Fried Goat Cheese Balls
These perfectly fried goat cheese balls are the best shareable appetizer. Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these tasty goat cheese fritters are served with a zesty arrabiata dip.
Ingredients
Arrabiata Dip
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves fresh garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- pinch kosher salt
Fried Goat Cheese
- 16 oz goat cheese log
- 3 large eggs
- 1 Tablespoon water
- 1 ½ cups italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 3-4 cups vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
Arrabiatta Dip
- Combine olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a small pan and heat over medium heat on the stovetop. Cook while stirring frequently for 2 minutes, or until the garlic just starts to brown.
- Add in tomatoes and salt and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring and mashing the tomatoes occasionally, until the sauce is cooked down and reduced by half. While sauce is simmering, prep goat cheese balls.
Fried Goat Cheese
- Take approximately 1 teaspoon of the goat cheese and roll it into a bite-sized ball. Repeat with the remaining goat cheese until there are approximately 60-80 balls.
- In a small bowl or shallow dish, scramble together eggs and water. In another small bowl or shallow dish, add the italian breadcrumbs.
- Working with 3-4 balls at a time, coat goat cheese in the egg mixture and then the bread crumb mixture. Allow the excess egg mixture to drip off before coating it in the breadcrumbs. Repeat the process again so that the balls have been breaded twice. Repeat with the remaining balls.
- Place breaded goat cheese on a sheet pan and place in the freezer for 5-10 minutes and prep the oil for frying.
- While goat cheese is in the freezer, add 1-2 inches of vegetable oil to a deep sided skillet or pot. Heat over medium high heat to 325˚ - 350° and line a sheet pan or platter with paper towels.
- When oil is heated, remove goat cheese balls from the freezer. Working in batches of 6-8 balls at a time, use a slotted spoon to carefully lower the goat cheese into the hot oil. Fry for approximately 15-20 seconds, while moving the balls around with the spoon, until balls are browned on all sides. Use the slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and place them on the paper towels to drain. Repeat with the remaining balls.
- Serve fried goat cheese balls at room temperature with arrabbiata dip.
Notes
- Use a log of goat cheese instead of crumbles because it will hold together in a ball together.
- Make sure to dip the goat cheese in the egg mixture and then the breadcrumbs twice so they have a decent breading on them for frying.
- Don't skip on freezing the goat cheese balls while the oil is heating. This helps so they don't break apart during frying.
- When frying, don't overcrowd the pan with too many goat cheese fritters or the temperature of the oil with lower and the will get soggy and crack open.
- Fry the goat cheese bites until just golden brown so they don't break apart in the oil.
- Instead of the dipping sauce, balls can also be drizzled in honey or balsamic vinegar.
Alternative Cooking Methods
Air Fryer - These goat cheese bites can be cooked in an air fryer instead. Spray the air fryer basket with avocado or olive oil spray and then add the breaded goat cheese to the air fryer basket. Spray the tops of the balls generously with the oil spray and then cook at 400˚ for 5 minutes until golden brown.Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
Bread and stored goat cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator up the 2 days ahead of time. They can also be frozen on sheet pan and then stored in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Frozen goat cheese should be defrosted in the refrigerator. Follow directions as listed for frying. Arrabiata dipping sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead of time, cooled completely and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. The sauce can also be stored in an airtight container and frozen for up to 2 months. Frozen sauce should be thawed in the refrigerator and can be served at room temperature or warmed slightly in a pot on the stovetop for serving. Leftover goat cheese bites can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container and can be crisped up under the broiler in the oven or in the air fryer for a couple of minutes at 400˚.Nutrition
Serving: 4ballsCalories: 291kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 9gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 326mgPotassium: 103mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 460IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 79mgIron: 2mg
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