Gluten free meatballs are undeniably one of the most delicious meatballs, a family favorite much like the classic Kofta Kebab. Loads of fresh herbs combined with ground beef, rice flour and warm spies all in a delicious tomato sauce makes this easy Egyptian rice meatballs.
Next time, try these meatloaf cupcakes.
Today, I am going to show you how using such a versatile ingredient like rice, we can make the most delectable meatball that is not only dairy free and egg free, but also with the use of rice flour instead of bread crumbs, means it's gluten free.
Using a trio of fresh herbs, Egyptian inspired seasonings, you will be amazed at how easy and unbelievably delicious these meatballs taste.
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❓Why This Recipe Works
- Not only gluten free but also egg and dairy free meatballs.
- Feeds a crowd.
- Freezer friendly.
- You do not need special ingredients like gluten free breadcrumbs.
This gluten free meatball recipe comes together very quickly as most of the work is done for you in a blender. Fresh herbs are the way to go for the best taste, and I do not recommend using dried ones.
Also, this is a very economical recipe as one pound of ground meat will yield about three pounds of meatballs. An easy and simple freezer friendly meatballs for your busy weeknights.
📝 Recipe Ingredients
📋 Ingredient Notes
- If you do not have rice flour you can simply grind rice from you pantry. Each cup of rice will give you around 1 ⅓ cup of rice flour.
- Try to use fresh herbs it really makes a difference.
- This recipe is traditionally made with ground camel meat but this is very hard for us here in the US, so I ma using ground beef.
🥄 Recipe Instructions
- In your blender or food processor, add onion, garlic, water and blend well.
- Add chopped fresh herbs and blend again.
- Add ground beef and blend once more until everything is combined.
- In a large bowl, combine rice flour, spices and baking soda.
- Add the ground beef mixture into the rice bowl.
- Knead with your hands until you get a soft but firm mixture.
- Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the meatball mixture and roll into balls .
- Deep fry in oil until lightly brown.
- You can eat as is or add to tomato or marinara sauce.
💡 Amira's Tips
- When prepping the fresh herbs get rid of the lowest part of the bunch as it is usually thick stems without any leaves. We mainly want leaves and thin stems.
- This recipe is very forgiving, so do not freak out too much about the fresh herbs weight.
- The meatballs might crack up a bit while frying this is totally normal and ok for this kind of meatballs as these meatballs are usually made with ground camel meat and this makes it more intact and crack-free.
- Meatballs are usually crunchy on the outside, but adding it to the sauce softens them.
- These meatballs are very economical because just one pound of ground beef yields 3 pounds of meatballs.
- Get the kids to help! Seriously, kids can not start too soon when it comes to helping and learning how to cook in the kitchen. Have the kids wash their hands and roll up their sleeves. This recipe is perfect for small hands and you will have a ton of help rolling meatballs.
👩🍳 Variations
- Although ground beef is traditionally used, you can substitute with ground chicken or ground turkey.
🍽️ Serve With
- Pair it with rice or gluten-free pasta for an easy gluten-free meal.
💬 Recipe FAQs
Rice flour is made by grinding down uncooked rice into a fine powder. Short grain white rice is good for rice flour and what this recipe recommends, if you are unable to get rice flour from your local store. You can also try different types of rice like Basmati rice, Jasmine rice, Brown rice or a long-grain rice.
The great thing about meatballs is that they can be made and frozen ahead of time. Gluten free meatballs can be frozen before cooking. Lay them on a cookie sheet with parchment paper, being sure to note they are not touching one another. Freeze them until solid. Then you can put them in a freezer bag with the name and date. According to the USDA, uncooked ground beef is best used within four months.
📣 Related Recipes
- Fattah is a traditional dish throughout the Middle East and this Egyptian fattah is one I grew up with to celebrate almost all occasions.
- This moussaka recipe is the ultimate comfort food for a cozy night in. Meaty, saucy with creamy and custardy bechamel layer. Nothing can beat that!
- Gluten Free Beef Stew with fall apart beef, tender vegetables in a hearty rich sauce. A great weeknight dinner your whole family will enjoy.
- Flank Steak Pinwheels are cheesy, tender, and bursting with flavor in every bite. Marinated flank steak butterflied and rolled around a delicious filling of melty cheese and spinach.
More Meatballs Recipes
- Roll up your sleeves and get ready to savor the sensational flavors of Kofta Kebab. An unforgettable combination of herbs, spices and juicy meat that will leave you craving for more!
