Baked Meatballs Recipe (No Breadcrumbs) - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

What is a healthy substitute for breadcrumbs in meatballs? ›

Rolled Oats

Oats are the perfect substitutes for breadcrumbs in meatballs or meatloaf. While they aren't ideal for a crispy coating, they add the right amount of texture to bind meat, eggs and flavorings together into a delicious Italian-inspired feast.

Filler ingredients like breadcrumbs or flour are important too because they stop the meatballs becoming dry. The breadcrumbs absorb the juices from the meat as it cooks, trapping them within the meatball. Again quantity is important here; too much and your meatball will be more like stuffing or a dumpling.

Is it better to bake or pan-fry meatballs? Neither method is better, but it is important to note that they produce different results. Baking meatballs can result in a slightly drier texture, which leads to a crispier texture outside. While pan-frying demands more attention, to ensure you don't burn them.

Instead of frying, I have a really easy recipe that I use to make baked meatballs. As you may already know, baking is a lighter and healthier cooking process than frying because in baking you miss all the fat and calories of the frying oil. You also have less cleanup – yay.

Egg acts as a binder for the ingredients, but you only need a small amount. One small egg will do for one pound of minced meat. Alternatively, if you're following an egg-free diet, you could soak fresh bread in milk, squeezing out any excess milk, to use as a binder.

Your job is to massage or knead the meat, after you've added your seasonings. This helps release more protein into the mix that will then harden to create a matrix that will hold the meatballs together.

American meatballs are the biggest in size, with Italian and Swedish meatballs following on the depth chart. Italian meatballs call for seasonings like grated parmesan and oregano, while Swedish ones use seasonings like nutmeg and allspice. While it doesn't sound like a huge distinction, you'll notice it in the taste!

The Key to Tender Meatballs

Here, we're soaking fresh or dried breadcrumbs in a little milk until the bread becomes soggy, then mixing that right into the meat. This binder (aka panade) helps add moisture to the meatballs and also prevents the meat proteins from shrinking and becoming tough.

How long should you cook meatballs in the oven at 400 degrees? ›

A good rule of thumb is to bake meatballs for 20-25 minutes at 400 degrees fahrenheit. Every oven is different so the cooking time will not be the same for everyone. You will know the meatballs are ready when the internal temperature of the meatballs is 165 degrees.

If you lightly coat your hands with olive oil or cooking spray before rolling the meatballs, they will form better and crack less. Bake meatballs on parchment paper. It makes for even cooking and easy cleanup, not to mention juicy meatballs!

Some people like to drop the raw meatballs directly in a pot of Italian tomato sauce and let them simmer. Some people like to cook the meatballs in the oven first and then put the browned meatballs in the tomato sauce.

One tip to keep in mind when mixing these meatballs is to not over-mix, but to lightly toss until the ingredients are just incorporated. We also use Canola Oil or Vegetable Oil when frying these meatballs. There's less splatter than Olive Oil and they fry much nicer, too.

Baking them gives the meatballs a little more flavor without additional oil since you are searing the outside under the broiler in your oven. Just make sure you bake them on a really heavy-duty baking sheet like this one.

Colorado State University Extension recommends rolled oats or cracker crumbs as an easy substitute for bread crumbs. Ground flaxseed can also be mixed with oats for heart-healthy benefits. Other possibilities include Parmesan cheese, or ground-up nuts.

You can use cornstarch or tapioca starch as a natural substitute for breadcrumbs. Using ⅓ cup will help your meatball hold their shape, and if you need extra binding, add an additional egg (or egg white).

Instead of breadcrumbs, try corn flake crumbs or brown rice crumbs. Instead of wheat crackers, try rice crackers. Instead of pasta sauce (usually with garlic and onions), try FODY Marina. Instead of sugar snap peas, try green beans.

Riced Cauliflower. Riced cauliflower is a good low-carb, grain-free, nut-free, and gluten-free alternative to regular breadcrumbs. "It's perfect in making things like crusted chicken, fritters, chicken nuggets, and other fried dishes.