Fried Goat Cheese Balls with Spicy Sage Honey Recipe
These Fried Goat Cheese Balls with Spicy Sage Honey are crispy, creamy bites perfect as an appetizer or snack. Coated in a crunchy panko and sesame seed crust, the goat cheese centers are fried to golden perfection and drizzled with a warm honey sauce infused with garlic, fresh sage, and a spicy kick of hot sauce for a sweet and savory flavor explosion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes (plus freezing time of 20 minutes or overnight)
- Yield: 20-24 balls 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Coating and Cheese
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- Black pepper, a pinch
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup sesame seeds
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 log (10 ounces) goat cheese
- Avocado oil, for frying (enough for 1-2 inches in skillet)
Spicy Sage Honey
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 2–3 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup fresh sage leaves
- Sea salt, to sprinkle
Instructions
- Prepare the coatings: In one bowl, combine the flour with a pinch of black pepper. In a second bowl, beat the egg. In a third bowl, mix the Panko breadcrumbs with the sesame seeds. These will be used to coat each goat cheese ball.
- Form the goat cheese balls: Roll the goat cheese into 20-24 balls, about 1 tablespoon each. Thoroughly coat each ball by first rolling it in the seasoned flour, then dipping it into the beaten egg, and finally dredging it through the Panko and sesame seed mixture. Place each coated ball on a parchment-lined plate.
- Freeze the balls: Freeze the coated goat cheese balls for at least 20 minutes or overnight. This step helps them hold their shape during frying.
- Make the spicy sage honey: While the balls freeze, warm the honey in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the grated garlic, hot sauce, and fresh sage leaves to the honey and gently infuse the flavors until warm and aromatic. Keep warm until serving.
- Fry the goat cheese balls: Heat 1-2 inches of avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the frozen goat cheese balls in batches for 1 to 2 minutes or until they turn golden and crisp on all sides. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Serve: Arrange the fried goat cheese balls on a serving plate, drizzle generously with the warm spicy sage honey, and sprinkle lightly with sea salt. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Freezing the balls before frying is crucial to prevent them from melting too quickly and losing shape.
- You can adjust the amount of hot sauce in the honey to control the spice level.
- Avocado oil is recommended for frying due to its high smoke point, but other neutral oils like vegetable or canola oil can be used.
- Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying to get a crisp coating without the cheese leaking out.
- This appetizer pairs well with a light salad or a crisp white wine.
Keywords: fried goat cheese balls, spicy sage honey, appetizer, crispy goat cheese, panko crust, savory snack, party food
