Description
Crispy golden fried pumpkin goat cheese balls combine savory autumn flavors with a delightful crunch. Cheese lovers and seasonal enthusiasts will enjoy this quick appetizer that brings warmth and rich taste to any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (480 mL) panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup (240 mL) all-purpose flour
- 1 (8 oz / 226 g) log goat cheese
- ¾ cup (180 mL) pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature, beaten
- 1 large garlic clove, finely minced
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) fresh sage, finely minced (plus more for garnish)
- ½ tsp (2.5 mL) kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp (0.6 mL) nutmeg
- Canola oil, for frying
- Flaky sea salt, for serving
- Hot honey, for serving
Instructions
- Mixture Preparation: Combine goat cheese, pumpkin puree, minced garlic, chopped sage, ground nutmeg, and kosher salt in a mixing bowl, blending until smooth and homogeneous.
- Chilling Phase: Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes to enhance texture and manageability.
- Breading Station: Arrange three shallow dishes with all-purpose flour, whisked eggs, and panko breadcrumbs for coating process.
- Ball Formation: Using cool, gentle hands, craft uniform cheese balls slightly smaller than golf balls, ensuring consistent size and shape.
- Coating Process: Methodically dredge each cheese ball through flour, submerge in egg wash, and thoroughly coat with panko breadcrumbs for a crisp, golden exterior.
- Preliminary Freezing: Place breaded cheese balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 20-30 minutes to stabilize structure before frying.
- Oil Preparation: Heat canola oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan to 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit, monitoring temperature with a deep-fry thermometer for precise cooking.
- Frying Technique: Gently lower 4-5 cheese balls into hot oil, frying for 1-2 minutes until achieving a rich, golden-brown coloration.
- Draining and Garnishing: Remove fried cheese balls with a slotted spoon, drain excess oil on paper towels, quickly fry sage leaves until crisp, and finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and a drizzle of hot honey.
Notes
- Chill for Success: Refrigerate and freeze the cheese mixture to prevent sticky hands and maintain ball shape during frying.
- Temperature Matters: Use a deep-fry thermometer to maintain precise oil temperature between 350-375°F for perfect golden-brown exterior.
- Breading Technique: Coat balls systematically through flour, egg, and breadcrumb stations to ensure even, crispy coverage.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy fried pumpkin goat cheese balls hot, topped with crispy sage and drizzled honey for maximum flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg