Vegan Fried “Goat Cheese” Fritters

These fritters are INSANE!

I made you guys these vegan fried goat cheese fritters, because I love you! After you make these creamy on the inside, crunchy and salty on the outside fritters, you will be forever changed. These tiny nuggets are my new favorite thing! They are also really easy, so don’t be intimidated. A quick mixture made by pureeing tofu and vegan yogurt is chilled in little dollops. Then dipped in a batter and then into panko. Fried to perfection. The “goat cheese” filling turns all creamy and somehow very melty and cheese-like.

It’s pretty magical! I’m honestly not sure how these are so perfect and so delicious, but they are! Crunchy, creamy, tangy, salty. I highly recommend drizzling the fritters with agave and sriracha! It is the best/easiest compliment to these vegan fried goat cheese fritters! 

I think sweetness and heat is exactly what these babies need on top! They also stay crispy for an incredibly long time, so they’re great to serve as an appetizer at a party. Or you can just eat them by yourself, like I like to do!

The “goat cheese” dollops are dipped in a wet batter, but since you then coat them in panko, they are perfect to go in your air fryer as well! I’ve made them both fried in vegetable oil, and in my air fryer, and I have to say they are amazing either way. So, if you’re looking for a healthier option, try them in the air fryer! 

Vegan Fried "Goat Cheese" Fritters

Print Recipe

Creamy, tangy vegan goat cheese alternative. Battered and fried until golden brown and crispy!

Course Appetizer

Prep Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Servings 24 Fritters

Author Lauren Hartmann

Ingredients

Vegan Goat Cheese

• 1 Block(15 oz.) Extra firm tofu
• 5 Ounces Plain vegan yogurt, I used Kite Hill
• 2 Tablespoons Nutritional yeast
• 1/4 Cup Apple cider Vinegar
• Juice of 1 Lemon
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 Teaspoon Black pepper

Batter

• 1 1/4 Cups All purpose flour
• 1 Teaspoon Baking soda
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 1 1/4 Cups Almond milk, or other non dairy milk of choice

For the Rest

• 3 Cups Panko bread crumbs
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Agave for topping
• Sriracha for topping

Instructions

• Make the vegan "goat cheese". Squeeze as much liquid out of the block of tofu as you can. I squeeze it over the sink, don't worry if it starts to crumble. 
• Now break the tofu up a bit and add it to a food processor with the vegan yogurt, nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, salt and pepper. 
• Process the mixture, scraping down the sides as needed until it is completely smooth. It may take 5-10 minutes depending on your food processor. 
• Then, scoop little dollops, about a tablespoon of the "goat cheese" mixture, using a spoon or a tiny cookie scoop. Place the little dollops onto a pan lined with parchment paper or sprayed with non stick spray. Put each dollop about 1/2 inch apart. Repeat with all of the mixture. 
• Now, place the pan in the freezer. Freeze the "goat cheese" for about 30-60 minutes or until the dollops are firm and can be picked up and handled and stay together. Try not to freeze them for to long, or they are harder to cook all the way through. 
• While you have the "goat cheese" in the freezer, make the batter. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Then pour the non dairy milk into the dry ingredients. Whisk to fully combine. 
• Then add the panko to a separate bowl. 
• Once the "goat cheese" dollops are firm enough to handle, begin to heat about 1/2 an inch of vegetable oil in large skillet on medium high. 
• Heat the oil to about 350-360 degrees. It's ready when you see tiny bubbles forming. (air fryer method in notes)
• Then, dip one dollop of "goat cheese" into the wet batter, coat completely. Then into the panko, coating completely. Repeat with a few "goat cheese" dollops, then place them in the hot oil. Fry a few at a time. 
• Fry for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown all the way around. You can cut the first one open to make sure the "goat cheese" is hot all the way through. Repeat with all the dollops until you have as many fritters as you want or can make. 
• Sprinkle the hot fritters with salt, then drizzle with agave and sriracha. Serve immediately!

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Notes

You can use an air fryer for these. Air fry them at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes, check them, flip them and continue to air fry until they are nice and brown and crispy.

If the dollops of "goat cheese" aren't staying together when you dip them in the batter, they need to freeze a little longer.

If you froze them too long, and the middles aren't cooking when you fry them, you can put them in the oven for a few minutes after frying them. Bake for 5-10 minutes at 375 degrees. 

If you are looking for a gluten-free method, use gluten-free all purpose flour and gluten-free bread crumbs.