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Low-Carb Vegetarian Kofta Balls

★★★★★★★★★★
4.5 stars, average of 62 ratings

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Low-Carb Vegetarian Kofta BallsPin itFollow us 148.4k

Is there anything better than a cosy bowl of low-carb curry in the cooler months? These keto-friendly kofta balls are oven-baked and served alongside a creamy korma sauce. Both are delicious on their own, but together they make a truly delicious meal. Serve them on top of some cauliflower rice or in a keto tortilla/wrap.

This is one of those recipes that comes together relatively easily despite the long ingredient list. Both the sauce and koftas can be made ahead to quickly whip up for an easy but impressive mid-week meal.

Hands-on Overall

Allergy information for Low-Carb Vegetarian Kofta Balls

✔  Gluten free
✔  Egg free
✔  Nut free
✔  Pork free
✔  Avocado free
✔  Fish free
✔  Shellfish free
✔  Beef free
Pescatarian
Vegetarian

Nutritional values (per serving)

Net carbs9.3 grams
Protein16.4 grams
Fat29 grams
Calories372 kcal
Calories from carbs 10%, protein 18%, fat 72%
Total carbs16.9 gramsFiber7.6 gramsSugars6.5 gramsSaturated fat20.9 gramsSodium356 mg(15% RDA)Magnesium46 mg(12% RDA)Potassium512 mg(26% EMR)

Ingredients (makes 4 servings)

Kofta balls:
  • 1 large large zucchini (300 g/ 10.6 oz)
  • 1/2 small yellow onion (35 g/ 1.2 oz)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 pack paneer cheese (200 g/ 7.1 oz)
  • 3 tbsp lupin flakes (27 g/ 1 oz) - or use flaxmel instead
  • 1 1/2 tbsp psyllium husks (6 g/ 0.2 oz)
  • 1 tbsp chopped parsley
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
Korma sauce:
  • 1/2 small yellow onion (35 g/ 1.2 oz)
  • 2 medium tomatoes (150 g/ 5.3 oz)
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut (12 g/ 0.4 oz)
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 tsp grated ginger
  • 1 small green chile pepper (5 g/ 0.2 oz)
  • 1/4 tsp fennel seeds
  • 1/4 cup water (60 ml/ 2 fl oz)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 1/3 cup coconut cream (80 g/ 2.8 oz)
  • 1 tbsp virgin coconut oil (15 ml)
  • sea salt, to taste
To serve (optional):

Instructions

  1. To make the koftas, grate the zucchini and paneer by hand or in a food processor.
    Low-Carb Vegetarian Kofta Balls
  2. Add all kofta ingredients to a food processor fitted with an S blade, and pulse until combined and broken down to the size of rough breadcrumbs.
  3. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes — the water from the zucchini will be absorbed by the lupin flakes which will soften in this time, and the mixture will bind together with the help of the psyllium husks.
    Low-Carb Vegetarian Kofta Balls
  4. Preheat oven to 180 °C/ 355 °F (conventional), or 160 °C/ 320 °F (fan assisted). Remove the mixture from the fridge and shape into 20 small balls (about 28 g/ 1 oz each). Place on a greased tray, and bake 30 minutes, turning half way through.
    Low-Carb Vegetarian Kofta Balls
  5. Make the sauce while the koftas are baking. Add the onion, tomato, ginger, garlic, chilli, fennel seeds, coconut and water to a high-powdered blender and blend until smooth.
  6. Add the oil to a skillet over medium heat. Add bay leaves and cook for a few seconds. Add the ground spices and mix in, stirring a few times to coat, and then add the tomato mixture.
    Low-Carb Vegetarian Kofta Balls
  7. Add the coconut cream and stir to combine. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally so the onion gets well roasted. Season with salt to taste. Low-Carb Vegetarian Kofta Balls
  8. Both the sauce and koftas will keep a few days in a sealed container in the fridge. The koftas are nicest if quickly panfried to reheat. Low-Carb Vegetarian Kofta Balls
  9. These koftas can be enjoyed on their own topped with the korma sauce and a spoonful of yogurt. Or, serve alongside some steamed greens, on top of some cauliflower rice, or in a keto tortilla/wrap.
    Low-Carb Vegetarian Kofta Balls

Kofta Balls
Step by Step

★★★★★★★★★★
4.5 stars, average of 62 ratings
Kofta Balls
This healthy Indian-inspired, low carb, vegetarian meal is packed full of flavor and goodness!
Hands on30m
Overall1h 30m
Servings4
Calories372 kcal
Pin it

Ingredients

  • 1 large large zucchini (300 g/ 10.6 oz)
  • 1/2 small yellow onion (35 g/ 1.2 oz)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 pack paneer cheese (200 g/ 7.1 oz)
  • 3 tbsp lupin flakes (27 g/ 1 oz) - or use flaxmel instead
  • 1 1/2 tbsp psyllium husks (6 g/ 0.2 oz)
  • 1 tbsp chopped parsley
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 small yellow onion (35 g/ 1.2 oz)
  • 2 medium tomatoes (150 g/ 5.3 oz)
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut (12 g/ 0.4 oz)
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 tsp grated ginger
  • 1 small green chile pepper (5 g/ 0.2 oz)
  • 1/4 tsp fennel seeds
  • 1/4 cup water (60 ml/ 2 fl oz)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 1/3 cup coconut cream (80 g/ 2.8 oz)
  • 1 tbsp virgin coconut oil (15 ml)
  • sea salt, to taste
  • fresh cilantro
  • full-fat Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • shirataki rice, cauliflower rice, or keto tortillas

