Fried Cheese And Keto: What's The Verdict?

Fried cheese is a delicious treat, but can you eat it on a keto diet? The good news is that there are several types of cheese that you can fry as a tasty snack or appetizer while staying in ketosis. These include halloumi, queso fresco, cheddar, and havarti. The key is to choose a cheese with a high melting point that will hold its shape when fried, and to ensure your pan is hot before adding the cheese to create a delicious crust.

Keto-friendly fried cheese options

Fried cheese is a tasty treat, and there are several ways to make it keto-friendly. Here are some options to satisfy your fried cheese cravings while sticking to your keto diet:

Queso Fresco

Queso Fresco is a Mexican farmer's cheese commonly used in Mexican dishes and can be easily found in most grocery stores. This cheese holds up well under high heat and will create a delicious crust when fried. To prepare, slice the queso fresco into 1/4-inch thick squares and place them into a preheated skillet set to medium-high heat. Fry for 1-2 minutes on each side until a golden-brown crust forms, then remove from the pan and place on a paper-towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease. It is best served immediately, and you can dip it in tomato sauce for extra flavor.

Keto Fried Cheese Balls

These cheese balls are made with only one and a half ingredients and are perfect as an appetizer or snack. The main ingredient is shredded cheddar cheese, and the half ingredient is an egg white, which holds everything together while frying. To prepare, whisk the egg white until you get a stiff peak, then gently fold it into the shredded cheese. Shape the mixture into small balls, as they will double in size while frying. Heat vegetable oil in a frying pot, and once hot, gently place the cheese balls into the oil, turning them constantly to get the best shape. Fry until they are golden brown, then remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel to absorb the excess oil.

Keto Cheese Sticks

These cheese sticks are a crispy and delicious keto-friendly option. The key is to use a keto-friendly batter made from crushed pork rinds and almond flour, which provides a perfect coating without the carbs. For the cheese, Havarti is a great choice, but you can also use mozzarella or any other semi-soft cheese. Slice the cheese into sticks, then dredge them in egg whites and the crumb mixture. Double dredging will give them extra crunchiness. Heat coconut oil in a deep frying pan or skillet to 375°F, then carefully place the cheese sticks into the oil and fry for about 2 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove them from the oil and let them cool slightly before serving.

Keto Fried Cheese Curds

Cheese curds are commonly enjoyed as a snack in the American Midwest. They are higher in fat and thicker in texture than other types of cheese. To make keto-friendly fried cheese curds, use a simple egg white batter and fry them in avocado oil, which is an excellent keto-friendly frying oil. Separate your cheese curds and freeze them for at least 30 minutes before frying. Whip an egg white until you get stiff peaks, then coat the frozen cheese curds with the egg white. Scoop the coated cheese curds into the hot avocado oil and fry for 60-90 seconds until the outside is a dark golden color. Remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel to absorb excess grease.

Keto fried cheese balls

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 egg white
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Optional Ingredients:

• Spices of your choice
• Dipping sauces (e.g. salsa, marinara sauce)

Method:

First, prepare your ingredients. Ensure that your egg whites are at room temperature to achieve the best whipped texture. Shred your cheese yourself to avoid the additional starches found in store-bought pre-shredded cheese.

Next, whisk your egg whites until you reach a stiff peak. This step is optional, as you can also use liquid egg whites for a more liquid consistency in your cheese balls.

Add your whisked egg whites to the shredded cheese and gently fold them together using a fork or a spoon. Ensure that the egg whites and cheese are thoroughly combined. You can store this mixture in the refrigerator for about an hour to make shaping your cheese balls easier.

Now, it's time to shape your cheese balls. Use your hands to form small balls, as they will double in size during frying.

Heat your vegetable oil in a frying pot. Once hot, gently place your cheese balls into the oil one by one, leaving space between them as you will need to turn them to achieve the best shape.

Keep frying until your cheese balls have a beautiful, golden brown colour, then use a fork to gently remove them from the oil. Place them on a kitchen paper towel to absorb any excess oil.

Your keto fried cheese balls are now ready to be served! Enjoy them as a snack or appetiser, and consider pairing them with your favourite dipping sauce.

