Bushra Griffith
Fried goat cheese balls are a quick and easy snack that can be whipped up in less than 30 minutes. The recipe is simple and requires just a handful of ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your kitchen. The creamy, tangy goat cheese is coated in a crispy, crunchy layer of breadcrumbs and nuts, and drizzled with honey, making it the perfect bite-sized appetizer for any gathering. They can be deep-fried, pan-fried, or made in an air fryer, and served as a snack, salad topping, or party appetiser.
Characteristics and Values Table for Frying Goat Cheese Balls
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Chèvre, goat cheese, mozzarella |
| Oil | Vegetable, canola, sunflower, neutral oil with a high smoke point |
| Temperature | 350°F-400°F |
| Cooking Time | 20 seconds-5 minutes |
| Coating | Flour, egg, breadcrumbs, pecans, pistachios, herbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder |
| Toppings | Honey, lemon juice, thyme, sea salt |
| Use | Appetizer, salad addition, snack, dessert |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Choosing the right oil
Frying goat cheese balls requires an oil with a high smoke point. The smoke point is the temperature at which an oil starts to burn and smoke. Oils with a high smoke point are therefore preferable for frying, as they can be heated to higher temperatures without burning.
Vegetable oil, canola oil, and sunflower oil are all examples of oils with high smoke points. These oils are also flavourless, which is ideal as they will not impart any unwanted flavours to the goat cheese balls.
The amount of oil you use will depend on the method you are using to fry your goat cheese balls. If you are pan-frying, you will want to use just enough oil to reach halfway up the sides of the goat cheese balls. If you are deep-frying, you will need to fully submerge the goat cheese balls in the oil, so you will need a greater volume. If you are using an air fryer, you will not need to add any additional oil, as the air fryer will heat the goat cheese balls from the inside out.
It is important to note that not all oils are suitable for frying. Oils with a low smoke point, such as extra virgin olive oil, should be avoided as they will burn at the high temperatures required for frying.
Feta and Goat Cheese: A Match Made in Heaven?
You may want to see also
Preparing the goat cheese
To shape the goat cheese into balls, cut the log into equal pieces, about 12 to 16 pieces, depending on the size of the log. Each piece should be about half an inch thick and a heaping teaspoon in size. Then, roll each piece into a small, round ball. It is helpful to wear disposable kitchen gloves to keep the balls neat.
After shaping the goat cheese into balls, the next step is to coat them. First, add flour to a shallow bowl and roll the goat cheese balls in the flour. Then, dip them in a beaten egg, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, roll the goat cheese balls in the breadcrumbs, pressing firmly to adhere. The breadcrumbs can be regular, Italian seasoned, or panko, which will give the goat cheese balls an extra crunchy texture. For a double coating, dip the goat cheese balls in the egg batter and breadcrumbs again.
After coating, the goat cheese balls should be refrigerated or frozen for about 15 to 20 minutes. This step is crucial as it helps the coating stick and ensures the goat cheese balls do not fall apart during frying.
Goat Gouda: A Cheesy Conundrum Explained
You may want to see also
Coating the goat cheese balls
Begin by preparing your flour, egg wash, and breading mixtures. For the flour, a shallow bowl will do, and all-purpose flour is the best option. The egg wash is a simple mixture of beaten egg, and for the breading, you can use a combination of breadcrumbs and crushed nuts. Panko breadcrumbs are a popular choice, as they yield an extra crispy texture, but regular or Italian seasoned breadcrumbs will also work. If you're using nuts, pecans are a great option, but you can also use almonds, walnuts, or cashews. Combine the breadcrumbs and nuts in a shallow bowl, and season with salt and pepper.
Now it's time to coat the goat cheese balls. Start by rolling the balls in the flour, then dip them in the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, roll them in the breadcrumb and nut mixture, pressing firmly so that the coating adheres well. Repeat this process for a second layer of coating if you want an extra crunchy exterior.
Once your goat cheese balls are coated, they should be refrigerated or frozen for about 20 minutes. This step is crucial, as it ensures the cheese doesn't melt too quickly when fried, helping to maintain the shape of the balls.
The Art of Brulee Goat Cheese Perfection
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Frying the goat cheese balls
Firstly, you will need to prepare your goat cheese balls. Cut the goat cheese into equal pieces, each about 1 teaspoon in size. Roll each piece into a small, round ball. It can be helpful to wear disposable kitchen gloves to keep the balls neat. Place the balls on a lined baking sheet and freeze for 20 minutes. This step is crucial, as it ensures the goat cheese balls hold their shape when fried.
Next, prepare three bowls. In the first, place flour; in the second, beat an egg or two (depending on the number of cheese balls); and in the third, combine your chosen breadcrumbs with salt and pepper, and any other seasonings you wish to add. You can use regular, Italian, or panko breadcrumbs, depending on your preference. Roll each goat cheese ball in the flour, then dip it in the egg, allowing any excess to drip off, before coating it in the breadcrumbs. Repeat this process for a double layer of breadcrumbs, if desired.
Now, you are ready to fry the goat cheese balls. Heat a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as canola or vegetable oil, in a small saucepan to between 350°F and 400°F. Carefully lower 4 or 5 goat cheese balls into the oil, using a spider or skimmer, and turn them occasionally to ensure even cooking on all sides. After about 20 seconds, the goat cheese balls will begin to make a popping sound, and they will be golden and crispy. Remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined rack or plate to cool.
Finally, season the fried goat cheese balls with salt, and perhaps some crushed pistachios or pecans, and drizzle with honey. Enjoy!
Crottin Goat Cheese: A Classic French Delicacy Explained
You may want to see also
Serving the goat cheese balls
Goat cheese balls can be served as a party appetizer, a salad addition, or a snack. They can be served immediately or at room temperature.
To serve, place the goat cheese balls on a platter or a serving tray. Drizzle them with honey, truffle honey, or a mix of honey and lemon juice. You can also sprinkle them with crushed pistachios, flaky sea salt, or fresh thyme.
For a more complex flavor, you can coat the goat cheese balls with pecans and breadcrumbs before frying. You can also season the breadcrumbs with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Goat cheese balls pair well with wine, especially Sauvignon blanc.
Goat Cheese at Meijer: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Frying goat cheese balls should only take 20-30 seconds at 375-400°F.
A neutral oil with a high smoke point is recommended. Vegetable oil, canola oil, and sunflower oil are all good options.
Goat cheese that comes in a log is best for this recipe. Chèvre, a goat's milk cheese, is often used and can be found in most grocery stores.
Coat the goat cheese balls in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs before frying. The breadcrumbs will give the goat cheese balls a crunchy texture.
