Scrummy Lane

Quick & easy family friendly recipes

  • Home
  • About & contact
    • Privacy policy for Scrummy Lane
  • Recipe Index
  • healthy
  • Easy dinners
  • Easy desserts
  • Greek recipes
    • How To Cook Halloumi
    • How to make moussaka

Home » salads » Crispy Halloumi Salad With Avocado, Corn and Tomatoes

Crispy Halloumi Salad With Avocado, Corn and Tomatoes

Posted Jun 09, 2020 | Updated Sep 13, 2021 by Helen | 24 Comments |

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

  • Facebook23
  • Twitter
  • Email
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
A plate of crispy halloumi salad - image for Pinterest

Roasting the tomatoes and corn makes this a warm salad, and scattering crispy halloumi bites and drizzling a honey and mustard dressing over the top takes it from good to totally addictive! This magical salad makes an easy meal in itself or a delicious side at any time of year.

A crispy halloumi salad with avocado, corn and tomatoes on a white rectangular plate and a fancy serving spoon

Jump to

  • It’s a warm salad
  • About the ingredients
  • How to make it
  • Tips for the perfect salad
  • How to serve it
  • More things to know (FAQ)
  • More recipes for halloumi lovers
  • Recipe

It’s a warm salad

This is one of those ‘magic’ salads that’s great all year round because it’s a WARM salad, which of course are fabulous all year round.

If you’re a fan of warm salads in general, or you think you could be persuaded, may I suggest this incredible roasted fennel orange salad with radishes, feta and pistachios? Or this roasted butternut squash, chorizo and feta salad, which makes an incredible light lunch or side?

But this crispy halloumi salad is one of my favourite warm salads for several reasons:

  • It showcases crispy halloumi bites. Not sure if you’ll like them? Try these halloumi fries or this halloumi burger first. You’ll be hooked on crispy halloumi forever.
  • Add yummy roasted cherry tomatoes, corn (who doesn’t like that?) and creamy avocado and you’ve got one very crowd pleasing salad.
  • It can be a light meal all by itself or a delicious side dish for a BBQ or simple midweek meal. I’ve listed specific serving ideas below.
  • The easy honey mustard dressing is very tasty. It takes the salad from good to outstanding.

About the ingredients

All you need is:

Baby tomatoes: I usually roast them for ten minutes in the oven.

Corn: The best thing to do is to cook fresh corn as you normally would – either boil, grill or roast – then shave it off the cob and into the salad! Sometimes however I take the lazy approach – I simply open a can of cooked corn and roast it with the tomatoes. It aint fancy but it works.

Chopped cucumber, avocado and onion: No explanation necessary!

Halloumi cheese: Buy a ‘log’ of cheese and chop it into cubes. Crisp it by shallow frying in oil. Delicious… not to mention addictive!

Fresh basil

Honey mustard dressing: Whisk together honey, mustard, cider (or other) vinegar and olive oil. Done.

Making the halloumi bites is one life skill you really need to master. Need a quick and crowd pleasing appetizer idea? Skip the salad and just make halloumi bites!

How to make it

Step 1: Roast the tomatoes for 10 minutes. If using canned corn, add that to the tray too.

Step 2: In the meantime, cook the corn. Either boil for 10 minutes, or air fry for 10 minutes. You can even microwave it (go with 8 to 10 minutes). Let cool a little, then shave off the corn with a sharp knife.

Step 3: Cook the crispy halloumi. Simply roll smallish cubes of halloumi cheese (about 2cm square) in a little flour, then cook for a couple of minutes on each side in a cm or so of oil. Use a small saucepan – that’s all you need.

Step 4: Stir everything together with all the other salad ingredients (the cold ingredients), then scatter the crispy halloumi on top.

Step 5: Whisk together the dressing ingredients. Serve the warm salad immediately with the yummy dressing on the side.

Tips for the perfect salad

  • First things first: get everything chopped and ready to go. You want to be able to serve the salad immediately after the halloumi is cooked.
  • As always with salads, try to use good quality ingredients – red juicy tomatoes, fresh corn on the cob if you can, perfectly ripe avocado, and nice fresh basil.
  • I’d recommend serving your salad on a big plate with the halloumi bites scattered on top so that it stays crispy. Let everyone drizzle over their own dressing once they’ve got the salad on their plate.

The salad is just as delicious with raw tomatoes. / Use a bottled salad dressing if you like. / I don’t recommend skipping the crispy halloumi, but this salad is also delicious made with feta or goat’s cheese.

The only problem is not eating all that gorgeous crispy halloumi before it makes it to the salad.