Instructions

  1. To make the koftas, grate the zucchini and paneer by hand or in a food processor.
  2. Add all kofta ingredients to a food processor fitted with an S blade, and pulse until combined and broken down to the size of rough breadcrumbs.
  3. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes — the water from the zucchini will be absorbed by the lupin flakes which will soften in this time, and the mixture will bind together with the help of the psyllium husks.
  4. Preheat oven to 180 °C/ 355 °F (conventional), or 160 °C/ 320 °F (fan assisted). Remove the mixture from the fridge and shape into 20 small balls (about 28 g/ 1 oz each). Place on a greased tray, and bake 30 minutes, turning half way through.
  5. Make the sauce while the koftas are baking. Add the onion, tomato, ginger, garlic, chilli, fennel seeds, coconut and water to a high-powdered blender and blend until smooth.
  6. Add the oil to a skillet over medium heat. Add bay leaves and cook for a few seconds. Add the ground spices and mix in, stirring a few times to coat, and then add the tomato mixture.
  7. Add the coconut cream and stir to combine. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally so the onion gets well roasted. Season with salt to taste.
  8. Both the sauce and koftas will keep a few days in a sealed container in the fridge. The koftas are nicest if quickly panfried to reheat.
  9. These koftas can be enjoyed on their own topped with the korma sauce and a spoonful of yogurt. Or, serve alongside some steamed greens, on top of some cauliflower rice, or in a keto tortilla/wrap.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories372kcal
Net Carbs9.3g
Carbohydrates16.9g
Protein16.4g
Fat29g
Saturated Fat20.9g
Fiber7.6g
Sugar6.5g
Sodium356mg
Magnesium46mg
Potassium512mg

Detailed nutritional breakdown (per serving)

Net carbsProteinFatCalories
Total per serving
9.3 g16.4 g29 g372 kcal
Zucchini (summer squash, courgette)
1.6 g0.9 g0.2 g13 kcal
Onion, brown (yellow), raw
0.6 g0.1 g0 g3 kcal
Garlic, fresh
0.5 g0.1 g0 g2 kcal
Paneer
2.1 g10.5 g13.9 g174 kcal
Lupin flakes, dry, uncooked
0.3 g2.7 g0.4 g22 kcal
Psyllium husks, whole
0.1 g0 g0 g1 kcal
Parsley, fresh (spices)
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Cumin, ground
0.1 g0 g0.1 g1 kcal
Coriander seed, ground
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Salt, sea salt
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Pepper, black, spices
0.1 g0 g0 g1 kcal
Onion, brown (yellow), raw
0.6 g0.1 g0 g3 kcal
Tomatoes, fresh
1 g0.3 g0.1 g7 kcal
Coconut, dried, desiccated, shredded (organic, unsweetened)
0.2 g0.6 g0.4 g10 kcal
Garlic, fresh
0.5 g0.1 g0 g2 kcal
Ginger root, fresh
0.2 g0 g0 g1 kcal
Peppers, chile (chili), fresh
0.1 g0 g0 g1 kcal
Fennel seeds, dried
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Water, still
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Bay leaf, dried
0.2 g0 g0 g2 kcal
Turmeric, spices (dried, ground)
0.2 g0 g0 g1 kcal
Garam masala, spice mix
0.1 g0 g0 g1 kcal
Cinnamon, spices
0.1 g0 g0 g1 kcal
Coriander seed, ground
0.1 g0.1 g0.1 g1 kcal
Coconut cream, creamed coconut milk (organic, unsweetened)
0.9 g0.7 g6.9 g66 kcal
Oil, coconut
0 g0 g6.7 g61 kcal
Salt, sea salt
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal

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Dearna Bond
Creator of ToHerCore.com

Dearna Bond

Dearna is a passionate foodie and food photographer, and loves sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for both via her food blog and online photography courses.

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Comments (13)

I love this recipe. I’m a lifelong vegetarian attempting to feed my meat eating keto husband (and occasionally myself with some recipes). My only complaint is I think we are saucy people and I would double the sauce recipe to accommodate all 20 kofta balls. The flavors are great!

Thank you for your kind words Megan! I see nothing wrong with going more saucy, I like that 😊

TIP: I didn’t have any flaxmeal/lupin flakes on hand so I replaced it with 1 tbsp of almond flour and also squeezed out most of the liquid from the grated zucchini before combining it with the rest of the ingredients. It worked out really well.
If you intend to have the kofta balls on its own I would recommend that you season well before baking.

Thank you for sharing Jo!

What will be the nutritional information if replacing the Kofta Balls by lamb (leg cut)
The Korma sauce looks delicious.

Hi Marie, you can use our app (ketodietapp.com/) to modify any of the recipes we share via our blog to your liking (you can simply "clone" any of the recipes we share here). I hope this helps!

Does this include the cauliflower rice?

Hi Victoria, all optional ingredients are not included in the nutritional facts so it is not.

I'm loving your recipes --- pinning like crazy. And your photos are fantastic.  This one has a new (yea!!!) ingredient that I've never seen "lupin flakes".  I love new ingredients.  But, in case I can't find them, what is flaxmel?  Is that flaxmeal?  (I'm in USA maybe that makes the difference in spelling.)  
AND you give photography lessons online?  Would you mind sharing a link?

Thank you for your kind words Trill! You could use flax meal instead - that is a good alternative with similar properties 😊 As for Dearna you will need to ask if she gives photography lessons, you can find her bio here: ketodietapp.com/Blog/author/dearnabond

So delicious. I love it.

I can't wait to try this recipe!! Is the nutritional information for the kofta balls only or does it include the korma sauce as well?

It's everything apart from the optional toppings (kofta balls + sauce). I hope you enjoy! 😊