Description
Delicious and crispy baked goat cheese balls made with creamy goat cheese and cream cheese, coated in seasoned panko breadcrumbs, and baked to golden perfection. A perfect vegetarian appetizer or snack that is simple to prepare and irresistibly flavorful.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 8 oz goat cheese, softened
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
Breading
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For Baking
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Combine Cheeses: In a mixing bowl, blend the softened goat cheese and cream cheese together until the mixture is smooth and well combined, ensuring a creamy base for the cheese balls.
- Form Cheese Balls: Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, portion the cheese mixture into 1-inch diameter balls and arrange them on a plate. Freeze the cheese balls for 15 minutes to help them firm up and hold their shape during baking.
- Prepare Breadcrumb Coating: In a shallow bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to evenly season the coating.
- Coat Cheese Balls: Roll each chilled cheese ball in the breadcrumb mixture until they are fully coated with the seasoned crumbs, ensuring an even crunchy crust after baking.
- Arrange and Oil: Place the coated cheese balls on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly drizzle or spray olive oil over the tops to help them brown and crisp in the oven.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese balls turn golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove from the oven and let the cheese balls cool slightly to firm up. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- For extra crunch, toast the panko breadcrumbs in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes before coating the cheese balls.
- These cheese balls can be made ahead and frozen before baking; just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time when ready to cook.
- Serve warm for the best creamy and crispy contrast.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cheese ball
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
