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Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside Baked Goat Cheese Balls are a delicious party appetizer! Mixed with fresh herbs and coated in a crispy panko breading before being baked to golden brown perfection, this is a low-maintenance recipe you can bring to any occasion.
Baked balls of cheesy goodness
I admit it. I have a thing for cheesy appetizers! Whether it’s a creamy mix of blue cheese and toasted nuts, a vibrant Winter Cheese Plate, or creamy Baked Brie, you can always find a variety of cheese at my parties.
Baked Goat Cheese Balls are super savory, crispy, creamy, and herby, and are a must-have at any celebration or get-together. Just pop one in your mouth and keep the party going! Filled with fresh herbs and coated in crispy panko, these baked goat cheese fritters are impossible to pass up.
Baking the balls in the oven is the low-maintenance way of preparing this cheesy snack but you can easily fry or air fry them instead. So crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, you can always count on these cheese balls to be a hit at parties and also in salads! Keep a batch in your freezer at all times to give your meals or events a tangy and cheesy boost.
Goat cheese ball appetizer ingredients
Crispy baked goat cheese bites are a fun appetizer made from simple ingredients. The creamy goat cheese is layered with herbs and savory seasonings, making them a real crowd-pleaser.
Goat cheese
Goat cheese (also known as chèvre) is tangy, crumbly, and creamy. You can find it in a log shape at most grocery stores or head to a specialty cheese shop or farmer’s market to get the best of what your local farmers (and goats) have to offer. Just like ricotta cheese, goat cheese is soft and spreadable but has a distinct earthy flavor.
Make sure the cheese is cold before you start whipping up these appetizers so they’re easy to roll into balls. If you or your guests aren’t fans of the signature tangy flavor, you should be able to make this goat cheese balls recipe from cream cheese instead.
Parsley and chives
Fresh herbs are mixed into the cheese mixture to infuse herby, savory flavors into these bite-sized appetizers. Fresh parsley and chives are best but dried herbs work too if that’s all you have at home.
If you really want to make these appetizers extra savory, you can add mashed or chopped roasted garlic as well.
Panko breading
Crispy goat cheese balls get their crunch from an olive oil and breadcrumb coating. The cheeseballs are first dredged in flour and seasonings, then egg wash, and finally panko breadcrumbs. They’re placed into the freezer before being baked to crispy, gooey, and golden brown perfection.
How to make baked goat cheese balls
Baked goat cheese appetizers are just as crispy and delicious as the fried version but aren’t dripping in excess oil. They’re ready to serve to all of your party guests after a few simple steps:
Step 1: Mix the goat cheese, parsley, chives and garlic together.
Step 2: Get all of your dredging ingredients together.
Mix the four, salt and pepper together.
Whisk the egg and milk together.
Stir the panko, olive oil and paprika together.
Step 3: Roll the goat cheese mixture into balls!
Pop them into the freezer for about 30 minutes.
Step 4: One at a time pop those frozen goat cheese balls into the four.
Step 5: Then into the egg mixture.
Step 6: Lastly, coat in the panko mixture.
Step 7: Bake until golden!
Tips and tricks
Make the very best mini goat cheese balls using these helpful recipe tips:
Don’t skip the freeze!
Once the goat cheese balls are rolled and breaded, they MUST be frozen for at least 30 minutes. Freezing the cheese ensures the balls stay intact once they bake. If you skip this step, you’ll end up with a bunch of melty, oozing cheese balls.
Experiment with the flavor
- Festive for the holidays: Mix dried cranberries and parsley into the cheese mixture and roll them in crushed walnuts or pecans instead of breadcrumbs.
- Italian-flavored: Use fresh basil instead of the chives. Stir a little dried Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese into the breadcrumb coating.
- Sweet and savory: Bake the cheese balls as normal but finish them with a drizzle of honey for a touch of sweetness.
Frequently asked questions
Yes! To make fried goat cheese balls, form and freeze the balls as normal. Heat a neutral oil (like vegetable oil) in a small pan over medium heat and fry 3 to 4 cheese balls for about 20 to 30 seconds each. Let them drain on a paper towel-lined plate and enjoy!
You bet! Again, roll, bread, and freeze the goat cheese balls as normal. Place the balls in an even layer in your air fryer basket and cook at 390ºF for about 6 to 8 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
At parties: Stick a toothpick in each one and hand them out at the party.
In salads: Top the cheese balls on a fresh summer dandelion greens salad for an added creaminess and crunch.
As a snack: They’re so delicious on their own!
The goat cheese and herb mixture can be made up to 3 days ahead of baking. Keep it in a covered bowl in the fridge.
These goat cheese balls can be frozen and kept in the freezer (tightly wrapped) for up to 3 months. To bake from fully frozen, bake for about 10 minutes or until the centers are warm.
Recipe
Baked Goat Cheese Balls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounces goat cheese chilled
- 3 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped chives
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 cup panko
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- honey to drizzle optional
Instructions
- Thoroughly mix goat cheese, parsley, chives, and garlic together in a large bowl.
- In a small shallow dish, mix flour, salt, and pepper, together.
- In another small shallow bowl whisk egg and milk together until uniform.
- In one more small shallow bowl, combine panko, olive oil, and paprika. Stir to coat until panko is coated in olive oil.
- A tablespoon at a time, roll the goat cheese into balls using your hands. You should have auto 24 goat cheese balls.
- One at a time coat in flour mixture, dip in egg mixture, shaking off excess, and then thoroughly coat in panko.
- Place on a wire rack on a baking sheet. Freeze for at least 30 minutes.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place in the middle rack of the oven.
- Bake until soft to the touch, about 8 minutes.
- Cool slightly before serving and if you like, drizzle with honey.
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