What's an alternative to using bread crumbs in meatballs?

Question

I am on a no-grains diet, but the meatball soup I want to make requires using bread crumbs to make the meatballs. Would you recommend coconut flour or bean flour?

Answer 1

flour does not have the bulk to hold it together like breadcrumbs

here is a wheat free recipe:
Greek Meatballs Recipe
Filed under Appetizer, Lamb, Low Carb, Wheat-free
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
1 large shallot, minced
1 pound ground lamb
4 ounces salt pork, ground or finely minced
Zest of 1 orange
2 tablespoons chopped mint
Freshly ground black pepper
Greek yogurt for dipping

1 Heat a small pan over medium heat and add oil, garlic, jalapeño and shallot, and cook for 1 minute, then let cool.

2 Meanwhile, crumble lamb into a large bowl. Evenly scatter salt pork, orange zest and mint over lamb, and season with pepper. Sprinkle the cooled garlic mixture over lamb. Gently mix until just combined, then form into 1¼-inch balls and transfer to a plate or sheet pan.

3 Heat a large cast iron pan over medium to medium high heat. Working in batches if necessary to prevent crowding, brown meatballs on all sides until cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Serve warm with toothpicks or skewers with plain yogurt.

Note: Meatballs can also be cooked ahead, refrigerated and reheated in the microwave on high for 2 minutes.

Makes about 20 meatballs.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

The PBS program, America's Test Kitchen, did a meatloaf recipe last season, and used, believe it or not, frozen, grated Monterey Jack cheese as a binder!
I haven't tried this myself, but it might work with meatballs as well--sounds pretty good, in any case!
ATK has a website, with recipes--they might be able to provide more information, or provide you with tips on alternative binders via email.

Answer 4

I've made meatballs w/o egg or crumbs -- mix the beef with dry onion/mushroom soup mix, a little water, worcestershire sauce or ketchup & chopped onions. You can add in diced green peppers, or mushrooms. Very tasty.

Answer 5

Well, I was gonna say oatmeal, but that's a grain too.

Sure, how about some refried beans? Or beans of some sort? Never used bean flour, so I can't really speak to that.

Answer 6

I would put a bit (amount 1 medium potato) finely grated in it.
Or a bit of regular tapioca ( uncooked)
As for the coconut and bean flour. I am not familiar with them. I feel the bean flour should be used over the coconut flour.

Answer 7

Coconut flour would be too fatty. I would recommend using benefiber to add fiber but not calories.

Answer 8

Crushed crackers

Answer 9

try some oat meal that has 1/2 the grains in them.

Answer 10

potato flakes