What is Halloumi?
Halloumi is a type of cheese that originates from the island of Cyprus. It is a semi-firm cheese, and has a high melting point, which makes it ideal for frying. Halloumi has a mild, slightly salty flavor, with a hint of sweetness. Raw halloumi has rubbery and squeaky texture, when fried or grilled it becomes soft and creamy. Being a non-melting cheese, it is perfect for frying and grilling. It is often used as an appetizer or served in sandwiches and wraps just like Middle Eastern Labneh and Baked Feta.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients Needed
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below. You only need 2 ingredients to fry halloumi! However, seasonings can be added to make it even more flavorful. Below are some ideas:
Halloumi. You’ll need a block of Cypriot Halloumi Cheese. Typically it comes in an 8 or 9 ounce package. Pat the cheese block dry with paper towels and slice it into 8 or 9 slices.Olive Oil. I like to use olive oil to fry the halloumi (with a high smoke point, not extra virgin olive oil!).
How To Fry Halloumi
Recipe Tips
Do Not Overcrowd the Pan. When frying halloumi, make sure to cook it in a single layer and do not overcrowd the pan! This will help it brown evenly and cook more evenly as well.Flip Carefully. Halloumi is delicate so handle it carefully when flipping. Use a spatula that is large enough to support the cheese, and be careful not to break it. I personally like to use a fish spatula!Serve Immediately. Halloumi tastes best and has the best texture while still warm. It will firm up and become rubbery when it cools, so I recommend serving it immediately for the creamiest centers.Make Halloumi Bites. Feel free to cut it up smaller than the slices shown, and make halloumi bites!Grill it! A delicious variation of this recipe is grilled halloumi! I always make sure that I have a halloumi block to grill at every BBQ!
This fried halloumi recipe is an easy and delicious way to enjoy this squeaky and salty cheese! Serve it immediately for the best texture, and enjoy it as part of a healthy, balanced diet. I hope you enjoy this recipe!
© Little Sunny Kitchen
