These Fried Goat Cheese Balls are a perfect party appetizer! Garlic and herb goat cheese is breaded and fried, then finished with a drizzle of honey. It’s a crispy and creamy snack that’s sure to be a hit!
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Crispy goat cheese appetizers
Everyone at the party will get a kick out of these Fried Goat Cheese Balls. The golden brown crust is deliciously crunchy while the inside is soft and creamy. They’re sure to be a hit!
Garlic and herb goat cheese is rolled into balls, then dredged in a flour/egg/panko breading. Pop them in the freezer to firm up, then fry and finish with an elegant drizzle of honey. Every warm bite is creamy, crunchy, earthy, and tangy.
Turn to this goat cheese balls recipe when you need an easy appetizer for special events and celebrations, like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Easter, and more. The best part: they can be made days or weeks ahead of time, helping you get out of the kitchen and back to enjoying the party!
What is goat cheese?
Goat cheese is a generic term for cheese made from goat’s milk. You’ll most likely see goat cheese (or chèvre) sold in log form in the United States. This variety has a soft texture and a tangy, almost funky flavor.
Many varieties of cheese can be made from goat’s milk, like brie, cheddar, gouda, and more. This article from Real Simple goes more into detail about the 6 types of goat cheese.
Ingredients needed
- Goat cheese – I recommend using fresh goat cheese (chèvre) to help these appetizers taste their best. According to Food and Wine, “the older goat milk is when it’s processed, the goatier the cheese will taste”. To make this recipe even faster, I used a log of garlic herb goat cheese, which is already seasoned.
- Flour – Just like chicken tenders, the cheese balls need to be rolled in all purpose flour before being breaded and fried. You can try using an all purpose gluten free flour as a substitute, but I haven’t tested it.
- Kosher salt
- Egg – To help the flour and breadcrumb coating stick to the cheese ball.
- Panko breadcrumbs – Panko is the best choice because it’s so light and crunchy. If you’re using plain chèvre, stir the flavor boosters of your choice in with the breadcrumbs, like grated garlic and dried parsley, thyme, and/or chives. Again, you can try using regular breadcrumbs or gluten free breadcrumbs, but I haven’t tested either.
- Canola oil – For frying.
- Honey – A drizzle of honey pairs perfectly with earthy goat cheese because of its floral qualities.
How to make fried goat cheese balls
First, set up your dredging station. Whisk the flour and salt together in a small bowl. Whisk the egg in another bowl, then add the breadcrumbs to a third bowl.
Slice the log of goat cheese into slices. Roll the cheese into balls.
Dredge the goat cheese balls. First, roll a ball in the flour/salt mixture, then the egg, and lastly, the breadcrumbs. Repeat this process until you run out of cheese.
Place the breaded cheese balls on a lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. DO NOT skip this part!
While the balls are still in the freezer, heat the fryer oil in a deep saucepan over medium-high heat. It should be around 350ºF.
Fry the goat cheese balls. Place 4 to 5 balls at a time in the hot oil. Cook until they’re golden brown and crisp, then set them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Transfer all of the fried goat cheese balls to a serving platter. Drizzle honey over top, then serve.
Helpful tips
- Do not skip the freeze! Freezing goat cheese balls is the only way to prevent them from falling apart and melting in the fryer oil.
- Finish the appetizers with even more garnishes and toppings, like crushed nuts (pistachios, almonds, walnuts, etc.), dried cranberries, or fig jam.
- If you want to get a head start on this recipe, roll and bread the goat cheese balls and keep them in the freezer for up to 2 months. Keep them in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Frequently asked questions
Goat cheese has many health benefits. It’s easier to digest and more friendly to your stomach than cow’s milk cheese because the fat globules are smaller. In addition, goat cheese is a wonderful source of protein and healthy fats.
No, the cheese won’t melt or fall apart if it was frozen for 20 to 30 minutes before cooking.
Yes! Place the breaded and frozen goat cheese balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and spray the tops with non-stick cooking spray. Bake in a 465ºF oven for about 8 minutes or until golden brown.
Yes, you can skip the excess oil by frying the goat cheese balls in the air fryer instead. First, arrange the balls in an even layer in the air fryer basket. Spray them with non-stick cooking spray, then cook at 390°F for 6 to 8 minutes, or until golden brown.
Storing
Store the leftover fried balls in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
To reheat, warm the balls in a 350ºF oven until warm and crispy.
Looking for more party appetizers?
- Pan Con Tomate
- Beef Carpaccio
- Whipped Feta Lemon Dip
- Fresh Salmon Tartare
- Brie with Fig Jam, Almonds, and Berries
If you try these Fried Goat Cheese Balls let me know what you think! Rate and review this recipe in the comments below. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me on Instagram @lenaskitchenblog!
Fried Goat Cheese Balls
Ingredients
- 8 ounces garlic herb goat cheese, divide into 24 pieces (or your favorite goat cheese)
- ⅓ cup all purpose flour
- 1 large egg, whisked
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅔ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons Honey, to drizzle after
- canola oil, for frying
Instructions
Deep Fry Instructions
- Combine flour and salt in small bowl. Whisk one egg in a separate bowl and add panko in a third bowl.
- Cut the log into 24 equal pieces and roll them into small balls. Roll each ball in flour, then egg, then panko crumbs, coating evenly, roll them one more time. Freeze for 20 minutes, or until firm. Do not skip this step, this helps to keep them from falling apart.
- Set a deep saucepan to medium-high heat. Heat oil to 350 degrees F.
- Fry goat cheese in batches 4-5 at a time, 1 to 2 minutes, or until golden and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate.
- Transfer to a platter and drizzle with honey. Serve immediately.
Air Fryer Instructions
- Arrange the goat cheese balls in your Airfryer basket.
- Spray the balls with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil for a little added crisp.
- Cook at 390° for 6-8 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
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