Crispy Greek Fried Cheese (Printable)

Golden crunchy exterior with melty interior, this Mediterranean favorite delivers irresistible flavors in 20 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 8 oz firm Greek cheese (Kefalotyri, Graviera, or Halloumi)

→ Coating

02 - 2/3 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
03 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Frying & Serving

04 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
05 - Lemon wedges for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - Slice the cheese into 1/2 inch thick pieces. Pat each slice thoroughly with paper towels to remove surface moisture, which helps achieve a crisp coating.
02 - Spread the flour on a flat plate and season with freshly ground black pepper. Mix gently to distribute the seasoning evenly throughout the flour.
03 - Press each cheese slice into the seasoned flour, coating both sides completely. Shake gently to remove excess flour, ensuring a thin, even layer.
04 - Pour olive oil into a non-stick skillet and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. The oil should be hot enough to sizzle immediately upon contact.
05 - Carefully place floured cheese slices into the hot oil without overcrowding the pan. Fry for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Work in batches if necessary.
06 - Transfer fried cheese to paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve immediately while hot and melty, with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the top.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Ready in under 20 minutes with just 5 ingredients you probably have in your kitchen
  • The contrast between crispy exterior and molten interior is absolutely addictive
02 -
  • Drying the cheese thoroughly before coating is the difference between crispy success and soggy disappointment, so don't rush this step.
  • The oil needs to be hot enough that the cheese sizzles immediately upon contact, or the coating will absorb too much oil and become greasy.
03 -
  • Have your lemon wedges ready before you start cooking, because this cheese needs that acid immediately while it's still hot and melty.
  • If you're making this for a crowd, you can fry the cheese in advance and reheat it in a hot oven for 3 minutes to recrisp the coating.

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