Keto Restart Day 11
KETO RESTART DAY 11 is a medium American recipe that serves 4. 655 calories per serving. Recipe by Ketoginja on YouTube.
Prep: 44 min | Cook: 36 min | Total: 1 hr 33 min
Cost: $25.59 total, $6.40 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 large White Onion (peeled; sliced into rings; middle core removed)
- 1 pound Thick‑Cut Bacon (cut lengthwise into thin strips for wrapping)
- 1.5 pounds Ground Beef (80/20 lean; formed into 4 equal patties)
- 8 ounces Cheddar Cheese (shredded by hand)
- 1 teaspoon Pink Himalayan Salt (for seasoning onion rings and burgers)
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper (freshly ground)
- 4 tablespoons Alterna Sweets Ketchup (sugar‑free ketchup; use classic or spicy as preferred)
Instructions
Slice Onions
Peel the onions and slice them into wide rings. Remove the very small inner ring from each slice so you have a hollow center for the bacon to wrap around.
Time: PT10M
Cut Bacon Lengthwise
Take the thick‑cut bacon and slice each strip lengthwise into two thin strips. This creates skinny bacon pieces that will wrap the onion rings without overwhelming them.
Time: PT5M
Wrap Onion Rings with Bacon
Take a bacon strip and wrap it tightly around each onion ring, starting at the larger outer ring and working inward. Secure the ends by tucking them under the ring.
Time: PT15M
Preheat Air Fryer
Set the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and let it preheat for about 5 minutes.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: 380°F
Air Fry Bacon‑Wrapped Onion Rings
Arrange the wrapped onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 8‑10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the bacon is crisp and the onion is tender.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: 380°F
Form and Season Burger Patties
Divide the ground beef into four equal portions and shape each into a patty about ¾‑inch thick. Season both sides with pink Himalayan salt and black pepper.
Time: PT10M
Preheat Grill
Heat the grill (or grill pan) to medium‑high, about 400°F (204°C).
Time: PT5M
Temperature: 400°F
Grill Cheeseburgers
Place the patties on the hot grill. Cook for 8 minutes on the first side, then flip and cook another 8 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). During the last minute, top each patty with shredded cheddar and close the lid to melt the cheese.
Time: PT16M
Temperature: 400°F
Shred Cheese
While the burgers finish cooking, shred the cheddar cheese by hand using a grater.
Time: PT2M
Plate and Serve
Arrange the burgers on plates, add a dollop of Alterna Sweets ketchup (classic or spicy) on top, and serve the crispy bacon‑wrapped onion rings on the side.
Time: PT2M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 655
- Protein
- 42 g
- Carbohydrates
- 7 g
- Fat
- 51 g
- Fiber
- 2 g
Dietary info: Keto, Gluten‑Free, Low‑Carb, High‑Protein
Allergens: Dairy, Pork
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of White Onion: Yellow onion
- Instead of Thick‑Cut Bacon: Turkey bacon (higher carb)
- Instead of Ground Beef: Ground turkey (lower fat)
- Instead of Cheddar Cheese: Monterey Jack, Swiss cheese
- Instead of Pink Himalayan Salt: Sea salt
- Instead of Black Pepper: White pepper
- Instead of Alterna Sweets Ketchup: Other sugar‑free ketchup
Equipment Needed
- Air Fryer
- Grill or Grill Pan
- Sharp Knife
- Cutting Board
- Mixing Bowl (optional)
- Tongs
- Spatula (optional)
- Meat Press (optional) (optional)
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Cutting bacon lengthwise into thin strips.
- Wrapping each onion ring tightly with bacon.
- Cooking the bacon‑wrapped onion rings until crisp without burning.
Chef Tips from the Video
- Thick‑cut bacon works best because it stays juicy after being sliced thin.
- Season the onion rings with a pinch of salt before air frying to enhance flavor.
- If you like extra crunch, lightly spray the bacon‑wrapped rings with cooking spray before air frying.
