Greek Saganaki Cheese Snack (Printer-friendly)

Crisp-fried Greek cheese with lemon and oregano offers a savory, quick-to-make delight.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 7 oz firm Greek cheese (kasseri, kefalotyri, halloumi), sliced 0.4 inch thick

→ For Coating

02 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour

→ For Frying

03 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ To Serve

04 - 1 lemon, cut into wedges
05 - ½ tsp dried oregano
06 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Pat cheese slices dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture.
02 - Lightly dredge each slice in flour, shaking off any excess coating.
03 - Warm olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
04 - Place cheese slices in skillet and fry 1 to 2 minutes per side until golden and crisp.
05 - Remove fried cheese and drain briefly on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
06 - Transfer to serving plate, sprinkle with oregano and black pepper, then serve immediately with lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You'll have golden, oozing cheese ready in less time than it takes to pour a drink.
  • It's foolproof enough for beginners but impressive enough to make guests think you're more skilled than you actually are.
  • One ingredient does all the heavy lifting, so there's nothing to hide behind—just pure, honest flavor.
02 -
  • Moisture is the silent killer—even a tiny bit of dampness on the cheese will prevent proper crisping, so that paper towel step genuinely matters.
  • The difference between medium and medium-high heat is the difference between a triumph and a disappointment; err on the side of hotter rather than cooler.
  • Lemon is not optional; it transforms the dish from flat and heavy to bright and alive.
03 -
  • A non-stick skillet genuinely changes the game here—stainless steel tends to grab the cheese and refuse to let it flip cleanly.
  • If your cheese is coming straight from the refrigerator, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes first; cold cheese needs longer to reach that melted-inside-crispy-outside balance.
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