This Fried Cheese Curds recipe was so easy to make. These deep fried white cheddar cheese curds are the BEST appetizer and the perfect comfort food!
If you are from Minnesota or Wisconsin, you know and love fried cheese curds!
I’m not sure about other states, but here in Minnesota, fried cheese curds are sold at the state and county fairs, of course, but they are also available at restaurants and even some fast food places.
My son wanted to visit the retail store of a local creamery, mainly to get cheese whips (long, narrow strings of mozzarella cheese) and while looking around the store he spotted the cheese curds.
So, we decided to buy them and try to make fried cheese curds.
These strange looking morsels are cheese curds. While I don’t like the name and I don’t care to eat them fresh because they squeak, I love eating them fried!
There are several restaurants that sell breaded cheese curds and they are delicious, but they don’t hold a candle to the deep fried version.
Whip up some batter while your oil is heating up. Whisk together buttermilk, flour, baking soda, garlic salt and an egg.
Coat a few curds at a time with the batter and then fry them in the hot oil, until golden brown.
This took less than a minute, but many recipes say to fry them for 1-2 minutes, but found that was far too long for me.
Carefully remove from oil and place on paper towel to drain.
Yummmmy! You’ll want to enjoy these tasty little morsels immediately.
These Fried Cheese Curds were surprisingly easy to make and they were just like the ones from the county fair.
Fried Cheese Curds Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs cheese curds
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ quarts oil vegetable, canola or peanut oil
Instructions
- Heat oil to 375˚F. (Use a thermometer and watch carefully)
- Whisk together buttermilk, flour, baking soda, garlic salt and egg until smooth.
- Coat several cheese curds with batter. If the batter is too thick, add more buttermilk until it is the consistency you want. Or if the batter is too thin, add more flour.
- Fry a few at a time, for several seconds, until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towel.
- Enjoy while fresh!
Notes
Nutrition
Here are a few more of my cheese filled recipes:
Blooomin’ Garlic Cheese Biscuits | Mac n’ Cheese Pizza | Cheese Bombs
JoJo says
Bad recipe. What batter did adhere to the curds burned off within 15 seconds. Cheese just burnt in the oil. I used a thermometer the entire time. Followed another review that lowered the oil temp to 350.
Tonia says
Hi JoJo,
I’m sorry to hear that your cheese curds didn’t turn out. Thank you for trying my recipe and I hope you have a happy thanksgiving!
-Tonia
Mamajambalaya9 says
Try curds at room temp. Then coat and fry!
julie cross says
It isnt batter, it’s so dry it doesn’t stick to the curd.
Amy says
My cheese curds looked great, however, I found the batter to have a heavier texture than I would have liked. The flavor was bland and the garlic salt definitely did not help.
Tangela says
Is the nutrition information per serving or for all 2 lbs
Tonia says
Hi Tangela,
It appears that nutrition information shown was automatically calculated using all of the oil which isn’t correct. I’ve updated the nutrition information using 10% oil absorption. The nutrition facts may vary depending on amount of unused batter and leftover oil.
Best,
~Tonia
Sue says
I think the batter needs more flour, and, yes, maybe beer instead of buttermilk. Also heat @350. I made these last night and wasted my fresh cheese curds Almost as soon as they hit the oil, the cheese ranout.
Nicki says
Make sure the cheese is frozen for atleast 1 hour before placing in hot oil
Bill says
I wouldn’t have known to freeze the curds. I didn’t see where it said to freeze the curds in the recipe. I guess it makes sense. I will be trying these nuggets of gold very soon!
Carolyn Klebesadel says
A&W has deep fried cheese curds, not as wonderful as any in Wisconsin but there not bad
Lori says
I’m originally from MN. We moved to Florida 8 yrs ago (no regrets but for the missing State fair cheese curds). Longest time could only find Wisc. curds online to order if I wanted to pay $25+ to ship (no thanks). Finally found a Farmers market not far that sells Wisc. cheese and cheese curds is one they sell ..YES. So I the first recipe I found used beer, it was ok (probably better for fish batter recipe I think) it didn’t taste even close to Mn State fair cheese curds. So can’t wait to try this recipe, Thanks.
