SophisticatedAppetizer
Charred Scallop with Burnt Hazelnut Oil & Sea Bean Vinaigrette
Single seared scallop surrounded by crispy sea vegetables and nutty, smoky emulsion
180 cal · 16g protein · 27 min
Diet & meal · 25 recipes
Low-Carb Appetizer Recipes
Low-Carb appetizer ideas — lower-carb dishes that still eat like a full meal. Every recipe below is from the Delicious.com kitchen, with full method, macros and a one-tap grocery list.
Sophisticated
SophisticatedAppetizer
Gamba Roja al Ajillo en Hojaldre: Whole Seared Prawn in Crispy Puff Pastry Nest with Charred Garlic Oil & Romesco Mousse
Translucent prawn wrapped in butter-puff pastry, seated on a silken romesco foam, burnt-garlic emulsion, crispy shallot hair
180 cal · 7g protein · 65 min
SophisticatedAppetizer
Pan-Seared Scallop & Charred Shishito with Pomegranate Molasses Glaze & Crispy Phyllo Crunch
Sweetly seared diver scallop atop collapsed charred shishito peppers, finished with tart molasses and shattered phyllo tuile
494 cal · 10g protein · 44 min
IntermediateAppetizer
Crispy Chicken Skin Cones with Charred Corn Mousse & Crispy Sage
Shattered chicken skin tubes filled with sweet corn cream, topped with fried sage leaf
453 cal · 15g protein · 40 min
SophisticatedAppetizer
Marinated Yellowtail Crudo with Burnt Orange Zest, Black Garlic Oil & Pomegranate Caviar
Raw fish cured in citrus with umami depth and jewel-toned fruit
461 cal · 30g protein · 25 min
EasyAppetizer
Aioli
Silky garlic mayonnaise for dipping and spreading
258 cal · 1g protein · 10 min
EasyAppetizer
Air Fryer Cauliflower
Crispy, seasoned, and perfectly tender inside
95 cal · 2g protein · 25 min
EasyAppetizer
Air Fryer Tofu
Crispy edges, tender center, seasoned throughout
114 cal · 9g protein · 35 min
EasyAppetizer
Air Fryer Shrimp
Crispy, juicy, restaurant-quality in 10 minutes
130 cal · 23g protein · 20 min
EasyAppetizer
Garlic Butter Shrimp
Pan-seared shrimp in a garlicky butter sauce
292 cal · 35g protein · 18 min
SophisticatedAppetizer
Smoked Eel & Apple Tart with Horseradish Cream
Crispy pastry, delicate smoked fish, sharp finish
886 cal · 23g protein · 40 min
SophisticatedAppetizer
Crispy Kofta Phyllo Tartlets with Pomegranate Gastrique, Whipped Labneh & Burnt Walnut Crumb
Spiced lamb hidden in golden pastry pockets, opened at fork
1124 cal · 38g protein · 70 min
EasyAppetizer
Gochugaru Squid & Charred Cucumber Salad
Spicy, tender cephalopod with cool, pickled crunch
452 cal · 38g protein · 15 min
EasyAppetizer
Pan-Seared Diver Scallop & Charred Ginger-Soy Emulsion
Tender scallop with crispy brown-butter crust, aged soy reduction, and pickled ginger soil
289 cal · 10g protein · 22 min
IntermediateAppetizer
Crispy Turmeric Chicken Skin with Burnt Garlic Oil, Charred Lemon & Crispy Capers
Luxurious, textural, umami-forward
484 cal · 35g protein · 30 min
IntermediateAppetizer
Crispy Sweetbread Carpaccio with Hazelnut Oil & Aged Balsamic
Delicate organ meat, raw and raw-adjacent, a bold opener
421 cal · 28g protein · 25 min
IntermediateAppetizer
Crispy Shallot & Mitmita-Spiced Shrimp Cornets with Labneh
Golden frico cornets filled with paprika-chili shrimp and whipped yogurt cheese
349 cal · 38g protein · 28 min
EasyAppetizer
Camarones al Ajillo con Tostadas de Pan
Garlic shrimp, crispy toast, smoked paprika oil, fresh lemon
713 cal · 40g protein · 13 min
EasyAppetizer
Seared Razor Clams with Charred Garlic, Cilantro & Warm Chili Oil
Portugal's beloved navalha clams, spring reimagined
338 cal · 2g protein · 16 min
IntermediateAppetizer
Mitmita-Spiced Beef Tartare on Charred Injera Crisps with Pickled Red Onion
Raw beef tartare with Ethiopian chile-garlic heat, crispy injera shards, and tart pickled onion
166 cal · 1g protein · 23 min
SophisticatedAppetizer
Jambu-Crusted Seared Scallop with Yuca Purée, Black Garlic Emulsion & Toasted Coconut Soil
Jambu's numb-spice electrifies a golden scallop; umami depths unfold
626 cal · 6g protein · 48 min
SophisticatedAppetizer
Crevettes Rôties aux Épices Douces, Chanterelles & Beurre de Miso Noir
Pan-roasted prawns with sumac, fennel pollen, wild mushrooms & miso brown butter
443 cal · 13g protein · 30 min
EasyAppetizer
Grilled Scallop Skewers with Umeboshi-Wasabi Drizzle
Seared sweet scallops, pickled plum, peppery wasabi
206 cal · 21g protein · 12 min
IntermediateAppetizer
Spiced Lamb Kibbeh Nayye with Pomegranate & Pine Nut Garnish, Crudités & Labne Dip
Raw lamb tartare, bulgur, warm spices, tart pomegranate seeds, herbaceous crunch
300 cal · 21g protein · 20 min
Good to know
How long do these take?
Half are done in about 25 minutes. The quickest is around 13 minutes and the longest about 44 minutes, so there is something here whether you have a spare hour or twenty minutes.
Is every recipe here low carb?
Every recipe in this collection is written without ingredients that break a low carb diet. We cannot vouch for the brands in your cupboard or for cross-contamination in your kitchen, so check labels as you normally would.
How many calories are in these?
Most land between 130 and 626 calories a serving. Every recipe shows its own calories plus protein, carbs and fat, calculated per serving rather than per batch.
Do these come with a grocery list?
Yes. Any recipe here can be added to a grocery list that adds up quantities across everything you have chosen and sorts it by aisle, so two recipes needing onions become one line.
