Description
Creamy goat cheese balls infuse Italian-inspired appetizers with Mediterranean flavors. Herbed breadcrumbs and zesty seasonings create irresistible party bites you’ll adore serving to guests.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 packages (4 oz/113 g) goat cheese (chevre), chilled
- 2 whole eggs
- 2 cups (240 g) pretzels, finely ground
- ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- Olive oil (enough to fill pan to ½ in/1.27 cm depth for frying)
- Marinara sauce, for dipping
- Minced parsley, for garnishing
Instructions
- Pretzel Preparation: Pulverize pretzels into fine crumbs using a food processor. Transfer crumbs to a shallow bowl. Create an egg wash by whisking eggs with water in a separate container. Set up flour in another shallow dish to establish a breading station.
- Cheese Handling: Briefly chill goat cheese to firm up if too soft. Slice each cheese package into four equal portions using a sharp knife, ensuring uniform size and shape.
- Breading Technique: Coat cheese slices systematically – first dredge in flour, shaking off excess. Dip thoroughly in egg wash, then roll completely in pretzel crumbs. Place breaded cheese pieces on a clean plate, ready for frying.
- Frying Process: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium temperature, allowing 1/2 inch oil depth. Carefully introduce cheese slices, cooking approximately 45 seconds per side until achieving a rich golden-brown crust. Use a slotted spoon to flip and manage cheese balls. Remove and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Serving Presentation: Plate crispy goat cheese balls immediately. Accompany with marinara sauce for dipping. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley to enhance visual appeal and provide a fresh herbal note.
Notes
- Chill Cheese for Perfect Coating: Refrigerate goat cheese for 20 minutes to firm up, making breading process easier and preventing cheese from crumbling.
- Create Breading Station Strategically: Arrange flour, egg wash, and pretzel crumbs in separate shallow bowls to ensure smooth, efficient coating of cheese slices.
- Monitor Oil Temperature Carefully: Heat olive oil to medium, maintaining 1/2 inch depth to prevent smoking and achieve golden-brown crispy exterior without burning.
- Drain Excess Oil Thoroughly: Use paper towel-lined plate to absorb extra oil, keeping goat cheese balls crisp and preventing greasy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg