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Most restaurant starter dishes and takeout appetizers are a no-go because they carb-loaded thanks to added sugars and other keto-unfriendly ingredients. But, the good news is, you can still recreate low-carb versions of most. Or, you can make new, equally tantalizing keto appetizers to enjoy. Use these low-carb appetizer recipes to start off every meal without fretting about extra carbs.

Why Share?
I wanted to create a collection of restaurant appetizer replacements and help other keto and low-carb dieters enjoy their starters guiltlessly. If you need help with delicious keto first course dishes, below are some ideas worth considering:
Low Carb Seafood Appetizers
1. Low Carb Bang Bang Shrimp
This dish resembles the typical bang bang shrimp, but my recipe is low-carb, and the result is extra yummy.
Low-Carb Bang Bang Shrimp (Grain-free, No-Added Sugar)

2. Air Fryer Keto Crab Cakes
If you love crab cakes, this low-carb version will steal your heart. It has more crab and no flour in the breading.
Keto Crab Cakes Recipe

3. Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp
Surprise your taste buds with this protein keto starter. You need 3 ingredients and 15 minutes to get it done.
Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp

4. Keto & Low Carb Breaded Air Fryer Shrimp
This dish uses almond and coconut flours to replace breadcrumbs, and the result is delicious.
Air Fryer Shrimp

Keto Chips & Dips
1. Easy Keto Queso Cheese Dip
If you’re looking for flavorful, super easy keto appetizers, this is the bomb. It effortlessly replaces the Mexican cheese dip.
Easy Homemade Keto Queso Recipe

2. Kale (or spinach) Artichoke Dip
I created this low-carb delicacy to satisfy my cravings for the Hint of Lime Tortilla Chips With Creamy Spinach Dip.
Kale (or Spinach) Artichoke Dip w/ Cilantro Lime Pork Rinds

3. Best Keto Guacamole
Avocados make yummy and low-carb appetizers. This guacamole dip will add only about 2g net carbs to your dish.
Best Keto Guacamole Recipe

4. Keto Nachos
Missing nachos? This low-carb version will sort you out.
Loaded Pork Rinds

5. Creamy BLT Dip
If you love bacon, here’s your treat. This flavor-packed dip mimics the classic BLT sandwich in a keto-friendly way.
Creamy BLT Dip Recipe + {VIDEO}

Keto Wings & Tenders
1. Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
Do you miss takeout wings and are looking for a low-carb alternative? Try this easy homemade dish.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe (Air Fryer & Oven)

2. Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Wings
Enjoy crispy chicken wings without the deep frying menace. You need about 7 ingredients for this one.
Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Wings

3. Keto Sweet Chili Sticky Asian Chicken Wings
This is one of my favorite sweet and savory combination dishes. Awaken your taste buds with these Asian flavor wings.
Keto Sweet Chili Sticky Asian Chicken Wings

4. Spicy Dry Rub Chicken Wings
Use my homemade dry rub to make crispy and juicy wings. It’s low-carb and easy to make using simple ingredients.
Spicy Dry Rub Chicken Wings

5. Keto Chicken Tenders
This is your sure fix if you’re looking for something like your favorite chicken tenders minus the extra carbs.
Keto Chicken Tenders

6. Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
Make tasty buffalo wings at home and save on the take-out costs. Air frying makes cooking easy and quick.
Air Fryer Keto Buffalo Chicken Wings Recipe

7. Keto Honey Sriracha Wings
If you love the regular sriracha wings, you’ll definitely fall for this low-carb version. It’s simple but flavor-rich.
Keto Honey Sriracha Chicken Wings

8. Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
These crispy wings are packed with lemon flavor and can be cooked up in the air fryer or oven.
Lemon Pepper Wings Recipe

Bread, Pretzels & Sticks
1. Easy Keto Parmesan Garlic Bread Bites
This dish proves that keto appetizers don’t need to be boring or bland. It mimics Domino’s parmesan bread bites with fewer carbs.
Easy Keto Parmesan Garlic Bread Bites

