A generous block of creamy, fried feta cheese with a gloriously crisp crust. Dipped into beaten egg, then coated with a blend of wheat and corn flour for the perfect deep-fried crust!
Who doesn't love Feta? Not me for sure! This salty, creamy cheese is one of the best things to add to salads, sandwiches, or pies. It adds creaminess and flavor.
In Greece, we use Feta to make all kinds of Greek appetizers. Like:
- Baked Feta Dip (Bouyourdi)
- Spicy Whipped Feta Dip
- Baked Feta In Foil with Tomatoes
- Feta Stuffed Red Peppers
- Sesame Coated Feta with Honey
- Filo-Wrapped Feta with Honey and Sesame
About Saganaki
This fried feta saganaki is one of the best Greek appetizers to make with feta cheese. Saganaki is mostly made with Saganaki cheese, a hard cheese that softens when deep-fried, developing a gorgeous cheesy crust.
If Saganaki cheese isn't available, then Kefalotyri or Kefalograviera cheese is used. Feta cheese Saganaki is a completely different thing. It's as salty, yet creamy on the inside, with a golden, crispy crust and a hearty crunch.
How To Make Feta Saganaki
The process for making a feta cheese Saganaki is almost the same as making a Schnitzel. With slight differences like using corn flour (not cornstarch) instead of breadcrumbs.
To make a fried feta cheese Saganaki, first make a flour mixture from all-purpose wheat flour and corn flour. Corn flour is flour made from corn. It's not a white powder like cornstarch; it's a yellowish flour that's also called Maize flour in the UK.
Next, beat an egg and dip the block of feta cheese in it. Once fully coated in egg, transfer into the flour mixture and coat well on all sides. Deep-fry in hot vegetable oil, and drain on paper towels for a couple of seconds.
Serve right away, because as it cools, the crust will soften. In Greece, we serve a cheese Saganaki with a few drops of freshly squeezed lemon on top. For one, because we put lemon in almost all fried and grilled foods. And for two, because it balances the oiliness from the frying, adding a touch of citrusy freshness.
Make It Gluten-Free
You can make a gluten-free version of this fried feta cheese recipe by swapping all-purpose wheat flour for finely ground millet flour.
Toppings
You can skip the lemon and drizzle the hot feta cheese with honey. It's an amazing and favorite Greek combination! Sesame seeds are welcome too.
Recipe
Fried Feta Cheese Saganaki
Ingredients
- 1 block of feta cheese (180 grams)
- 1 egg beaten
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour (substitute with fine millet flour for gluten-free)
- 6 tablespoons corn flour (Maize flour) (it's not cornstarch)
- frying oil
- lemon to serve with
Instructions
- Combine flour and corn flour in a deep plate or food container wide enough to fit the block of feta.
- Add frying oil (most vegetable oils like canola, sunflower, corn oil will do) to a non-stick frying pan. Add about 2cm of oil to the pan.
- Heat over high heat.
- Add the block of feta cheese to the beaten egg and coat it on both sides.
- Coat the feta with the flour mixture. Turn the block of feta in the flour and pat to stick, sit for 1 minute, then give it another turn in the flour to coat well on all sides.
- Deep-fry. Once the oil becomes sizzling hot, or reaches 175°C /347°F on an instant-read thermometer, add the feta cheese and deep-fry for 1½ to 2 minutes on each side. Flip the cheese only once using 2 forks.
- Transfer to paper towels for a couple of seconds to remove excess oil.
- Serve right away and squeeze a few drops of fresh lemon on top if you like.
This is a great hot appetizer
I had this very dish more than once on a recent holiday on the Peloponnese. I wanted to recreate it at home, though sadly without the sun's warmth or the views over Methana etc. This is a great recipe and accurately recreates a holiday favourite. Thank you
You're welcome Ferelith, glad you enjoyed it!
This has to be my favorite Greek recipe website. I love it! I’m so happy you’re now working full time on it! I Your recipes - and the accompanying photos are awesome. The food looks incredible! I can’t wait to try them. Efheristo. Xx
Thank you so much, Lizzy, I'm so glad you like it 🙂
Greeks foods very good