The BEST gluten-free meatballs recipe around! Made with fresh ingredients including beef, pork, Italian-style gluten-free breadcrumbs, garlic, and fresh basil. These meatballs are ready for dinner in just 30 minutes. Dairy-free.
Juicy and tender, our gluten-free pork meatballs are a family favorite. Making homemade meatballs is actually way easier that you might think. With many options for binding meatballs together, we stick with seasoned gluten-free breadcrumbs for a delicious flavor and appetizing texture.
Serve this recipe any night of the week or for any occasion by easily pairing with your favorite side dishes. Potatoes are our go-to side dish when it comes to serving meatballs as part of a complete meal. Rotating between Cheesy Mashed Potatoes, Baked Sweet Potato Slices or Instant Pot Baby Red Potatoes. If you’re looking for another meatball recipe, check out our Crockpot Frozen Meatballs.
Homemade gf meatballs can be cooked stove-top in a sauté pan or baked in the oven. If cooking on the stove, heat oil until hot then carefully place the meatballs in the pan rolling until fully cooked. We bake meatballs as we think it is way easier to toss on a baking sheet then in the oven.
Either way, you will use the same ingredients. To get started, gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the step by step directions below or use the free printable recipe card to follow along.
We are excited to partner with Pick ‘n Save and Metro Market, a store we’ve proudly supported for years. When shopping in-store or online for pickup, I find that their Kroger and Simple Truth brands ensure quality and savings, adding an extra layer of assurance for families. Create Kids Club values wholesome choices and delicious meals, and our collaboration creates an ideal platform for affordable, quality living.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- 1 cup gluten free breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup warm water
- 1 pound 90% lean ground beef ✅
- 1 pound ground pork ✅
- 1/4 cup grated onion
- 2 large eggs
- 3 large cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce ✅
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasonings ✅
- 3 large leaves fresh basil, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
*Tested with Ian’s’ gluten-free Italian style panko breadcrumbs
How To Make Dairy Free Gluten Free Meatballs
Preheat oven to 425°F then place parchment paper onto a baking pan. The parchment paper will be a lifesaver making clean-up quick and easy.
Combine the breadcrumbs with water.
In a small mixing bowl combine the breadcrumbs with the water. This combo will allow the breadcrumbs to soak up the water to expand before acting as a binder to keep all the ingredients together.
Blend ingredients.
To a large mixing bowl add the beef, pork, onion, eggs, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasonings, fresh basil, salt, and pepper. Then, add the breadcrumbs. Using clean hands or a spatula, blend just until mixed.
Ingredient Swap: turn these into gluten-free turkey meatballs by swapping the beef or both the beef and pork with ground turkey.
Roll into balls.
Using a medium-sized cookie scoop, roll into golf ball sized balls. Place onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake.
Bake for 10 minutes. Then, turn the oven to broil and broil for 2-4 minutes or until the tops start to sizzle and brown.
Serve.
Serve as is or in your favorite side dish, dipped in our favorite San Marzano Tomato Sauce.
Expert Tips
- If the meat mixture is too sticky to handle, you can wet your hands with a bit of water to make rolling the meatballs easier.
- Feel free to customize the seasonings to your taste. You can add herbs like parsley or oregano for extra flavor.
- For even cooking, try to make the meatballs a consistent size.
- If you want to make the meatballs ahead of time, you can freeze them after baking and broiling. Just reheat in the oven or microwave when ready to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, make in advance by preparing, baking then freezing once completely cooled. It is a great meal prep idea that can be reheated when ready to serve. Reheat in the oven, microwave or on the stovetop smothered in sauce.
Homemade meatballs can be frozen for up to 3 months.
While potato side dishes are a family favorite, these meatballs have also been served with spaghetti, spaghetti squash, garlic bread, rice and most recently as a meatball sub.
Italian-style gluten-free bread crumbs is just one of the many replacements. You could also use gluten-free oats, crushed gluten-free crackers, homemade gf bread crumbs, potato flakes or Chex cereal.
