Description
Crispy fried goat cheese balls with spicy honey will make your appetizer game shine bright. Drizzle that golden, fiery honey over the crunchy cheese bites and watch your friends go crazy for this simple yet irresistible snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 oz goat cheese
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
Supporting Ingredients:
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon dried herbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Finishing Ingredients:
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon chili oil
- 4 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Remove goat cheese from refrigerator and let soften at room temperature for 15 minutes. Mix 8 oz softened goat cheese with 1 teaspoon dried herbs, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Roll softened goat cheese mixture into 1-inch diameter balls. Place ¼ cup all-purpose flour on one plate, beat 2 large eggs in a bowl, and spread ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs on another plate.
- Roll each cheese ball first in flour, then dip in beaten eggs, and finally coat completely with Panko breadcrumbs. Place breaded balls on a clean plate.
- Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a heavy skillet to 350°F. Carefully lower breaded cheese balls into hot oil using a slotted spoon. Fry for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove fried cheese balls with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. In a small saucepan, combine ¼ cup honey, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon chili oil. Warm gently for 1 minute.
- Transfer cheese balls to a serving plate. Drizzle warm spicy honey over the crispy balls. Serve immediately while cheese is melty and exterior remains crunchy.
Notes
- Chill the goat cheese for easier handling before shaping into balls, preventing sticky hands and uneven shapes.
- Use cold cheese and refrigerate the formed balls for 30 minutes to help them hold together during breading and frying.
- Ensure oil temperature stays around 350°F for golden, crispy exterior without greasy cheese centers.
- For gluten-free adaptation, replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers to maintain crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Fried
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 408 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 654 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 137 mg