**Crispy Goat Cheese Appetizers: A Delightful Journey of Flavors and Textures**
Indulge in a culinary adventure with our crispy goat cheese appetizers, a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. These bite-sized morsels are perfect for any occasion, whether it's a casual get-together or an elegant party. Discover three irresistible recipes that showcase the versatility of goat cheese, each offering a unique taste experience. From the classic combination of honey and walnuts to the tangy twist of sun-dried tomatoes and pesto, these appetizers are sure to impress. Get ready to embark on a delightful journey of crispy, creamy, and flavorful sensations.
GOAT CHEESE BALLS
This crispy, baked goat cheese balls recipe with cranberries, honey, and pecans is a festive appetizer for any gathering. And cooks quickly!
Provided by Erin Clarke / Well Plated
Categories Appetizer
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Line a baking sheet or plate that will fit in your freezer with parchment paper (and clear out some space in your freezer to hold it).
- Place the goat cheese and cranberries in a mixing bowl. With a sturdy spoon, break up the goat cheese and stir it together with the cranberries. Continue to stir and "smush" the cheese, until the cranberries are fairly evenly distributed (it doesn't need to be perfect or hold together at this point).
- Portion the goat cheese mixture and roll into 18 balls, distributing the cranberries evenly. (To get 18, I find it easiest to divide the mixture into 3 portions, divide each of those portions in half, then divide each half into 3). The balls will be about 1 1/4 inches or so each. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Place the pecans in a food processor and pulse until they are finely ground (don't over blend and turn them into pecan butter). Alternatively, you can place them in a thick ziptop bag and crush them with a rolling pin (or wine bottle).
- Transfer the ground pecans to a shallow bowl and stir together with the panko, salt, and thyme.
- In a separate medium bowl, thoroughly beat the egg.
- Working one or two at a time, roll a goat cheese ball first in the egg mixture, then the panko mixture. Lightly pat to adhere the crumbs to all sides. I find it easiest to use one hand as the "wet hand" (this is the one you use for the eggs) and one as the "dry" hand (for adhering the crumbs). Place the ball back on the parchment paper. Repeat with the remaining balls.
- Freeze the balls for 30 minutes to harden. After 30 minutes, they are ready to bake, or you can transfer them to a ziptop bag for longer freezer storage.
- When you are ready to bake, place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 470 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the goat cheese balls on top.
- Bake the goat cheese balls until the crumbs are lightly golden and crisp, about 7 to 10 minutes depending upon your oven. Keep an eye on them as they cook to ensure the coating doesn't burn. If your oven doesn't bake evenly and you notice the ones in the pack browning before the ones in the front, rotate your pan 180 degrees F.
- With a thin, flexible spatula (or by lifting up the sheet of parchment-be careful, they roll!) immediately transfer the balls to a serving plate (if you leave them on the sheet, they will melt).
- Let cool 1 to 2 minutes, then drizzle with honey. Enjoy immediately!
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 (of 18), Calories 67 kcal, Carbohydrate 3 g, Protein 4 g, Fat 5 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 16 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 2 g
CRISPY FILO APPETIZERS WITH GOAT CHEESE AND CHERRIES
A delightful filo appetizer that can be assembled ahead of time and baked just as your guests arrive.
Provided by Marilena Leavitt
Categories Appetizer
Time 27m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, mix together the goat cheese, dried cherries, cherry preserves and orange zest. Taste and adjust the preserves-which have an affect on the sweetness of the filling--to your liking.
- Open the package of the thawed filo. Place one sheet (14" x 18") on a clean work surface, such as a wooden cutting board, and brush with some melted butter. Top this buttered sheet with a second sheet of filo and brush with butter. Cover the rest of fillo well so the sheets do not dry out. Cut the filo cut it in half and place one half on top of the other, so you are left with a stack of 7" x 9" filo (see photo).
- Cut the filo stacks into six squares, as in the photo. Place a spoonful of the goat cheese mixture in the center of each square. Top with a walnut half. Brush some butter around the edges of the squares. Gather the ends of the squares and twist slightly just above the filling to form a little parcel. Continue with the rest. Place the filo parcels in a greased muffin pan. Brush the parcels with some melted butter and bake for about 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown.
- Repeat with a second stack of filo and the rest of the goat cheese filling. Once they are ready, place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any extra butter. Serve warm or at room temperature with some bubbly wine.
CRISPY GOAT CHEESE APPETIZERS
Want an amazing party starter? Coat slices of goat cheese with seasoned bread crumbs, fry them until golden-brown and top them off with tomato, basil, vinegar and pine nuts. -Julia TenHoeve, Richmond, Virginia
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Appetizers
Time 40m
Yield about 2-1/2 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Freeze cheese for 15 minutes. Unwrap and cut into 1/4-in. slices., Place flour and eggs in separate shallow bowls. In another shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs, thyme, garlic powder and salt. Dip cheese slices in the flour, eggs, then bread crumb mixture., In an electric skillet, heat oil to 375°. Fry cheese slices, a few at a time, for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels., Garnish each appetizer with a tomato half and basil leaf. Drizzle with vinegar; top with pine nuts. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 97 calories, Fat 7g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 23mg cholesterol, Sodium 91mg sodium, Carbohydrate 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 3g protein.
Tips:
- Goat cheese should be very cold before slicing, as this will help to prevent it from crumbling. To keep it cold, place it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before slicing.
- For a crispier coating, double-coat the goat cheese slices in the flour and egg wash mixtures.
- Be careful not to overcrowd the pan when frying the goat cheese slices. This will cause the oil to cool down and the goat cheese will not cook evenly.
- Serve the goat cheese slices immediately after frying, while they are still hot and crispy.
- To add a bit of extra flavor, sprinkle the goat cheese slices with herbs or spices before serving.
Conclusion:
Crispy goat cheese appetizers are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a gourmet appetizer that will impress your guests. Serve these goat cheese slices with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
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