Little balls of golden bites are made with fresh ricotta cheese, lightly seasoned, breaded, and fried to perfection, plus can be served as is or dipped in your favorite condiments.
This appetizer is a staple at our Italian friends and family gatherings, especially for game day, holiday parties, and special occasions—and for any good reason craving a warm appetizer.
Whether you’re hosting a party, planning a family dinner, or want an impressive, indulgent orderve to make, this recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor right into your kitchen.
Why Should You Make Deep-Fried Ricotta Appetizer Recipe
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor; Ricotta, breadcrumbs, herbs, and spices come together in minutes.
- Perfect for Entertaining; These bite-sized appetizers are easy to make ahead and fry just before serving.
- Crispy Yet Creamy; The outside stays crunchy while the ricotta filling remains soft and creamy.
- Crowd Favorite; Loved by both kids and adults, they disappear fast at any gathering.
Serving Ricotta Appetizer Ideas
- With marinara dipping sauce for an Italian classic.
- Drizzled with truffle honey for a gourmet twist.
- Paired with charcuterie boards as a warm, cheesy element.
- As part of a holiday appetizer or try some of our favorite easy recipes likeAlfredo Sauce,Marinara Sauce, or serve with one of our homemade dipping sauce recipes of your choice,
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Results and Final Thoughts and Some Tips
These crispy ricotta deep-fried appetizers are the perfect balance of creamy, cheesy, and crunchy.
They’re quick to prepare, versatile for any occasion, and guaranteed to impress guests.
Once you try them, they’ll become a go-to appetizer for parties, family gatherings, or even a cozy night in.
Drain Well: Too much moisture makes the filling fall apart. Draining is key.
Chill Before Frying: Refrigerate shaped balls for 30 minutes before frying so they hold their shape.
Double Coat: For extra crispiness, dip in egg wash and breadcrumbs twice.
Use a Thermometer: Keep oil at 350 degrees; too hot will burn, too cool will make them greasy.
Make Ahead: Shape and refrigerate the ricotta balls a day in advance, then fry when ready to serve.
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appetizers, Italian appetizers, fried appetizers, ricotta recipes. fried recipes
Italian, American
Yield: 20
Author: Claudia Lamascolo
Deep Fried Ricotta Appetizers
How to make deep-fried ricotta appetizers made easy in your kitchen!
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 3 MinTotal time: 13 Min
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese (drained in a cheese cloth or use a coffee filter)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded provolone
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs (plus more for rolling)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- pinch of cayenne pepper for heat (optional)
- 1 teaspoon roasted garlic powder or granulated garlic powder
- salt and black pepper to taste
- vegetable oil for deep frying or a mixture with olive oil
Instructions
- Strain the ricotta in a cheese cloth, paper coffee filter or mesh strainer for 30 minutes.
- Mix everything in a bowl until well blended (except for the oil for frying).
- If too loose, add a little more breadcrumbs 1 teaspoon at a time.
- Heat the oil in a frying pan.
- Place more breadcrumbs in a pie plate (around 1/2 cup)
- Shape the mixture into balls (by hand or use a medium-sized cookie scoop), then roll them into the pie plate of breadcrumbs to coat.
- The oil should reach a temperature of 350 degrees.
- Fry the balls in the oil for around 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
- Cool for a few minutes before eating, as they are very hot!
- Serve with your favorite sauces on the side.
Notes
Tips:
Drain Well:Â Too much moisture makes the filling fall apart. Draining is key.
Chill Before Frying:Â Refrigerate shaped balls for 30 minutes before frying so they hold their shape.
Double Coat:Â For extra crispiness, dip in egg wash and breadcrumbs twice.
Use a Thermometer:Â Keep oil at 350 degrees; too hot will burn, too cool will make them greasy.
Make Ahead:Â Shape and refrigerate the ricotta balls a day in advance, then fry when ready to serve
Nutrition Facts
Sodium (milligrams)
124 mg
Cholesterol (grams)
22 mg
The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.
These are all copyright – protected images and content. Do not reprint/reuse this recipe or its images without my written permission.
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Try Some of My Other Favorite Appetizer Recipes
12 Easy Christmas Appetizers
30 Appetizer and Side Dish Recipe Roundup
New Year’s Eve Party Appetizers
Game Day Recipes
Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2012. It was edited and re-published in 2025
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