carnivore brown butter bites
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 10 minutes |
| Chill Time | 1 hour |
| Total Time | 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Cooking Intensity | Easy |
| Yield | 12 bites |
Ingredients
-
1 cup (225g) High-Quality Unsalted Butter (preferably from grass-fed cows for the best flavor and nutritional profile)
-
1 cup (100g) Finely Grated Parmesan Cheese (or a very dry, hard cheese like Pecorino Romano)
-
½ cup (55g) Crushed Pork Rinds (Pork Dust) – This is our “flour” and binder.
-
¼ tsp Sea Salt (optional, omit if using salted pork rinds or if you are sensitive)
-
1 tsp (5g) Gelatin Powder (optional) – Adds a slight chewiness and helps with binding.
Equipment
-
Small to medium saucepan
-
Whisk
-
Fine mesh sieve (optional, for straining)
-
Mixing bowl
-
Measuring cups and spoons
-
Mini muffin tin or silicone mold (for perfectly shaped bites)
-
Spatula
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Create the Brown Butter (The Heart of the Recipe)
This is the most crucial step, where the magic happens. Browning butter, or beurre noisette, cooks out the water and toasts the milk solids, creating an incredible nutty aroma and flavor.
-
Cut and Melt: Cut the butter into tablespoon-sized pieces and place them in a light-colored saucepan. Using a light-colored pan makes it much easier to track the color change of the butter.
-
Medium Heat: Melt the butter over medium heat, swirling the pan occasionally.
-
The Foam Stage: The butter will begin to foam and crackle as the water content cooks off. This is normal. Keep swirling gently.
-
Watch Closely: After a few minutes, the crackling will subside, and the milk solids at the bottom of the pan will start to turn a golden brown. You will smell a wonderfully nutty aroma. This is your cue to be vigilant—it can go from brown to burnt in seconds.
-
Remove and Cool: As soon as the butter reaches a rich amber color and smells nutty, immediately remove it from the heat and pour it into a heat-proof bowl to stop the cooking process. For an ultra-smooth bite, you can strain it through a fine mesh sieve to remove the larger toasted milk solids, but we recommend keeping them for maximum flavor.
Pro Tip: Let the brown butter cool for about 10-15 minutes. It should still be liquid but not scalding hot, as we don’t want it to “cook” the other ingredients when we mix them.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
While your brown butter is cooling, prepare the dry mix.
-
In your mixing bowl, combine the finely grated Parmesan cheese, crushed pork rinds, optional gelatin powder, and optional sea salt.
-
Whisk these ingredients together until they are uniformly distributed. The pork rind crumbs will act as a binder, giving our bites structure and a pleasant, slightly crumbly texture.
Step 3: Bring the Bites Together
Now, we unite the fragrant, liquid gold with our savory dry base.
-
Temper the Mixture: Slowly pour the slightly cooled brown butter into the dry ingredients, stirring constantly with a spatula or whisk.
-
Mix Thoroughly: Continue to mix until a thick, cohesive paste forms. All the dry ingredients should be fully saturated with the butter. The mixture will be glossy and smell incredible.
Step 4: Form and Set
-
Prepare the Mold: If using a mini muffin tin, you can lightly grease it with a tiny bit of leftover butter or tallow, though the high fat content usually makes releasing easy. A silicone mold is ideal for effortless removal.
-
Scoop and Press: Spoon the mixture evenly into the 12 compartments of your mini muffin tin or mold. Press down firmly with the back of a spoon to compact the mixture, which will help the bites hold their shape.
-
Chill: Place the entire tin or mold into the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until the bites are completely firm and set. The butter and cheese will re-solidify, creating a perfect, sliceable treat.
Serving and Storage
-
Serving: Enjoy these bites straight from the refrigerator for a firm, fudge-like texture. They are rich, so one or two is usually perfect for a snack.
-
Storage: Store the Carnivore Brown Butter Bites in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For long-term storage, they can be frozen for up to 3 months. Simply thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Nutritional Information (Estimated Per Bite)
-
Calories: ~180 kcal
-
Fat: 18g
-
Saturated Fat: 11g
-
Protein: 5g
-
Carbohydrates: 0g
-
Fiber: 0g
-
Net Carbs: 0g
-
Sodium: ~180mg (varies based on cheese and pork rinds used)
Disclaimer: Nutritional information is an estimate based on the specific ingredients used and can vary. This recipe contains zero carbohydrates and is suitable for a ketogenic and carnivore diet.
Customization and Tips
-
Add Protein: For a more substantial protein boost, mix in ¼ cup of finely chopped, pre-cooked bacon or beef jerky bits into the mixture before molding.
-
Spice it Up: If you tolerate spices, a pinch of black pepper, a dash of cayenne for heat, or some dried rosemary can add another dimension of flavor.
-
Cheese Swap: Experiment with other hard, dry carnivore-friendly cheeses. Aged Gouda or a sharp Cheddar can work, but their moisture content may slightly alter the final texture.
-
Texture Preference: If you prefer a smoother, more mousse-like texture, you can use an immersion blender to blend the mixture before pouring it into the molds.
We hope you enjoy these simple, satisfying, and deeply flavorful Carnivore Brown Butter Bites. They are proof that the most restrictive diets can still be incredibly delicious and indulgent. Happy cooking