Fried Goat Cheese Balls
These goat cheese balls are rolled in herbed bread crumbs and fried until perfectly golden. With a crispy exterior and a warm, creamy interior, they’re made from just a few simple ingredients. Each bite offers a perfect balance of flavors, especially when topped with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
Servings: 24 balls
Calories: 50kcal
Equipment
- Spider or slotted metal spoon
- Heavy bottomed pot
- Oil thermometer
Ingredients
- 8 oz goat cheese log
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
- 1 qt canola oil
Instructions
- Prepare a plate or small sheet pan with a piece of parchment paper and set aside.
- Cut the log of goat cheese into 8 slices. Then, cut each medallion into thirds to make a total 24 pieces.8 oz goat cheese log
- Roll each piece of goat cheese into a ball and place on the prepared sheet pan. Place the pan in the freezer while you prepare the dredge.
- Mix together the flour, garlic powder and salt in one bowl. Whisk the egg and milk in another bowl. In a third bowl, combine the panko and thyme.½ cup all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 large egg, ¼ cup milk, 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
- Note: use one hand as a “wet hand” and one hand as a “dry hand”
- Roll a piece of goat cheese through the flour until completely coated. Transfer the ball to the egg mixture and roll it around until coated, then place it in the panko bowl. Press the ball into the breadcrumbs until completely coated, then return the coated ball onto the prepared pan.
- Repeat with all of the goat cheese balls, then place the pan back in the freezer for 30 minutes.
- Add the oil to a heavy bottomed pot or cast iron pan and heat over medium heat until it reads 350℉ on an digital thermometer or oil thermometer. While the oil heats, set up a wire cooling rack or paper towels over top of a sheet pan.1 qt canola oil
- Add 4-5 goat cheese balls to a metal slotted spatula and lower them into the hot oil. Fry (gently turning the balls) for 30 seconds-1 minute until golden brown. Remove with a slotted metal spoon, letting oil fall off, then place the balls onto the wire rack.
- Immediately sprinkle with kosher sea salt, and repeat the frying process with the remaining goat cheese balls. Serve the balls warm with honey, hot honey, preserves, or marinara.
Video
Notes
To ensure no cheese breaks out of the filling, do a double dredge of the flour and egg. After coating the balls in flour and egg, repeat the process again before rolling them through the panko.
To make goat cheese balls in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Spray the frozen, coated balls generously cooking spray then air-fry them for about 5 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy and top with sea salt when they come out of the air fryer.
Nutritional information does not include the amount of oil absorbed by the goat cheese balls during frying.
Nutrition
Calories: 50kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 106mg | Potassium: 20mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 127IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