How to serve it

  • Halloumi is very ‘meaty’, so you can serve this salad on its own with some fresh bread. I highly recommend trying this easy homemade focaccia bread!
  • Serve with some chicken, steak or fish on the side. Here’s a really easy and delicious baked chicken thigh recipe. Or how about a chicken schnitzel?
  • If you’d like to keep your meal vegetarian, may I suggest serving your halloumi salad with this spinach and feta filo pie, or this traditional Spanish tortilla?

More things to know (FAQ)

What’s the best way to cook the corn for this recipe?

If you like, you can use fresh corn. Grill it, microwave it, or air fry it, then shave it off and into the salad. 10 minutes should do the trick.

You can also roast it for 35 to 40 minutes in the oven at 205C/400F. Or you can simply boil it for 10 minutes.

You can even just use a can of ready cooked corn and throw it onto the tray when you roast the tomatoes. Why not – I won’t tell.

I’m not sure I like halloumi. Can I use a different kind of cheese?

What? You don’t like halloumi!? Try it this way (crispy) and see if you change your mind. If you still don’t like it, of course you can use another cheese. Try feta, goat’s cheese, ricotta or even blue cheese.

Do I have to cook the halloumi and roast the tomatoes?

I definitely wouldn’t skip cooking the halloumi. It’s absolutely delicious and halloumi cheese is definitely better when cooked.

But yes, if you want to skip a step you can just use raw tomatoes. Just chop them in half and away you go!

More recipes for halloumi lovers

  • Did I mention how addictive these crispy halloumi fries or halloumi bites are? Once tried, never forgotten!
  • Imagine those same crispy halloumi bites… in a taco! You have to try these halloumi tacos with pineapple mango salsa.
  • These crowd pleasing crispy halloumi burgers are ready in just 15 minutes.
  • This one pan Greek couscous with halloumi is another example of how halloumi can be the shining star of an easy vegetarian meal.
  • And finally… try this minty halloumi and sundried tomato salad for a different kind of halloumi salad.

Just love halloumi? Check out my expert how to cook halloumi guide. With pro tips, recipes and more.

IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, LET ME KNOW HOW YOU GET ON BY LEAVING A COMMENT AND RATING BELOW… AND DON’T FORGET TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE ALL MY NEW RECIPES BY EMAIL!

FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST AND YOUTUBE.

A square plate of crispy halloumi salad with tomato, corn and avocado on a white and blue tea towel

Crispy halloumi salad with roasted tomatoes, avocado and corn

A simple salad with roasted tomatoes and corn, avocado, and basil – all topped with addictively crispy halloumi cheese and a drizzle of honey mustard dressing. Lovely eaten by itself or with crusty bread and a protein of your choice.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings (click to change) 4
Author Helen

Equipment (affiliate links)

  • jungle spoon slotted spoon
  • salad platter

Ingredients (UK/Australia? Click below for grams/ml)

cups/ounces – grams/ml

For the salad

  • 9 ounces cherry tomatoes (in Australia and the UK, this is about 1 punnet or container of tomatoes)
  • ⅔ cup cooked corn (corn shaved off 1 cooked corn on the cob will be fine, or use cooked corn from a can – see notes below for cooking options)
  • ⅔ cucumber cubed
  • 1 avocado cubed (try to use one that's perfectly ripe – not too hard, not too mushy)
  • ½ small onion finely chopped
  • 1 large handful fresh basil

For the halloumi bites

  • 9 ounces halloumi cheese 1 'log', chopped into cubes (about 1 – 2cm)
  • 2 tablespoons flour (approximately)
  • oil for cooking (about ½ inch in a medium saucepan – I usually use olive oil but any oil is fine)

For the dressing

  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 3 tablespoons cider vinegar (or your favourite vinegar)
  • 5 tablespoons olive oil
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions
 

  • Pre-heat the oven to 180C / 355F, then roast the tomatoes on a baking tray for 10 minutes. If you're using canned corn, you can add the corn too.
  • At the same time, boil the corn for 10 minutes if you're using fresh. Let cool a little, then shave off the cooked corn.  
  • Roll the halloumi cubes in the flour and set aside.
  • Heat the oil in a large frying pan, then add the halloumi cubes. Let cook for two or three minutes without moving, then toss and let cook for a minute or two longer. Repeat until the cheese is well browned and crispy. Drain on kitchen paper.
  • When cooked, tip the tomatoes and corn onto a large plate or platter, then add the cucumber, avocado and onion. Stir through the basil, then scatter the crispy halloumi over the top.
  • Whisk together the dressing ingredients. Serve the warm salad immediately, with the dressing on the side.

