Crispy Fried Goat Cheese with Tarragon & Honey Recipe

Nestled in the world of culinary delights, this fried goat cheese recipe brings a tantalizing blend of textures and flavors that dance on your palate.

Golden-brown crispy exteriors give way to a molten center of creamy goat cheese infused with delicate tarragon.

The unexpected marriage of sharp cheese and sweet honey creates a symphony of taste that surprises with every bite.

Each morsel promises a luxurious experience that transcends ordinary appetizers.

A simple yet sophisticated dish that effortlessly impresses at dinner parties or intimate gatherings.

Drizzled with fragrant honey, this appetizer turns an ordinary moment into a gourmet celebration.

You’ll want to savor every delectable bite of this irresistible culinary creation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 5

Fried Goat Cheese with Tarragon & Honey – Ingredients List

• Goat Cheese: Creamy foundation with tangy flavor, select fresh and soft variety for smooth texture.
• Tarragon: Aromatic herb adding delicate anise-like complexity, choose bright green leaves without wilting.
• Honey: Natural sweetener balancing cheese's richness, opt for local raw honey for deeper taste.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Black Pepper: Provides subtle warmth and depth, freshly ground offers more intense taste.

• Panko Breadcrumbs: Creates crispy exterior with light, airy texture, look for Japanese-style breadcrumbs.
• Flour: Helps breading adhere perfectly, unbleached all-purpose works best.
• Egg: Binding agent for breading, select fresh large eggs at room temperature.

• Canola Oil: Neutral oil for high-temperature frying, ensure clean and fresh for best results.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spicy garnish for heat lovers, adjust quantity based on preference.
• Chives: Fresh herbal topping adding mild onion notes, select bright green stems.
• Pistachios: Crunchy garnish providing textural contrast, choose unsalted roasted nuts.

Tools for Frying Goat Cheese with Tarragon & Honey

• Mixing bowl: Essential for combining goat cheese, tarragon, honey, and seasonings.
• Small bowl: Perfect for beating egg with water.
• Plates (2): One for flour, another for panko breadcrumbs to coat cheese balls.
• Dutch oven: Ideal for deep frying with 3 inches of canola oil.
• Thermometer: Helps monitor oil temperature at 350°F.
• Paper towels: Great for draining excess oil from fried cheese balls.
• Tongs or slotted spoon: Useful for safely removing cheese balls from hot oil.

How to Make Fried Goat Cheese with Tarragon & Honey

• Cheese Mixture Preparation

Blend soft goat cheese with fragrant tarragon, golden honey, and a whisper of seasoning. The goal is creating a harmonious flavor that dances on your taste buds.

• Ball Formation

Gently shape the creamy mixture into small, delicate spheres. Aim for consistent size to ensure even cooking and a beautiful presentation.

• Coating Setup

Create a playful transformation station with three key players: seasoned flour, beaten egg wash, and crispy panko breadcrumbs. Each cheese ball will take a delightful journey through these stations.

• Breading Process

Roll each cheese sphere first in flour, then bathe it in egg, and finally cloak it in crunchy breadcrumbs. Shake off any excess coating for a perfect, light exterior.

• Chilling Time

Rest the prepared cheese balls in the freezer for a quick 20-minute chill. This helps them maintain their shape during the upcoming frying adventure.

• Frying Magic

Heat canola oil to a sizzling 350°F. Carefully lower the cheese balls into the hot oil, cooking in small batches until they turn a gorgeous golden brown.

• Final Flourish

Drain the crispy morsels on paper towels. Drizzle with extra honey and sprinkle with optional garnishes like red pepper flakes or crushed pistachios for a stunning finish.

