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Everyone loves these fried halloumi bites. Perfect for fans of easy entertaining, they’re virtually life-changing!
Greetings from the queen of fried halloumi!
I’ve been making these crispy halloumi fries for a long time now, and they never fail to impress. 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 a while ago that I should try making some crispy halloumi bites instead. 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 in front of Netflix.
I won’t judge.
Hardly a recipe!
These fried halloumi bites are another one of those recipes that you can hardly even call a recipe.
You need just THREE ingredients for these gorgeous little morsels of deliciousness:
- Halloumi cheese
- Flour
- Oil (for cooking)
But what IS halloumi cheese?
If you haven’t tried halloumi cheese yet you’re truly missing out. 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 kind of rough log shape. You’ll see that it’s in a bit of liquid and has a bit of fresh mint running through it, although I’ve never tasted the mint in the cheese.
You’ll find that the cheese can be a bit fragile when you cut into it, but it really doesn’t matter if it breaks a bit while you’re cutting it into little bites.
Also, don’t worry that the cheese is a bit wet when you take it out of the packet. All the better for getting the flour to stick to it for a super crispy crust!
What is the best way to cook halloumi?
It’s perfectly possible to eat halloumi raw, straight out of the packet, but I’ve never eaten it this way.
Because halloumi cheese has a high melting point, it’s perfect for cooking.
Most people pan fry halloumi cheese and eat it hot, maybe added to a salad or perhaps threaded onto skewers like in this halloumi, chorizo and tomato skewers with honey lime dressing recipe.
Pan fried halloumi is delicious too, but the VERY BEST way to eat halloumi cheese, in my very humble opinion, is to roll it in flour while it’s still wet, then deep fry until it’s super crispy.
Cut into bites, then roll in flour
How do you make fried halloumi?
So when I say deep fry, I only put an inch or so of oil in a small to medium sized saucepan. If I need to flip the halloumi over part way through cooking I do so. This way you don’t have loads of yucky oil left over to get rid of after cooking.
Fry in a little oil until deep golden and VERY crispy!
What to eat with fried halloumi bites
These crispy halloumi bites are wonderful served just as they are, fresh out of the hot oil, but I usually serve them with a bowl of sweet chili dipping sauce on the side. Sometimes I even add a bowl of Greek yogurt too.
Other ideas for dipping sauces for your fried halloumi would be:
- sour cream
- tomato pesto
- barbeque sauce
- honey mustard sauce
- avocado dip
Anything with a bit of sweetness is a great contrast to the saltiness of the halloumi cheese.
Now come on. Really. How can these fried halloumi bites be life-changing?
I don’t use the word life-changing to describe this fried halloumi recipe lightly!
Now that I have this recipe up my sleeve, I always have something to make as a simple appetizer for guests.
These fried halloumi bites are:
- quick and easy to make
- not too filling if you have a big dinner planned
- and everyone seems to love them – especially children!
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.
Other ways to eat these crispy fried halloumi bites that I can think of:
- Sprinkle over the top of soup for an interesting twist on croutons
- Thread onto skewers at a barbeque with cherry tomatoes and pan fried chorizo (mmmmm)
- Make simple tacos with them, just like you would with tofu!
- Use instead of fried tofu in Asian inspired recipes! (my personal favourite idea!)
I’m sure there are other options too, and I’ll add them to this list each time I think of something new.
These halloumi bites are simply delicious, but if you prefer the idea of making halloumi fries, then here’s the original recipe:
Delicious and totally addictive (don’t say I didn’t warn you!) halloumi fries
After you’ve tasted these halloumi fries and fried halloumi bites, you’ll be addicted to halloumi, so here are some of my other halloumi recipes.
I hope you try them all!
These crispy halloumi burgers make for a delicious vegetarian 15 minute meal!
This one pan Greek couscous with halloumi is lovely in the summer
I can’t get enough of this tomato, avocado and corn salad with crispy halloumi!
Please scroll down to the recipe to watch the handy how-to video. This video will also show you how to make halloumi fries. The process is exactly the same, and so just as easy!
How to get your halloumi bites out of the oil (very important!):
I use a slotted spoon like this one (affiliate link) to fish my fried halloumi bites out of the oil!
Life-changing fried halloumi bites
Ingredients
- 9 ounces halloumi cheese usually 1 package – exact weight really doesn’t matter
- 2 tablespoons flour or a little more if you need it
- vegetable oil for frying I usually fill a medium saucepan to a depth of about half an inch
for dipping
- sweet chili sauce
- Greek yoghurt
Instructions
- Cut the halloumi cheese into cubes about 1 inch square (exact size doesn’t matter though).
- Spread the flour out on a plate and roll the halloumi cubes in it while they’re still wet.
- 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 yoghurt (if you like).
Notes
Nutrition
Fiela Dieringer says
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.
Helen says
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?
Darlene T says
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
Helen says
I’ve never thought of trying coconut oil before. Thanks for reporting back, Darlene – so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Renee Goerger says
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.
Helen says
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!
Kate says
Ooooh these sound amazing. Halloumi is so tasty so sounds delicious in these bites – especially with sweet chilli for dunking!
Helen says
THANK YOU! I really hope you try them some time, Kate!
[email protected] says
Haloumi is my kryptonite!!!!!
Helen says
Ha, me too!!! I literally could eat it all day long!