Fried Feta Cheese with Honey Truffle Vinaigrette

Name: Fried Feta Cheese with Honey Truffle Vinaigrette
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 (6 oz) block Feta cheese (cut in 4 pieces); ½ cup flour; ½ cup milk; ⅔ cup Panko breadcrumbs; vegetable oil (amount depending on size of your pan - should be at least 2 inches (5 cm) deep); 1 Tbsp olive oil; 1 Tbsp truffle oil; 1 Tbsp white balsamic vinegar; 1.5 Tbsp honey; ¼ tsp salt; 2 handfuls leafy greens (optional)

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In less than 15 minutes you can make Fried Feta Cheese without a deep fat fryer. Follow this easy recipe for salty, crispy, slightly melted Feta Cheese. Serve with greens and a drizzle of sweet & sour Honey Truffle Vinaigrette for an appetizer everyone will love!

panko breaded feta cheese on a bed of greens

What's your relationship to fried cheese? Mine is what you'd imagine since it's basically a combo of two of my favorite things: fried, and cheese. Together they create this awesomeness that might just be the most addictive thing I've ever tried.

And while I still haven't met a cheese I didn't like fried, I do have one favorite I come back to over and over: Fried Feta cheese.

Why you will love this recipe

It's quick and all done in 15 minutes
It's easy with just a few simple steps
No deep fat fryer required - I show you how to make it in a regular pan
A perfect mix of flavors: salty fried Feta cheese, sweet honey and perfect acidity
Balanced flavor with balsamic vinegar to balance the heaviness of fried cheese
A crispy outside covering a gooey, melty inside for the perfect appetizer

What you need to make it

ingredients for fried feta cheese with vinaigrette

Ingredient notes & substitutions

Feta cheese can be substituted for another, similarly salty, hard, white cheese - for example, its cousins from Bulgaria or Macedonia
Vegetable oil - use a neutral kind with a high temperature tolerance, for example oil for deep fat fryers
Panko breadcrumbs can be substituted for regular breadcrumbs
White balsamic vinegar is a bit more acidic than the regular balsamic vinegar - but you can definitely substitute one for the other
Truffle oil can be skipped

How to make it

Prep: Cut Feta cheese into four pieces, mix together milk & flour in a bowl and pour Panko breadcrumbs on a plate
Dip the Feta in the milk & flour mixture and make sure it's coated all over
Roll the Feta cheese in the breadcrumbs, taking care to ensure there's breadcrumbs all over
Repeat for all pieces

Fry for 2 minutes in hot oil, turning a few times if frying in a pan. They're done when they're golden and crispy. When done, place them on a paper towel to allow for the excess oil to absorb. While this is happening, place all ingredients for the vinaigrette in a jar and shake vigorously until well combined.
Place leafy greens on a plate
Top with fried Feta cheese
Drizzle the vinaigrette over the cheese & greens

close-up of panko breaded feta cheese on a bed of greens

Tips & Tricks

Coat the cheese well with milk, flour & breadcrumbs to avoid leakage
Keep a watch on the temperature of the oil - it should be around 320°F (160°C) and no higher than 355°F (180°C)
If you don't have a thermometer you can use a wooden spoon to test the temperature. Place the handle against the bottom of the pan - if bubbles immediately start building against the handle the oil is hot enough.
Another way to test the temperature of the oil is to just throw in some panko breadcrumbs balled up with the flour and milk, and see how the oil reacts. Is it quiet and mellow? Not ready. Does it sputter and quickly turn the breadcrumbs golden? In you go with your Feta cheese!
Keep a lid close at hand in case of fire - it's unlikely as long as you're careful, but better safer than sorry. If the worst happens, never pour water on an oil fire! Use something (like a lid) to smother the flames instead.
Allow the excess oil to be soaked up by a paper towel for a few minutes before serving for a crispier, less oily, exterior
Make your vinaigrette in a jar - just pour in all the ingredients, close the lid tightly and go to town shaking it like a maraca. Done!
Truffle not your thing? Serve with this delicious Honey Lemon Vinaigrette instead!
Fried Feta is best eaten straight away but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days

top view of panko breaded feta cheese on a bed of greens on a plate on a turquoise background

Recipe FAQ

Is it OK to heat Feta cheese?

YES! Feta cheese heats really well, and is perfect for frying as it doesn't melt totally like many other cheeses. This means you have more leeway if you miss a spot or two with your breading.

Which cheese can be Fried?

Most cheeses can be fried. Some great options are:

Feta cheese and other similar style cheeses
Halloumi
Mozzarella
Provolone
Emmentaler
Gruyere
Cheddar

How do you know if Feta cheese has gone bad?

For an unopened package of Feta cheese, check the best-before date. Just keep in mind this date does not mean the cheese is bad after that date, but you might want to make sure before you eat it.

Opened Feta cheese will last a few days in the fridge. It doesn't go bad for at least 5 days, but it can change in taste and texture enough that it's just not good anymore. If you keep it in the brine it will be good for the full 5 days, maybe longer.

The best way to find out if Feta cheese has gone bad is to look, smell and taste - in that order.

1. Look: Does it look like Feta cheese?
Is there mold? If so, definitely throw it away. Is it dry? Still edible, but not as good.

2. Smell: Does it smell like Feta cheese?
Does it small bad? If so, throw it away. Does it smell a bit sour? It's probably fine, but not as good anymore.

3. Taste: Does it taste like Feta cheese?
Does it taste bad? Throw it away. Does it taste a little bit different, but still good? You're fine.

When in doubt, throw it away - but if it looks, smells, and tastes fine, then it's most likely fine.

More quick & easy appetizers

Love quick and easy appetizers, like this Fried Feta Cheese? Then you have to try some of my other favorite appetizers!

Did you love this recipe? Give it a 5 star rating!
...and let me know what you loved about it in the comments.