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Photo of a rustic wooden table with a scene showcasing the Saganaki recipe In the center is a saganaki pan with golden brown fried Kefalotyri cheese

Classic Greek Saganaki: Fried Cheese (Σαγανάκι)

This Saganaki recipe is a simple, yet flavorful Greek appetizer featuring Kefalograviera or Kasseri cheese.  
The cheese is sliced, floured, and pan-fried in olive oil until golden brown, then finished with lemon juice, dried oregano, and black pepper. It's one of those mouth watering traditonal Greek Recipes cooked in under 10 minutes.
In fact, this quick recipe, takes only 9 minutes in total, and yields "saganaki" that has a crispy exterior and gooey interior. Serving two, it's an easy dish perfect for any gathering. 
The nutritional content is estimated at around 400 calories per serving, with a balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates.
Of course this will vary depending on the cheese and amounts used, but treat that as a guide.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 9 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Greek
Servings 4
Calories 232 kcal

Equipment

  • For preparing Saganaki, the following equipment is needed:
  • Pan or Small Non-Stick Frying Pan:  Essential for frying the cheese. A saganaki pan is traditional, but any small non-stick pan will work.
  • Sharp Knife: To slice the cheese into the desired thickness.
  • Shallow Dish or Plate: For dredging the cheese in flour.
  • Tongs or Spatula: Useful for flipping the cheese during frying to ensure even cooking.
  • Serving Plate: To serve the saganaki immediately after cooking.
  • Lemon Squeezer (optional): For adding fresh lemon juice to the cooked cheese.

Ingredients
 
 

  • 200 g Kefalograviera or Kasseri cheese also will work well for this dish.
  • 1/4 cup All-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 Lemon To squeeze over the Saganaki
  • 1 tbsp Dried oregano
  • pinch Cracked black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Slice the cheese into a 1/2-inch thick piece. The thickness of the cheese will make a difference to how this recipe turns out
  • Dip the cheese in a bowl of water and then dredge the cheese evenly in flour, shaking off any excess.
  • Heat the olive oil in a saganaki pan or a small non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
  • Once the oil is hot, add the cheese and fry for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
  • Once cooked, remove the cheese and place it on a plate.
  • Squeeze lemon juice over the cheese immediately after frying.
  • Serving Tip:  This is a Meze, so, for it to be shared, once the Saganaki is on the plate, someone will generally cut it into smaller pieces.
    You'll see this ritual occur on many dishes in Greece, but I think, more so when it comes to Cheese Saganaki
  • Sprinkle with dried oregano and cracked black pepper.
  • Saganaki is best served right away with extra lemon wedges.
  • Enjoy this delicious traditional greek reipce right in the comfort of your own home

Notes

This method ensures a crispy crust while keeping the inside of the cheese soft and gooey.
 
The flour coating prevents the cheese from melting away into the oil, and the quick fry time avoids overcooking, preserving the cheese’s texture.

 

Nutrition

Calories: 232kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 8gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 571mgPotassium: 83mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 225IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 263mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Fried Cheese
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