Greek Fried Cheese
If you’ve never tried Greek Fried Cheese, you’re in for a real treat. Known as Saganaki in Greece, this simple appetizer proves that you don’t need a long list of ingredients to create something unforgettable. A thick slice of cheese is lightly fried until it’s perfectly golden and crisp on the outside while staying warm and soft on the inside. Finished with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, every bite is the perfect balance of salty, tangy, and rich flavors. It’s the kind of appetizer that’s always the first to disappear from the table and one that guests can’t stop talking about. Saganaki gets its name from the small two-handled pan it’s traditionally cooked in, and it’s been a staple of Greek tavernas for generations.
One of the best things about this recipe is how quickly it comes together. In less than 15 minutes, you can serve a warm, restaurant-quality appetizer that’s perfect for entertaining or adding something special to a weeknight meal. Firm cheeses like halloumi, kefalotyri, or Pecorino Romano develop a crisp, golden crust while remaining deliciously soft inside. A splash of fresh lemon juice brightens the rich cheese and brings all of the flavors together in the simplest, most delicious way.
Greek Fried Cheese is incredibly versatile, too. Serve it with warm pita bread, crusty artisan bread, olives, roasted red peppers, or a fresh Greek salad for an easy Mediterranean-inspired spread. It also pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, seafood, or a selection of other meze for a meal that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, looking for a unique appetizer, or simply want to bring a taste of Greece into your kitchen, this recipe is an excellent place to start. Crispy on the outside, warm and cheesy on the inside, and bursting with bright lemon flavor, Greek Fried Cheese is proof that some of the best recipes are also the simplest. Once you make it at home, you’ll understand why it’s been a favorite in Greek cuisine for generations.
Greek Fried Cheese
This is one of many flavorful mezedes (Greek appetizers) in Susanna Hoffman’s The Olive and the Caper (Workman, 2004). Greek Fried Cheese is also known as Saganaki. The authentic Greek cheese appetizer: Crunchy on the outside, melted cheese on the inside and warm. Is there anyone who does not like fried cheese? In Greece ordering a “saganaki” basically means fried cheese. Crunchy on the outside, melted cheese on the inside and warm. A perfect appetizer to start any meal.
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- Total Time: 20
Ingredients
- Olive oil, for frying
- 10 oz. halloúmi, kefalotyri,
- or Pecorino Romano cheese,
- cut into 3⁄4” cubes
- 2 tbsp. brine-packed capers
- soaked for 5 minutes and drained
- 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp. roughly chopped fresh oregano
Instructions
- Pour oil into a 12″ cast-iron skillet to a depth of 1⁄8″; heat over medium-high heat until very hot but not smoking. Add cheese and cook, turning, until all sides are golden brown. Using a slotted spoon, transfer cheese to paper towels.
- Put cheese into a bowl and toss with capers, lemon juice, and oregano. Serve in small bowls.
Notes
- Saganaki is the name of the double handled frying pan, originally used to fry cheese and other foods in. Slowly the name was used to refer to the food cooked in the pan as well. As often happens in Greece, the recipe can differ greatly, so Saganaki can be just simply fried cheese. Then again, Saganaki can also refer to a dish with prawns and feta in a tomato sauce that is cooked in a frying pan.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 15
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4