By Becky Hardin
Published Aug 16, 2018
Fried Goat Cheese Balls are the perfect party appetizer! These goat cheese poppers are stuffed with dried cherries and pecans and then deep fried into a crispy little snack. They are great for holiday parties or as a fancy salad topper. Fried Goat Cheese is definitely my favorite goat cheese appetizer!
Fried Goat Cheese Balls
Fried Goat Cheese Balls (aka goat cheese poppers) are one of my favorite holiday appetizers. They are cheesy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and the perfect poppable size!
Before I tell you where I got the idea for these Fried Goat Cheese Balls, I need to make sure we are in a judgement free zone. I’m about to tell you something super embarrassing and I need to make sure you’ll still come back…
I LOVE REALITY TV. Love really isn’t a strong enough word. Addicted would be more accurate. There are few reality series that I don’t record, and one of my favorites is Vanderpump Rules. What is it about that show? They’re all so terrible, yet so fun to watch. Well anyway, I was watching my girl Stassi (one of the worst!) a couple weeks ago and she went on and on about her favorite appetizer ……GOAT CHEESE BALLS.
She convinced me that I needed to try them, so I decided to just make some for myself. The idea was awesome, and I’ll never deny a good appetizer idea, no matter where it came from! I mean, fried goat cheese? Yes please! Sounds like the best New Year’s Eve appetizer if you ask me. And that’s how this delicious goat cheese appetizer recipe was born…
These Fried Goat Cheese Balls are stuffed with dried cherries & pecans and then deep fried into a crispy little ball. This goat cheese appetizer is PERFECT for New Year’s Eve parties!
Goat Cheese Appetizers
I. Love. Goat Cheese. I’m a big fan of any kind of cheese, but goat cheese just feels a bit more decadent than, say, cheddar or swiss. It’s soft and creamy, and it’s just so perfect to snack on. I’ve made a lot of goat cheese appetizers because it just seems like the perfect cheese for the job!
These Fried Goat Cheese Balls are one of my favorites because they’re the perfect size to pop in your mouth one by one. The cherries and pecans add so much flavor into the mix, and deep frying them adds a nice crispy shell that makes them absolutely irresistible!
Here are a few more tasty goat cheese appetizers to try:
- Whipped Goat Cheese Crostini
- Whipped Goat Cheese Bruschetta
- Garlic Herb Tomato Goat Cheese Dip
How to Make Fried Goat Cheese Balls
This fried goat cheese balls recipe is super simple. Mix pecans and dried cherries in with goat cheese, and roll them into bite-sized balls. Then quickly deep fry them (it’s a lot easier than it seems, trust me!) and they’re ready to go. If you have some sort of deep fryer, you can use that. But all you really need is a deep saucepan (deep enough that the hot oil won’t splatter everywhere).
How to Make Goat Cheese Balls:
- Place flour in a bowl, then mix egg & water in another bowl, and mix breadcrumbs & sea salt in a third bowl
- Roll the goat cheese into 24 1 tablespoon sized balls, mixing dried cherry and pecans into each goat cheese ball
- Let them set in the refrigerator for about 1 hour, until firm
- Roll each ball into the flour, then the egg, and finally the breadcrumbs
- Heat oil to 350°F in a deep saucepan
- Set 2 or 3 balls into the oil at a time & fry for about 30 seconds (coating should be crispy and fully browned)
- Use slotted spoon to remove the fried goat cheese balls and let them cool/dry on a paper towel or cooling rack
These are really great as an appetizer and taste even better with a dip or dressing of some sort. They also make a great salad topper for something a little extra special. See the recipe card for full instructions!
These Fried Goat Cheese Balls are just too good! I love the added crunch from the pecans and touch of sweetness from the dried cherries. I knew my reality TV addiction would take me places in life…very delicious places. These are great on their own, and would be equally great with some crackers. Drizzle with a little pomegranate balsamic vinegar and you’re truly in business.
Watch the Video and See the recipe card for full details on how to make Fried Goat Cheese Balls. Enjoy!
If you like these fried goat cheese balls, try these other great appetizer recipes:
- Best Swedish Meatballs
- Herb Marinated Mozzarella Balls
- Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
- Pigs in a Blanket
- Classic Sausage Balls recipe
- Baked Brie Bread Bowl
- Fried Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 12 ounces 3 small packages good quality goat cheese
- ▢ 1/3 cup flour
- ▢ Egg white from one egg
- ▢ 1/2 tablespoon sea salt
- ▢ 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- ▢ 2 cups canola oil
- ▢ 1/2 cup dried tart cherries
- ▢ 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- ▢ Pomegranate balsamic vinegar optional
Video
Instructions
- Place flour in a small bowl. Combine egg and 2 tablespoons water in another small bowl. Place panko and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt in another bowl. Set aside.
- Roll goat cheese into 24 1 tablespoon-sized balls. As your rolling, add some cherries and pecans to each ball.
- Place in the fridge for about an hour or the freezer for 20 minutes to make sure they are firm and sturdy.
- Coat each goat cheese ball in the flour mixture. Dip in the egg and make sure that all of the outer surface is covered. Then coat with the panko mixture. Don’t skimp on the panko!
- Heat oil to 350° in a deep saucepan over medium-high heat. It will not boil. Since this one my first time frying food, I wasn’t sure! A deep sauce pan is important so that the hot oil doesn’t splatter.
- Working in batches, add 2 or three goat cheese balls to the oil and allow them to fry for about 30 seconds, or until the entire coating is crispy and browned. Take out of the oil using a slotted spoon and place on a cookie rack or paper towel to dry.
- Serve warm topped with a drizzle of pomegranate balsamic vinegar if desired! Enjoy!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Fried Goat Cheese Balls
Ingredients
- 12 ounces 3 small packages good quality goat cheese
- 1/3 cup flour
- Egg white from one egg
- 1/2 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 cups canola oil
- 1/2 cup dried tart cherries
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- Pomegranate balsamic vinegar optional
Instructions
- Place flour in a small bowl. Combine egg and 2 tablespoons water in another small bowl. Place panko and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt in another bowl. Set aside.
- Roll goat cheese into 24 1 tablespoon-sized balls. As your rolling, add some cherries and pecans to each ball.
- Place in the fridge for about an hour or the freezer for 20 minutes to make sure they are firm and sturdy.
- Coat each goat cheese ball in the flour mixture. Dip in the egg and make sure that all of the outer surface is covered. Then coat with the panko mixture. Don’t skimp on the panko!
- Heat oil to 350° in a deep saucepan over medium-high heat. It will not boil. Since this one my first time frying food, I wasn’t sure! A deep sauce pan is important so that the hot oil doesn’t splatter.
- Working in batches, add 2 or three goat cheese balls to the oil and allow them to fry for about 30 seconds, or until the entire coating is crispy and browned. Take out of the oil using a slotted spoon and place on a cookie rack or paper towel to dry.
- Serve warm topped with a drizzle of pomegranate balsamic vinegar if desired! Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
