While living in Greenwich, CT there was this little restaurant that we would frequent called Bang. We mostly went there just for their fried goat cheese because it was a.m.a.z.i.n.g. Well, eventually I moved, and I figured out that a lot of restaurants make delicious fried goat cheese. I’ve seen them in ball form and log form, and I don’t discriminate based on shaped…they all taste the same {delicious}. After we moved to Atlanta, my husband took me to this great restaurant, Ecco, where they are known for their Honey Goat Cheese Balls. Of course I ordered that, I would never miss out on my beloved goat cheese! Now, these balls were amazing…definitely the best I have ever had. The delicate and sweet honey drizzled over the fried goat cheese balls and topped with cracked pepper….um, make it a double! These balls were to die for. Anyway, I had to try to recreate them, but I didn’t want to actually fry the goat cheese. I’ve seen various methods of baking the goat cheese and still having great results, so I went ahead and tried that. They ended up coming out really tasty!
*Tip- Quality honey is a MUST. I love the Savannah Bee Company! Their honey is thebomb.com
Anyway, this recipe is easy! Try it out for a great appetizer or salad topper!
- 1 log goat cheese (honey variety or plain), slightly frozen
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 TBS basil, chopped
- 2 tsp fresh cracked pepper, divided
- 1.5 TBS honey (you can be more liberal here if you like)
- 1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees.
- 2. In a bowl, place the goat cheese log, basil, 1 tsp pepper, 1/2 TBS honey. Mix together with a fork until well combined. Using a TBS measuring spoon, spoon out little balls and roll in hands to form balls. Once all the balls are formed, set aside.
- 3. Beat the egg in a medium bowl and set aside. In another medium bowl place panko bread crumbs.
- 4. Dunk the cheese balls into the egg wash, then coat them in the breadcrumbs and set on slipmat on baking sheet. Continue until all balls are coated.
- 5. Place the baking sheet in to freezer and freeze them for 30 minutes. Remove and then brush the tops with olive oil to prevent from drying out while baking.
- 6. Bake for 8 minutes, checking at 6 minutes and every 30 seconds after to prevent burning.
- 7. Drizzle remaining honey over cheese balls and then sprinkle remaining pepper over top.
JoAnn @ SweetPepperRose says
Yummy! Pinning
now at home mom says
these cheese balls look so good Allyson and again I have to mention that your pictures are gorgeous! 🙂
wish you a beautiful weekend! 🙂
Allyson says
Thanks!!! I hope you do as well! We are going to be in the trenches potty training!
now at home mom says
oh! good luck! 🙂 we are having a difficult week getting our little one to eat anything, let’s see how this weekend goes! 🙂
Allyson says
I hate those times 🙁 Good luck to you too!
now at home mom says
thank you 🙂
organized31 says
These look delicious, I can’t wait to try them. Thanks for sharing at Inspire Us Thursday.
Bethany the ngnrdgrl says
Allyson,, Yum! Those look divine! I’m pinning this.