Golden fried breaded cheese

An old friend of vegetarians and a children's favourite. The technology is a race between the cheese melting point and the coating setting point. The goal is to create a sealed, crispy 'armour' capable of holding the liquefying cheese without it leaking out.
🕒 Prep Time 15 mins
🍳 Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 25 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 580 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Hungarian, Central European

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Deep frying pan for oil
  • Kitchen paper
  • Wide spatula for turning

Allergen Information

⚠️ Milk
⚠️ Egg
⚠️ Cereals containing gluten

Instructions

1

Cut the cheese into approx. 1 cm thick slices. If you have time, put in freezer for 10 mins before breading.

Tip: Cold cheese reaches melting point later, giving more time for the coating to cook.
2

Double coat: Flour -> Egg -> Breadcrumbs -> Egg -> Breadcrumbs.

Tip: Double coating is essential for mechanical stability. Flour sticks to cheese, egg to flour, crumbs to egg.
3

Press the breaded cheese slightly with your palm to compact layers.

Tip: Air bubbles under the coating turn to steam in hot oil and blow the coating off, hence compacting.
4

Fry quickly in plentiful hot (170-180°C) oil until golden brown. Only fry a few at a time.

Tip: If oil cools (because you put too much cold cheese in), the coating absorbs oil and cheese leaks.
5

Serve immediately.

Tip: While cooling, the cheese casein network hardens back up and becomes rubbery.

Recipe FAQ

Why did the cheese leak?
Either the coating wasn't double (cracks), or the oil temp was too low. If it cooks slowly, the cheese melts before the crust sets.
What cheese should I use?
Semi-hard, fatty cheeses (Trappista, Gouda, Edam). Too hard won't melt, too soft (Camembert) flows too fast.

Ingredients

  • 500 g Trappista cheese (or Gouda/Edam in block)
  • 150 g Plain flour
  • 3 pcs Eggs
  • 250 g Breadcrumbs
  • 1 litre Oil (for frying)
  • 1 pinch Salt