Tips:

• You can make these cheese balls in advance and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• You can also freeze these cheese balls without any problems. Just ensure that you let them thaw naturally in the fridge to avoid any changes in shape.
• Feel free to experiment with different types of hard cheese and add your favourite spices to create unique flavour combinations.
• If you prefer, you can air fry these cheese balls, but the shape and texture may differ slightly from the traditional fried version.

Keto fried queso fresco

Ingredients:

• Queso Fresco
• Olive oil
• Salsa (optional)

Method:

• Cut the queso fresco into slices. If the slices are very long, halve them to make them easier to handle.
• Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add the slices of cheese to the hot pan. You may need to cook the cheese in batches.
• After a minute or two, flip the cheese over.
• After another couple of minutes, remove the cheese from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
• Allow the cheese to cool slightly, but make sure it is still warm when you serve it.

Tips:

• This recipe works best with a cheese that has a high melting point so that it holds together when fried. Queso Fresco is ideal, but you could also use Queso Blanco or Halloumi.
• For extra flavour, serve with a low-carb salsa or sprinkle with seasonings such as chipotle powder.

Keto cheese sticks

Ingredients:

• 12 pieces of mozzarella string cheese, each cut in half
• 2 tablespoons of coconut flour
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup of almond flour
• 1/2 cup of crushed pork rinds
• 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder (optional)
• Oil for frying (optional)

Instructions:

• Prepare three bowls: one with coconut flour, one with a beaten egg, and one with almond flour, pork rinds, and Italian seasoning mixed together.
• Bread the mozzarella sticks by dredging them in coconut flour first, then dipping them in the egg, and finally rolling them in the almond flour breading mixture until well coated.
• Freeze the breaded mozzarella sticks for at least an hour. This step is crucial to prevent the cheese from melting during cooking.
• Once frozen solid, you can choose to bake or fry the keto cheese sticks. Frying is recommended for a crispier texture.
• If frying, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the mozzarella sticks in a single layer for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown and soft inside.
• If baking, preheat the oven to 400°F and place the frozen cheese sticks on a baking sheet. Bake for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden.

Tips:

• Use one hand for the dry dredging and breading, and the other hand for the wet egg wash to keep the breading bowl dry.
• Freeze the coated cheese sticks before cooking to prevent the cheese from melting.
• Frying is recommended over baking for a crispier texture.
• You can also use an air fryer to cook the keto cheese sticks. Set the temperature to 375°F and cook for 4-5 minutes until golden brown.

Keto fried cheese curds

Fried cheese is a tasty treat, and it can be made keto-friendly by using the right kind of cheese and oil. Cheese curds are the curds separated from whey when making milk. They are higher in fat and thicker in texture than other cheeses.

Ingredients:

• Cheese curds
• Keto-friendly oil for frying (e.g. avocado oil)
• Keto-friendly dipping sauces (optional)

Optional Battering Ingredients:

• Almond flour
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Egg whites
• Heavy cream
• Garlic powder

Method:

First, separate your cheese curds and place them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. This will help them keep their shape when fried.

Next, prepare your batter by whipping egg whites, garlic powder, and heavy cream in one bowl, and mixing almond flour and Parmesan cheese in another bowl.

Dip each cheese curd into the egg mixture, coating evenly, and then into the flour mixture. Repeat this step for a double coating.

Heat your chosen keto-friendly oil in a deep frying pan to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Carefully place the battered cheese curds into the hot oil and fry for 60-90 seconds, or until the outside is a dark golden colour. You may need to flip the curds over during frying.

Remove the fried cheese curds from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.

Serve immediately and enjoy! These fried cheese curds can be served with keto-friendly dipping sauces such as mayonnaise mixed with lemon juice and spices, or low-carb ketchup.

Tips:

• Cheese curds can be purchased at some grocery stores, particularly in the American Midwest.
• If you can't find cheese curds, you can use cheese sticks (mozzarella or cheddar) cut into fourths as a substitute.
• It is important to use an oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil, when frying on a keto diet. Oils like olive oil are not suitable.
• Any leftovers can be stored in the fridge, but they will likely merge into one giant cheese curd!

Frequently asked questions