Description
Crispy Southern-style goat cheese bites merge tangy cheese with golden-brown crunch. Irresistible appetizers pair perfectly with cocktails and offer delightful texture that keeps guests returning for more.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) goat cheese (plain or herbed)
- 1 egg
- 4.25 oz (120 g) Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers
- ¼ cup (30 g) pistachios
- ⅓ cup (40 g) tapioca flour (or all-purpose flour)
- Sea salt
- Olive oil
- Honey (optional)
Instructions
- Crumb Preparation: Pulse graham crackers and pistachios in a food processor until achieving a fine, uniform texture, then transfer the mixture to a wide, shallow dish.
- Cheese Shaping: Slice the cold goat cheese log into 1-inch pieces and gently roll each into smooth, round balls.
- Coating Station: Organize three shallow bowls – one with tapioca flour, another with whisked egg, and the third with the prepared cracker-pistachio crumb mixture.
- Breading Process: Meticulously coat each cheese ball by rolling first in tapioca flour, dipping in whisked egg, then thoroughly covering with crumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure complete adherence.
- Chilling Phase: Place coated cheese balls on a parchment-lined plate and refrigerate for 15 minutes to stabilize the coating and prevent rapid melting during frying.
- Oil Preparation: Heat vegetable oil in a small skillet to 350°F, maintaining a consistent temperature for optimal frying.
- Frying Technique: Carefully lower chilled cheese balls into hot oil, cooking in small batches for 1-2 minutes until achieving a golden-brown, crispy exterior.
- Finishing Touch: Transfer fried cheese bites to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil, then arrange on a serving platter and enhance with a drizzle of high-quality honey and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
Notes
- Chill Before Frying: Refrigerate coated cheese balls for 15 minutes to prevent rapid melting and maintain structural integrity during frying.
- Temperature Control: Maintain consistent oil temperature at 350°F to ensure even, golden-brown exterior without burning or undercooking.
- Batch Frying Strategy: Fry cheese bites in small batches to prevent oil temperature drop and ensure crispy, uniform coating.
- Drain Excess Oil: Use paper towels to remove excess oil, keeping bites crisp and preventing greasiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 263
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 62 mg