Bread doesn’t need to be the main event when the rest of the meal pulls its weight. These 15 low-carb dishes are filling, flavorful, and easy to keep in the rotation. They’re the kind of recipes that make skipping the bread basket feel like a win. If you’re cutting carbs, start here.
Spicy Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks With Tahini
Spicy air fryer cabbage steaks with tahini take about 30 minutes and feature cabbage, olive oil, and tahini sauce. The texture is crisp on the outside and tender in the middle with a smoky, nutty flavor. It’s filling enough to skip the bread without thinking twice. The flavor hits harder than expected in all the right ways.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks With Tahini
Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks
Colombian marinated chicken drumsticks take about 1 hour and are made with chicken, vinegar, garlic, and spices. The flavor is bold, tangy, and slightly smoky from the marinade. They’re hearty enough to carry a meal on their own. You won’t even glance at the bread basket when these hit the table.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks
Zucchini Roll With Crab Salad
Zucchini roll with crab salad takes about 25 minutes and uses thin zucchini slices, crab, and a creamy filling. The taste is light, fresh, and slightly briny without being too rich. It works as a main or starter and feels like more than just a low-carb option. Bread’s not even part of the conversation.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Roll With Crab Salad
Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab
Grilled chicken kofta kebab takes about 30 minutes and blends ground chicken, herbs, and spices into skewers. The flavor is savory and full of heat with a slight char from the grill. It pairs well with salads or roasted vegetables. You forget about carbs when skewers like this show up.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab
Heavenly Chocolate Tart With Almonds
Heavenly chocolate tart with almonds takes 1 hour and uses dark chocolate, almond flour, and coconut cream. The taste is rich and slightly bitter with a dense, smooth texture. It’s dessert without the sugar crash or extra carbs. You won’t miss the crust or anything else.
Get the Recipe: Heavenly Chocolate Tart With Almonds
Fried Marinated Tofu
Fried marinated tofu takes about 30 minutes and includes tofu, soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil. The outside crisps up while the inside stays soft, soaking up the marinade. The flavor is savory, deep, and satisfying. It makes a solid case for skipping starchy sides.
Get the Recipe: Fried Marinated Tofu
Cheesy Eggs
Cheesy eggs take about 10 minutes and use eggs, cheese, and a few pantry spices. They’re creamy, rich, and filling with just a little crisp from the edges. It’s fast, easy, and doesn’t need toast to feel like a full breakfast. You won’t be looking for a side of bread.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Eggs
Raspberry Cheesecake With Raspberry Swirl
Raspberry cheesecake with raspberry swirl takes about 3 hours including chill time and uses cream cheese, almond flour, and raspberries. The flavor is tangy and smooth with a sweet, tart swirl. The texture is creamy without being heavy. You’ll forget it’s low-carb after the first bite.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Cheesecake With Raspberry Swirl
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
Lemon ricotta pancakes take about 20 minutes and are made with almond flour, ricotta cheese, eggs, and lemon zest. They’re fluffy with a bright citrus flavor and soft bite. No syrup needed—they’re good on their own. You won’t miss the regular pancakes or anything else.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
Crispy air fryer tofu takes 25 minutes and uses tofu, seasoning, and oil for a crunchy, golden finish. It’s firm on the outside and tender inside with just enough flavor to stand alone. It’s great in bowls or by itself. You won’t think twice about skipping the carbs.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
Chocolate Raspberry Tart
Chocolate raspberry tart takes about 1 hour and uses almond flour, cocoa powder, and fresh raspberries. The crust is firm and nutty, while the filling is rich and smooth with a sweet, tart pop from the berries. It looks like dessert and eats like one too. Bread doesn’t even come to mind.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Raspberry Tart
Lemon Air Fryer Salmon
Lemon air fryer salmon takes about 15 minutes and includes fresh salmon, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs. It’s flaky and light with a crisp outside and clean flavor. It’s fast enough for a weeknight and solid enough for a weekend dinner. You won’t need a single side of bread.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Air Fryer Salmon
Beef Barbacoa
Beef barbacoa takes about 6 hours in the slow cooker and includes beef, chipotle, garlic, and spices. It’s tender, flavorful, and spicy enough to stand on its own. Serve it in bowls or lettuce wraps without missing anything. It’s the kind of meal that makes the bread basket feel unnecessary.
Get the Recipe: Beef Barbacoa
Chicken Zoodle Soup
Chicken zoodle soup takes about 45 minutes and uses chicken, zucchini noodles, broth, and vegetables. The flavor is clean and comforting with a light, savory base. It tastes like a classic but skips the heavy carbs. You’ll forget there were ever noodles made of flour.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Zoodle Soup
Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu
Air fryer chicken cordon bleu takes 35 minutes and features chicken breast, ham, cheese, and a light coating. It’s crispy outside with melty cheese inside and full of flavor. It delivers on texture without needing breading or starch. You won’t even miss the side dish.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu
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