These crispy Goat Cheese Balls are the ultimate appetizer that will steal the show every time. Creamy goat cheese coated in a crunchy, golden crust and topped with a drizzle of sweet honey? It’s a combo that’s hard to beat. Whether it’s a dinner party, game night or a casual holiday gathering, these little bites are guaranteed to disappear fast.
Goat Cheese Balls were made super popular by the show Vanderpump Rules - these golden brown goat cheese balls are delicious and taste just like they're from a restaurant! I love make these during the holiday season for my guests.
Serve these little balls alongside a light salad, a charcuterie board or simply on their own for the perfect appetizer. They are easy to prepare ahead of time, quick to fry and absolutely irresistible. Trust me, your guests won’t be able to stop at just one!
If you are looking for more tasty appetizers, check out our: Kale Quinoa Salad, Burrata and Prosciutto, Roast Beef Sliders or Roast Pumpkin Salad.
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Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Flavorful: These are loaded with flavor with creamy tangy goat cheese on the inside, a crunchy herby coating on the outside and a sweet drizzle of honey to top it off. Every bite is a delicious mix of textures and tastes, creating the perfect bite every time!
- Versatile: They work for anything, whether you’re hosting a fancy dinner or just having friends over for game night. They’re super easy to make, but they look and taste like something you’d get at a restaurant!
- Make Ahead Friendly: You can easily make this delicious appetizer ahead of time by prepping and freezing them, so when it’s time to cook, all you have to do is fry them up. This makes it perfect for busy days when you want to save time.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for these crispy fried goat cheese balls:
- Goat cheese: I suggest using plain soft goat cheese for this recipe, but if you have herbed goat cheese on hand, it will work just as well. I buy the goat cheese log at Costco for a great price.
- Flour: Use all purpose flour in this recipe.
- Eggs: Eggs will help bind the coating to ensure the goat cheese balls are crispy.
- Breadcrumbs: Use panko bread crumbs for the crispiest coating.
- Herbs: Use dried rosemary and sage.
- Vegetable oil: You can substitute with any oil with a high smoke point. You want hot oil to fry the goat cheese balls quickly! I would recommend avocado oil as a substitute but don't recommend using olive oil for frying.
- Flaky sea salt
- Honey
Directions
Let's make this easy appetizer together!
Step 1
Start by rolling the goat cheese into small balls, about the size of a teaspoon. You should end up with about 20 to 25.
Step 2
Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs. Stir the rosemary and sage into the breadcrumbs.
Step 3
Coat each goat cheese ball by first dipping it into the flour, then the egg, and finally the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure the breadcrumbs fully cover the ball for that perfect crunch!
Step 4
Once they’re all coated, place the goat cheese balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and pop them in the freezer. Let them chill for at least 20 minutes, or up to an hour if you have time.
Step 5
Heat up vegetable oil in a medium saucepan to around 350°F. Once it’s hot, fry the goat cheese balls in batches, just five at a time, until they’re golden and crispy, which should only take about 30 seconds per batch. I like to place them on paper towels after frying to drain. When they’re done, sprinkle a little flaky salt on top and drizzle with honey. Serve them hot and enjoy!
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make these mini cheese balls:
- Freezer time: Freezing them before frying is key to keeping the shape intact and preventing the cheese from oozing out while cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Fry in small batches to keep the oil temperature steady. This helps the balls cook evenly and get crispy without getting greasy.
- Use a thermometer: To get the oil at the perfect temperature, use a thermometer. If the oil is too hot they will burn and if it is too cool they will soak up too much oil.
- Coat well: Make sure the goat cheese balls are fully coated in breadcrumbs for that perfect crunchy bite. Don’t rush the coating process!
- Drizzle right before serving: To keep the coating crispy, drizzle the honey on the goat cheese balls just before serving rather than ahead of time.
- Make extra: These go fast! If you’re expecting a crowd, double the recipe and freeze any extras for later.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for these mini goat cheese balls. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
- Baking sheet: A good sheet pan is a must-have for every home cook, and this set of two is a perfect upgrade, offering great quality for a variety of recipes.
- Saucepan: A medium sized saucepan is perfect for frying the goat cheese balls.
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this goat cheese ball recipe.
- Herbs: Feel free to switch up the rosemary and sage. Try thyme, oregano or even Italian seasoning for a twist. If you wanted to use fresh herbs, swap the dried rosemary and sage with 1 ½ teaspoons of fresh rosemary and 1 ½ teaspoons of fresh sage, finely chopped.
- Seasonings: You can add garlic powder, onion powder, or even cayenne pepper to add even more flavor to the goat cheese balls.
- Breadcrumbs: You can use regular breadcrumbs if you prefer for a bit of a different texture.
What To Serve With
Here are some recipes to serve alongside this easy recipe:
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. For baking, I would preheat the oven to 400°F, place the frozen goat cheese balls on a lined baking sheet, and bake for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway. For air frying, try cooking at 375°F for about 6–8 minutes, shaking the basket once.
Yes! Instead of honey, try drizzling with a balsamic glaze, fig jam or a hot honey for a different twist.
Freezing the coated goat cheese balls is key to maintaining their shape while frying. Ensure your oil is at 350°F to cook them quickly without letting the cheese leak.
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage and reheating instructions for this tasty appetizer:
- Refrigerator Storage: Store leftover goat cheese balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer Storage: Freeze goat cheese balls in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 1 month.
- Reheating Instructions: Reheat in the oven or air fryer to maintain their crispiness.
Other Recipes to Try
Easy Crispy Goat Cheese Balls with Honey
Ingredients
- 8 oz Goat Cheese
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 2 Eggs beaten
- 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon Dried Rosemary
- ½ teaspoon Dried Sage
- Vegetable Oil for frying
- Flaky salt for serving
- Honey for serving
Instructions
- Roll the goat cheese in 1 teaspoon size balls. You should produce 20-25 goat cheese balls.
- Place flour, egg, and panko breadcrumbs in three small separate bowls. Add dried rosemary and sage to the breadcrumbs and stir to combine.
- Dip each goat cheese ball in flour, then egg, then breadcrumb mixture. Ensure goat cheese balls are fully coated in the breadcrumbs for a crunchy bite!
- Place goat cheese balls on a lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 20 minutes or up to 1 hour.
- Heat vegetable oil to 350F in a medium sauce pan. Once the oil is hot, cook 5 goat cheese balls at a time in the oil. The goat cheese balls should only take 30 seconds to cook.
- Repeat until all goat cheese balls are fried. Sprinkle with flaky salt and drizzle with honey, then serve.
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