Susan Soucoup says
Every true Wisconsinite knows that the batter is a beer batter. Replace the buttermilk with a can of beer.
Bob says
Ellsworth Creamery in Ellsworth WI- Best cheese curds around. Go to ellsworthcheese.com. Making some tonight.
Tom nelson says
Agreed, by far the best. Especially on Saturday morning when they set out the fresh still warm curds!!
Bradley Frakes says
DuPont cheese curds far better!
Diane says
My husband and I just had fried jalapeño cheese curds yesterday! Our first time for cheese curds! They were amazing!! Thanks for the recipe!
Anna says
Do you know any store that sells cheese curds? Whole foods maybe? That’s the only place I could think of lol. I really want to make some but I don’t know where to get the cheese.
Tonia says
Hi Anna! I’m guessing it depends on where you live and on the grocery store. I’ve seen them at our small local grocery store. Would you happen to have a dairy in your area that has a retail store?
Kara says
You will need to order online from a cheese maker. We are from WI and moved to FL and found Hennings cheese has the freshest cheese and very helpful. Ask for Marge for an authentic WI experience 🙂 They make curds daily and ship them. Their aged cheddar is amazing as well -try the 10 year! The mozzarella cheese whips are my fave!
Good luck and enjoy!
K
Justin M Harris says
Perrines produce has wisconsin cheese curds and other northern products if your near daytona area. Frying up white cheddar and cajun cheddar curds and they are amazing
Mari says
Kwik Trip gas stations in MN also sell cheese curds from Ellsworth WI creamery. So fresh, they squeak!
Scott says
Buy them online from Nasonville Dairy http://www.nasonvilledairy.com
David says
Sorry for such a late response. I ordered some online from WisconsinCheeseMart.com. They arrived fresh and still have the squeak
Cathy Rhodes says
Extremely late reply, but Harris Teeter carries them in their special cheese section located usually across from the deli.
Lynda says
Menards by us in Illinois has them
Brandy Beck says
Cub Foods does.
Terri Acton says
I order from cheese brothers
Kathy says
Bought at Cincinnati Aldi’s yesterday, Jan/2022.
Lori White says
I bought some at Aldi’s grocery store in Florida
mary tran says
Awesome recipe! I just got a bag of cheese curds and fresh apples from Wisconsin. Quick question, do the cheese curds have to be frozen before dipping and frying?
Tonia says
No, mine were fresh. They are only in the oil for several seconds so they were fine. Enjoy! ~Tonia
Krista says
I’m craving Fried Cheese Curds so bad right now! I grew up in Minnesota and have family in Wisconsin. These look like the ones you get at the State Fair! Do you think I could make these with regular cheddar, cut into cubes? We can’t get cheese curds here in Austria.
Ally says
You can always cut up regular cheese and fry it. But they won’t be cheese curds. Real cheese curds must be fresh cheese (usually no older than 4 days) and it squeaks in your teeth when you bite into it.
Melanie (The Party Suite at Bellenza) says
OMG! Irresistible!
Kim says
I’ve never had a cheese curd but I already know that I would love them. and battered and fried?! Even better.
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
Here in California, cheese curds aren’t common at all… and that’s a major shame! I’m totally hankering for them right now!
Michelle @ Blackberry Babe says
I absolutely love squeaky cheese curds! First tasted them in Wisconsin a few years ago, and FINALLY am now seeing them available in stores here in Kansas City. Fried is totally the way to go.
Sara says
OMG, they look AMAZING! Sadly I have never had a deep fried cheese curd here in California but now I can make them at home at least with your recipe 🙂
Malia @ Small Town Girl says
Cheese curds are becoming a very popular appetizer in the Pac NW. I see them and order them all the time! Pinned!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
OMG, this is amazing!! I only have cheese curds on poutines (woohoo, Canada!) But I know if I showed this to my sister she would be all over it!