Saganaki (Greek Pan-Fried Cheese)
Local name: Σαγανάκι
In short: Slabs of firm Greek cheese dusted in flour and fried until crisp and golden outside and molten inside, finished with lemon. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 300 kcal
Saganaki is the Greek meze of pan-fried cheese, named after the small two-handled pan it is cooked in. A slab of firm cheese is dipped in water, dusted in flour and fried in olive oil until it has a crisp golden crust and a soft, molten center. A squeeze of lemon cuts the richness. It takes five minutes and must be eaten hot, with bread.
Instructions
- Dip each slab of cheese in cold water, then coat it on all sides in the flour and shake off the excess. The water helps the flour stick and forms the crust.
- Heat the oil in a small heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
- Fry the cheese for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes per side until deep golden and the edges begin to soften. Do not overcook, or the cheese leaks out of the crust.
- Squeeze lemon over the hot cheese, add black pepper and a drizzle of honey if you like, and serve at once with bread.
Tips
- Use a firm cheese that softens without melting away, such as kefalograviera, graviera, kasseri or halloumi. Feta falls apart in the pan.
- A drizzle of honey and a pinch of sesame seeds make a sweet and salty plate. Fresh figs suit it in late summer.
Questions and answers
What cheese is used for saganaki?
Firm Greek cheeses such as kefalograviera, graviera and kasseri, or halloumi. They fry to a crisp crust without melting away.
Can I make saganaki with feta?
Plain feta falls apart in the pan. Feta saganaki is made by wrapping slabs in phyllo and frying them, or by baking the cheese with tomatoes.
Why does my saganaki stick to the pan?
The pan was not hot enough or the coating was too thin. Wet the cheese before flouring it and heat the oil until it shimmers.
How long does it take to make Saganaki (Greek Pan-Fried Cheese)?
About 15 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Saganaki (Greek Pan-Fried Cheese)?
About 300 kcal per serving, with 13 g of protein, 8 g of carbohydrates and 24 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 300 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 13 g |
| Carbohydrates | 8 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 550 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
