Fried Halloumi Recipe for a Classic Cypriot Dish Everyone Will Love
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Treat yourself to a thick slice (or several) of one of Cyprus’ and the Eastern Mediterranean’s most beloved cheeses with our fried halloumi recipe, and enjoy it in salads, with fresh bread, or on its own in all its fried glory.
Halloumi Recipe
There’s a reason Cyprus went as far as to even trademark halloumi: it’s that good! And while seeking out the most delicious halloumi would take you to some of the most gorgeous, rustic, and sun-kissed locations throughout Cyprus and the Mediterranean, our recipe gives you everything you need to gorge on this fried semi-soft cheesy delight from the comfort of your own home.
What is Halloumi?
Traditionally a Cypriot dish but widely popular in Turkey, across the Eastern Mediterranean, and throughout Europe, halloumi itself is a Cypriot semi-soft cheese that has a squeaky texture and a mild, slightly tangy flavor, often said to share similarities, but also differences, to mozzarella.
While halloumi can be eaten and enjoyed in so many different ways, in this simple recipe we’re going to fry it to create a wonderfully balanced salty, tart, and fried snack that will keep you reaching for one more slice it’s that satisfying!
Recipe Ingredients
To make our super simple halloumi recipe, you only need the following ingredients:
- Halloumi Cheese
- Olive Oil
We used 2 packs of halloumi of 225 grams/8 oz each. They make for great appetizers for about 6-8 people.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Slice the halloumi cheese into 1 cm or 1/2 inch slices.
Step 2 – In a large regular pan or grill pan (for beautiful grill marks), over medium heat, add 1-2 tbsp of olive oil when the pan is hot. Then, add the halloumi cheese slices.
Step 3 – Cook them for about 2 minutes on one side and then flip and cook them for another 2 minutes.
Once ready, we opted to serve out halloumi in a long serving platter, so that dinner guests can help themselves to as much as they like.
That golden brown coating adds plenty of depth to the texture of each slice, while still locking in that beloved mild and tangy flavor and soft-yet-firm, squeaky texture.
What to Serve with Halloumi?
Honestly, there’s no end to the fun you can have with fried halloumi. It’s deep, salty, and flavorful enough in its own right to be served on its own, but you can also add it to salads, eat it with bread or grilled vegetables, and try it in so many other ways.
Here are some suggestions to serve with your fried halloumi:
Honey – A good drizzle of honey over the top, maybe with some arugula or greens, makes for a filling sweet and savory snack.
Greek/Green Salad – Fried halloumi can be served with lots of salads. Especially if the salad doesn’t contain any meat or cheese, per se, fried halloumi can be that ingredient with plenty of body.
Pita Bread – If you can’t keep things traditionally Cypriot or Greek, you could also try other types of bread, both fresh or toasted/grilled.
Meze – Halloumi can be served as part of a meze platter, with cured meats, vegetable skewers, and other yummy treats.
Barbecued Meat – In Cypriot and Greek cuisine, spiced grilled meat is found in abudance. You could also get creative with fried halloumi, such as using it in a hamburger instead of cheese.
Chicken Souvlaki – This classic Greek and Cypriot chicken dish pairs well with some sliced fried halloumi.
Halloumi Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 16 oz 450g halloumi cheese
- 1-2 tbsp of olive oil for frying
Instructions
- Slice the halloumi cheese into 1 cm or 1/2 inch slices.
- In a large regular pan or grill pan (for beautiful grill marks), over medium heat, add 1-2 tbsp of olive oil when the pan is hot. Then, add the halloumi cheese slices.
- Cook them for about 2 minutes on one side and then flip and cook them for another 2 minutes.
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Save and Pin for Later
Fancy making this simple recipe at home? Keep it for safekeeping by saving it to one of your recipe idea boards.
