Fried Goat Cheese Balls are flavorful, savory, and delicious. With creamy, melty cheese oozing out of a crispy, golden crust in every flavor-packed bite! They are so easy to make using 8 simple ingredients and are done in just 30 minutes. These cheese balls make the best holiday appetizers, game day snacks, or movie night munchies.
Quick and easy appetizers like fried goat cheese are absolute lifesavers when making for a crowd. They do not take a lot of time to prep and cook, and you can even get your whole family involved in coating the goat cheese while you get busy at the stove deep-frying them in batches. I’m sure the kids will love shaping and dunking the cheese balls in flour, egg and breadcrumbs. They are as much fun to make as they are to eat!
Why You’ll Love these Fried Goat Cheese Balls
- Quick and easy appetizers. This goat cheese ball recipe yields 2 dozens of cheese balls done in just 30 minutes — and even less if you have some help! All you have to do is shape the cheese, coat them in flour, eggs, and seasoned breadcrumbs, then deep-frying them to golden perfection. It's a perfect last minute appy to whip up.
- Crunchy outside creamy inside. If you are a certified cheese-lover, then you are in for a treat with this goat cheese recipe. These crispy and cheesy poppers will have you coming back for more with their flavors and textures — from the savory, crispy panko crust to soft, creamy, tangy cheese to sweet, silky honey.
- A crowd-favorite. Fried goat cheese balls are one of those dishes that instantaneously draws in the crowd and are gone in an instant! They are delicious and packed with flavor. Plus, you can serve them warm with a drizzle of honey for even more flavor. It is a good thing you can easily double or triple the recipe to make plenty for a big party!
- Easy to making ahead and freezer-friendly. You can shape and coat the balls the day before and store them in the fridge tightly wrapped ready for frying the next day — or make them months ahead and store in the freezer!). Plus, you can freeze the prepared cheese balls and cook directly from frozen. This will give you more time to prepare other dishes that you are planning to serve to your guests.
Ingredient Notes
To make these Fried Goat Cheese Balls, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- goat cheese - I love how creamy and soft goat cheese is without becoming too gooey when cooked, so they do not leak as much either. I recommend using goat cheese sticks. Do not buy the pre-crumbled goat cheese because that will be much more difficult to form into balls.
- all-purpose flour - this will coat the cheese balls and make them firmer so they do not loose their shape during cooking. Flour also absorbs excess moisture from the cheese to allow the egg to cling better.
- egg - gives the cheese balls a nice sticky surface for the breadcrumbs to adhere to. It also adds a richer taste and color to the crust.
- panko breadcrumbs - we like panko breadcrumbs for a light and crisp crust. If you cannot find panko, you can use regular breadcrumbs or crushed toast instead. Take note though that the texture may not be the same, but similar.
- garlic powder - to season the breadcrumbs and give it a savory flavor. You can play around with other seasonings like onion powder, white pepper, and herbs and spices.
- vegetable oil - or other neutral-tasting, high-smoke point oils like canola, sunflower, or avocado oil will work well for deep frying.
- parsley - for garnishing. You can use other fresh herbs like chives, cilantro, or scallions.
- honey - we drizzled honey over the fried goat cheese balls before serving to give it a sweet twist! You can also use maple syrup or agave as an alternative.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, shallow dishes, and a cooking pot.
How to Make the Best Fried Goat Cheese Balls
- Shape goat cheese. Cut the goat cheese into 24 equal pieces, roughly 1 teaspoon in size. Use your hands to form each piece into a round ball.
- Prep for coating. Add flour a shallow dish and beaten egg to another shallow dish, In a third shallow dish, add panko breadcrumbs and garlic powder. Whisk to combine.
- Coat goat cheese. Coat each goat cheese ball in flour, then coat it into the egg, and finally dredge in panko and fully coat. Gently press the breadcrumbs around each ball to coat if needed to help it stick.
- Deep fry. Add 2-inches of oil into a cooking pot and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering hot, about 3-4 minutes. Add the goat cheese balls in batches (about 4-5 pieces each time) until crisp and golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Turn the balls occasionally to get an even golden crust on all sides.
- Cool and serve. Transfer the goat cheese balls to a paper towel lined plate to drain excess oil, and let them cool for 5 minutes before serving. Transfer to a serving platter and drizzle with honey and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Recipe Variations
- Make it nutty. Add another element of crunch to the golden crust by adding crush nuts to the mix! This will also give them more flavor. Try using pecans, pistachios or almonds.
- Use herbed goat cheese. Herbed goat cheese will instantly give your appetizers a flavor boost without having to take any extra steps!
- Skip the honey and go for dips. While we love serving these with honey, you can also try enjoying them with dips and sauces. See below for our favorite dips to serve with this.
- Make them spicy. Add chili or cayenne powder to the panko breadcrumb mixture to make spicy goat cheese balls instead.
