This crispy fried feta milanese recipe is made in the air fryer. It's such a great meatless recipe that's so crunchy, creamy and absolutely delicious.
Why You'll Love it
If you love feta and italian milanese, you're going to love this crispy fried feta milanese recipe!
You can think of it as the vegetarian alternative to milanese or even schnitzel.
The feta cheese gets perfectly crispy on the outside while being creamy and indulgent on the inside.
For ease, I recommend making this recipe in the air fryer. If you don't have one, you can pan fry or make it in a convection oven.
I like serving it with a super simple arugula salad just like they do in Italy.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Feta Cheese: I'm using Athenos Feta but you could use any sturdy block of feta you prefer.
- All Purpose Flour: Self rising flour also works. Use what you've got!
- Eggs: There is no real alternative to eggs - at least I haven't tested it with this recipe.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: You could also use regular bread crumbs or your favorite keto alternataive.
- Arugula: If arugula isn't your thing, you can switch up the lettuce to something you prefer.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Any type of in season, juicy tomato will work.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon juice is best in this recipe. You could use the jarred shelf stable variety if you had to. Or you could use a splash of vinegar.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A high quality olive oil makes a big difference. If you're looking for a good finishing olive oil to have on hand, I recommend getting the Graza's Finishing Olive Oil. It's affordable and absolutley delicious.
- Flaky Salt: Maldon all the way! You could also use a kosher salt.
- Fresh Cracked Pepper: Regular black pepper also works fine but fresh cracked is the most flavorful.
- Balsamic Glaze: If you don't have a bottle of balsamic glaze, go get one right now! Just kidding. But for real, this stuff is awesome to have on hand. But it's also easy to make if you're more of a purist.
How to make it
Making this crispy fried feta milanese recipe is a breeze! Here's how you do it.
- Prepare Dredging Bowls: Add flour, whisked eggs, and panko bread crumbs to their own individual bowls - making sure they’re wide enough to comfortably fit two halves of feta.
- Dredge Feta Pieces: Add both halves of feta to the flour, coating on all sides, then add them to the egg wash, coating all sides, and then to the panko - coating all sides and packing it on so it sticks.
- Fry Feta Cheese: Add your coated feta to an air fryer basket or tray and spray with nonstick spray. Airfry at 400 for 7 minutes (if using a drawer-based air fryer) or 14 minutes (if using a oven-style air fryer like in this video) NOTE: air fryers are so drastically different that I recommend checking it every 4 minutes or so until it’s crispy and golden on the outside.
- Prepare Salad: Meanwhile, add arugula and tomatoes to a large bowl and toss with lemon juice, olive oil, flaky salt and pepper.
- Plate & Serve: Once the feta is ready, add it to a plate along with the salad and drizzle the whole thing with balsamic glaze. Serve immediately for the creamiest crispiest texture.
- Save Leftovers: You can place any leftovers in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to 3 days. The salad doesn't last as long and should most likely be disgarded.
What goes with it?
I love serving this delicious feta milanese with these tasty recipes:
- Bruschetti - Easy Bruschetta Pasta Salad Recipe
- Summer Peach and Tomato Salad with Halloumi & Hot Honey
- Creamy Penne Alfredo Pasta Recipe (with cream cheese!)
- Easy Marinated Cheese Appetizer Recipe with Salami & Pickles
- Balsamic Vinegar & Olive Oil Bread Dip - The Best Recipe!
Recipe
Fried Feta Milanese (Made in the Air Fryer!)
This crispy fried feta milanese recipe is made in the air fryer. It's such a great meatless recipe that's so crunchy, creamy and absolutely delicious.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 8oz block Feta Cheese sliced in half (lengthwise)
- 1 cup All Purpose Flour
- 2 large Eggs whisked
- 1 cup Panko Bread Crumbs
- 3 cups Arugula
- ½ cup Cherry Tomatoes diced
- ½ Lemon juiced
- 1 tablespoon Finishing Olive Oil
- 1 pinch Flaky Salt
- Fresh Cracked Pepper
- Balsamic Glaze for drizzling
Instructions
- Add flour, whisked eggs, and panko bread crumbs to their own individual bowls - making sure they’re wide enough to comfortably fit two halves of feta.
- Add both halves of feta to the flour, coating on all sides, then add them to the egg wash, coating all sides, and then to the panko - coating all sides and packing it on so it sticks.
- Add your coated feta to an air fryer basket or tray and spray with nonstick spray.
- Airfry at 400 for 7 minutes (if using a drawer-based air fryer) or 14 minutes (if using a oven-style air fryer like in this video) NOTE: air fryers are so drastically different that I recommend checking it every 4 minutes or so until it’s crispy and golden on the outside..
- Meanwhile, add arugula and tomatoes to a large bowl and toss with lemon juice, olive oil, flaky salt and pepper.
- Once the feta is ready, add it to a plate along with the salad and drizzle the whole thing with balsamic glaze.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Did you make this recipe?Tag me on instagram @grilledcheesesocial so I can see it!
