Life-changing Fried Halloumi Bites
on Jun 27, 2022
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For an easy appetizer or party snack that everyone raves about, try these fried halloumi bites! All you need is 2 ingredients plus olive oil for shallow pan frying. Super crispy on the outside and soft and satisfyingly salty on the inside, they’re perfect with a simple sweet dip on the side. I call these ‘life-changing’ with my tongue in my cheek, but I kind of mean it…
What ARE fried halloumi bites?
I’ve been making these crispy halloumi fries for a long time now, and they ALWAYS impress. To many of my friends and family, I’m the queen of halloumi fries! They’re always a crowd pleaser – loved by kids and adults alike – and make a fabulous super easy appetizer.
It came to me one day that I should try making some crispy halloumi bites as well. But when a friend I served the halloumi fries to suggested it too I knew I just HAD to make them.
Essentially they are exactly the same as halloumi fries. They’re JUST as delicious, and will be JUST as popular, but they perhaps lend themselves a little more to being passed around at parties.
Or to a whole bowl being snacked on all by yourself while watching TV. Halloumi popcorn, anyone? 😉
Why you’ll love them
Life-changing? Really, Helen? Well, let me tell you, I don’t use the word life-changing to describe this fried halloumi recipe lightly! These morsels of crispy deliciousness are:
- quick and easy to make. The coating is made of just flour. No fussy breading necessary!
- pretty light (not too filling if you have a big dinner planned).
- a crowd pleasing appetizer for guests that everyone seems to love – especially children!
5 star review *****
“OMG!!!! “”Life Changing” does not even BEGIN to describe this!!! I made this as written and it is HEAVEN! Warning – one block is not enough – you WILL want more! Best recipe I have tried in a long, long, time!” (Jenny)
About halloumi cheese
First things first, what’s halloumi cheese? If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s a salty, hard white cheese exclusively from the island of Cyprus. It can be made of sheep’s milk, goat’s milk or regular cow’s milk, or even a mixture.
Halloumi is kind of mild tasting, a bit like mozzarella, and with a similar consistency… it’s just saltier. It also reminds me of fried tofu, but personally I like halloumi much better!
You usually buy it in a packet in a log shape. You’ll see that it’s in a bit of liquid and that some authentic brands have fresh mint running through them.
Although there are a few recipes using raw halloumi, it’s usually served cooked. Because halloumi cheese has a high melting point, it’s perfect for frying.
There are various ways to cook halloumi (my ultimate guide!). Pan fried halloumi is delicious too, but the VERY BEST way to eat halloumi cheese, in my very humble opinion, is to simply roll it in flour. Then deep fry until it’s super crispy on the outside, like a deep fried french fry.
With the deliciously soft and salty cheese inside!
Ingredients
You need just THREE ingredients for frying halloumi:
Halloumi cheese: Now widely available in supermarkets. If you’re struggling to find it where you live, try a Mediterranean or Middle Eastern deli. Any brand will work, but I prefer a traditional Cypriot style brand.
Flour: I usually use plain/all purpose flour. Since you only need a little flour, however, I find many types work. Gluten-free, corn starch and rice flour all work really well. I’m pretty sure others would work well, too, such as almond flour or coconut flour.
Oil (for cooking): You can use any oil you like to fry halloumi in. I prefer a light olive oil, but I’ve also used vegetable oil. Just bear in mind you’ll need enough to cover the bottom of a saucepan, so you might not want to use your best extra virgin olive oil!
Substitutes for halloumi: You can also make fried ‘halloumi’ bites with other cheeses with a similar texture including Latin American queso para freir, Greek saganaki or even feta. Any hard, salty cheese with a high melting point would probably work.
How to make fried halloumi bites
The step-by-step guide below should help you make the recipe perfectly first time. Scroll down to the end for the full recipe including ingredient amounts.
It’s perhaps a bit of a stretch to even call this a ‘recipe’! Here’s how you make the bites in just a few simple steps:
Step 1: Cut the halloumi into slices. I usually slice lengthwise. Then cut again into small cubes – about 1 inch square.
