Description
These Fried Goat Cheese Bites are crispy, golden rounds of creamy goat cheese, coated in a seasoned panko crust and fried to perfection. Drizzled with honey and sprinkled with fresh thyme, they make an irresistible appetizer or snack that’s elegant yet easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Goat Cheese Bites
- 1 (8-oz.) log goat cheese
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp. dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- Kosher salt, to taste
Topping
- 1 Tbsp. honey
- 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Freeze Goat Cheese: Freeze the goat cheese log for 30 minutes to firm it up, which helps in slicing and coating. Meanwhile, prepare your dredging stations: pour the flour into a small shallow dish; beat the egg in a second shallow dish until completely blended; and mix the panko bread crumbs, dried thyme, and black pepper in a third shallow dish. Rub about half of the bread crumbs together with your fingers to break them down into finer crumbs for added texture variety.
- Slice and Coat: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unwrap the goat cheese and slice it into 12 rounds, each about 1/2 inch thick. One at a time, coat each slice in flour, then dip it in the beaten egg allowing excess egg to drip off, and finally roll it in the seasoned bread crumbs, pressing firmly to ensure a good coating. Place the breaded rounds on the lined baking sheet and refrigerate them while heating the oil.
- Heat the Oil: Line a large plate with paper towels to drain excess oil from the fried bites. Heat the vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C) as measured with an instant-read or deep-fry thermometer. You can also test by dropping a breadcrumb into the oil—if it sizzles immediately, the oil is ready.
- Fry the Goat Cheese Bites: Carefully place 4 breaded goat cheese rounds into the hot oil. Fry each set for about 30 seconds on the first side, or until golden brown. Using a fork, flip and fry the second side for an additional 30 seconds until golden and crisp. Transfer the fried bites to the paper towel-lined plate and immediately sprinkle with kosher salt. Repeat with the remaining rounds, adjusting the heat as needed to maintain oil temperature.
- Serve: Arrange the fried goat cheese bites on a serving platter. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle fresh thyme leaves over the top for a fragrant, sweet finish. Serve warm for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Freezing the goat cheese before breading helps the rounds hold their shape during frying.
- Use a thermometer to ensure the oil stays at the proper frying temperature to avoid greasy bites.
- You can substitute vegetable oil with canola oil or peanut oil for frying.
- Try serving with a side of marinara or a fruit preserve for an alternative dipping option.
- These bites are best eaten fresh and warm to enjoy the contrast of the crispy crust and creamy center.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 1.2g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
