Description
A delightful appetizer featuring thick slices of feta cheese pan-fried to a golden crisp and served hot with a fragrant honey infusion infused with fresh thyme and black pepper. This recipe combines savory, sweet, and herbal flavors for a perfect starter or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Feta Cheese and Coating
- 1 thick wheel or block of feta cheese
- 1 beaten egg
- ½ to ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- Olive oil, for frying
Honey Infusion
- Honey, enough to lightly warm (about ¼ cup)
- Fresh thyme leaves, 1 tablespoon
- Black pepper, freshly ground, ¼ teaspoon
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all your ingredients: thick-cut feta, beaten egg, panko crumbs, olive oil, fresh thyme, black pepper, and honey. Make sure your feta is thickly sliced for optimal frying results.
- Beat Egg and Prepare Panko: In a bowl, lightly beat the egg. In a separate shallow dish, place the panko breadcrumbs. Heat a generous amount of olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat to prepare for frying.
- Coat the Feta: Dip the feta slice first into the beaten egg, allowing excess to drip off, then press into the panko crumbs ensuring the feta is evenly and thoroughly coated. For a thicker crust, repeat the egg and panko dipping once more.
- Fry the Feta: Carefully place the coated feta into the hot olive oil. Fry for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until the crust turns golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Prepare Honey Infusion: While the feta fries, warm the honey gently in a small saucepan over low heat. Add fresh thyme leaves and freshly ground black pepper to the honey, stirring and allowing the flavors to infuse for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Serve: Plate the crispy pan-fried feta immediately. Drizzle the warm thyme and pepper-infused honey generously over the top. Serve alongside pita chips or your favorite crackers for a delicious appetizer experience.
Notes
- Use thick slices of feta to prevent it from melting too quickly while frying.
- Panko crumbs provide a lighter, crispier crust compared to regular breadcrumbs.
- Be careful not to burn the honey; warm gently for infusion.
- Serve immediately for the best texture contrast between crispy feta and smooth honey.
- You can substitute black pepper with crushed red pepper flakes for a spicier infusion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