Good to know: Halloumi can be a bit fragile, but it doesn’t matter if it breaks a bit while you’re cutting it into bites. Also, don’t worry that the cheese is moist when you take it out of the packet. All the better for getting the flour to stick to it for a super crispy crust!
Step 2: Quickly roll in flour, while the bites are still moist from the brine in the packet. If some of them are too dry, you can always dip them in a little milk or even water.
Step 3: Now you’re going to ‘deep fry’ the halloumi bites. Don’t worry, though. You’re only going to put an inch or so of oil in a small to medium sized saucepan. Let the oil heat up on a medium-high heat until the end of one of the flour-coated cubed cheese pieces sizzles when dipped in. This is how you know that the oil is hot enough.
Step 4: Sometimes I flip the halloumi over part way through cooking. Other times I don’t feel like I need to. Your delicious fried halloumi bites are ready when they are deep golden and VERY crispy looking all over. They will only take a few minutes to cook.
Step 5: I use a slotted spoon like this one (affiliate link) to fish my crispy fried halloumi bites out of the oil! If you don’t have one of these, a fish slice or even big metal spoon will work. Drain the bites for a couple of minutes on kitchen paper.
How to serve them
Let the bites cool for a few minutes after fishing them out of the hot oil. But then it’s best to serve them immediately, while still hot and super crunchy!
My favorite easy way to serve fried halloumi is with a bowl of sweet chili dipping sauce on the side.
Anything with a bit of sweetness is a great contrast to the saltiness of the halloumi cheese. If you want to add a second dip, I find something both contrasting and cooling works well, such as a bowl of tsatziki or Greek yogurt.
Here are some more dipping sauce ideas:
- ‘hot honey’ (Simply warm through some honey and add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes. Alternatively, grab a bottle of Mike’s hot honey – original or extra hot!)
- 10-minute fresh tomato salsa (or any salsa!)
- sour cream
- tomato pesto
- barbeque sauce
- honey mustard sauce
- avocado dip
- fruit chutney
But you know what? Even ketchup works!
More ways to eat them
- Sprinkle over the top of soup instead of croutons.
- They’re also fantastic for sprinkling over the top of a salad. I like to add them to a simple salad of green leaves, onion, avocado, cherry tomatoes and a lemon olive oil dressing.
- Thread onto skewers (kabobs!) for a barbeque with cherry tomatoes and pan fried chorizo (mmmmm).
- Make simple tacos with them, just like you would with tofu!
- Wild card idea: Use instead of fried tofu in Asian inspired recipes!
- Make a simple halloumi burger. Simply pile into a brioche roll with salad and tzatziki.
- Add to a cheese board, along with these delicious cranberry cheese balls!
I’m sure there are other options, too. Let me know in the comments below if you think of another great way to use these amazing crispy fried halloumi bites!
More delicious halloumi recipes
- Very similar to halloumi bites, you just have to try my original, one and only crispy halloumi fries recipe, too.
- These crispy halloumi burgers make for a delicious vegetarian 15 minute meal!
- This one pan Greek couscous with halloumi is lovely in the summer.
- Add halloumi bites to a classic salad! You’ll love this crispy halloumi salad with avocado, corn and tomatoes.
- Halloumi kebabs! These halloumi, chorizo and tomato skewers with honey lime dressing are incredibly easy and delicious.
Just love halloumi? Check out my expert how to cook halloumi guide. With pro tips, recipes and more.
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Life-changing Fried Halloumi Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 9 ounces halloumi cheese, usually 1 package – exact weight really doesn’t matter
- 3 tablespoons flour, or a little more if you need it
- vegetable oil for frying, (or light olive oil) I usually fill a medium saucepan to a depth of about half an inch
for dipping
- sweet chili sauce, (or sweet dipping sauce of your choice)
- Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Cut the halloumi cheese into cubes about 1 inch square (exact size doesn’t matter though).9 ounces halloumi cheese
- Spread the flour out on a plate and roll the halloumi cubes in it while they’re still wet.3 tablespoons flour
- Heat up the oil in a medium saucepan until the end of the halloumi sizzles when dipped into it. Then, carefully lower the halloumi bites into the oil. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until deep golden and crunchy-looking (you might have to do this in 2 or more batches).
