Saganaki (Fried Greek Cheese) – easy 4 ingredient appetizer. Golden, crispy outside, melty cheese inside, bursting with bright lemon flavor!
This easy appetizer is for cheese lovers and anyone like me obsessed with Greek cuisine.
Pan-fried cheese golden brown outside – nothing but gooey melty cheese inside with a burst of bright lemon flavor. Serve it up with pita bread or crusty bread and it’s practically a party.
What do I need to make Saganaki?
- oil for frying
- kasseri cheese
- all purpose flour to dredge the cheese
- 1emon wedges to squeeze over the top for a burst of flavor
How to make Saganaki – flaming cheese:
Using a sharp knife, slice the cheese into about 1/2 inch thick slices.
Prepare two bowls. In the first bowl add cool tap water. In the second add flour.
Dip each piece of cheese into the water then dredge in flour coating top, bottom and all sides. Shake off any excess flour.
Add oil to a small frying pan over medium-high heat. As soon as the oil is hot (not smoking!), carefully place the cheese slices into the skillet.
Fry for a couple of minutes per side or until a golden-brown crust forms. Reduce heat as needed so the cheese doesn’t overcook.
Carefully remove the cheese from the skillet onto a plate and give it a good squeeze of lemon juice over the top.
Serve right away with pita bread, naan or crusty bread and extra lemon wedges.
Tips for the best Saganaki:
- Reader through all directions before starting if it’s your first time making it.
- Use olive oil or vegetable oil.
- Be sure the oil is hot before adding the cheese to the skillet.
- Have your sides ready to go before cooking – this whips up fast!
Why I love this recipe:
- 4 ingredients and less than 10 minutes to this delicious, impressive appetizer.
- Just a few simple steps to this favorite traditional Greek dish.
Best side dishes with Saganaki cheese:
Pita, crusty bread of some kind – or try my 2-ingredient dough
These other traditional Greek recipes are some of my favorites and also go really well with it.
What’s the best kind of cheese for Saganaki?
I prefer Kasseri cheese but there’s no one best cheese for this recipe.
Kasseri has a delicious nutty flavor and can withstand the heat.
Halloumi, bread cheese, any sheep’s milk cheese or even feta cheese work well too.
Enjoy!
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Saganaki (fried Greek Cheese)
Equipment
- small skillet
- 2 shallow bowls
Ingredients
- olive oil OR vegetable oil for frying
- 2 wedges Kasseri cheese sliced 1/2" thick
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
For Serving:
- 1 whole lemon cut in wedges
- pita, naan or crusty bread cut in triangles
Instructions
- Slice cheese into 1/2" thick wedges.
- Add cool tap water to the first shallow bowl. In the second add the flour.
- Working one wedge at a time, dip the cheese into water then dredge in flour, shaking off excess flour and being sure to coat all top, bottom and all sides.
- Add oil to a small frying pan over medium-high heat. As soon as the oil is hot (not smoking!), carefully place the cheese slices.
- Fry for a couple of minutes per side or until a golden-brown crust forms.
- Remove from the skillet. Squeeze juice from one lemon wedge over the top then serve right away with pita, naan or crusty bread and extra lemon wedges.
This looks delicious……new type of cheese for me. I’ll have to check around and find it, because I really want to make this soon. Pinned. Thanks, chat again soon.
This cheese Appetizer is a long-time favorite of ours and no one needs to know how easy it is to make! Enjoy and let’s definitely chat again real soon.