Featured on Elle and loved by many, these Fried Feta with Honey bites are coated with a crispy layer of sesame seeds and drizzled with honey for the perfect combo of salty, nutty & sweet!
This is the perfect elevated yet simple Greek appetizer for your next dinner! Pair it with my viral Greek Lemon Rice or Greek Chicken Gyros for the perfect Greek night at home!
Fried Feta with Honey
If you need a fancy appetizer (but still easy to make), you have to try this Fried Feta With Honey!
You want to use goat feta cheese for that nice rich tang that will contrast beautifully with the sweetness of honey. I recommend a milder honey but nice and drippy so you can drizzle it with one of those pretty wooden honey dippers!
The sesame coating is deliciously crispy and, when pan-fried, it brings out all the nuttiness of sesame! These babies are bite-sized and so good on top of being just so pretty!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Salty, sweet, and nutty. This bite-sized appetizer is a true explosion of flavors! The rich tang of goat feta cheese meets the crispiness and nuttiness of sesame seeds and the sweetness of honey.
- Elevated but easy to make. Want to impress your guests or serve something new? This recipe comes together in just 4 steps and 15 minutes!
- Greek-themed. If you love Mediterranean or Greek cuisine, try also my viral Greek Lemon Rice, Greek Chicken Gyros, and Greek Yogurt with Honey and Walnuts!
Ingredients
Feta cheese. Get goat feta cheese, NOT cow milk: you want the rich tang of goat! Make sure it’s high-quality feta as this appetizer is just a few ingredients so those few ingredients make or break the flavor! Check the date as well: older feta is drier, tangier, and saltier. I would recommend one that’s not been sitting there for too long so it’s not as hard and fermented.
Egg, you’ll use the egg as glue for the sesame coating.
Flour for the dredge. You can use all-purpose or glutinous rice flour (aka sweet rice flour, such as Mochiko) for a gluten-free option. I tested both and they both work perfectly.
Sesame seeds. Toasted or not, it doesn’t matter as they will toast anyway once you pan-fry the cubes.
Oil, for frying. You can use olive oil or a neutral oil such as vegetable or sunflower. Olive oil would be preferred in Greece, so use that if you want the dish to taste more authentic, but keep in mind that it does have a lower smoke point (it heats faster and burns faster then other oils).
Honey, for drizzling. I recommend a mild honey of your choice but feel free to experiment with your favorites! The honey should be liquid, if yours has hardened you can microwave it or heat it up in a small saucepan until just liquid. You can use a honey dipper or a spoon to drizzle it on the feta cubes right before serving or serving it in a small bowl so your guests can choose if they want to add it!
How to make fried feta cheese
STEP ONE: Prepare the egg, dredge, and sesame seeds. In a medium, shallow bowl beat an egg and set aside. In a separate shallow bowl or plate, add the flour. In a third shallow bowl or plate, add the sesame seeds. Keep the three bowls close to one another and to the stove as you’ll have to quickly transfer the feta cubes from one bowl to the other.
STEP TWO: Heat the oil. In medium skillet over medium-high heat, add a few tablespoon of oil enough to evenly and generously cover bottom of your skillet and allow to heat until hot.
STEP THREE: Prepare the feta cubes. Dip each cube in the beaten egg until evenly coated, let any excess egg drip off, then roll it in the flour until evenly coated, dip it back in the egg, and finally roll it in the sesame seeds to create an even coating of seeds. Place the cube in the hot oil. Work in batches.
STEP FOUR: Pan-fry until all sides of your feta cubes are golden brown and crispy (about 2-3 minutes in total, make sure to flip the cubes from time to time) then remove from the pan and place onto a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Drizzle with honey right before serving or serve with a small bowl of honey to the side if your guests aren’t particularly adventurous (;.
What to eat with fried feta cheese
For an all-Greek dinner, I recommend these delicious Greek Chicken Gyros or my viral Greek Lemon Rice paired with some Beef Souvlaki (skewers), this roasted Greek Chicken or these Fried Calamari.
For a vegetarian alternative, I still recommend my Greek Lemon Rice but paired with these Mediterranean Spicy Roasted Potatoes, this classic Briam (Greek Roasted Veggies), or any salad of your choice!
Making-Ahead, Storing & Reheating
Make-Ahead Instructions: this appetizer is best eaten as it’s made so I don’t recommend making it ahead of time.
Storing Instructions: this appetizer is best eaten as it’s made so I don’t particularly recommend storing but if you do have leftovers you can store them in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Keep in mind that the sesame coating may soften up, especially if it was drizzled with honey.
Reheating Instructions: reheat the feta cubes in a pan with some hot oil until fully heated through and crispy on the outside.
HAPPY COOKING!! I hope you'll love this Fried Feta with Honey and Sesame as much as I do!
PS: Please leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if you make it! Your comments make my day!! You can also tag me on Instagram @itsdamnspicy 🌈💘
More recipes you'll enjoy:
Fried Feta with Honey and Sesame Seeds
Ingredients
- 1 8-oz block (225 g) goat feta cheese (cut into 1/2 inch or 1/2 cm cubes)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour (or glutinous rice flour for gluten-free)
- 1/2 cup (120 g) sesame seeds
- Oil (olive oil for authenticity or vegetable, sunflower or canola, for frying)
- 4 tbsp (80 g) mild honey (I recommend a mild honey, if yours isn't liquid simply microwave it or heat it in a small saucepan until just liquid, for drizzling)
Instructions
- Prepare the egg, dredge, and sesame seeds. In a medium, shallow bowl beat an egg and set aside. In a separate shallow bowl or plate, add the flour. In a third shallow bowl or plate, add the sesame seeds. Keep the three bowls close to one another and to the stove as you'll have to quickly transfer the feta cubes from one bowl to the other.
- Heat the oil. In medium skillet over medium-high heat, add a few tablespoon of oil enough to evenly and generously cover bottom of your skillet and allow to heat until hot.
- Prepare the feta cubes. Dip each cube in the beaten egg until evenly coated, let any excess egg drip off, then roll it in the flour until evenly coated, dip it back in the egg, and finally roll it in the sesame seeds to create an even coating of seeds. Place the cube in the hot oil. Work in batches.
- Pan-fry until all sides of your feta cubes are golden brown and crispy (about 2-3 minutes in total, make sure to flip the cubes from time to time) then remove from the pan and place onto a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Drizzle with honey right before serving or serve with a small bowl of honey to the side if your guests aren't particularly adventurous (;.
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