- Lift the bites out of the oil with a slotted metal spoon, and serve in bowls with sweet chili sauce and Greek yogurt (if you like).sweet chili sauce, Greek yogurt
As a first attempt, sticking to recipe, it was a good accompaniment to meat balls in a tomato sauce with pasta and roast Romero peppers. However I would need a bit more flavour to have them as ‘bites’ (which I’d love to try) so may add finely chopped rosemary or some other stronger flavoured herbs or spices to the flour coating before frying. Work in progress 👍🏻
Hi Sue! Thanks for the feedback! I always serve these as quick appetizer bites with sweet chili sauce and tzatziki or Greek yoghurt, but I like your idea of serving them as an accompaniment to a meal. I look forward to hearing what flavours you decide to add to your version 🙂
Quick and very easy….and so delicious,
Lidl had some Halloumi with chilli this week, hoping they have some left on my next shopping trip, will definitely add a few to my trolley for when we can have some friends round for a drink, so much nicer than crisps.
Thank you xx
Hi Kathy! Oooh, halloumi with chilli? Never seen that! So glad you enjoyed these. They’re such a perfect appetizer, aren’t they? I find everyone loves them. Have you tried making halloumi fries, too? Basically it’s the same thing but you just cut the halloumi into ‘fry’ shapes instead 😉
As illustrated is plain or selfraising flour used to make halloumi bites.
Hi Carol. Either of those is fine. in fact any kind of flour works. You will just lightly dust the halloumi for a crispier result. Hope you enjoy them and don’t get too addicted!
OMG!!!! “”Life Changing” does not even BEGIN to describe this!!! I made this as written and it is HEAVEN! Warning – one 8oz. block is not enough – you WILL want more! Best recipe I have tried in a long, long, time!
I don’t call things ‘life changing’ lightly, Jenny! Thanks so much for your lovely review! Have you tried the ‘halloumi fries’ too? Basically exactly the same thing but you cut the halloumi into chip/fry shapes. You’re right that one log of halloumi isn’t enough!
Can you substitute the flour to any flour? Like coconut or almond? TIA
Hi! I haven’t tried using another type of flour, but I’m pretty sure it would be fine. The flour is really only a fine coating to help with the crunch. Corn flour / Corn starch would definitely work, if you want to play safe!
I’m Greek on grew up on halloumi cheese. Even though it’s wonderful grilled, it’s eaten without being grilled all the time. In fact, most of the time I don’t grill it because it tastes amazing whether it’s grilled or not.
Hi Fiela! Oh really? I didn’t know that actually so thanks for letting me know. I’ll have to try it. Do you usually add it raw to some kind of salad?
Local Publix got some sheep Halloumi in per my request. I pan fried slices, ok, came acroos this receipe during a search for different cooking ideas. This One Is a WINNER in my book. I sliced the block in half depth wise, cubed, used almond flour on damp cubes but it all came off while cooking, fried in coconut oil in a small saucepan. PERFECT. the crispy exterion and perfect (for me) center was better than anything I tried before. dipped in mayo and salsa. i used Atalanta Cheese, Halloumi, Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil
I’ve never thought of trying coconut oil before. Thanks for reporting back, Darlene – so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
These do look totally life changing!! The color of your fried halloumi is spectacular, and I can’t believe how easy these are to make. I’m excited to try them. Thanks for the recipe.
Thank you so much! I get excited about these every time I make them, so I’m so glad I got you excited about them too!
Ooooh these sound amazing. Halloumi is so tasty so sounds delicious in these bites – especially with sweet chilli for dunking!
THANK YOU! I really hope you try them some time, Kate!
Haloumi is my kryptonite!!!!!
Ha, me too!!! I literally could eat it all day long!