Fried Goat Cheese is full of fresh herbs and honey, coated in a Panko breadcrumb crust, and then lightly pan-seared to crispy golden perfection. Serve this cheese ball recipe on 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 my BravoTV and Vanderpump Rules fans?
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 this Fall 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 a log of 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:
- Pure maple syrup instead of the honey.
- Fresh sage or tarragon instead of the rosemary or thyme.
- Basil and garlic.
- Cilantro and lime.
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. Try hot honey for 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 Fritters and Fried Pickles are always crowd pleasers. Don’t forget the Homemade Ranch.
Speaking of ranch, Ranch Pretzels are so simple to whip up.
You can’t go wrong with Baked Chicken Taquitos Recipe or Baked Potato Wedges.
Check out these other dinner 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 a Fall Harvest Salad, Strawberry Spinach Salad, or Chopped Kale Salad.
You can add it to an Air Fryer Hamburger or Greek Turkey Burger.
Be sure to try this Roasted Butternut Squash with Goat Cheese, too.
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Fried Goat Cheese Recipe
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Ingredients
- 9 oz. goat cheese log softened
- ½ tsp. rosemary fresh, finely chopped
- ½ tsp. thyme fresh, finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp. honey
- ⅓ cup flour gluten-free 1-to-1*
- ¼ tsp. salt to taste
- ⅛ tsp. black pepper to taste
- 1 egg
- 1 Tbsp. milk
- ⅔ cup Panko breadcrumbs gluten-free*
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- 2-3 Tbsp. avocado oil or olive oil*
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl mix together the goat cheese, herbs, and honey.
- Place goat cheese in the center of a piece of wax or parchment paper and roll into a log.
- Freeze goat cheese log for 20-30 minutes or refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Once goat cheese has hardened, cut cheese with a sharp knife into 8 medallions.
- In three separate shallow bowls add the flour, salt, and pepper to the first bowl, whisk the egg and milk in the second bowl, and whisk together the Panko breadcrumbs and garlic powder.
- Dip each goat cheese medallion in the flour mixture, dredge in the egg wash, and then coat completely in the Panko breadcrumbs. Repeat with remaining goat cheese slices.
- In a large skillet over medium heat add 1-2 tablespoons of oil. Let oil heat up completely and then add 4 goat cheese slices. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side or until the coating becomes lightly golden. Remove from skillet and place on a paper towel lined plate. Repeat with remaining oil and goat cheese slices.
- Serve fried goat cheese with a Fall Harvest Salad or as an appetizer with additional honey and fresh herbs. Enjoy!
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Notes
- You can also use regular all purpose flour and regular Panko breadcrumbs if you are not gluten-free.
- Avocado oil has a higher smoke point and works best when lightly frying.
- Nutritional information has been adjusted according to the amount of coating ingredients that will be left over.
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 it 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.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Easy way to cut goat cheese.
Use dental floss. Unscented of course
That’s a great tip! Thanks for leaving a comment!
This recipe is very good and easy to understand. I made these for my birthday party the other day, and everyone raved about them. I will be makining them again. The only thing I did differently was to cover them in crushed pistachios. Very delicious!
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Cara! Happy belated birthday. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!
The addition of the honey in the goat cheese really smoothed out the tanginess. I literally made a plain spring mix salad with a drizzle of ranch dressing and topped with the fried goat cheese. AMAZING!
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Darlene! I think the honey is the perfect addition to goat cheese. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!
This sounds delicious. I have made similar without the honey and herbs, and then frozen before frying. After rolling the cheese in the panko, I simply put them on a parchment lined baking sheet, freeze, then store in a freezer bag. I can then used them any time i want a delicious treat. So you could make them a week ahead for a dinner party .
What a great idea. Thanks for leaving a comment!
Can I make these ahead of time and reheat next day for appetizer?
Absolutely! You can even make them ahead of time and wait to fry them up until the day of serving. Can’t wait to hear what you think of the recipe, Allison!
a rest. near my house serves a goat cheese stack salad – with fried goat cheese like this on top of a thick sliced tomato with olive tapande, arugula and balsamic reduction – it all goes SO good together… cant wait to try to recreate it myself with your recipe for the goat cheese.
Oh that flavor combo sounds incredible! Can’t wait to hear what you think about the recipe, Renae!
Can I make these in an air fryer?
Absolutely! I haven’t personally tried them yet but I’m sure 375 degrees for 5-10 minutes should do it! Would love to know how they turn out 🙂
This recipe is the perfect preparation, and I know that many people enjoy the taste of goat cheese. I however, did not. Is there another type of cheese that this could be made with?
Goat cheese has a pretty specific consistency and works really well when prepared like this so I honestly don’t know what else you could try. You could always try a different brand of goat cheese?
What can I use instead of eggs?
I’ve not personally tried it, but a flax egg might do the trick!