Description
Crispy herb goat cheese bites bring Mediterranean elegance to appetizer collections with golden, crunchy exteriors and creamy herbed centers. Guests will savor these delightful morsels that combine tangy goat cheese, fresh herbs, and a perfectly crisp coating for an irresistible starter.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) goat cheese
- 1 egg
- ½ cup (60 grams) panko bread crumbs
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon rosemary, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to preference for heat)
Binding Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (15 grams) flour
- Cooking spray (such as avocado oil)
Instructions
- Meticulously segment the goat cheese into eight uniform spheres, gently rolling each into a compact round. Transfer these delicate orbs onto a chilled surface and allow them to rest in the freezer for half an hour, ensuring optimal firmness.
- Activate the air fryer, calibrating the temperature to a precise 400° for a brief 4-minute preparation period.
- Orchestrate three distinct coating stations: the first dedicated to flour, the second housing whisked egg, and the third blending panko crumbs with fragrant rosemary, delicate salt, and fiery red pepper flakes.
- Extract the chilled cheese globes and methodically navigate them through the breading ritual. Delicately dust each sphere with flour, shaking off any excess. Immerse the floured cheese in the whisked egg, ensuring complete coverage.
- Roll the egg-coated spheres through the herbed panko mixture, pressing gently to create a comprehensive, textured exterior that will transform into a crisp golden shell.
- Lightly mist the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent adherence. Arrange the breaded cheese bites with strategic spacing, avoiding contact between each morsel.
- Initiate cooking at 400° for approximately 5-7 minutes, monitoring their transformation into golden, crackling delicacies with a perfectly caramelized outer layer.
Notes
- Freezing the goat cheese helps maintain its shape during the crispy coating process, preventing melting in the air fryer.
- Chilling transforms soft cheese into a sturdy ball that withstands high-heat cooking and creates a delightful crisp exterior.
- Seasoned panko crumbs add extra flavor and crunch, turning simple goat cheese into a gourmet appetizer that’ll impress guests.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg