Description
Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these baked goat cheese balls are a delicious appetizer or snack. Coated with crunchy Panko breadcrumbs and baked to golden perfection, they can be drizzled with spicy hot honey and garnished with fresh herbs for an irresistible flavor combination. Perfect for parties or a savory treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Goat Cheese Balls
- 8 ounces goat cheese
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/2 – 3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish
- Hot honey, for drizzling
- Fresh herbs (such as thyme, parsley, or chives), chopped
Instructions
- Divide and Shape Goat Cheese: Divide the goat cheese into 16 equal pieces. Gently roll each piece into a smooth ball. Place the balls on a tray and freeze for about 20 minutes to firm up, which helps with coating and baking.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Coating Stations: Set up three shallow bowls—one with flour, one with the beaten egg, and one with the Panko bread crumbs mixed with salt and pepper. This setup will help you evenly coat each cheese ball.
- Coat the Cheese Balls: Roll each chilled goat cheese ball first in the flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the beaten egg to moisten, then roll it thoroughly in the Panko bread crumbs to get a nice, even coating. Ensure each ball is fully covered to achieve a crispy crust.
- Bake: Arrange the coated goat cheese balls on the prepared baking sheet. For extra crispiness, optionally spray them lightly with olive oil cooking spray. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and crisp.
- Optional Finish: Remove the baked cheese balls from the oven. Drizzle with hot honey to add a sweet and spicy kick, and sprinkle with chopped fresh herbs for a burst of flavor and color. Serve immediately while warm and creamy inside.
Notes
- Freezing the cheese balls before coating helps prevent them from melting and losing shape during baking.
- If you don’t have hot honey, you can substitute with plain honey or a drizzle of chili oil for a spicy touch.
- Use fresh herbs like thyme, parsley, or chives to complement the tanginess of the goat cheese.
- Serve these as an appetizer, snack, or party finger food.
- To make them gluten-free, substitute Panko bread crumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
