Crunchy from outside and mouth melting from inside these 5 ingredient Ricotta cheese balls come together less than 30 minutes.
If you are looking for an easy peasy make ahead of time appetizer for your next party or potluck then you should bookmark this recipe.
These cheese balls are a hit among the kids so consider adding them to your kids party menu.
Serve these cuties with the classic marinara or a dip of your choice. These Ricotta balls are surely a crowd pleaser .
And be sure to make extras as these are quiet addictive. So don’t blame me if you see them polished off within minutes.
There are 3 ways to make it .
You can deep fry them – easiest way when it comes to large parties.
Bake them – turns out well if you have an hour on hand
Make them in appe pan/ aebleskiver pan – if you wish to make small quantities for your family only.
Either ways they are absolutely delicious.
This finger food is my go to recipe on a game day or a get together. I just keep changing the dip to go with it or sometimes add in some chopped veggies.
Store bought Ricotta makes this recipe a breeze.
If Ricotta cheese isn’t available in your country then fresh homemade chena/ paneer works the same way.
Make ahead of time tips
You can prepare the ricotta balls ahead of time. Roll it in bread crumbs . Place the balls in a tray/dish . Cover it with plastic wrap and stick it in the fridge 2-3 days ahead of time.
You may even fry a large batch hours before the party and store at room temperature. Just before serving warm them in the oven at 400 deg F for 10-15 minutes .
Other recipe that you might like – Hariyali kebab – no deep fried.
5 ingredient ricotta cheese balls
Ingredients
- 15 oz / 425 gms tub Ricotta cheese
- 2 cups fresh bread crumbs
Condiments
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes optional
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian mix herbs or oregano
- Salt to taste
- Couple twists of black pepper
For coating
- 1 cup or more panko bread crumbs*
- ½ cup rice flour/ cornstarch
- 2 tablespoon flaxseed meal *
- 10 tablespoon warm water
Instructions
- Place ricotta cheese in a muslin cloth and remove as much water you can.
- Now place all the ingredients called to make cheese balls in a medium size bowl.
- Mix well and make lime size balls.
- Keep aside covered in the fridge.
For slurry
- Mix flaxseed meal with warm water and keep aside for 5 minutes. It will turn into gel like consistency which will help coating the bread crumbs.
Meanwhile prepare the coating station.
- Place cornstarch , bread crumbs , flaxmeal gel in 3 different bowls.
- Now take one ball and roll it in cornstarch .
- Now dip it in the slurry and coat well.
- Then dunk it in the bread crumbs and roll it well.
Heat oil in a frying pan on medium heat .
- Once warm add in one cheese ball and see if it fries well and doesn’t break.
- Now go ahead and fry 4-5 balls at a time until golden brown.
- Repeat this with all the cheese balls .
- Place them on a paper towel to remove excess oil if any.
Cooking in appe pan / aebleskiever pan
- Heat up the appe pan on low medium heat, brush every cavity lightly with oil. Once warm , add the balls and brush them with oil , cook them until golden brown overall. Rotate and flip them in intervals with a help of a small spoon or wooden skewer as needed to evenly cook . The appe pan method is quiet slow but results are worth it. Alternatively you can bake them.
- Serve warm with a side of your favorite dip , ketchup or chutney.
Baking it in the oven
- Pre heat oven to 450 degrees F
- Place all the coated cheese balls in a baking tray lined with foil and lightly brushed with oil .
- Brush each ball with oil.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping them mid way or until light golden brown.
Please go through important notes for substitutions.
Notes
Pin this for later!
Want to make Ricotta cheese at home ?
Here is a link on how to make Ricotta at home.
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Ricotta cheese balls are easy to bake, but I use ghee for baking. Baking with ghee is a better option for me as ghee offers better food safety and a feel good aroma of the cheese balls. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Sounds great, we love ghee too. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Hello, came across this recipe recently and would like to try. Just one question, what sauce would go well with these? Because the balls seem to have delicate flavors so dont want to overpower the whole dish. TIA.
Hello Mrunmai, this appetizer is usually served with a side of tomato based sauce like marinara.
Hi there! Thank you for sharing a great recipe. I have bookmarked your recipe to try out later. Does this recipe work with a block of cream cheese?
Cream cheese is much smoother so I doubt it will hold well. I will have to test it.
These eggless cheese balls turned out great . I made for school fair . The kids went crazy for it . Yum.
Too much bead crumbs with the ricotta
Karen , the bread crumbs help bind the ricotta. If you have luck without using this quantity then by all means you may reduce it. Or use oat flour, cornstarch or almond flour . We do not consume eggs and bread crumbs does the trick . Use as per your preference. Have a nice day.
How are they too many bread crumbs ? You have to coat the ball of ricotta. Flaxseed worlks well to as well as dream of tarter fir binding
Hello Jannki, this recipe works really well with the ricotta cheese I use. Maybe different brands may require a different amount of crumbs. You can start with little and if the balls are not falling apart, keep it that way. I have never tried cream of tarter. Thank you for sharing.
Super recipe! But how to make flaxseed gel?
Thank you Ganga, it is mentioned in the very 1st point of the recipe instructions- slurry one.
Hi how do you make the flaxseed meal???
I buy ready made one. It is nothing but ground flax seed. You can make it in a spice grinder.
Superb recipe.. this will sure be a party fav:)
Thank you Shubha.. it sure is!
These Ricotta cheese balls are awesome!!!
Thank you Atish:)
Look delicious!!! Will definitely give it a try
Awesome Shashi.. do let me know how it turned out!