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5.0 from 123 votes

Fried Goat Cheese Balls (Air Fryer)

Fried goat cheese balls are a 30-minute air fryer appetizer that comes together with just 5 simple ingredients! Paired with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of fresh thyme, each bite is crispy, creamy, sweet, and savory. Serve them at a holiday party, or as a topping on salads.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
16 mins
Servings: 20 balls
Calories: 51 kcal
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces goat cheese
  • 1 cup Panko bread crumbs or gluten free panko
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour or gluten free flour blend
  • 1 large egg whisked
  • vegetable oil spray
  • honey for serving
  • parsley or thyme for garnish

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Line a small baking tray with parchment paper.
  2. Cut the log of goat cheese in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 10 equal pieces.
  3. Roll each piece of goat cheese into a ball, using your hands.
  4. Place the balls, spaced apart, on the prepared baking tray.
  5. Put the tray in the freezer until the cheese balls are frozen hard, 20-30 minutes.
  6. Set up your breading station: put the flour, beaten egg, and panko into three separate bowls. Place the bowls in the above order in a row. Add a plate to the end of the row.
  7. Remove the tray of cheese balls from the freezer and place it at the front of the row.
  8. Roll each cheese ball, one at a time, in first the flour, then the egg, and finally the breadcrumbs, making sure to coat thoroughly each time. Place the balls on the plate.
  9. Spray the basket of the air fryer lightly with oil. Preheat to 400°
  10. Place the breaded cheese balls in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between them. (You will probably need to cook them in two batches).
  11. Spray the cheeseballs lightly with oil.
  12. Cook for 6 minutes, until golden and crispy.
  13. Remove the fried goat cheese balls to a serving plate. Drizzle with honey and garnish with thyme. Serve right away.

Notes

  • Let the balls chill: Allow ample amounts of time for the goat cheese balls to harden in the freezer. This will make breading them much easier, and prevent them from turning into a melted mess in the air fryer!
  • Keep your hands separate: Remember to keep one hand reserved for rolling the balls in flour and panko and one hand for coating them in the egg wash. 
  • Work in batches: Bread just enough goat cheese balls that will fit in your air fryer basket, then leave the rest in the freezer to stay cold. After you’ve added the breaded cheese balls to your air fryer, start working on the second batch.
  • Don’t overcrowd the basket: For a perfectly crispy exterior, you really shouldn't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Remember to leave lots of space between each breaded ball!
  • Gluten-free: To make gluten-free fried goat cheese balls, swap the panko for gluten-free breadcrumbs and replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1g Calories 51kcal (3%) Carbohydrates 3g (1%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 3g (5%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Trans Fat 0.001g Cholesterol 13mg (4%) Sodium 67mg (3%) Potassium 14mg (0%) Fiber 0.2g (1%) Sugar 0.3g (1%) Vitamin A 129IU (3%) Calcium 23mg (2%) Iron 0.5mg (3%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 20balls

Amount Per Serving

Calories 51

% Daily Value*

Serving 1g
Calories 51kcal 3%
Carbohydrates 3g 1%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 3g 5%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g 1%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Trans Fat 0.001g 0%
Cholesterol 13mg 4%
Sodium 67mg 3%
Potassium 14mg 0%
Fiber 0.2g 1%
Sugar 0.3g 1%
Vitamin A 129IU 3%
Calcium 23mg 2%
Iron 0.5mg 3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.