Description
These delightful Goat Cheese Balls are a perfect appetizer combining creamy goat cheese with tangy dried cranberries and a crunchy pecan-panko crust. Baked until golden and crisp, they’re drizzled with honey for a touch of sweetness, making them a crowd-pleasing snack or party treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 10 ounces goat cheese (plain, honey, or herbed), at room temperature
- â…“ cup dried cranberries
Coating
- ¼ cup raw pecan halves
- â…“ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 large egg
For Serving
- Honey, for drizzling
Instructions
- Combine and Roll: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, combine goat cheese and dried cranberries, mixing thoroughly until evenly distributed. Using your hands or a small scoop, roll the mixture into 18 balls, each approximately 1 ¼ inches in diameter.
- Make Pecan Crust: Using a food processor, pulse the raw pecan halves until finely ground, or alternatively crush them finely in a sealed zip-top bag. In a shallow bowl, mix the ground pecans with panko breadcrumbs, kosher salt, and dried thyme, ensuring an even coating mix.
- Coat and Freeze: In a separate bowl, beat the large egg until well blended. Roll each goat cheese ball first in the beaten egg, then gently roll it in the pecan-panko mixture, pressing lightly to help the coating stick. Place the balls on the parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes to firm up the coating.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 470°F (243°C). Once frozen, bake the goat cheese balls on the parchment-lined sheet for 7 to 10 minutes or until they are golden brown and have a crisp texture on the outside.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and transfer immediately to a serving plate. Allow them to cool slightly for a minute or two. Drizzle each ball with honey before serving to complement the savory and tangy flavors with a hint of sweetness.
Notes
- Using room temperature goat cheese makes mixing and rolling easier.
- Freezing before baking ensures the balls hold their shape during cooking.
- The baking temperature is high to achieve a crisp crust quickly without melting the cheese inside.
- Honey drizzle is optional but adds a lovely contrast to the savory coating.
- These cheese balls can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated before freezing and baking.
