Doesn’t everyone love crispy fries with a dip? We all know how to make those, though, so I thought I’d introduce you to a different sort of fries today – crispy halloumi fries! Don’t forget the sour cream and sweet chili sauce, now …
I’ve told you before about mine and Mr. Scrummy’s very unhealthy addiction to fried potato wedges with sour cream and sweet chili sauce when we were living in Australia. We would go for a longish Saturday morning run, then somehow find ourselves perched on outdoor barstools stuffing our faces and ooh-ing and ah-ing over the deliciousness of the moment. We just might also have moaned a bit (oh OK then, a lot) about the paltry portions of sauce, and about having to pay if we wanted more. Cheapskates.
I still dream about these moments, but alas, potato wedges at the pub aren’t such an institution here in the UK. I would make them at home but they’re just not the same if they aren’t fried to a deep crisp in a deep fat fryer.
So what’s a girl without a deep fat fryer to do but find alternatives?
A different kind of crispy fry!
I realised that I’d found just that when I first had a go at making some ‘fries’ out of halloumi cheese recently.
So what IS halloumi cheese anyway?
Halloumi cheese has been breaking the Internet lately! But just in case you’re not familiar with it, it’s a hard white Cypriot cheese traditionally made out of sheep’s milk or goat’s milk – but now often made out of cow’s milk.
It reminds me of mozzarella cheese, with its mild flavour, but you’ll find it quite a lot saltier.
Halloumi is one of those cheeses that doesn’t melt when it’s cooked, which makes it perfect for frying to a lovely crisp.
Where can I find halloumi cheese?
This cheese is widely available here in the UK, and I really hope it is where you are so you can try these amazing ‘posh fries’. If you can’t see it in your regular supermarket, try a Mediterranean or even Middle Eastern deli.
Halloumi cheese is really worth trying to track down, but if you just can’t find it/can’t be bothered to run all over town looking for it, try the Latin American ‘queso para freir’ (cheese you can fry!) instead.
Enough of the rambling. How do you make halloumi fries?
You’ll rarely (if ever) find anything complicated on this blog, but these crispy halloumi fries have got to be one of the easiest recipes of all.
This is hardly even a recipe. Great news for fans of easy entertaining!
Literally all you do to make these delicious halloumi fries is:
- cut the ‘log’ of halloumi into fry shapes
- roll the fries in flour
- fry them in a little bit of oil
After a few minutes (literally), you’ve got yourself a nice little stack of gorgeous crunchy, salty, cheesy fries. Yum!
They look just like super crunchy regular fries, don’t they?
I’m pretty convinced that fried halloumi cheese is one of the world’s tastiest, most addictive foods!
Perfect for dipping!
These are definitely best when piping hot, so don’t delay with your dipping. Use your cheesy fries to generously scoop up Greek yoghurt (or sour cream if you prefer) and sweet chili sauce … and enjoy!
I’m thinking these would be great passed around with first drinks at a party over this holiday season.
Dip, sip, and dip again. Mmmm!
Scroll down to below the recipe to see the handy how-to video. The video actually shows how to make my life-changing fried halloumi bites (perfect for passing around at parties!) but the process is exactly the same. Just cut the halloumi into fry shapes rather than bites!
Think you might be a halloumi fries convert? You might also like these other halloumi recipes:
These crispy halloumi burgers are a fabulously easy and delicious veggie burger. I’ve never been much of a fan of veggie burgers, but one bite of one of these and you’ll be a lifelong convert!
Crispy halloumi makes this tomato, corn, avocado and basil salad over-the-top delicious!
Just love halloumi? Check out my expert how to cook halloumi guide. With pro tips, recipes and more.
Crispy halloumi fries (and dips!)
Ingredients (UK/Australia? Click below for grams/ml)
For the ‘fries’
- 9 ounces halloumi cheese (this is usually 1 ‘log’ but exact weight doesn’t matter)
- 1 tablespoon flour
- vegetable oil for frying (enough to fill a medium saucepan to a depth of about half an inch)
For the dip
- sour cream or Greek yogurt (I prefer Greek yogurt, and also sweet chili sauce)
Instructions
- Cut the halloumi cheese into roughly equal sized ‘fries’ (mine were about 1.5cm in thickness).
- Roll the ‘fries’ in the flour.
- Heat up the oil in a medium saucepan until the end of the ‘fry’ dipped into it sizzles. Then, carefully lower the fries into the oil. Fry for a couple of minutes on each side or until golden and crunchy-looking (you might have to do this in 2 or more batches).
- Remove carefully from the oil with a fork and serve immediately with the sour cream and sweet chili sauce.
Gail says
Your recipe is amazing !
Helen says
Hi Gail – thank you so much. I’m so glad you think so! Have you made it yet?
Richa Gupta says
This is so so creative! I wonder if this would work with paneer which is similar to halloumi! Can’t wait to try these
Helen says
Wow, I’ve never thought of that, Richa. If paneer is quite a solid cheese that doesn’t melt easily then I think it would work great!
Sandra Shaffer says
These halloumi fries look fantastic! I have pan fried halloumi, but not French-fry style. These make a great appetizer and much better than potatoes.