How to Serve
Goat cheese balls are best served warm — just a few minutes off the pan! This is when they are at their crunchiest and the cheese inside is melty and super creamy. While we love serving these with honey, you can also enjoy them with your favorite dips such as:
They are also ideal as salad and pasta toppers!
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Keep the cheese chilled. Keep the goat cheese chilled as much as you can when you are forming them into balls. If you are making a lot and your kitchen is warm, you can place the shaped balls in the fridge while making the rest.
- Remove excess flour. Bounce the balls gently in your hands to remove excess flour after coating. If the flour coating is too thick, the panko crust might fall off later on.
- Use hot oil. The oil must be shimmering hot before you submerge the cheese balls. If they are not hot enough, the breading will simply absorb the oil and you will end up with soggy, greasy cheese balls.
- Cook in batches. Do not overcrowd the cooking pot. Adding too many balls at the same time will affect the oil temperature. It will also be difficult to move them around.
- Turn the balls regularly. Use a spatula or a chopstick to turn the balls from time to time. This will give you perfectly round, evenly cooked goat cheese balls!
- Do not overcook. Remove them from heat once the crust is golden brown in color. Do not let them become too hot or they will explode
- Drain excess oil. Drain excess oil in a paper-towel-lined plate or wire rack to ensure that they turn out super crispy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can! Try using mozzarella, gouda, or cheddar.
You can dip a wooden stick into the pan. If the surface immediately bubbles, it should be ready. You can also use a thermometer. The ideal temp for deep frying should be between 350 to 375°F.
Sure! Just use vegan goat cheese, and swap the eggs with aquafaba and the honey with maple syrup.
Yes you can in the oven or air fryer too! See box below for full instructions.
How to Cook Goat Cheese Balls in the Air Fryer or Oven
To bake in the oven: Preheat oven to 375F. Place the coated goat cheese balls evenly on a parchment paper lined half sheet baking pan. Spray with cooking oil spray to coat. Bake for 20 minutes until the crust becomes golden brown.
To cook in the air fryer: Place the goat cheese balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray evenly with cooking oil spray. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to do this in batches. Air fry at 350F for 13-15 minutes until the crust becomes golden brown.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
Make Ahead Instructions
You can prepare and coat the uncooked goat cheese balls and store before deep frying. When making them ahead, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How to Store
If you have leftovers, place them in an airtight container after they have been cooked and cooled to room temperature. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can re-fry them to bring back the crispiness.
How to Freeze
Freeze goat cheese balls before you cook them. Place the coated cheese balls on a parchment paper lined sheet pan. Freeze for 1-2 hours until hard, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container. You can deep fry the balls directly from frozen (it may take a minute or 2 longer to cook), or allow them to thaw overnight in the refrigerator and follow the recipe as written.
More Appetizer Recipes
- 30 Best Christmas Appetizers
- Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
- Cranberry Meatballs
- Antipasto Skewers
- Easy Baked Meatballs
- Mashed Potato Balls
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Fried Goat Cheese Balls
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 balls
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Fried Goat Cheese Balls are savory, sweet, flavorful, and delicious. With creamy, melty cheese oozing out of a crispy, golden crust in every flavor-packed bite! They are so easy to make using 8 simple ingredients and are done in just 30 minutes. These cheese balls make the best holiday appetizers, game day snacks, or movie night munchies.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces fresh goat cheese
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, beaten
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- vegetable oil (for deep frying)
- parsley, chopped (for serving)
- honey (for serving)
Instructions
- Cut the goat cheese into 24 equal pieces, roughly 1 teaspoon in size. Use your hands to form each piece into a round ball.
- Add flour a shallow dish and beaten egg to another shallow dish, In a third shallow dish, add panko breadcrumbs and garlic powder. Whisk to combine.
- Coat each goat cheese ball in flour, then coat it into the egg, and finally dredge in panko and fully coat. Gently press the breadcrumbs around each ball to coat if needed to help it stick.
- Add 2-inches of oil into a cooking pot and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering hot, about 3-4 minutes. Add the goat cheese balls in batches (about 4-5 pieces each time) until crisp and golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Turn the balls occasionally to get an even golden crust on all sides.
- Transfer the goat cheese balls to a paper towel lined plate to drain excess oil, and let them cool for 5 minutes before serving.
- Transfer to a serving platter and drizzle with honey and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Notes
Make ahead instructions: You can prepare and coat the uncooked goat cheese balls and store before deep frying. When making them ahead, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How to freeze uncooked cheese balls: place the coated but uncooked cheese balls on a parchment paper lined sheet pan. Freeze for 1-2 hours until hard, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container. You can deep fry the balls directly from frozen (it may take a minute or 2 longer to cook), or allow them to thaw overnight in the refrigerator and follow the recipe as written.
How to store once cooked: If you have leftovers, place them in an airtight container after they have been cooked and cooled to room temperature. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can re-fry them to bring back the crispiness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Deep Fry
- Cuisine: American
Karla says
Made these for game day and they were so good! Thank you for the recipe Sam!