Traditional meatballs typically rely on eggs as a binding agent. But what if you have no eggs or breadcrumbs/oats to make meatballs? No need to panic, because I’ve got you covered with the Eggless Meatballs recipe.
Contents
Eggless meatballs recipe
Eggless meatballs often use ingredients like olive oil, milk, yogurt, or even ricotta cheese to help bind the mixture together. Some recipes incorporate a “panade,” which is made by soaking bread in milk to create a binding paste.
I’m going to get creative with a simple yet effective egg substitute: ground flaxseed. Not only does it bind the ingredients together just like eggs do, but it also adds a nutty flavor that complements the savory goodness of the meatballs.

These egg-free versions maintain a tender texture and rich flavor, making them suitable for various dietary preferences, like those with egg allergies. Here’s how to make Eggless Meatballs:

Eggless Dairy free Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground meat beef, turkey, pork, or chicken
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseed as an egg substitute
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- In a small bowl, combine ground flaxseed with 6 tablespoons of water and let it sit for a few minutes until it thickens, creating a flax "egg" mixture.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, chopped onion, minced garlic, prepared flax “egg,” tomato paste, olive oil, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Use your hands or a spoon to mix everything together until well combined. Make sure not to overmix, as it can make the meat tough.
- Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, and place them onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each meatball.
- Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are cooked through and slightly browned on the outside. Cooking time may vary depending on the size of the meatballs and your oven, so keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.
- Once cooked, remove the meatballs from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
- Serve the eggless dairy-free meatballs hot with your favorite sauce or alongside pasta, rice, or vegetables for a satisfying meal.
Notes
Nutrition
If you want to make Asian-inspired eggless meatballs, use these Asian-inspired variations:
- Five-Spice Meatballs: Seasoned with the complex flavors of Chinese five-pice powder
- Ginger-Scallion Meatballs: Infused with fresh ginger and green onions
- Teriyaki Glazed: Coated in a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce
Sauce variations
Once they’re done, you can serve these eggless meatballs in your favorite sauce, whether it’s marinara, barbecue, or Swedish.
1. Traditional marinara sauce
2. Vegan cream-based sauces
Vegan cream-based sauces offer a luxurious alternative to traditional tomato-based options.
- Cashew Alfredo: A rich, creamy sauce made from blended cashews
- Coconut Curry: A fragrant, spicy sauce with coconut milk base
- Roasted Red Pepper Cream: A smoky, slightly sweet sauce
- Vegan Vodka Sauce: A pink sauce combining tomato and cashew cream
3. Other sauce options
- Romesco: made with roasted red peppers and almonds, offers a nutty and smoky flavor
- Pistachio pesto: crafted from pistachio, delivering a fresh and nutty flavor.
- Salsa Verde combines tomatillos and cilantro for a tangy, herbaceous taste
- Mushroom Gravy, featuring assorted mushrooms, brings a rich, earthy umami profile
How to serve and pair
1. As a main course
Eggless meatballs can be served as a main course. There are several ways to elevate these protein-packed spheres to entrée status:
- Meatball Parmesan: Topped with marinara and vegan cheese, then baked
- Banh mi meatballs: Cooked with the tomato sauce and nestled in a banh mi
- Meatball Stroganoff: Served over egg-free noodles with a creamy mushroom sauce
- Meatball Tagine: Simmered in a Moroccan-spiced tomato sauce with olives and preserved lemon
- Swedish-style Meatballs: Paired with lingonberry jam and dairy-free mashed potatoes
2. Appetizers and snacks
These meatballs make excellent appetizers and party snacks:
- Mini meatball skewers with cherry tomatoes and basil leaves
- Meatball sliders on small, gluten-free buns
- Sweet and sour meatballs served with toothpicks
- Meatball-stuffed mushroom caps
- Meatball bruschetta on crostini
3. Sandwiches and subs
The meatballs elevate sandwich and sub options to new heights. You can experiment with various combinations:
Sandwich Type | Bread | Sauce | Toppings |
Classic Sub | Whole grain hoagie | Marinara | Vegan mozzarella, basil |
Banh Mi Style | Baguette | Sriracha mayo | Pickled vegetables, cilantro |
Mediterranean Pita | Whole wheat pita | Tzatziki | Cucumber, red onion, tomato |
BBQ Meatball | Pretzel bun | BBQ sauce | Coleslaw, crispy onions |
4 Incorporating into soups and stews
Eggless meatballs add substance to soups and stews, creating hearty, comforting meals.
- Italian Wedding Soup: With spinach and small pasta in a light broth
- Meatball Minestrone: A veggie-packed soup with a tomato base
- Albondigas Soup: A Mexican-inspired soup with rice and cilantro
- Meatball and Vegetable Stew: A chunky, vegetable-rich stew perfect for cold days
5. Pair with side dishes
- Zucchini noodles for a low-carb option
- Roasted Mediterranean vegetables for added nutrition
- Quinoa pilaf for a protein boost
- Garlic bread made with gluten-free bread for a classic touch
- Mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette for freshness
Absolutely delicious. Left out the olive oil and they still turned out amazing
That sounds amazing! So glad they turned out great even without the olive oil. Love when a recipe is flexible like that! 😊🍽️