Extra Tips for Better Fried Goat Cheese Flavor

• Freezing the coated goat cheese balls before frying helps them maintain their shape and creates an extra-crispy exterior that doesn't fall apart in hot oil.
• Experiment with different fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or rosemary instead of tarragon to customize the flavor profile and match your taste preferences.
• Use a digital thermometer to ensure the oil stays consistently at 350°F, preventing soggy or overly greasy cheese balls and guaranteeing perfect golden-brown results.
• Prepare the breaded goat cheese balls up to 24 hours in advance and store them in the refrigerator, making party prep and last-minute entertaining a breeze.
• Try using crushed almonds, cornflakes, or seasoned breadcrumbs for a unique texture and added crunch that will surprise and delight your guests.

Serving Fried Goat Cheese with a Sweet Finish

• Appetizer Companion: Pair these crispy goat cheese balls with a light mixed green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette for a balanced starter.
• Cocktail Hour Star: Serve these golden bites alongside chilled white wine or a crisp prosecco during evening gatherings, creating an elegant appetizer experience.
• Dipping Delights: Create small ramekins of complementary sauces like herb-infused aioli, spicy marinara, or fig jam to enhance the rich, creamy goat cheese flavors.
• Seasonal Garnish Party: Top the fried cheese with fresh herbs like chopped chives, crumbled pistachios, or a light sprinkle of red pepper flakes to add color and texture contrast.

How to Keep Fried Goat Cheese Fresh

• Advance Prep Paradise: Create these delightful goat cheese balls up to 24 hours before your event, storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for maximum freshness and flavor anticipation.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Uncooked breaded cheese balls can be frozen flat on a baking sheet, then transferred to freezer bags for up to 2 months – perfect for spontaneous appetizer moments.
• Serving Strategy: These crispy bites shine brightest when served immediately after frying, ensuring maximum crunchiness and warm, gooey cheese center that will wow your guests.
• Leftover Love: If any rare survivors remain, refrigerate cooked cheese balls for 2-3 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 375°F for 5-7 minutes to restore their delightful crispiness, avoiding microwave reheating that can make the coating soggy.

Crispy Fried Goat Cheese

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Crispy homemade fried goat cheese creates a luxurious appetizer with delicate herbal notes. Mediterranean-inspired flavors meld seamlessly, offering you a delightful culinary experience perfect for elegant gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 oz (340 g) goat cheese log (3x 4-oz logs), room temperature
• 1 egg
• ½ cup panko bread crumbs
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp honey (plus more for garnish)
• 1 tsp dried tarragon
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• Pinch of black pepper
• Splash of water
• Canola oil for frying
• Salt and pepper, as needed
• Optional: red pepper flakes
• Optional: chives
• Optional: crushed pistachios

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Blend softened goat cheese with finely chopped tarragon, honey, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl until smooth and well-seasoned.
2. Shaping: Form the cheese mixture into 12-14 uniform spheres, ensuring consistent size and shape.
3. Coating Setup: Create a three-stage breading station with seasoned flour, egg wash (whisked with water), and panko breadcrumbs seasoned with salt and pepper.
4. Breading Process: Roll each cheese ball first in flour, dip thoroughly in egg wash, then coat completely with seasoned breadcrumbs.
5. Chilling: Freeze the breaded cheese spheres for 20 minutes to firm up and maintain structural integrity during frying.
6. Frying Technique: Heat canola oil to 350°F in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot. Carefully lower chilled cheese balls in small batches, frying until golden brown and crispy (2-3 minutes).
7. Finishing Touch: Drain fried goat cheese on paper towels to remove excess oil. Drizzle with additional honey and garnish with optional red pepper flakes, chopped chives, or crushed pistachios for enhanced flavor and presentation.

Notes

• Chill Before Frying: Freezing the cheese balls for 20 minutes is crucial to prevent melting and help maintain their perfect spherical shape during frying.
• Temperature Control Matters: Maintain oil at exactly 350°F for golden, crispy exterior without burning or undercooking the delicate cheese.
• Batch Frying Technique: Fry in small groups to ensure even browning and prevent oil temperature drop, which can result in greasy cheese balls.
• Seasoning Layers: Integrate salt and pepper at multiple stages (cheese mixture, flour, breadcrumbs) to build complex, balanced flavor profiles throughout the coating.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg