Ingredients
Ingredient amounts are adjusted. Steps, cooking times, equipment, and the Shopping List use the original recipe for 4 servings.
Check off ingredients as you prep.
- 1 lb ground elk
- 4 oz Cambozola cheese, cut into 12 small cubes
- 1/2 cup pork rinds, crushed to a fine powder
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1–2 tsp Salted Perfection Applewood Smoked Garnishing Salt, for finishing
Allergen check: Milk, Egg recognized in these ingredients. Check package labels and substitutions.
Step by step
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground elk, crushed pork rinds, beaten egg, and kosher salt. Mix by hand until just combined—don't overwork the meat or it gets tough.
- Divide the meat mixture into 12 equal portions.
- Flatten each portion in your palm, place a cube of Cambozola in the center, and wrap the meat around it. Seal it tight so the cheese stays inside where it belongs.
- Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they aren't touching.
- Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the meat is browned and reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Transfer to a serving plate and immediately sprinkle with Salted Perfection Applewood Smoked Garnishing Salt while they're hot.
- DUNZO!
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A little more about this recipe
Timing
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
Yield & storage
Original yield
Storage
Store airtight in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to keep the cheese molten.
From Tony’s kitchen
We're taking lean ground elk and keeping it juicy with a strict carnivore binder, then hiding a pocket of creamy Cambozola cheese right in the center. It's rich, savory, and finished with a smoky hit of salt that ties the whole gamey, cheesy package together.
Nutrition • per serving
Ingredient notes
Ingredients & allergen check
Major-allergen signals: Milk, Egg
- Ground elk
- Cambozola cheese, cut into cubes
- pork rinds
- egg
- kosher salt
- Salted Perfection Applewood Smoked Garnishing Salt, for finishing
Applewood Smoked blend: Sea salt, Natural apple smoke flavor, Vinegar, Molasses, Caramel color
Check every package label. Brands, substitutions, shared equipment, and cross-contact can change allergen exposure.
