Make-Ahead Air Fryer Goat Cheese Balls
I love having make-ahead options in my freezer because you just never know when something comes up, and you’re going to need a quick dish to serve. Bread a batch of these Air Fryer Goat Cheese Balls, keep them in the freezer, and you’re minutes away from a warm party appetizer whenever you need it!
Each one is filled with gooey melted goat cheese inside a garlic-seasoned panko crust that air fries up perfectly golden brown, then gets a drizzle of honey and fresh parsley. They’re crunchy on the outside, gooey and a little tangy in the middle, and just sweet enough!
Why you’ll love these Fried Goat Cheese Balls!
I love goat cheese! It’s one of my favorite cheeses for easy appetizers, and these make the perfect snack. The recipe is easy, and the air fryer makes it a breeze, with none of the guesswork of frying cheese in oil. One batch makes about 35 bite-size balls (they ALL fit in my air fryer basket at once). Plan on an hour in the freezer before breading, then 6 minutes in the air fryer. For a sweet and spicy drizzle, make the homemade hot honey from my hot honey baked feta (it’s just honey, hot sauce, and a few minutes on the stove).
They’re the perfect appetizer or side dish for work parties, game day, and the holidays. If you’re not the biggest goat cheese fan, use the same recipe to air fry pepper jack or white cheddar, or make mozzarella bites!
JordanA Few Ingredient Notes…
- Goat cheese logs: Use fresh goat cheese from a log, not the pre-crumbled kind. A crumbly goat cheese won’t roll into smooth balls.
- Panko: Plain or Italian both work. Italian-style panko is heavily seasoned, though, and it can compete with the goat cheese.
How to Make Air Fryer Goat Cheese Balls
- Roll the goat cheese into half-tablespoon balls and freeze them on a parchment-lined plate. They’re ready to bread when they feel firm and hold their shape when you pick one up.
- The balls go into the egg before the flour, which gives the flour something to grab onto on the cold, smooth cheese.
- After a second dip in the egg, roll each ball in the panko and press gently so the crumbs cover every spot. Two coats of egg make a sturdier shell to hold the cheese in.
- Spray both sides with olive oil and air fry at 390° F for 6 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown. Peek in on them as they cook, since they can still get too hot and burst.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t skip the freezer! The full hour helps them hold their shape in the air fryer. Skip it, and they can lose their shape completely. I’ve been there, and you would not enjoy those photos!
- If the balls feel soft while you’re breading them, put the breaded balls back in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes before air frying.
- These already start in the freezer, so making them ahead is easy. Bread them all, keep them frozen for up to about 2 months, and air fry as many as you need straight from the freezer. Just add a minute or two to the cook time.
How to Serve
I finish these with honey and fresh parsley, but pizza sauce and ranch are great for dipping too.
Planning a whole spread? My air fryer baked brie with apricot preserves cooks in the same air fryer, and my honey lavender whipped goat cheese comes together in about 7 minutes. You’ll find more party bites in my snacks and appetizers recipes.
Just trust me and make the full batch. Future you will be glad there’s a bag of these in the freezer!
More Air Fryer Appetizer Recipes
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Make-Ahead Air Fryer Goat Cheese Balls
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Ingredients
- 10 ounces goat cheese
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 large egg beaten (or 2 small eggs)
- 1 cup panko
- olive oil for cooking
Instructions
- Divide the goat cheese into small equal portions, each roughly the size of ½ tablespoon. Form each piece into a ball using your hands. Place the goat cheese balls on a parchment paper lined plate and freeze for 1 hour.10 ounces goat cheese
- Preheat the air fryer to 390ºF.
- Place all-purpose flour, garlic powder, ground pepper, and salt in a shallow dish and mix until well combined. Place the beaten egg in a shallow dish, and panko bread crumbs in another shallow dish.1/4 cup all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 large egg, 1 cup panko
- Remove the cheese balls from the freezer. Dip in the goat cheese balls in the beaten egg. Using a fork, transfer the cheese balls to the flour mixture. Press gently around the cheese balls to make sure the coating is even. Dip the goat cheese balls in the beaten egg again and then into the panko, pressing gently to make sure the it sticks.
- Place the goat cheese balls in the air fryer basket and spray a thin layer of olive oil all over. Flip the balls and spray the other side. Air fry the goat cheese balls for 6 minutes, or until golden brown, flipping halfway through.olive oil
- Move the goat cheese balls onto a plate lined with paper towels to remove any extra oil, and allow them to cool for 5 minutes before serving. To serve, drizzle honey on top and garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
- Smaller air fryers: About 35 balls fit in a single layer in a large basket. In a smaller air fryer, cook them in batches in a single layer.
- Make ahead: Bread the balls, freeze them on a parchment-lined tray until firm, then store them in a freezer bag for about 2 months. Air fry straight from the freezer at 390°F, adding a minute or two to the cook time.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
- Reheating: Air fry at 350°F for a few minutes until warm and crisp again, or bake on a foil- or parchment-lined baking sheet at 350°F.
- Hot honey: Use it in place of regular honey for a little heat.
Nutrition
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