2. Keto Mozzarella Sticks
These little sticks are a riot of flavors coated in eggs, almond flour, and Italian seasoning. Every bite counts.
Keto Mozzarella Sticks • Low Carb with Jennifer

3. Keto Pretzel Bites
Keto coconut fathead dough is the secret ingredient for these super bites. They are nut-free, low-carb, and ridiculously delicious.
Keto Pretzel Bites – Air Fryer or Oven

Poppers & Veggies
1. Keto Jalapeno Poppers (Air Fryer or Oven)
Tickle your taste buds with these poppers. You need less than 5 ingredients and about 20 minutes to make them.
Bacon-Wrapped Keto Jalapeño Poppers

2. Keto Zucchini Fries (Air Fry or Bake)
Are you looking for keto alternatives to french fries? These crispy zucchini fries will do. Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour.
Keto Zucchini Fries – Air Fryer, Fry, or Bake

3. Keto Fried Pickles
These 5-ingredients pickles will excite and keep your taste buds anticipating the next bite. They are easy, crispy, and low-carb.
Keto Fried Pickles Recipe

4. Pulled Pork Stuffed Mushrooms
Does your pulled pork always taste uninspired? This recipe is your easy and sure fix. The results are amazingly delicious.
Pulled Pork Keto Stuffed Mushrooms

5. Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus (Air Fryer)
Asparagus are keto, and bacon is the king of flavor. This bacon-asparagus dish will do your tastebuds justice.
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus – Keto, Low Carb, Easy, Gluten-Free

6. Crispy Keto Ricotta Stuffed Eggplant Rounds
You may need to close your eyes as you take a bite to soak in all the flavors. This low-carb appetizer is like small bite eggplant lasagna.
Crispy Keto Ricotta Stuffed Eggplant Rounds

7. Jicama Fries in The Air Fryer
This is one of the many low-carb appetizers that work as a keto side for burgers. Jicama fries are tasty, crispy, and simple.
Jicama Fries In The Air Fryer

Skewers & Kabobs
1. Bacon-Wrapped Kola BBQ Chicken Kabobs
These chicken kabobs are the bomb, and my homemade keto BBQ sauce makes them worth every bite.
Keto Bacon Wrapped Cola BBQ Chicken Kababs

2. Easy Indoor Grill Chicken Kabobs
These grilled kabobs will set your taste buds ablaze with only a few ingredients, minus the outdoor grilling hassle.
Easy Indoor Grill Chicken Kababs

3. Grilled Lime Cilantro Shrimp Skewers
This dish will make you fall in love with shrimp all over again. They take about 5 minutes to cook.
Grilled Lime Cilantro Shrimp Skewers – Keto and Low Carb

4. Easy Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Kebabs
Are you looking for super easy, flavorful keto appetizers? These grilled chicken kebabs are your fix.
Easy, Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Kebabs + (VIDEO)

Bites, Meatballs & Pockets
1. Keto Philly Cheesesteak Pockets
If you love cheesesteaks, this is for you. The recipe replaces bread with keto fathead dough.
Keto Philly Cheesesteak Pockets

2. Frozen Meatballs (Air Fryer)
This dish comes together in about 15 minutes, and you don’t have to thaw the meatballs before air frying them. I use keto marinara sauce, but you could top these with bbq sauce too!
Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs

3. Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites
These juicy steak bites take 8-12 minutes to cook in an air fryer and require only 4 ingredients.
Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites

4. Easy Keto Italian Sausage Meatballs
You can now enjoy delicious meatballs without throwing your keto goals through the window. Almond flour replaces breadcrumbs.
Keto Italian Sausage Meatballs Recipe

5. Loaded Cauliflower Bites
These bites are a perfect replacement for french fries and loaded potato skins. A single serving has 4g net carbs.
Loaded Cauliflower Bites Recipe (keto, low carb) – Delicious Little Bites

Final Thoughts
Keto and low-carb appetizers are available but finding what’s best for you is the greatest challenge. I hope the recipe ideas I’ve shared here will help you find your way around the keto jungle and create a meal plan that actually works.
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