Troubleshooting
Onion rings are soggy after cooking.
Make sure the air fryer basket is not overcrowded; cook in batches and increase cooking time by 2‑3 minutes if needed.
Bacon does not crisp up and stays rubbery.
Cut the bacon as thinly as possible and preheat the air fryer fully before adding the rings. A brief 2‑minute high‑heat blast (425°F) can finish crisping.
Burgers are dry.
Do not overcook; aim for an internal temperature of 160°F. Let the burgers rest for 3 minutes before serving to retain juices.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftover onion rings and burgers in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Wrap uncooked burger patties individually in parchment and freeze up to 2 months. Cooked onion rings can be frozen for 1 month and reheated in the air fryer.
Room temperature: Do not leave cooked meat or bacon‑wrapped onion rings at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Wrap the onion rings with bacon the night before and store them covered in the refrigerator; air fry just before serving.
- Form burger patties ahead of time, season, and keep them chilled on a tray covered with plastic wrap.
- Pre‑shred cheese and store in a sealed bag for quick topping.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of bacon‑wrapped onion rings in American keto cuisine?
Bacon‑wrapped onion rings are a low‑carb twist on the classic Southern onion ring, popularized by keto enthusiasts who replace breading with bacon to keep carbs low while retaining indulgent flavor. They reflect the American love of bacon and the modern keto movement’s creativity.
What are the traditional regional variations of onion rings in the United States and how does the keto version differ?
Traditional onion rings are usually battered and deep‑fried, especially in the South and Midwest. The keto version skips the flour batter, using bacon as a natural, high‑fat coating, and is often cooked in an air fryer or oven to reduce added carbs and oil.
How is the keto cheeseburger traditionally served in American cuisine?
In classic American cuisine, a cheeseburger is served on a bun with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and condiments. In keto adaptations, the bun is omitted or replaced with lettuce wraps, focusing on the meat, cheese, and low‑carb toppings like sugar‑free ketchup.
What occasions or celebrations are keto cheeseburgers and bacon‑wrapped onion rings traditionally associated with in American culture?
Burgers and onion rings are staple foods at backyard barbecues, sports‑watch parties, and casual family dinners. The keto version allows those gatherings to stay low‑carb while still offering familiar comfort foods.
What makes the keto bacon‑wrapped onion rings special or unique in keto cuisine?
They provide the crunchy texture of traditional onion rings without any flour or breadcrumbs, using bacon’s fat to create a crisp exterior. This keeps the carb count under 5 g per serving while delivering a rich, smoky flavor.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making keto bacon‑wrapped onion rings?
Common errors include cutting the bacon too thick, which makes the rings greasy; overcrowding the air fryer basket, leading to soggy rings; and not wrapping the bacon tightly enough, causing it to unravel during cooking.
Why does this recipe use an air fryer instead of deep‑frying for the onion rings?
Air frying uses hot air circulation to crisp the bacon and onion with little to no added oil, keeping the dish lower in carbs and calories while still achieving a crunchy texture. It also reduces mess and the need for large amounts of hot oil.
Can I make the keto bacon‑wrapped onion rings ahead of time and how should I store them?
Yes, you can wrap the onion rings and keep them covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready, air fry them directly; they may need an extra minute or two to achieve full crispness.
What does the YouTube channel Ketoginja specialize in?
The YouTube channel Ketoginja focuses on keto lifestyle content, sharing low‑carb recipes, meal planning tips, and product reviews to help viewers stay in ketosis while enjoying flavorful meals.
How does the YouTube channel Ketoginja's approach to keto cooking differ from other keto cooking channels?
Ketoginja emphasizes real‑life, family‑friendly meals that can be prepared quickly with everyday kitchen tools, often incorporating product reviews like Flex Pro meals. The channel blends humor, personal anecdotes, and practical cooking hacks, setting it apart from more clinical or strictly scientific keto channels.
Last updated: September 1, 2026
