Greek Saganaki Cheese (Printable Version)

Golden fried Greek cheese with lemon and oregano, ideal for a quick, savory appetizer.

# What You Need:

→ Cheese

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

→ Coating

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

→ Frying

03 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ To Serve

04 - 1 lemon, cut into wedges
05 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
06 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Pat the cheese slices dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
02 - Lightly dredge each slice in flour, shaking off any excess to ensure a thin, even coating.
03 - Warm olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
04 - Add the coated cheese slices and fry for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until golden brown and crisp.
05 - Remove cheese from skillet, drain briefly on paper towels, then transfer to a serving plate. Sprinkle with dried oregano and freshly ground black pepper.
06 - Serve immediately, accompanied by lemon wedges for squeezing over the hot cheese.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It takes 10 minutes from fridge to table, making it perfect for when guests arrive hungry and you're not sure what to offer.
  • That crispy exterior giving way to warm, melted cheese inside feels like a small victory every single time you make it.
  • The lemon and oregano transform something humble into something that tastes like you've been cooking all day.
02 -
  • The cheese must be truly firm or it will disappear into the oil—halloumi and kasseri are your safest bets because they have high melting points.
  • Timing is everything; the moment you see that edge turn golden, you're done, because cheese goes from perfect to broken in seconds flat.
03 -
  • If you're making this for a crowd, have all your cheese sliced and floured before you start cooking, so you can work quickly and keep the pan hot.
  • A squeeze of lemon juice into the hot pan after removing the cheese creates a simple pan sauce that catches every bit of that golden flavor.
Return