Non-agglomerated and homogeneously dispersed nickel nanoparticles were obtained on the surface of zirconia particles from the solution of three different nickel salts (nitrate, chloride, and acetate) in ethanol. After a drying process, the powders were calcined and reduced. Transmission electron microscopy studies only showed a uniform distribution of Ni nanoparticles on the zirconia grain surfaces in the case of nickel obtained from nitrate salt. The analysis of the magnetic hysteresis loop of these particles has revealed the absence of Ni particles larger than 50 nm. Mechanisms to justify,the different Ni particle sizes obtained from several salts have been proposed based on X-ray photoelectron and infrared spectroscopy. As a result, only in the case of a good zirconia/nickel nanostructure in the green samples and using nitrate salt dense (98% th.) nanocrystalline ceramic composites were obtained as a precursor.