This fried goat cheese balls recipe will easily become your new favorite appetizer. The best part is, you don't have to fry them at all so they're super easy to make while still being golden brown and delicious.
Why You'll Love this Recipe
This "fried" goat cheese ball recipe is EVERYTHING! And the best part? They’re not really fried at all! Despite looking and tasting like they’re straight out of the fryer, I’ve got a shortcut that eliminates all the extra hassle.
Inspired by my favorite Bravo TV show, Vanderpump Rules, this easy fried cheese ball recipe is the perfect appetizer for your reality tv binge-watching sessions. But instead of Sur's famous Mango Sauce, we’re pairing these cheesy bites with another easy recipe - my delicious crispy chili honey. Trust me, the combination of creamy cheese and spicy honey has so much flavor and makes the perfect bite!
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make these delightful goat cheese balls. For the best results, let your creamy goat cheese come to room temperature—it makes rolling them into balls a breeze.
And since there’s no actual deep frying involved, you can skip the worries of hot oil, egg wash, and messy shallow bowls. This easy appetizer is all about pure, cheesy goodness, ready to impress your friends (or yourself) while you dive into the latest drama on screen.
Get ready—these crispy fried goat cheese balls are about to become your new favorite obsession!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Diced Pickled Beets: Although pickled beets are not a part of Sur's original goat cheese recipe. this ingredient is sooo good and adds so much flavor and color. You could leave them out if you have an aversion to beets.
- Goat Cheese: A plain goat cheese log is the best for this easy goat cheese ball recipe. I recommend letting the log of goat cheese come to room temperature since it's easier to work with.
- Fresh Basil: Other fresh herbs like cilantro, mint or parsley work fine but in my opinion, basil is best.
- Olive Oil: The oil you choose isn't that important since it's only really used to toast bread crumbs. You could use vegetable oil, avocado oil, canola oil, or peanut oil.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: I love the texture of panko breadcrumbs but you could use another variety. Try using regular breadcrumbs or if you feel like deep frying, then you could use all purpose flour, tapioca flour, or another gluten free alternative that will still lend a crunchy texture.
- Flaky Sea Salt: You could also use kosher salt
- Honey: Sweet honey balances out the crispy chili oil perfectly while also binding the toatsed breadcrumbs to the crispy fried goat cheese balls. If you don't feel like dealing with this step, you could make your own hot honey or even switch it out for truffle honey or a delicious mango sauce.
- Crispy Chili Oil: If you don't have crispy chili oil and want to use hot sauce, try sriracha, frank's hot sauce, or even some red pepper flakes,
- Optional Additions: Want to make your fried goat cheese balls differently? Try adding some garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, italian seasoning or fresh rosemary to the mix!
Detailed Instructions
Making these crispy fried goat cheese balls is super easy!
Make the Spicy Honey: Start by mixing the crispy chili and the honey together in a small bowl and place aside.
Make Goat Cheese Mixture: Strain the pickled beets. Pour half of them in a large bowl and the other half into another small bowl and set it aside. Add soft goat cheese to the large bowl along with the basil then set aside.
Fry Panko Bread Crumbs: Meanwhile, add olive oil to a frying pan or a large skillet over medium heat. Once the hot oil is ready, add panko and a hefty pinch of salt. Continuously stir until toasted and golden. Remove from heat and place in a separate bowl or large plate.
Roll into Balls: Add a little oil to your hands and rub them together to prevent the little balls from sticking. Roll the beet and goat cheese mixture into a 1 ½ tbsp round ball. They should be sightly smaller than a golf ball. Repeat for the entire mixture. Place the balls in a single layer on a sheet of parchment paper lined baking sheet (or a regular ole' clean plate!) add a drizzle of honey and gently toss to coat.
Roll in Toasted Bread Crumbs: Roll prepared balls in the toasted panko mixture. Place the coated ball one by one on your serving plate.
Plate & Serve: To the remaining bowl of drained beets, add a small drizzle of the chili crisp honey (about 1 tsp), the remaining basil, and a pinch of flaky salt and stir to combine. Then sprinkle the chili crisp honey covered beets over the crispy goat cheese balls. Serve with the remaining chili crisp honey for dipping.
Save Leftovers: The crispy chili spicy honey is super easy to save. Just place in an airtight container and will last about a week. However, the goat cheese balls don't have much of a shelf life so I don't recommend saving them. The golden crust on these tangy goat cheese balls is best enjoyed immediately.
What goes with it?
I love serving these fried goat cheese balls as a starter to a fresh farmers market dinner. Here are some of the recipes.
- Crispy Chicken Cutlets (Easy Southern Oven Baked Recipe)
- Creamy Penne Alfredo Pasta Recipe (with cream cheese!)
- Peach, Cucumber & Melon Salad with Feta & Mint
- Whipped Brie Cheese Dip Appetizer with Honey & Fig Jam
- Bruschetti - Easy Bruschetta Pasta Salad Recipe
- Easy Broiled Spicy Salmon Recipe (Thai Inspired)
For more starters, try some of my easy appetizer recipes next time!
Recipe
Crispy Goat Cheese & Pickled Beet Balls with Chili Crisp Honey
Equipment
Ingredients
FOR THE BALLS
- 1 16 oz jar Aunt Nellie's Diced Pickled Beets, drained and divided
- 1 8 oz log Goat Cheese
- 4 tablespoon Fresh Basil divided and julienned
- 2 tablespoon Honey
- 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- ¼ teaspoon Flaky Salt
FOR THE SPICY HONEY
- 1 tablespoon Crispy Chili Oil
- ⅓ cup Honey
Instructions
- Mix the crispy chili and the honey together in a small bowl and set aside.
- Strain the diced beets. Pour half into a large bowl and add goat cheese and 2 tablespoon of fresh basil. Place the other half into a small bowl and set aside.
- Meanwhile, add olive oil to a small frying pan over medium heat. Once hot, add panko and a hefty pinch of salt and continuously stir until toasted. Remove from heat and place toasted panko in a shallow-rimmed plate or bowl.
- Add a little oil to your hands and rub them together to prevent the little balls from sticking. Roll the beet and goat cheese mixture into 1 ½ tbsp balls. Repeat for the entire mixture. Place the balls on a clean plate, drizzle with honey and gently toss to coat.
- Roll prepared balls in the toasted panko mixture and place them on your serving plate.
- To the remaining bowl of drained beets, add a small drizzle of the chili crisp honey (about 1 tsp), the remaining basil, and a pinch of flaky salt and stir to combine.
- Sprinkle the chili crisp honey covered beets over the crispy goat cheese and pickled beet balls and serve with the remaining chili crisp honey for dipping.
