Tre Stelle® Summer Salad With Breaded Feta Cubes Recipe

Instructions:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients until fully combined. Set aside or cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Dredge Feta Cheese cubes in flour, then dip in egg and lastly in bread crumbs. Add 2 tbsps of olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Gently fry the cubes evenly (adding additional olive oil if needed) and set aside on paper towels to drain. Arrange spring greens mix on four salad plates. Top with breaded Feta Cheese cubes; drizzle with the dressing and serve.

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Created by: Tre Stelle® Kitchen

Cheese: Feta

Breaded Feta FAQs

To learn more about our breaded feta dish, take a look through some of our most frequently asked questions to improve your cooking knowledge and experience! 

How do I make feta crispy?

Feta is a type of soft, white-hued cheese that is typically made from sheep, goat, or cow’s milk, depending on where you purchase it around the world. Known as one of the oldest types of cheeses in the world, originating from ancient Greece, feta is known for its rich flavor with a hint of acidic undertones.

Although feta is typically crumbled on top of prepared dishes, it is possible to make feta crispy to experience its flavorings in a different way. To do this, you have two options, you can either fry it in an air fryer or bread it and fry it in a pan to create that crispy exterior without having to sacrifice that smooth texture on the inside. 

Luckily, Tre Stelle feta comes in many variations, including cubed and wedged, that allow you to make crispy feta with ease, without having to worry about it crumbling. If you’re looking for a little bit of extra flavor when making your crispy feta dish, consider using our other feta various as well, such as our garlic and herb or tomato and basil. 

Once you’ve chosen which type of Tre Stelle feta cheese to use, here is how to make a crispy feta dish for yourself or your friends and family! 

Pan-Fried Crispy Feta 

Similar to how you would make your breaded feta for our delicious summer salad in the recipe above, you’ll want to dip your feta cheese cubes or feta cheese wedges in flour before dipping them in a bowl with one whipped egg to coat them. 

Once you have coated your feta cheese in egg, you can either opt to dip them in breadcrumbs as our recipe says or use a bread crumb substitute such as sesame seeds, rolled oats, crushed breakfast cereal, or crushed crackers. Regardless, this is going to give you that crispy exterior and crunch that you’ll love. 

The next step to creating a crispy, breaded feta cheese is to warm two teaspoons of olive oil in a pan on medium-high heat. Then, place your coated feta cheese in your pan and allow it to fry. Make sure to flip the feta and fry each side before removing them and putting your crispy feta on a paper towel to absorb excess oil. 

Air-Fryer Crispy Feta 

If you’re pinched for time but still want to enjoy the deliciousness of a fried feta dish, you can still make this recipe using your air fryer. To make this alternative in your air fryer, preheat your fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, place your Tre Stelle feta cheese cubes or wedges onto a baking pan. Drizzle your feta cheese with olive oil and a pinch of oregano and sea salt before placing your pan in the air fryer for 8 – 10 minutes.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for crispy feta that has the perfect balance between sweet, savory, and heat, drizzle honey and chili flakes onto your feta cheese along with a bit of olive oil and cook for the same amount of time in your air fryer for the best of both worlds. 

Whichever way you choose to cook your crispy feta, just know that your final dish is going to be delicious! In fact, fried feta cheese is one of the most popular dishes in Greece, also known as Saganaki, that is typically served as an appetizer! 

Does feta melt on the stove? 

Unfortunately, feta cheese will not melt, regardless of how much heat you add to your stove. Similar to cheese curds, baking or cooking feta on the stove will make it soften until it becomes gooey. Because of its different melting process, you won’t experience the stringy melting you would have with cheddar, mozzarella, or provolone. 

You may be wondering why feta cheese doesn’t melt the same way as other cheese. And the answer to that question is because it has a high acid content that dissolves the calcium that is also in the cheese. Calcium is typically responsible for holding cheese together as it warms to create that stringy melting. However, without it, the cheese is unable to take that shape. 

Another reason why feta cheese doesn’t melt like other cheeses is because the water content in the cheese evaporates as it is warmed, which causes the protein in the cheese to solidify and prevents the cheese from transforming into a liquid state!  

Is it possible for me to prepare this ahead of time? 

Yes, you can prepare our delicious summer salad ahead of time if you’re in a rush or need to bring it as a dish to a special event. Prepare your salad as you usually would by mixing your spring greens before preparing your dressing and keeping it in a separate container until it is ready to drizzle on your salad. When it comes to your breaded feta cubes, you can also prepare these ahead of time before allowing them to cool in a container that is then ready to be refrigerated. 

However, once the cheese re-enters the fridge, it may become soggy and return back to its normal crumbly state. Therefore, to avoid this from happening, you can re-heat your Tre Stelle breaded feta cubes in your air fryer to get that nice crispy outside with a gooey inside. On the other hand, you can also re-heat the feta cubes in a pan on medium heat as well to toast them up again. 

Is this recipe good for kids?

Yes, this recipe is excellent for children and is a perfect way for parents to get their kids to eat their vegetables with the little added treat of breaded feta. Even though feta cheese can be an acquired taste for a lot of people, with that added crispy layer and the flavor pairings from the salad, this summer salad is perfect for children and adults of all ages. 

On the other hand, feta cheese is a low-calorie and low-fat cheese that is also a great source of vitamins and minerals, including: 

Vitamin A 

Vitamin A is an organic molecule and an essential nutrient for both children and adults. When we get our recommended amount each day, we can experience many benefits, including increased immunity and cell reproduction. It is also an essential vitamin for vision and development. In addition, vitamin A has antioxidant properties that can help prevent the development of disease. 

Vitamin K 

Vitamin K is an essential vitamin that plays a significant role in blood health, your immune system, and bone health. Required daily doses range depending on your age. However, this dish is an excellent source of vitamin K as it can also be found in spinach as well! 

Folate (Vitamin B9) 

Found in many different leafy green foods in addition to feta cheese, folate, also known as vitamin B9, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for producing blood cells and bone marrow and converting carbohydrates into energy. 

Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) 

Typically found in plants, animals, grains, and milk, pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5, is great and essential to helping your body use protein and fats correctly. Without it, you can experience headaches, fatigue, and other symptoms, which is why feta cheese and our summer salad are a great way to eat healthy all year long. 

Iron 

Iron is an essential mineral needed by the body to help you maintain healthy blood. Iron is typically found in red meats, nuts, seeds, leafy greens, and legumes. Therefore, if you’re looking for a great source of Iron that is also tasty, feta cheese and leafy greens are your go-to without having to sacrifice delicious flavor pairings! 

Magnesium 

Magnesium is an important mineral and is required by the body to stay healthy. It is involved in many biological processes, including regulating your sugar levels and blood pressure, regulating your muscles, making DNA, and regulating nerve function. 

Calcium 

Calcium is an essential mineral our body needs to survive. Typically found in foods such as leafy greens, cheese, milk, and other dairy products, this mineral is responsible for maintaining healthy bones and teeth. Additionally, calcium is also responsible for helping blood clot and regulating your heart rate. 

What should I pair my breaded feta summer salad with? 

When it comes to salads, the options for side dishes are endless. Because the salad offers a delicious balance between sweet, salty, and acidity, consider pairing your summer salad with a grilled chicken breast or some grilled salmon. Alternatively, nothing says summer salad like a big burger straight off the grill that is paired with a light salad on the side. 

Regardless, when pairing your salad, make sure to add a bit of protein to offset the textures while avoiding making your meal overly heavy. That way, you can enjoy your meal without feeling as stuffed as you would when pairing it with a carb-related dish such as pasta.