dairy

vegetarian

pan-fried

appetizer

appetizer

crispy

Greek

all seasons

Hot

recipe photorecipe photo

Greek Saganaki (Pan-fried cheese with lemon)

Difficulty

easy

Time

15m

Price Category

average

Calories

High

Saganaki is a classic Greek appetizer, famous for its dramatic presentation and delicious taste. It involves pan-frying a firm, salty cheese until it's golden brown and crispy on the outside, yet wonderfully soft and gooey on the inside. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end adds a bright, zesty finish that perfectly complements the rich cheese. This simple yet impressive dish is perfect for sharing and brings a taste of the Mediterranean to your table.

ingredients

4 Servings

Steps

1

Prepare cheese

Slice the Kefalotyri or Halloumi cheese into 1-1.5 cm (about 0.5 inch) thick pieces. Pat them dry with paper towels.

2

Dredge in flour

Lightly dredge each piece of cheese in all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess. This helps create a crispy crust.

3

Heat oil

Heat the olive oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering.

4

Fry cheese

Carefully place the floured cheese slices into the hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy.

5

Serve

Remove the cheese from the pan and place it on a serving plate. Immediately squeeze fresh lemon juice over the hot saganaki and serve.

Extra Tips

Use a non-stick pan for best results to prevent the cheese from sticking.

Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the cheese to get a nice crispy crust.

Serve immediately while hot to enjoy the gooey texture.

Nutrition

Per 100gPer Serving
120g
Calories380 kcal456 kcal
Protein22g26.4g
Fat30g36g
Carbohydrate7g8.4g
Fiber0g0g
Sugar0g0g