Saganaki (Greek Pan-Fried Cheese)
Quick answer
- Total time
- 15 min
- Level
- Easy
- Servings
- 2 servings
- Ingredients
- 4
About this dish
A single 1.5cm slab of firm graviera goes into the pan whole and comes out with a thin golden crust.
Read more
Unlike breaded cheese sticks with egg and crumbs, it gets only a dusting of flour over a lightly wetted surface, and the excess is shaken off so it does not fall into the oil and burn. Leave it alone until one side turns golden, then flip it once with a wide spatula under the whole piece; if the cheese starts running at the edges, lower the heat. Lemon goes on after it reaches the plate.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the cheese as a piece about 1.5 cm thick.
Briefly wet it under running water, coat both faces and edges in flour and shake off the excess.
- 2
Spread the olive oil over the bottom of a small heavy pan and heat over medium heat.
Add the cheese when it sizzles at the edges on contact.
- 3
Cook for about 2-3 minutes until golden underneath, then support with a broad spatula and turn.
Cook the other side for about 2-3 minutes, until a golden crust forms.
- 4
Transfer immediately to a plate with the half lemon.
Squeeze it over just before eating and share between two while warm.
References checked
These references were consulted when this page was prepared or corrected. A source check does not mean the recipe was independently kitchen-tested.
- Saganaki (Pan-seared Greek Cheese Appetizer)
My Greek Dish / Eli Giannopoulos · Checked: 2026-09-07
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