Description
Delight your guests with crispy fried goat cheese balls served with a sweet and spicy sage-infused honey drizzle. These golden appetizers combine creamy cheeses coated in crunchy panko breadcrumbs, perfectly fried to a golden brown and complemented by the warm, aromatic honey sauce with a hint of heat from red pepper flakes.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Balls
- 8 ounces goat cheese, softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil, for frying (about 2 inches deep)
Spicy Sage Honey
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened goat cheese, cream cheese, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and well blended for a creamy, consistent texture.
- Form Cheese Balls: Roll the cheese mixture into 1-inch balls, ensuring they are evenly sized. Place the balls on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for 30 minutes to firm up, which helps maintain shape during frying.
- Set Up Dredging Station: Prepare three shallow bowls: one with flour, the second with beaten eggs, and the third with panko breadcrumbs. This step ensures a crispy coating on the cheese balls.
- Coat the Cheese Balls: Roll each frozen cheese ball first in the flour, shake off excess, dip it into the beaten eggs, then coat thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to make sure the breadcrumbs stick well.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet to a depth of about 2 inches and heat to 350°F (175°C). The correct temperature is essential for a crispy exterior without absorbing excess oil.
- Fry the Cheese Balls: Fry the cheese balls in batches for 2 to 3 minutes each or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the Spicy Sage Honey: In a small saucepan, combine honey, chopped sage, and red pepper flakes. Warm gently over low heat for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors. Remove from heat once warmed through.
- Serve: Drizzle the warm spicy sage honey over the fried goat cheese balls just before serving for a perfect balance of creamy, crispy, sweet, and spicy flavors.
Notes
- For a lighter alternative, bake the cheese balls at 400°F (200°C) for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown.
- You can prepare the cheese balls ahead of time and freeze them until ready to fry.
- These cheese balls make a delicious appetizer when served with crusty bread or crackers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 30 minutes freezing time)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Frying, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 balls
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