If scooping with a medium-sized cookie scoop into golf ball size meatballs, you will end up with approximately 20 meatballs from a single batch of this recipe.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
Storage Instructions:
After baking and broiling, allow the meatballs to cool to room temperature. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing Instructions:
If you want to freeze the meatballs for longer-term storage, here’s how to do it:
- Place the meatballs on a baking sheet in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. This initial freezing step will prevent them from sticking together. Freeze for about 1-2 hours or until they are firm. Once they are partially frozen, transfer the meatballs to a freezer-safe bag or container.
- Be sure to remove as much air as possible from the bag or container to prevent freezer burn. You can use a vacuum sealer or press out the air manually.
- Label the bag or container with the date so you can keep track of how long they’ve been in the freezer.
- Store the meatballs in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.
When you’re ready to use the frozen meatballs, simply thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Reheat in the oven, microwave, or on the stovetop as needed for your recipe.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- Parchment or aluminum foil can be placed on the baking sheet for easy cleanup.
- Adding water to the breadcrumbs prior helps to make a binder to keep the meatballs together when mixed with the other ingredients.
- Make the meatballs roughly the same size to help promote even cooking.
- Test the internal temperature of the meatballs before serving. Cook until 165°F.
More Gluten-Free Recipes
Incorporate any of these recipes into your weekly menu. They are all family-approved!
- Gluten Free Chicken Casserole
- Pork Chop Sheet Pan Dinner
- Gluten-Free Ground Beef Recipes
- Vegetarian Baked Spaghetti
- Gluten-Free Lasagna Dinner Ideas
- Gluten Free Chicken Pot Pie
- Gluten-Free Popcorn Fried Chicken Recipe
- Old Fashioned Boiled Chicken and Rice
- Pulled Pork Roast Instant Pot Recipe
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Gluten Free Meatballs Recipe
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- medium sized cookie scoop
- box grater
Ingredients
- 1 cup gluten free breadcrumbs we used Ian's' gluten-free Italian style panko breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup warm water
- 1 pound 90% lean ground beef ✅
- 1 pound ground pork ✅
- 1/4 cup grated onion
- 2 large eggs
- 3 large cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce ✅
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasonings ✅ (we used Badia)
- 3 large leaves fresh basil, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prep the pan. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place parchment paper onto the baking pan.
- Combine the breadcrumbs with water. In a small mixing bowl combine the breadcrumbs with the water.1 cup gluten free breadcrumbs, 1/3 cup warm water
- Blend ingredients. To a large mixing bowl add the beef, pork, onion, eggs, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasonings, fresh basil, salt, and pepper. Add the breadcrumbs. Using clean hands, blend just until mixed.1 pound 90% lean ground beef, 1 pound ground pork, 1/4 cup grated onion, 2 large eggs, 3 large cloves garlic, minced, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons Italian seasonings, 3 large leaves fresh basil, chopped, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- Roll into balls. Using a medium-sized cookie scoop, roll into balls. Place onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- ⭐️Bake. Bake for 10 minutes. Turn your oven to broil and broil for 2-4 minutes or until the tops start to sizzle and brown.
- Serve. Serve as is, with spaghetti sauce, or in your favorite dish.
Notes
- Make in advance by preparing, baking then freezing once completely cooled. Reheat in the oven, microwave or on the stovetop smothered in sauce.
- Serve meatballs with potatoes, spaghetti, spaghetti squash, garlic bread, rice or as meatball subs.
- Replace Italian style gluten-free bread crumbs with gluten-free oats, crushed gluten-free crackers, homemade gf bread crumbs or Chex cereal.
Nutrition
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Hina Munawar says
Can I use chicken to make meatballs? As I don’t eat pork.
Jodi Danen, RDN says
Hi Hina! Yes, you can certainly swap out chicken for the pork. I’d love to hear how you like them!