Cooking halloumi the traditional way

Halloumi is a type of cheese from the Mediterranean traditionally cooked and not eaten raw. If you want to learn how to cook halloumi properly, this article will give you all the information you need to enjoy its distinctive flavour in the way it’s intended.

How to cook halloumi

Did you know you can cook halloumi on a barbecue? Just make sure the sections are large enough so they don’t fall through the grill. Grilling halloumi gives it an authentically smoky flavour. However, halloumi cheese is just as delicious when cooked in the kitchen.

How to cook halloumi in an air fryer

Halloumi tastes great when prepared in an air fryer. Use relatively large sections of cheese for this cooking method, as opposed to chip-sized portions.

• Cut the halloumi into bite-sized sections and pat them dry with a kitchen towel to remove excessive moisture.
• Next, add any additional flavours you might want, such as thyme, paprika or chill flakes.
• Brush each section of halloumi with a little olive oil.
• Place your prepared halloumi into the air fryer basket, pre-heated to 200°C.
• After 5 minutes, remove the basket and move the halloumi around so that it cooks on all sides.
• Return the cheese to the air fryer for another 5 minutes.
• Finally, remove the tray again and allow the cheese to cool a little before serving.

How to cook halloumi in the oven

Cooking halloumi in the oven is just as easy as cooking it in an air fryer. Here is what you need to know:

• Prepare your halloumi by cutting it into similarly sized sections with extra flavourings, just as above.
• Heat the oven to 200°C.
• Spread the halloumi out on an oven-proof dish and put it into the oven on the top shelf for 10 minutes.
• Remove the halloumi, flip it over, and continue to bake it in the oven for 5 minutes.
• Before taking it out of the oven, check that the cheese has turned a golden-brown colour.

Halloumi fries

You can deep-fry pieces of halloumi cheese for a tasty snack or side. To make halloumi fries, simply:

1. Cut the halloumi into chip-sized sections.
2. Dip each section of cheese into an egg wash, followed by breadcrumbs to form an optional crispy outer layer.
3. Using a strainer or spoon with holes, carefully place the halloumi sections into pre-heated oil.
4. Remove the halloumi fries once they turn a golden-brown colour.
5. Allow the fries to cool on a kitchen towel and serve.

Popular halloumi recipes

Many popular Greek and Mediterranean recipes as a whole call for authentic cheeses, such as halloumi, mozzarella or feta cheese. In most cases, you should stick to the recipe’s specified cheese, as the distinctive flavour could make a big difference to the authenticity of your dish. Nevertheless, halloumi is a versatile cheese, so you can use it in many recipes. From sweet chilli fritters with halloumi stack to couscous with honey-gazed halloumi, there are so many great halloumi recipes to get inspiration from!

FAQs

How long does it take to cook halloumi in the oven? 

Baking halloumi in the oven takes no more than 15 minutes. When cooked in a fan-assisted oven, it can be ready to eat in as little as 10 minutes.

Is halloumi cheese like mozzarella? 

Both mozzarella and halloumi are so-called layered cheeses, but there are not that many similarities. Both can be cooked, but halloumi isn’t as soft. Both cheeses have no rind and offer a salty flavour.

Can you eat halloumi cheese without cooking it? 

Yes, you can eat halloumi cheese raw without cooking it first. However, its distinctive squeaky texture and flavours are less prominent when served this way.

Is halloumi made from goat’s cheese? 

Halloumi is sometimes made exclusively from goat milk, but it is usually derived from a blend of sheep and goat milk. In some cases, halloumi may also have cow milk blended in.