Andy Montoya
Fried goat cheese balls are a popular dish, often served as an appetizer or salad addition. They can be made at home or bought from restaurants and grocery stores. The recipe involves rolling goat cheese into balls, coating them with flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, and then frying them. They are then often drizzled with honey and seasoned with salt or herbs. Some popular recipes include fried goat cheese balls with spicy sage honey and Tirokroketes (Greek fried goat cheese balls) with honey.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation time | 30-45 minutes |
| Frying time | 20-30 seconds |
| Frying temperature | 360-400°F |
| Oil type | Canola, vegetable, or avocado |
| Coating | Flour, egg, breadcrumbs, corn starch, or tapioca flour |
| Seasonings | Truffle honey, crushed pistachios, spicy sage honey, lemon juice, flaky sea salt, sesame seeds |
| Dipping sauces | Marinara, pesto, mango sauce |
| Storage | Can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Goat cheese ball preparation
Ingredients
To make fried goat cheese balls, you will need flour, an egg, breadcrumbs (preferably panko), and goat cheese. If you want to add extra flavour, you can also prepare some honey, herbs, and spices.
Rolling the Goat Cheese
Start by taking a log of goat cheese and cutting it into equal, bite-sized pieces. A standard 8 oz log should yield around 24 pieces when cut into portions of about 1 teaspoon each. Roll each piece of goat cheese into a small, round ball. It may help to wear disposable kitchen gloves to keep the balls neat.
Coating the Goat Cheese Balls
Place flour in a small mixing bowl, then drop the goat cheese balls into the bowl and toss to coat thoroughly. Next, transfer the goat cheese balls to a bowl with beaten eggs, ensuring they are covered on all sides. Finally, transfer the goat cheese balls to a bowl with breadcrumbs, allowing any excess egg to drip off before tossing to coat evenly. If you want to add extra flavour, you can mix the breadcrumbs with sesame seeds.
Freezing the Goat Cheese Balls
Once the goat cheese balls are coated, place them in the freezer for at least 20 minutes until they are firm. This step is crucial, as it will prevent the goat cheese balls from falling apart when fried. If you want to make these ahead of time, you can freeze them overnight.
Frying the Goat Cheese Balls
To fry the goat cheese balls, heat oil in a small saucepan to a temperature of 350-400°F (177-204°C). It is recommended to use a smaller pan and only cook 4-5 goat cheese balls at a time, as they cook very quickly. Fry the goat cheese balls in small batches, cooking each side for about 30 seconds until they are golden brown. The goat cheese balls will be ready in about 1 minute. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried goat cheese balls to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease.
Serving the Goat Cheese Balls
Serve the goat cheese balls immediately while they are still warm. You can drizzle them with honey and sprinkle flaky sea salt on top. Fried goat cheese balls also go well with fresh herbs, marinara sauce, or pesto on the side.
Goat Cheese Conundrum: Is Kirkland's Cheese Pasteurized?
You may want to see also
Frying the goat cheese balls
Next, prepare your dredging station. Place flour in a small mixing bowl, followed by beaten eggs in a separate bowl, and finally, breadcrumbs in another bowl. You can use regular breadcrumbs, but panko breadcrumbs will give the goat cheese balls an extra crunchy texture. For a nuttier flavour, you can also add crushed pecans or other nuts like almonds, walnuts, or cashews to the breading mixture. Season the breading mixture with a couple of pinches of salt and black pepper, and stir to combine.
Now, it's time to coat the goat cheese balls. Start by tossing them in the flour, ensuring they are thoroughly coated. Then, transfer the floured cheese balls to the egg wash, allowing the excess to drip off before carefully placing them in the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure the goat cheese balls are evenly coated on all sides.
At this stage, it is crucial to freeze the coated goat cheese balls for about 20 minutes. Do not skip this step, as it will help the breading adhere and prevent the cheese from melting too quickly during frying.
Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, vegetable, or avocado oil, for frying. Heat the oil in a small saucepan to a temperature between 360°F and 400°F. Frying the goat cheese balls will only take about 20-30 seconds per batch, so it's important to work in small batches to avoid overcooking or melting the cheese. Carefully lower 4-5 goat cheese balls into the hot oil, using a spider or skimmer, and turn them occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Once the goat cheese balls are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the oil using a slotted spoon and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease. Season immediately with flaky sea salt.
These fried goat cheese balls are best served warm, drizzled with honey, or paired with a dollop of warmed marinara sauce, fresh herbs, or a simple mix of lemon juice and honey. They can also be served at room temperature as a delicious appetizer or salad topper.
Goat Cheese Salad: The Perfect Pairing Ideas
You may want to see also
Dipping sauces
There are many different sauces and dips that go well with fried goat cheese balls. A common pairing is honey, which can be drizzled on top of the fried goat cheese balls or served as a dip. For a more complex honey flavour, you can make spicy sage honey by warming honey with garlic, hot sauce, and sage. You can also add a sprinkle of salt to the honey-drizzled goat cheese balls, or dip them in truffle honey and crushed pistachios.
Another option is to make a mango sauce by blending or processing rice vinegar or fresh lime juice, granulated sugar, whole-grain mustard, and kosher salt. You can also add chopped fresh cilantro to this sauce.
Fried goat cheese balls also go well with other dips such as marinara or pesto. You can also serve them with crostini and prosciutto, or on a salad with strawberries or roasted beets.
Goat Cheese and Whole30: What's the Verdict?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Storing and reheating
Storing fried goat cheese balls can be done in a couple of ways, depending on whether they have been fried or not. If you have already fried the goat cheese balls, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It is recommended to reheat them in an air fryer to maintain their crispy texture.
If you have prepared the goat cheese balls but have not yet fried them, it is best to freeze them. Place them in a single layer in an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 1 month. You can also store them in a sealable plastic bag. When you are ready to use them, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight, and then fry them as usual, serving immediately to ensure the best texture and flavor.
It is possible to freeze fried goat cheese balls, but the texture and flavor may be compromised after thawing and reheating. The cheese may become mushy, oily, and less crispy.
To reheat the frozen goat cheese balls, you can either fry them or use an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F, and then air-fry the goat cheese balls for about 5 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy.
Goat Cheese Crostini: A Simple, Savory Appetizer
You may want to see also
Where to buy goat cheese
Goat cheese, also known as Chèvre (French for goat), is the earliest known cheese. It was discovered accidentally, as goat's milk does not need rennet to coagulate. This discovery of a new form and taste of milk intrigued ancient cheesemakers, and evidence of goat cheese-making has been found in Egypt and the Roman Empire. Today, there are over 120 types of goat cheese, from fresh to hard varieties, with different textures and flavours. Goat's milk cheeses usually have a slightly earthier taste than cow's milk cheeses, and they are also easier to digest.
You can buy goat cheese from several online retailers, such as Cheese Lover Shop, which offers a wide selection of goat cheeses, including Chavrie Original Goat Cheese Pyramids, perfect for spreading on crackers or baguettes. They also provide a Cheese Lover Starter Board and a virtual class to learn about the fundamentals of cheese pairing. Another online option is Wisconsin Cheese Mart, which carries goat cheese alongside other products like wine, beer, and premium liquor.
If you prefer to buy in-store, Vern's Cheese is a shop in Wisconsin that offers handcrafted Wisconsin cheeses, fine wines, local bread, craft beer, high-end charcuterie, and premium liquor.
Goat Cheese Curd: A Beginner's Guide to Deliciousness
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
You can get goat cheese from most grocery stores in the specialty cheese section near the deli department. Kroger, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's are some popular grocery stores that stock goat cheese.
You can find recipes for fried goat cheese balls on websites such as Essence Eats, Well Seasoned Studio, Half Baked Harvest, and Just a Taste.
You can try the infamous fried goat cheese balls from SUR, which is featured on the Bravo TV show Vanderpump Rules.
