Deep-Fried Cheese Curds with Buttermilk Ranch Dip

Crispy deep-fried white cheddar cheese curds with a light and flavorful batter, served with a homemade buttermilk ranch dipping sauce.

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with these crispy deep-fried white cheddar cheese curds, coated in a light and airy batter made from a blend of all-purpose and white rice flours, spiced with garlic powder, smoked paprika, and a touch of black pepper. The cheese curds fry to golden perfection, creating a crunchy exterior that gives way to a gooey, melty center. Pair them with a tangy homemade buttermilk ranch dipping sauce, crafted with fresh dill, chives, and a hint of lemon juice, for a satisfying snack that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying as a savory treat, these cheese curds offer a delightful contrast of textures and flavors in every bite.

Servings

4-6

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

10 minutes

Total Time

25 minutes

Ingredients

For the Cheese Curds

  • 1 pound of white cheddar cheese curds
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup white rice flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup cold seltzer water or beer
  • Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Buttermilk Ranch Dipping Sauce

  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried chives)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

Make the Buttermilk Ranch Dipping Sauce

Combine ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, mayonnaise, and sour cream until smooth.

Add herbs and seasoning: Stir in the dill, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.

Adjust to taste: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.

Prepare the Cheese Curds

Dry the curds: Use a paper towel to pat the cheese curds dry, removing any moisture.

Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, white rice flour, baking powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Prepare the batter: In another bowl, whisk the egg. Add the cold seltzer water or beer, and stir until blended. Slowly mix this into the dry ingredients until you have a smooth batter.

Heat the oil: Pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep pot or fryer and heat it to 350°F (175°C).

Batter the curds: Dip each cheese curd into the batter, ensuring it’s fully coated.

Fry the curds: Carefully place the battered curds into the hot oil. Fry them in batches for 2-3 minutes, or until they’re golden brown. Avoid overcrowding the pot.

Drain the curds: Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried curds, placing them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil

Serve

Serve the hot, crispy cheese curds with the buttermilk ranch dipping sauce on the side. Enjoy them while they’re fresh and warm!

In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, mayonnaise, and sour cream until smooth. Stir in the dill, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.

In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, white rice flour, baking powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

In another bowl, whisk the egg. Add the cold seltzer water or beer, and stir until blended.

Slowly mix this into the dry ingredients until you have a smooth batter.

Pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep pot or fryer and heat it to 350°F (175°C). Dip each cheese curd into the batter, ensuring it’s fully coated. Carefully place the battered curds into the hot oil. Fry them in batches for 2-3 minutes, or until they’re golden brown. Avoid overcrowding the pot.