Crispy Blue Cheese Fritters with Red Pepper Aioli

Crispy, cheesy and made to share, these blue cheese fritters are a flavorful addition to holiday gatherings, cocktail parties, casual get-togethers or game-day spreads. Each fritter is golden and crunchy on the outside with a light, fluffy center and pockets of bold, tangy blue cheese. Serve them warm with roasted red pepper aioli for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s likely to disappear quickly.

What Are Cheese Fritters?

Cheese fritters are small portions of cheese-filled batter fried until crisp and golden. In this cheese fritter recipe, whipped egg white gives the centers a light texture, while chunks of blue cheese add creamy pockets and a distinctive tang. Blue cheese gets its signature color and flavor from cultures introduced during the cheesemaking process. Its bold flavor works particularly well in fried appetizers because it balances the richness of the batter and oil. Curious about other cheese varieties and how to use them? Explore Oryana’s Ultimate Guide to Cheese.

Blue Cheese Fritter Ingredients

• Salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1Tb unsalted butter
• 2 TB green onions
• 1 large egg, separated….
• Oil. Vegetable, canola, peanut…your choice
• Blue Cheese cut into bite size chunks

How to Make Cheese Fritters

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
2. In a small bowl, whisk the buttermilk with the egg yolk.
3. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the buttermilk mixture and stir gently until just combined.
4. Fold the melted butter, blue cheese and green onions into the batter.
5. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg white until soft peaks form. Gently fold the whipped egg white into the fritter batter, taking care not to deflate it.
6. Preheat the oven to 180°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or place an oven-safe wire rack over the baking sheet.
7. Pour approximately 1 1/2 inches of oil into a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Heat the oil to 325°F.
8. Carefully drop 2-tablespoon portions of batter into the hot oil. Avoid crowding the pan.
9. Fry the cheese fritters for about 2 minutes, turning once, until crisp and golden brown.
10. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fritters to a paper towel-lined plate. Season immediately with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
11. Move the fritters to the prepared baking sheet and keep them warm in the oven while frying the remaining batter.

Roasted Red Pepper Aioli

Ingredients

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 roasted red pepper
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Add the mayonnaise, roasted red pepper, garlic and salt to a food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving
2. For the best flavor, refrigerate the aioli until the fritters are ready. If you prefer a smokier dipping sauce, use a fire-roasted red pepper.

Tips for Light, Crispy Cheese Fritters

Keep these simple techniques in mind when preparing the batter for fried cheese:

• Mix the batter only until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can make the fritters dense.
• Fold in the whipped egg white gently to preserve the airy texture.
• Keep the frying oil close to 325°F. Oil that is too cool can produce greasy fritters, while excessively hot oil may brown the outside before the center cooks.
• Fry in small batches so the oil temperature remains steady.
• Season the fritters while they are still hot so the salt adheres to the crispy exterior.

What Does Blue Cheese Taste Like in Fritters?

Blue cheese can be a rather polarizing cheese variety; people either love it, or dislike it. Blue cheese has a salty, tangy and slightly earthy flavor that varies in strength depending on the variety. Frying softens some of its sharper notes while creating warm, creamy pockets throughout the fritters. For a milder appetizer, choose a creamy, less pungent blue cheese. Those who enjoy a stronger blue cheese taste can select a firmer, more intensely flavored variety.

Serving and Storing Blue Cheese Fritters

Serve the fritters warm with roasted red pepper aioli. They also pair well with hot sauce, ranch dressing or a drizzle of honey for a sweet and savory contrast.

Blue cheese fritters have their best texture immediately after frying. If needed, keep them warm in a 180°F oven for a short time before serving. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container, then reheat them in an oven or air fryer to help restore the crispy exterior.

Keep Cookin’ with Oryana

Pick up blue cheese, buttermilk, green onions and the rest of your fritter ingredients at Oryana. Looking for more recipes and cooking inspiration? Subscribe to our newsletter and explore our calendar of classes to see what’s cooking at the co-op.