Fried Goat Cheese Recipe - Evolving Table (2024)

Fried Goat Cheeseis full of fresh herbs and honey, coated in a Panko breadcrumb crust, and then lightly pan-seared to crispy golden perfection. Serve thischeese ball recipeon top of your favorite salad or as an appetizer for a party!

Best Fried Goat Cheese Recipe

Is there anyone else out there that likes some reality TV? If so, where are myBravoTVandVanderpump Rulesfans?

For the last few years I have constantly been hearing about these“fried goat cheese balls”by the staff at Sur.

Every time I heard them talk about these tasty bites of ooey, gooey, cheesiness my mouth would literally begin to salivate. (Not the best thing since I normally watch these guilty pleasure shows when I’m running on the treadmill!)

So instead of hopping on a plane and flying to the California coast, these fried goat cheese medallions were concocted one night in my kitchen—and then served atop thisFall Harvest Salad!

And in addition to salads, this fried goat cheese recipe can also be served up as an appetizer at a party or even made into the main course of a gluten-free and vegetarian dinner!

While goat cheese is already pretty tasty on its own, this fried goat cheese recipe gets a burst of flavor from a hint of honey and a bit of fresh rosemary and thyme.

It may not seem like a big deal, but trust me—these additions give it SO much flavor and are worth the extra steps.

Ingredients

The simple ingredients you need to make fried goat cheese at home include:

• Goat Cheese. Read more below about some of the brands of fresh goat cheese I recommend.
• Herbs. Fresh rosemary and thyme are used in this recipe. However, dried herbs can also be substituted.
• Honey. Pure local honey gives a subtle sweetness to the goat cheese.
• Flour. To make this recipe gluten-free, a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend is used. You can choose all-purpose flour, as well.
• Panko Breadcrumbs. This gives the goat cheese a super crispy texture. Again, a gluten-free breadcrumb is used but a regular brand can be substituted if you are not gluten-free.
• Egg. This helps to bind the coating onto the goat cheese.
• Oil. Avocado oil is recommended since it has a higher smoke point than olive oil, but olive oil can also be used if that’s what you have on hand.

Best Goat Cheese Brands

While I have yet to find a creamy goat cheese brand I didn’t like, here are a few of my go-to’s that are pretty easy to locate and are full of flavor:

• Montchevre– in the majority of grocery stores and has a nice mild flavor.
• Vermont Creamery– also found in many stores and is super creamy.
• Coeur de Chevre– a little harder to find but it is natural and organic.

Any brand you find will most likely taste amazing in this recipe. Just make sure you get alogof tangy goat cheese and not crumbles for the easiest preparation.

How to Make Fried Goat Cheese

Below are the steps to make this fried goat cheese recipe:

Combine Ingredients

Mix together the soft goat cheese, herbs, and honey in a medium-sized bowl.

Use a fork to ensure everything is thoroughly combined.

Shape and Freeze

Form the goat cheese mixture back into a log.Wrap in wax or parchment paper.

Freeze the log of goat cheese for 20-30 minutes or until firm. You can leave it in the freezer for up to 2 days if needed.

Slice and Coat

In three separate bowls prepare the following: 1) Flour, salt and pepper, 2) Egg and milk, 3) Panko breadcrumbs and garlic powder. Shallow bowls work great.

Cut the goat cheese log into medallions or thick slices and dip each one into the flour, the beaten egg wash, and then coat in the Panko breadcrumbs.

Pan Fry the Slices

Fry the goat cheese slices in a large skillet with a bit of hot oil over medium heat until crispy and lightly golden brown. Be sure to cook them in a single layer in small batches, depending on the size of your pan.

Remove the goat cheese rounds with a spatula or slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate.

Other Flavors

This recipe suggests that you use both fresh herbs, rosemary and thyme, as well as honey to flavor the goat cheese. If you are not a fan of one of those flavors, or simply want to try something different, here are a few variations you can try:

• Puremaple syrupinstead of the honey.
• Freshsageortarragoninstead of the rosemary or thyme.
• Basilandgarlic.
• Cilantroandlime.

Meal Prep and Storage

• How to prep ahead:Mix, freeze, and prepare the goat cheese medallions and then refrigerate them without frying for up to 48 hours. The day of serving simply pull them out of the refrigerator and proceed with the frying instructions as directed.
• How to store:If you have extra fried goat cheese you can store it in an airtight container for up to 4 to 5 days.
• How to freeze:Flash freeze the pieces of fried goat cheese on a baking sheet for a few hours. Then, transfer to a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 to 6 months.
• How to reheat:There are two ways that will bring your fried goat cheese back to life when reheating. Heat them up in a skillet over medium-low heat while covered with a lid. Or, place on a baking sheet in the oven and heat up at 300℉ for 5-10 minutes.

What do you eat goat cheese with?

Goat cheese is a super versatile food and goes with a wide variety of dishes.Try it on a salad, with crackers or toast, or even on a sandwich or burger.

Does goat cheese melt when cooked?

Goat cheese does NOT melt when cooked.Rather, it softens, making it quite easy to spread and meltingly delicious when coated in breadcrumbs and pan-fried.

Why is goat cheese healthier?

Goat cheese is considered healthier than cow’s cheese because it has less lactose and sodium and smaller fats that are easier to digest.However, it is still calorie dense, so you should consume it in moderation.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Be picky.Choose a flavor and brand of goat cheese you love as you’ll get the flavor from it.
• Aim high.Go with an oil that has a high smoke point so you don’t fill up your kitchen with smoke.
• Prep ahead.You can let the cheese log freeze for up to 2 days.
• Make it work.Try out different flavor combinations for different meals!
• Serve it up.Enjoy fried goat cheese on a salad, with crackers or toast, on a burger, or even plain with a drizzle of honey. Tryhot honeyfor a real treat!
• Make it fancy.Try adding goat cheese balls to a charcuterie board to impress your friends and family.

Other Appetizer Recipes

If you’re looking for easy appetizers, try one of these recipes next.

Crispy Zucchini FrittersandFried Picklesare always crowd pleasers. Don’t forget theHomemade Ranch.

Speaking of ranch,Ranch Pretzelsare so simple to whip up.

You can’t go wrong withBaked Chicken Taquitos RecipeorBaked Potato Wedges.

Check out these otherdinner party appetizer ideas.

More Recipes with Goat Cheese

Goat cheese is a secret ingredient that makes so many dishes better, and these recipes are no exception.

Goat cheese is delicious on salad recipes like aFall Harvest Salad,Strawberry Spinach Salad, orChopped Kale Salad.

You can add it to anAir Fryer HamburgerorGreek Turkey Burger.

Be sure to try thisRoasted Butternut Squash with Goat Cheese, too.