More Ground Beef Recipes
- Super easy ground beef Philly cheesesteak casserole perfect family friendly one skillet dinner the entire family will love.
- This moist meatloaf with bread crumbs is tender, old fashioned with a delicious glaze. Sticky sweet and super delicious! You can eat the whole thing in one sitting – I won't tell.
- These meatloaf cupcakes are very easy and a great kid-friendly dinner idea. They freeze very well too!
I hope you'll like this recipe and please if you make this recipe, snap a pic and hashtag it #amiraspantry — I love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter!
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If you like this recipe do not forget to give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and attach a photo of your finished dish. It is always a pleasure of mine to see your photos and check your own take of the recipe. Thank you.
Gluten Free Meatballs (Egyptian Koftet roz)
Ingredients
- 1 onion
- ½ cup water
- 5 large garlic cloves
- 1 bunch cilantro discard the thick stems and chop
- 1 0.5 - 0.7 oz dill discard the thick stems and chop
- 3 cups rice flour 450g
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoon coriander
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2-3 teaspoons salt or to your liking
- 1 ½ teaspoon allspice
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 pound ground beef
Instructions
- In your blender, add onion, garlic, water and blend well.
- Add chopped fresh herbs and blend again.
- Add ground beef and blend once more until everything is combined.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine rice flour, spices and baking soda.
- Mix the ground beef mixture into the rice mixture and knead with your hands until you get a soft, but firm mixture. Add more water if you feel the need to.
- Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and roll into a ball or fingers (more traditional).
- Deep fry in oil until lightly brown.
- You can eat as is or add to a tomato or marinara sauce.
Notes
- If you do not have rice flour you can simply grind rice from your pantry. Each cup of rice will give you around 1 ⅓ cup of rice flour.
- When prepping the fresh herbs get rid of the lowest part of the bunch as it is usually thick stems without any leaves. We mainly want leaves and thin stems.
- The recipe is very forgiving so do not freak out too much about the fresh herbs weight.
- Meatballs might crack up a bit while frying this is totally normal and okay for this kind of meatballs as these meatballs are usually made with ground camel meat and this makes it more intact and crack-free.
- Meatballs are usually crunchy on the outside but adding it to sauce softens them.
- The more they stay in the sauce, the more they will absorb it and get fatter as they have a lot of rice content. This is not something bad though, many people especially older people, like it soft and fat like this. If this would bother you then make your sauce and drop the meatballs in just before serving.
- These meatballs are very economical and feeds a crowd. This recipe yields about 3 pounds of gluten free meatballs.
- Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.
Nutrition
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First published Jun 22, 2013 . Last updated May 2, 2023 with important tips, clear step by step instructions and readability.
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Fatima Khan
Would it be possible to do this with all purpose flour?
Amira
Fatima, I haven't tried that before as this is traditionally made with ground rice. You can make your own rice flour though.
Sassy
Dear Amira,
Do you have a recipe for the sauce to go with this recipe?
Thank you!
Sarah Kaldas
Hello, love this recipe, thank you so much for sharing. My husband is Egyptian and I love making special dishes for him to see him smile.
I do have a question? Is it possible to bake them? Air fry them? Also is it possible to make them and freeze them ?
Thank you so much!
Randa Tadros
I was surprised to see dill as part of the ingredients. I didn't think that was an ingredient that my mom used? Also, no cumin in the sauce?
Amira
Randa, feel free to adjust according to your liking dear. My mom uses dill in her recipe and that's why it is in there :).
Agy
Can I use rice flour instead? If so would it be same amount?
Amira
I guess you can, use 1 1/3 to 1 1/2 cup. Let me know how it went with you.
Sommer
Hey Amira 🙂 love your recipes. I was just wondering, the picture of the green mixture, is that with or without the meat? Do you put the meat in the food processor?
Amira
Sommer, thank you for your encouraging words I appreciate it dear. Yes I put the meat in the food processor and the picture of the green mixture above is with meat in it. I hope this answers your question. If you have any more questions please do ask.
Leslie Hill - From Grand Rapids, Michigan USA
These look amazingly similar to what my mother made when I was a young child. I will be trying your recipe soon. Thank you.
Amira
These tastes very well... I do hope you'll try them one day. Glad that they remind you of good old days :).
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You
I so need these rice meatballs tonight. They look so yummy!
Samah @ good cooks
It looks so yummy, I never tried to add the powdered rice to my kofta, you have inspired me to try it, nice recipe . Thanks 🙂
Amira
Try it Samah, my kids love it even without the sauce.