These fried goat cheese balls are the perfect party appetizer for any occasion. They are easy to make, easy to handle and perfectly bite size. Topped with black pepper honey, crushed pistachios and flaky Maldon sea salt, these fried goat cheese bites are guaranteed to be a hit.

About this Fried Goat Cheese Balls Recipe  

When prepping the ingredients, be sure that the goat cheese is chilled. This will make it much easier to form the balls. Once the goat cheese is rolled out, dredge each ball through the AP flour, followed by the whisked egg, then the panko breadcrumbs,  making sure it is well coated in the seasoned mixture each time. Repeat for every goat cheese ball. I was able to get 30 from this batch.

Once all the goat cheese balls have been breaded, place them on a freezer safe dish and freeze them for 20 minutes. This step is imperative. This way, the goat cheese balls will hold their shape when you pan fry them. Otherwise, you run the risk of them falling apart.

For this recipe, I used vegetable oil for frying the balls. However, canola oil or any oil with a high smoke point for frying will work. Make sure the oil hits 375 degrees before adding the goat cheese balls to the pan. I used a 9-inch non-stick pan for frying. I like using a smaller pan because you do not need as much oil. Also, the oil heats faster in a smaller pan. Additionally, be sure not to overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding the pan with too many breaded cheese balls will lower the oil temperature and the balls will get soggy vs. crispy.

Fry the goat cheese balls for 20-30 seconds turning frequently. This will prevent them from getting too brown on any one side. Place the golden-brown cheese balls on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil. Top with a drizzle of the black pepper honey, crushed pistachios and flaky sea salt. Serve warm with any extra black pepper honey on the side.

Does Goat Cheese Balls Melt in the Oven?

No, goat cheese doesn’t melt in the oven, which makes it the perfect cheese for this recipe if you’d rather opt for an oven baking method. Regardless of where you are cooking, these fried goat cheese balls don’t melt into a puddle. Instead, they’ll be soft and gooey, perfect for snacking once they come off the pan.

Personally, I prefer the pan frying method because it gives me greater control over the cooking process especially while working with the breadcrumbs crispiness.

What Flavors Go Best with Goat Cheese Bites?

Looking for something to serve this fried goat cheese appetizer with? You’ll be surprised to learn that a lot of fruits and berries are often paired with goat cheese, as the tangy cheese helps bring out the complex flavors of the fruits.

Nuts like pecans or fresh veggies are always a great idea too, and you can’t go wrong with a little wine to add a refreshingly tangy taste. Overall, you can never go wrong with Greek-inspired meals, as all the flavors of the Mediterranean pair wonderfully with goat cheese.  Alternatively, go Italian inspired and try this fried goat cheese with red sauce and salted meats.

Special Ways to Serve This Fried Goat Cheese Appetizer

There are so many ways you can serve this appetizer that keeps it fresh and fun, so you never have to repeat the same presentation twice.

Simply serve this as one of many sides for your favorite meal, or pop it into salads for a cheesy pop of flavor in place of other breadcrumbs. Top your favorite chicken dish with this or serve plain with a drizzle of honey and black pepper.  Chop over hummus and serve with naan bread and kalamata olives.

What’s your favorite way to pair this dish? Tell me in the comments!

How Do You Make a Cheese Ball Firmer?

One of the top tips I’ve learned when I make any kind of fried cheese ball is that the cheese should always be chilled before cooking.

You’re probably used to bringing all your ingredients out of the fridge when you get ready to cook, but the goat cheese should stay cold once you’re done breading them.

It’s important that you don’t skip this step in the recipe, as a cheese ball that isn’t thoroughly chilled will be much more difficult to work with.

Air Fryer Alternatives for Healthier Goat Cheese Recipes

If you are looking for an oil free or low-oil alternative to deep frying these goat cheese balls, you’ll be happy to know that you can cook these in the air fryer as well. Simply preheat your air fryer to 400 and cook for 5 minutes on each side.

Keep in mind that air fryers can differ in temperature as well, so if your breaded goat cheese balls aren’t soft and mushy in the middle with a nice golden brown crust, you may need to adjust the temperature and time. A lower temperature will help the goat cheese melt while slowly browning the bread crumbs, while a higher temperature will cook the outer breadcrumbs faster.  

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days. You can easily reheat these cheese balls in the oven to re-crisp the breadcrumbs before serving. If you are having trouble with condensation in your storage container, simply place a napkin over the top of the cheese balls to absorb the extra moisture. Don’t keep these frozen, as it will change the taste.

Plus, you don’t have use this dish as a standalone appetizer like other goat cheese recipes. Use any leftovers as croutons on salads or reheated and enjoyed as is.  This recipe makes 30 fried goat cheese balls. Please see below for nutritional information. It does not include the oil for frying.

Looking for more appetizer recipes?

• Creamy Crab Salad
• Baked Spinach Artichoke Bites
• Cheesy Spinach Balls
• Saucy Asian Meatballs
• Sesame Encrusted Ahi Tuna Tostadas
• Coconut Macadamia Nut Encrusted Shrimp Stuffed with Crab Cake