Helen says
I hope you do give them a try some time, Sandra. You’ll never look back!
Helen says
O.M.G.
That is all. Need to go lie down in cheese ecstasy.
Helen says
You made them?! They’re AMAZING, aren’t they??! 🙂
Rebecca says
Which flour did you use?
Helen says
Hi Rebecca! Just plain flour is fine, but to be honest I think any would be OK. Hope you enjoy them! 🙂
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says
Helen, OMG, this is genius! Pure GOLD! I seriously can’t get enough halloumi and now you’ve just turned it into the greatest snack ever! I can’t wait to make this! I have no doubt I will eat the entire thing in one sitting – no sharing either 😉
Helen says
Oohhh noooo, you will not want to share! This really is a yummy snack, Kathleen … you have GOT to try it! 🙂
Allie | Baking a Moment says
Oh my goodness, Helen! You’ve just combined two of my very favorite things! We love halloumi and now I can’t wait to give this idea a try 😉
Helen says
Hi Allie! I’m so happy you like this and really hope you get a chance to give it a try. It’s a perfect little snack for over the holidays! 🙂
Alida @My Little Italian Kitchen says
A tasty idea making fries with halloumi. They look so crunchy and moreish. Very good idea for a party too!
Helen says
Hello Alida! Thanks so much for passing by … I’m definitely going to hop on over and check out your blog because I love Italian food (almost) as much as I love Greek food! Really happy you like this idea – please do give it a try for your next party 🙂
mira says
These potato wedges sound delicious, but the halloumi fries will be a great substitute! Love them and will definitely try the recipe! Pinning and sharing!
Helen says
Hi Mira! Happy you like these, and thanks so much for pinning and sharing … you’re such a star! 🙂
[email protected] says
I can understand Mr Scrummy’s addiction because I will nibble on fries any chance I get so these fries are right up my alley and I’ll take both dips, please 🙂
Helen says
Hi Janette. We’re definitely addicted to anything crispy that we can dip!! Really happy you like these, and hope you get around to giving them a go some time xx
Nancy | Plus Ate Six says
We love halloumi and often have just roast veggies and pan fried halloumi for dinner so I just know we will love this 🙂
Helen says
Hi Nancy! Great idea to have fried halloumi with roasted veggies … I’m going to try that! 🙂
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
Oh those fries. Oh those fries. I have a piece of ham that would go sooooo well with those fries.
Helen says
Hi Bintu … mmmm, ham would go great with these. Thanks for the idea, Hon! 🙂
[email protected] says
Oh my…oh my oh my….I am literally weak in the knees seeing this….
You ROCK! Sharing!
Helen says
Thanks so much for the shares, Hon! You’re the best! 🙂
cheri says
Hi Helen, oh there is nothing like fried cheese, love it!
Helen says
Thank you, Sweet Cheri!! 🙂
Eva says
C’est incroyable Helen, on dirait vraiment des frites! Tu sais? Ici il est presqu’é l’heure de dîner et voir ta recette me fait vraiment envie! C’est une idée très chic!
Helen says
Merci beaucoup, Eva! Je pouvais pas le croire quand j’ai vu qu’ils sont juste commme des vrais frites! 🙂
Maggie says
This one is even better than fried potato wedges! I never had this cheese before but I had something very similar when traveling in Turkey. The texture is great after heating up. Will definitely hunt it down!
Helen says
Ahhh yes, you would find it in Turkey easily, I think. It’s pretty popular over here in the UK – you can even get it at Aldi! But I guess it’s because we’re in Europe. Really hope you manage to find some so you can give it a go, Maggie! 🙂
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I am a little bit obsessed with halloumi, and although we don’t have it as fries very often, it is nice as a treat. I totally agree about places never giving you enough sauce. It’s all about the sauce!
Helen says
Definitely all about the sauce!!! Apparently this is a pretty low fat cheese, too, so maybe that means we can have this ‘treat’ a little more often 😉
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
Love halloumi! These fries look amazing, Helen – love the idea of serving them with sour cream and sweet chilli dip! Yum! Another recipe of yours I’m going to make! 🙂
Helen says
Oooh, I get so excited when you say you’re going to try my recipes, Jess. Thank you!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Helen – these fries do look so darn crispy! I’ve yet to try halloumi – don’t recall seeing it at the grocery stores I frequent – but I definitely need to try this cheese that does not melt!
Helen says
They really were amazingly crispy, Shashi … better than in my wildest crispy fry dreams … haha! I hope you do manage to find some halloumi some day soon. I think I heard that you can get it from Whole Foods in the US? If not, try queso para freir, if you can find that 🙂
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
I love halloumi, but have never fried it. Yes please! This looks decadent delicious, Helen!
Helen says
Thanks, Marissa! I usually cook halloumi, but I’d never tried it like this before. It was so so easy … so hope you try it!
katy says
what would you recommend eating as meal with these?
Helen says
Hi Katy! Great question! I usually make these as a sort of mini appetizer before a dinner for guests. They always go down REALLY well and I get requests to make them from my niece and nephew all the time.
You could make them into a main meal though I suppose. I’d serve with salad and maybe some nice bread or fries. Give them a go – they’re amazing!! 🙂