Fried cheese curds are a delicious deep fried appetizer or snack food often found at summer county fairs. Fresh cheese curds are battered with seasoned panko bread crumbs, then deep fried until the cheese melts. An easy, cheesy, crowd pleasing recipe!
Today I thought I’d share with you this quick and easy appetizer recipe for fried cheese curds, because…fried cheese.
Wisconsin is arguably the official home of the cheese curds but that isn’t to say that you can’t get them in other parts of the country. In fact, I’ve been seeing them pop up on menus way over here in the PNW. And you can find cheese curds regularly at the grocery store and deli.
Because they are so readily available (especially my favorite Beecher’s Handmade Cheese Curds), these Panko Crusted Cheese Curds are a staple around here. They are a great appetizer and perfect for game days.
Making fried cheese curds at home is crazy easy. Traditionally fried cheese curds are made with a wet batter. I have tried these multiple times, but if I’m being honest, my absolute favorite way to coat them is with panko bread crumbs. The panko bread crumbs make the coating really light and crunchy.
STEP #1: Dredge each curd into the flour. Dip into the egg/milk wash and then dredge in seasoned bread crumbs.
STEP #2: Heat oil to 350 degrees and fry curds, in batches if necessary, until golden brown. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Repeat until all cheese curds are fried.
Note: The bread crumbs may not coat the curds completely and some of cheese might start to ooze out a smidge. And it’s kind of my favorite because then you get crispy cheese edges.
These are best eaten immediately and don’t hold up well to storage.
Whenever I think of cheese curds, the nursery rhyme about Little Miss Muffet comes to mind. They are simply the fresh curds of cheese, usually cheddar. They have a firm, rubbery texture and the freshest ones will even squeak when you bite into them hence the nickname “squeaky cheese”.
Yes! Thank goodness. I have found cheese curds in my grocery store. They are often in the deli section near the fresh mozzarella and other specialty cheeses. I’ve also seen them at Costco. If you can’t find them in your store, you can also order them online. I know Tillamook sells theirs online.
These homemade fried cheese curds are so good. They are crispy brown on the outside and perfectly melty on the inside. Everything a good fried curd should be. And they are perfect on their own. In fact, that I’m going to say they don’t even need a dip. Although, as with all my favorite fried things, ranch would be divine.
And if you are looking for more fried cheese, because like I said fried cheese is life, these Jalapeno Mozzarella Sticks are the great if want to add a little heat to the mix!
Bonnie J Pritchard
January 3, 2024 at 9:06 pmI haven’t tried this recipe yet…..Need to go to store to purchase the curds……The nutrition facts are listed but does not say the size of the portion that these facts are for. Why do so many recipes not say what the portion size is. Please let me know the size of the portion that your nutrition facts are for. Thank you.
LYLE Jahner
June 27, 2021 at 8:07 pmYUMMY 😋
Deseree
June 29, 2021 at 2:40 pmGlad you like them!
Quinny
January 23, 2021 at 8:21 pmI made these and they tasted absolutely amazing. It is very simple and I would highly recommend!
Deseree
January 25, 2021 at 4:35 pmSo happy you enjoyed it, Quinny!!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
March 9, 2019 at 5:23 amI know for sure this would be a huge hit in my house!
Catalina
March 8, 2019 at 10:38 pmMy family will go crazy over these cheese curds! Look incredible!
Allyson Zea
March 8, 2019 at 10:32 amMy son LOOOOVES these!!!!
Lora
March 8, 2019 at 2:55 amI want to make these for the next big game party! All that cheese!!!
Jade
March 8, 2019 at 2:04 amWhat a perfect side dish for any meal! Will be making these!
Jamie
March 7, 2019 at 1:11 pmI love these things but have never tried making them at home. That’s about to change!! 😊
Toni | Boulder Locavore
September 13, 2018 at 12:04 pmThis looks totally irresistible!
Jersey Girl Cooks
September 13, 2018 at 6:45 amThese fried cheese curds look great! We have a local food truck that makes them but now I can make them at home!
Liren | Kitchen Confidante
September 12, 2018 at 8:49 pmOMG, squeezy, cheesy goodness!
Lucy @ Supergoldenbakes
September 12, 2018 at 1:43 amThese do sound tempting. I think my family would polish a batch off quickly.
Amy @ Little Dairy on the Prairie
September 11, 2018 at 1:52 pmYou had me at cheese! These would make a great appetizer at my house!
Shinee
September 11, 2018 at 8:55 amOMG, Love me some cheese curd! Will have to try my hands at it! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Jenn
September 11, 2018 at 6:32 amOhmygosh why have I never made cheese curds at home!? MARVELOUS – I need to make these ASAP! Thanks!
Abeer
September 11, 2018 at 2:06 amI wouldn’t be able to stop snacking on these all day long!
Chrissie Baker
September 11, 2018 at 1:58 amThis is really very tasty! Perfectly! Thanks for the recipe! I want to try it!
Amanda
September 10, 2018 at 2:14 pmThe perfect comfort food!! I love these!
Marty
September 2, 2018 at 5:18 pmVery easy to prepare..and delish!
Deseree
September 3, 2018 at 11:26 amYay! So happy to hear you liked them Marty!
Barb Steele
June 29, 2018 at 8:42 pmThere is nothing better on the planet than squeaky curds, unless of course when they are breaded and deep-fried! Lived in WI my whole life, trust me!
Deseree
June 29, 2018 at 10:01 pmMy youngest LOVES cheese curds. We are able to watch the guys at Beecher’s (in Pike Place Market) make the cheese every once in a while and he insists on trying some. I haven’t made him these yet but I bet he’ll love them too! I mean…fried cheese is pretty much life, right? :)
Mez975
February 20, 2018 at 7:16 pmJust made these using real Wisconsin white cheddar cheese curds I purchased from a local grocery store and they were amazing! I like them so much better than battered curds. Thanks for the recipe
Mez975
February 20, 2018 at 7:18 pmI forgot Tom hit the star rating… I’d give them 5 stars!
Deseree
February 21, 2018 at 10:50 amThank you!!
Deseree
February 21, 2018 at 10:50 amYou are so welcome!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
November 20, 2014 at 3:34 pmOh my gosh! These look awesome! I lived in Wisconsin when I was super young but I do remember the cheese curds! One of the best, fresh from the dairy farmers!
ATasteOfMadness
November 2, 2014 at 2:57 pmThis looks amazing! The only time I have ever tried cheese curds is on poutine, but I would love to try them fried. I love this idea!
Krista
October 31, 2014 at 5:47 amOh gosh! This is the ultimate dish back home! I grew up in Wisconsin and this was “the thing to order”. Why have I not tried to make these at home? So trying it now! Love it girl!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
October 31, 2014 at 5:13 amMy hubs just walked into the room as I pulled this up and I am pretty sure his taste buds fell off his head. His family is from WI, so he LOVES his cheese curds. And fried? Well, that’s just amazing. Pinned!