetizers are sure to make every dinner feel a little extra special. Are there some you’re excited to make? Let me know in the comments which ones you’ll try first!
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