Fried Pumpkin Goat Cheese Balls Ingredients: 1 (8-ounce) log goat cheese 3/4 cup pumpkin puree 1 large garlic clove, finely minced 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely minced (plus more for garnish) 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 2 cups panko breadcrumbs 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 large eggs, at room temperature, beaten Canola oil, for frying Flaky sea salt, for serving Hot honey, for serving Directions: In a mixing bowl, combine the goat cheese, pumpkin puree, garlic, sage, nutmeg, and kosher salt until well blended. Place the bowl in the freezer for 30 minutes to allow the mixture to firm up. While the mixture chills, set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one for flour, one for beaten eggs, and one for panko breadcrumbs. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and spray lightly with oil. Roll the chilled goat cheese mixture into balls slightly smaller than a golf ball. Coat each ball in flour, then in beaten egg, and finally in panko breadcrumbs, placing each on the prepared baking sheet. Freeze for an additional 20-30 minutes before frying. Heat a saucepan with about 3 inches of canola oil to 350-375°F (175-190°C). Fry the goat cheese balls in small batches of 4-5 at a time until golden brown and crispy, about 1-2 minutes per batch. Use a slotted spoon or spider to transfer the fried goat cheese balls to a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt. For garnish, fry a few extra sage leaves in the hot oil for 30 seconds until crispy. Drizzle the fried pumpkin goat cheese balls with hot honey before serving. Enjoy! Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling time) | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes Kcal: 130 kcal per serving | Servings: 16-18 cheese balls These Fried Pumpkin Goat Cheese Balls bring together the creamy richness of goat cheese with the subtle sweetness of pumpkin and a hint of sage. Coated in crispy panko breadcrumbs, each bite offers a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft, flavorful filling. Topped with a drizzle of hot honey, they’re a delicious blend of savory, sweet, and spicy that’s perfect for autumn gatherings. Ideal for holiday parties or cozy evenings, these cheese balls make a sophisticated yet approachable appetizer. The garnish of fried sage leaves adds a final touch of elegance, and the hot honey drizzle brings a warming kick that perfectly complements the earthy flavors of pumpkin and sage. Serve them up hot and watch these irresistible bites disappear!
