Crispy Goat Cheese Balls
Goat Cheese Balls are the perfect way to elevate a weeknight dinner of homemade soup or wow friends and guests at your next party! These little goat cheese bites are heavenly.
Cheese ball appetizers are fun to make around the holidays but I think they’re great any time of year! These are an absolute hit every time I’ve served them. I mean, how could they not be? Soft, creamy, tangy goat cheese that's been fried until golden plus hints of spicy and sweet from the toppings. So good.
My favorite soups to serve with these are creamy ones like Curry Chicken Pumpkin Soup, Marry Me Chicken Soup, and Creamy Turkey Barley Soup.
Why This Goat Cheese Appetizer Recipe Rocks!
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Goat Cheese: I recommend getting a high-quality plain goat cheese log for this goat cheese bites. For a milder flavor, you could use half goat cheese and half cream cheese. You’re going to roll it into cute little balls before adding on that magical coating and frying them up.
- Red Pepper Flakes: These are optional, but I like the little bit of heat they add. Leave them out, use less, or add a bit more -- the choice is yours!
- Fresh Rosemary: I love the bold, earthy flavor of fresh rosemary with these fried goat cheese balls. I’ve also seen recipes that use sage and thyme. Customize them based on what you like!
- Honey or Agave Syrup: The sweet drizzle of honey or agave brings out all the amazing flavors in the fried cheese balls. You could also use a sweet element like chopped dried cranberries or apricots, or apricot preserves.
- Eggs and All-Purpose Flour: You’ll need just two eggs and ⅓ cup of flour for the coating.
- Cornflakes: Cornflakes give the best crunch to the cheese balls!
- Oil for Frying: Use a vegetable oil that's suitable for frying. You want one with a high smoke point like avocado oil.
Check the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and quantities of each one.
How to Make Goat Cheese Balls
Here’s how to make this easy goat cheese appetizer. They’re surprisingly easy! And so delicious when hot, melty, and served immediately after frying them.
Step 1: Mix the Cheese. Crumble the cheese into a bowl and add the rosemary, salt, red pepper flakes, and honey. Mix it well, you want all of the flavors evenly distributed!
Step 2: Shape and Refrigerate the Balls. Roll the goat cheese mixture into 1-inch balls. Place them on a baking tray and put them in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.
Step 3: Crush the Cornflakes. Pulse the cornflakes in a food processor.
Step 4: Setup the Breading Station. Place the flour and cornflakes in separate bowls. Add the eggs to a third bowl and beat them with a fork.
Step 5: Coat the Balls. Coat each cheese ball in the flour, dip it fully in the egg mixture, then roll it in the cornflakes. The cheese balls cook better when chilled, so don’t let them sit out too long before cooking.
Step 6: Fry the Cheese Balls. Now comes the fun part! Once you have 2-3 inches of oil heated to medium heat, it's time to fry the cheese balls in small batches. They usually take 1-2 minutes. You want a golden crust and crispy exterior.
Step 7: Drain and Serve: Place the cooked balls on a plate lined with paper towels to let any excess grease drip off. Drizzle with honey or balsamic glaze and sprinkle with fresh herbs or crushed nuts to make them even more divine!
Handy Tip: For Extra Crunch!
For extra crispiness, you can repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps. Just remember, you will need larger quantities of the cornflakes along with one or two more eggs.
Alternate Cooking Methods
These can also be cooked in the air fryer or baked in the oven, but they are slightly less crisp. For both methods, spray the tops with a bit of cooking spray or olive oil to help them brown.
- Air Fryer: For the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 400° F and then cook the balls for 3-5 minutes until golden brown.
- Oven: To cook in the oven, preheat the oven to 400° F and cook the balls on a lined baking sheet for 5-8 minutes until golden brown.
Dietary Modifications & Variations
- Different Spices: Fried goat cheese bites are also really good with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a hint of cayenne pepper if you want another savory version to try.
- For a Slightly Sweet Version: Use dried cranberries, pecans, fresh thyme, and honey.
- For a Lighter, Non-Fried Version: Skip the egg coating and frying steps. Instead, simply form the cheese balls, roll them in the toppings and spices to coat them, then place on a baking sheet in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to firm up. That's it!
- Gluten-Free Option: These are easy to make gluten-free! Just look for gluten-free flour and gluten-free cornflakes or replace them with a cereal made with rice or corn.
Soup-er Toppings & Serving Suggestions
These fried cheese balls go well with creamy soups and main dish soups and are a great side dish for a weeknight dinner or family gathering. And of course, they also make an impressive appetizer for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s or the Super Bowl!
- One of my favorite ways to serve these is alongside a prosciutto sandwich and a piping hot bowl of creamy white bean soup.
- I also love these with a fresh green salad and a bowl of one pot lasagna soup!
- For a cozy wintertime dinner, I like serving cheese balls with my red lentil soup and a side of pumpkin cornbread muffins.
- These are perfect for a festive holiday appetizer, especially if you arrange them on a platter with some colorful red and green garnish or decorations.
Storage Tips
- Storing: These are best served fresh! They usually disappear, but if you do have leftovers you could keep them in the fridge for a day or two. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe.
- Reheating: Reheat them in the air fryer or oven to crisp them back up a bit. I usually use 375° F and heat for 5-8 minutes.
Expert Tips
- Use a Goat Cheese Log: Avoid using pre-crumbled goat cheese because it won't stick together as well.
- Flour and Egg Coating: When you dip them into the flour and the egg, let the excess drip off. This helps keep the texture from getting gummy. Also, use one hand for the wet ingredients and one for the dry to prevent the cornflakes sticking to your fingers.
- Make Ahead of Time: These could be made ahead, flash frozen on a baking sheet, and then transferred to a storage container. Cook them straight from frozen and cook them for slightly longer.
My Best Soup Recipes
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Fried Goat Cheese Balls
Ingredients
- 15 ounces goat cheese softened
- ½ teaspoons red pepper flakes optional
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups cornflakes
- Oil for frying
Instructions
Mix the cheese:
- Add cheese to a bowl and crumble with your hands. Add fresh rosemary, a pinch of salt, red pepper flakes, and honey. Mix well mashing the cheese with the back of a wooden spoon until fully mixed.
- Roll goat cheese into small balls (about 1 inch in diameter). You should get 18-22 balls.
- Place the cheese balls on a tray and refrigerate for 10 - 15 minutes to firm up or until you are finished preparing the remaining ingredients.
- In a food processor, place cornflakes and pulse for a few seconds, about 20 - 25, to crush them.
- Place flour in a bowl, beat the eggs in another bowl, and add crushed cornflakes to a third bowl.
Coat in Breading:
- Coat each cheese ball in flour, shaking off excess.
- Dip it in the egg mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated.
- Roll it in the cornflakes, pressing gently to adhere.
Cook:
- Heat about 2-3 inches of oil in a deep pan over medium heat (around 350°F/175°C).
- Fry the cheese balls in small batches until golden brown, about 1–2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate.
Recipe Tips
- Serving: Drizzle with some balsamic glaze and sprinkle with fresh herbs for serving.
- Breading Hack: Designate one hand for wet ingredients and the other for dry. This way, you avoid turning your fingers into cornflake magnets!
- Opt for a Goat Cheese Log: Skip the pre-crumbled goat cheese—it just doesn’t hold together as nicely. A log will give you the perfect consistency for this recipe.
- Prep in Advance: Want to save time later? Assemble them ahead of time, flash-freeze on a baking sheet, and then store in a container. When ready to cook, pop them straight into the oven from frozen, just giving them a bit more time to crisp up perfectly.
