Fried Goat Cheese Balls
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Our Fried Goat Cheese Balls use creamy goat cheese that is transformed into a bite-sized appetizer. They are coated in seasoned flour, dipped in egg, and rolled in crunchy panko breadcrumbs, creating a crispy outside and soft inside. Fried to golden perfection, they are an irresistible appetizer or delicious addition to any dish.
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Fried Goat Cheese
These crispy, golden brown goat cheese balls are the perfect party snack. They’re creamy on the inside and crunchy on the outside – the best of both worlds!
Plus, they’re super easy to make, just like my roasted tomato and mozzarella appetizer or my ultra-creamy hot artichoke dip.
What You’ll Love About This Recipe for Fried Goat Cheese Balls
- Quick and easy: These cheesy bites come together in no time.
- Crispy exterior, creamy interior: The perfect texture combo, with that crave-worthy crunchy crust.
- Versatile: Great for lunch, a side dish, or a party snack.
- Impressive: These restaurant-quality appetizers come out looking and tasting like you spent hours in the kitchen (but you won’t!).
What should I serve with fried goat cheese appetizers?
These little bites of heaven are great on their own, but they’re even better with a dipping sauce. Try them with:
- Honey mustard
- Marinara sauce
- Spicy ketchup
- Sweet Thai chili sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Guacamole
To round out your appetizer plate, serve these rich and creamy cheese goat balls with fresh-cut veggies, tortilla chips, and garlic bread bruschetta.
Fried Goat Cheese Balls Ingredients
- Goat cheese – Choose a creamy, fresh goat cheese for the best results. You don’t have to buy the most expensive, but cheap goat cheese won’t taste as good as a higher quality brand.
- All-purpose flour – Use gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version.
- Egg
- Panko breadcrumbs – Panko makes a tasty, thick and crispy coating. In a pinch, you can experiment with regular bread crumbs.
- Vegetable oil – You’ll need enough for frying. You can use avocado oil or canola oil if you prefer.
- Seasonings – Garlic powder, salt, and pepper
How to Make Fried Goat Cheese Balls
STEP ONE: Prep the goat cheese. Freeze the goat cheese log for 15 minutes to firm before cutting.
STEP TWO: Prepare the coating and egg. Combine the flour, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or shallow plate. Beat the egg in a separate bowl. Add the panko to another bowl.
STEP THREE: Slice the goat cheese. Remove the goat cheese from the freezer. Using a small knife, slice the goat cheese into ½” rounds.
STEP FOUR: Prepare the frying pan. In a small frying pan, add the vegetable oil about 1/4-inch deep. Turn the heat to medium-high to allow the oil to heat up.
STEP FIVE: Coat the goat cheese balls. First, dip the cheese in the seasoned flour, then the egg, and then the panko mixture. Make sure to coat all sides.
STEP SIX: Fry the goat cheese. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the cheese balls into the pan and cook until golden brown, about 30 to 40 seconds. Flip the cheese over using tongs and fry the other side until golden brown. Remove the fried goat cheese from the pan and let drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
STEP SEVEN: Serve. Serve the fried goat cheese with your favorite dip or on top of your favorite salad.
Tips and Recipe Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Fry the cheese balls in batches and make sure there’s a bit of space between them. This helps them to cook more evenly.
- Use a slotted spoon: Lift the balls out of the oil with a slotted spoon. This maintains their shape and allows any excess oil to drip off the cheese balls.
You can prep the goat cheese balls by cutting them into rounds and freezing them until they’re firm. This will make the frying process quicker. However, it’s best to fry the cheese balls right before serving for the best texture.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free flour and panko breadcrumbs.
FAQs
While goat cheese is the traditional choice, you can experiment with other soft cheeses like feta or cream cheese.
The frying time will depend on the size of your cheese balls and the heat of your oil. Generally, they should take about 30-40 seconds per side.
Vegetable oil is a good choice for frying goat cheese balls. You can also use canola or peanut oil.
Yes, you can bake the cheese balls at 400°F for about 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
The possibilities are endless! Try ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or a sour cream-based dip.
How to Store Leftover Fried Cheese Balls
We recommend enjoying these goat cheese balls fresh and hot, but if you have leftovers, you can save them.
Stored them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, or wrap them individually in plastic wrap. Make sure you let them cool completely first.
Can I freeze my leftovers for later?
Unfortunately, fried goat cheese balls don’t freeze well. The texture can become soggy when thawed.
Can I reheat fried cheese balls?
Yes, you can. The best way to reheat fried goat cheese balls is in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F and reheat for about 5 minutes, or until warmed through. We don’t recommend microwaving, as this can make the cheese balls soggy.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Fried Goat Cheese Balls
Ingredients
- 8 ounces goat cheese
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour can use gluten free flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs can use gluten-free panko
- vegetable oil
Instructions
- Prep the goat cheese. Freeze the goat cheese log for 15 minutes to firm before cutting. Combine the flour, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or shallow plate. Beat the egg in a separate bowl. Add the panko to another bowl. Remove the goat cheese from the freezer. Using a small knife, slice the goat cheese into ½” rounds.
- Fry the goat cheese. In a small frying pan, add the vegetable oil about 1/4-inch deep. First, dip the cheese in the flour, then the egg, and then the panko mixture. Make sure to coat all sides. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the cheese balls into the pan and cook until golden brown, about 30 to 40 seconds. Flip the cheese over using tongs and fry the other side until golden brown. Remove the fried goat cheese from the pan and let drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Serve. Serve the fried goat cheese with your favorite dip or serve on your favorite salad.
Video
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Fry the cheese balls in batches and make sure there’s a bit of space between them. This helps them to cook more evenly.
- Use a slotted spoon: Lift the balls out of the oil with a slotted spoon. This maintains their shape and allows any excess oil to drip off the cheese balls.
