Description
Crispy, golden, and tangy baked goat cheese balls are an easy, crowd-pleasing party appetizer with a creamy center and crunchy coating. Perfect for entertaining or snacking, these vegetarian bites are baked—not fried—for less mess and lighter calories.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz fresh goat cheese (chevre, plain or herbed)
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped (optional)
- 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup finely chopped nuts (optional—pecans or walnuts)
- 1/2 tsp dried Italian herbs (optional)
- Cooking spray or olive oil
- Honey or hot honey (for drizzling, optional)
- Fig jam or pepper jelly (for dipping, optional)
- Fresh herbs, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine goat cheese and cream cheese. Mash together until smooth and well combined.
- Add chopped chives, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Stir until evenly mixed.
- Use a small scoop or tablespoon to portion the mixture into 20 equal pieces (about 1 tablespoon each). Roll each piece into a ball.
- Place flour in a shallow bowl. In a second bowl, beat the egg. In a third bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, chopped nuts, and Italian herbs.
- Roll each cheese ball in flour (shake off excess), dip in beaten egg, then roll in the breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to coat all sides. Place finished balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. For extra crunch, double-dip in egg and breadcrumbs.
- Transfer the tray to the fridge for 15–20 minutes (or 5 minutes in the freezer) to chill.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray or brush the balls with olive oil.
- Bake for 13–15 minutes, until golden and crisp. Watch closely—if they start to burst, remove from oven.
- Let baked goat cheese balls sit for 3–5 minutes before serving. Serve warm with honey, jam, or fresh herbs as desired.
Notes
Chilling the cheese balls before baking helps keep their shape and prevents melting. For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs. Double-coating in egg and breadcrumbs gives extra crunch. Serve warm for best texture; leftovers can be reheated in the oven. Try different herbs or nuts for flavor variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cheese balls
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Protein: 4
Keywords: goat cheese balls, baked appetizer, party snack, vegetarian, cheese bites, easy appetizer, finger food, holiday appetizer, panko, oven baked