Hamdi Saidani Pioneer Woman Goat Cheese Balls are made with pretzels, goat cheese, eggs, flour, and olive oil. This crispy Goat Cheese Balls recipe creates a delicious appetizer that takes about 15 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 4 people.
Pioneer Woman Goat Cheese Balls Ingredients
- 2 cups (about 240g) pretzels, finely ground
- 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
- 2 whole eggs
- 2 packages (4 ounces each) of goat cheese (chevre), chilled
- Olive oil, enough to fill the pan to 1/2 inch depth for frying
- Marinara sauce, for dipping
- Minced parsley, for garnishing
How To Make Pioneer Woman Goat Cheese Balls
- Prepare the Breading Station: In a food processor or blender, grind the pretzels until you achieve a fine crumb. Transfer the crumbs to a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, beat the eggs with 2 tablespoons of water to create an egg wash. Place the flour in a third shallow bowl. This will be your assembly line for breading the cheese.
- Slice and Prepare the Goat Cheese: If your goat cheese is very soft, refrigerate it for about 20 minutes to firm up. Cut each package of goat cheese into four thick slices.
- Bread the Goat Cheese: Dredge each slice of cheese first in the flour, tapping off the excess. Then, dip it into the egg wash, ensuring it’s thoroughly coated. Finally, coat it well in the pretzel crumbs. Set aside on a plate and repeat with the remaining slices.
- Fry the Goat Cheese: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until hot but not smoking. You’ll need enough oil to reach 1/2 inch up the side of your skillet. Carefully place four goat cheese slices in the hot oil. Fry for about 45 seconds on the first side or until golden brown and gently sizzling. Flip the slices using a slotted spoon and fry for another 30-45 seconds on the other side, adjusting the heat if necessary. Remove the fried goat cheese balls to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining slices.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the goat cheese balls hot, accompanied by marinara sauce for dipping. Garnish with minced parsley for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Recipe Tips
- Cool the Goat Cheese: Put the goat cheese in the fridge for at least 20 minutes before you cut it. This makes it easier to slice without it falling apart.
- Make the Crumbs Fine: When you crush the pretzels for the coating, try to make them very small and even. This helps the goat cheese balls get a nice, crispy outside when you fry them.
- Keep an Eye on the Oil Heat: Make sure the oil is just hot enough to cook the cheese slices golden brown without burning them. If the oil bubbles too much, turn the heat down a bit. You can use a kitchen thermometer to check the oil temperature.
- Fry in Small Groups: Fry just a few cheese slices at a time. This keeps the oil hot enough and makes it easier for you to turn them over quickly, so they don’t cook too much.
- Eat Them Right Away: The goat cheese balls taste best when they are fresh and hot from the pan. Serve them right after frying with some warm marinara sauce and a bit of fresh parsley on top.
What To Serve With Goat Cheese Balls
Goat Cheese Balls pair well with a crisp Caesar salad, roasted asparagus, garlic bread, and sautéed green beans. They also can be served alongside a fresh tomato basil salad, buttered corn on the cob, cucumber dill salad, and steamed broccoli.
How To Store Goat Cheese Balls
- In the Fridge: After the goat cheese balls cool down, put them in a container that closes tightly or cover them with plastic wrap. Keep them in the fridge. They will stay good for 2 to 3 days.
- In the Freezer: If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze them. First, put them on a tray and freeze them until they are hard. Then, wrap each one in plastic and put them in a bag that you can use in the freezer, or use a container that is safe for the freezer. They can be frozen for up to 1 month. When you’re ready to eat them, let them thaw in the fridge overnight and heat them in the oven until they are hot and crispy.
How To Reheat Leftover Goat Cheese Balls
- In The Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover goat cheese balls on a baking sheet and cover them with aluminum foil. Reheat for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are hot all the way through and crispy.
- In The Microwave: Put a few goat cheese balls in a microwave-safe dish and cover them loosely with plastic wrap. Heat on high for about 1-2 minutes, turning them once to ensure even warming.
- In The Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the goat cheese balls in the basket of the air fryer. Heat for 3-5 minutes, checking halfway to ensure they don’t overheat or dry out.
Pioneer Woman Goat Cheese Balls Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 of 4 servings
- Calories: 300
- Total Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Dietary Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 2 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
- Sodium: 430 mg
FAQs
Can I Use A Different Kind Of Cheese Instead Of Goat Cheese?
Yes, you can try other soft cheeses that can be sliced and fried, like feta, which is saltier, or paneer, which is milder. Just make sure the cheese can be cut easily.
What Else Can I Use If I Don’t Have Pretzels For The Coating?
If you don’t have pretzels, you can use panko breadcrumbs for a crispy coating or crushed crackers for something similar to pretzels. Both will make the cheese balls crispy.
How Do I Keep The Goat Cheese From Melting Too Much When Frying?
To keep the cheese from melting too much, slice it thick and keep it cold until you fry it. Frying it quickly in hot oil helps form a crispy shell that holds the cheese inside.
Can I Prepare The Goat Cheese Balls Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can coat the goat cheese balls in advance and keep them in the fridge for a few hours before you need to fry them. This is useful if you’re getting ready for a party. Remember to fry them just before serving to keep them crispy and tasty.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
- Pioneer Woman Marinated Mozzarella Balls
- Pioneer Woman Olive Cheese Balls
- Pioneer Woman Sausage Balls
- Pioneer Woman Potato Balls
Pioneer Woman Goat Cheese Balls
Description
Pioneer Woman Goat Cheese Balls are made with pretzels, goat cheese, eggs, flour, and olive oil. This crispy Pioneer Woman Goat Cheese Balls recipe creates a delicious appetizer that takes about 15 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 4 people.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare the Breading Station: In a food processor or blender, grind the pretzels until you achieve a fine crumb. Transfer the crumbs to a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, beat the eggs with 2 tablespoons of water to create an egg wash. Place the flour in a third shallow bowl. This will be your assembly line for breading the cheese.
- Slice and Prepare the Goat Cheese: If your goat cheese is very soft, refrigerate it for about 20 minutes to firm up. Cut each package of goat cheese into four thick slices.
- Bread the Goat Cheese: Dredge each slice of cheese first in the flour, tapping off the excess. Then, dip it into the egg wash, ensuring it’s thoroughly coated. Finally, coat it well in the pretzel crumbs. Set aside on a plate and repeat with the remaining slices.
- Fry the Goat Cheese: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until hot but not smoking. You’ll need enough oil to reach 1/2 inch up the side of your skillet. Carefully place four goat cheese slices in the hot oil. Fry for about 45 seconds on the first side or until golden brown and gently sizzling. Flip the slices using a slotted spoon and fry for another 30-45 seconds on the other side, adjusting the heat if necessary. Remove the fried goat cheese balls to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining slices.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the goat cheese balls hot, accompanied by marinara sauce for dipping. Garnish with minced parsley for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- Cool the Goat Cheese: Put the goat cheese in the fridge for at least 20 minutes before you cut it. This makes it easier to slice without it falling apart.
- Make the Crumbs Fine: When you crush the pretzels for the coating, try to make them very small and even. This helps the goat cheese balls get a nice, crispy outside when you fry them.
- Keep an Eye on the Oil Heat: Make sure the oil is just hot enough to cook the cheese slices golden brown without burning them. If the oil bubbles too much, turn the heat down a bit. You can use a kitchen thermometer to check the oil temperature.
- Fry in Small Groups: Fry just a few cheese slices at a time. This keeps the oil hot enough and makes it easier for you to turn them over quickly, so they don’t cook too much.
- Eat Them Right Away: The goat cheese balls taste best when they are fresh and hot from the pan. Serve them right after frying with some warm marinara sauce and a bit of fresh parsley on top.
Pioneer Woman Goat Cheese Balls, Ree Drummond Goat Cheese Balls