Notes

How to cook the corn: If you like, you can use fresh corn. Grill it, then shave it off and into the salad.
You can roast it for 35 to 40 minutes in the oven at 205C/400F. Or you can simply boil it for 10 minutes. 
Tomatoes: You don’t have to roast the tomatoes if you don’t want to. If you decide not to, simply chop the tomatoes in half.
Cheese: Feel free to use a different kind of cheese in this salad e.g. mozzarella, feta, goat cheese.
How to serve: Serve this salad by itself (halloumi is quite ‘meaty’!), or with crusty bread and a protein of your choice e.g. salmon, chicken, sausages, burgers.
Feeling cheeky? You can even skip the rest of the salad and just make the crispy halloumi bites! Serve immediately with sweet chili sauce and Greek yoghurt or sour cream! 😉

Nutrition

Calories: 372kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 3gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 52mgPotassium: 433mgFiber: 5gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 240IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 0.7mg
Tried this recipe?Let me know if you liked it!

Comments

  1. Katherine | Omnivore's Cookbook says

    20 Jun 16 at 1:38 pm

    Look at all these colors and flavors! My kinda salad, any time of day!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      21 Jun 16 at 6:54 am

      Hi Katherine! Are you helping Maggie out? Anyway, nice to ‘meet’ you and thanks for visiting!

      Reply
  2. [email protected] says

    12 Jun 16 at 6:03 pm

    Girl I am on a salad kick lately and love how easy and delicious this salad is!! I love love halloumi so totally trying this out!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      14 Jun 16 at 6:24 pm

      Hi Ami! Thanks so much for passing by! And really hope you do try out the salad! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Eva says

    12 Jun 16 at 1:58 pm

    J’aime beaucoup les salades comme celle-ci, c’est un plat à part entière. Ton mélange est génial ! Je crois que j’ai préférerais les tomates frais, sans le rôtir. Je suis d’accord avec toi, c’est bien pourvoir changé les ingrédients selon les envies. Bon dimanche 🙂

    Reply
    • Helen says

      14 Jun 16 at 6:29 pm

      Merci, Eva… et bon mardi! 🙂

      Reply
  4. mira says

    12 Jun 16 at 6:43 am

    Love everything about this salad! The dressing sounds delicious, too! Great idea to add crispy halloumi!Pinning to try it. Hope the weather warms up soon!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      14 Jun 16 at 6:29 pm

      Thank you Mira! Unfortunately it is THROWING it down with rain right now and has been all week. Yuck!

      Reply
  5. Marissa says

    11 Jun 16 at 4:27 pm

    I love how versatile this salad is, Helen! Halloumi is one of my absolute favorite cheeses and, when you make it crispy – even better!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      14 Jun 16 at 6:30 pm

      Thanks Marissa! Vive le crisp! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says

    11 Jun 16 at 4:33 am

    Oh Helen, crispy halloumi! Be still my heart! I love, love, love that squeaky cheese! And this warm and bright salad has everything I love! This would be absolutely perfect for a picnic! Hope warmer weather finds you soon! 🙂

    Reply
    • Helen says

      14 Jun 16 at 6:30 pm

      Oh, I hope so too! It just keeps raining and raining and raining over here. Tell it to stop!!

      Reply
  7. Jess @ What Jessica Baked Next says

    10 Jun 16 at 11:12 am

    This salad looks fantastic, Helen! Love the cripsy halloumi and all the other gorgeous flavours. Hopefully this warm weather is here to stay! 😉

    Reply
    • Helen says

      14 Jun 16 at 6:31 pm

      No such luck – bucketing it down right now! But I’m still going to eat delicious salads! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

    10 Jun 16 at 12:01 am

    When you said crispy halloumi I knew that it would be a goody! We might be having warmer weather than you it seems and we are in Winter. I hope it warms up for you! 😀

    Reply
    • Helen says

      14 Jun 16 at 6:32 pm

      Oooh, don’t make me jealous you rascal!! 😉

      Reply
  9. Mariana says

    09 Jun 16 at 12:16 pm

    I absolutely love halloumi. And I have officially called summer down south, it’s been 27c all week!!!!!!!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      09 Jun 16 at 6:03 pm

      Hi Mariana! I know my fellow UK blog buddies always appreciate a nice bit of crispy halloumi. Thankfully it’s been nice here this week too – I love summer, but shame it’s so temperamental!

      Reply
  10. [email protected] says

    08 Jun 16 at 9:56 pm

    Huh? What is with the WEATHER over there!!! We had crazy storms last weekend but now it’s like summer is back, I was at the beach yesterday! 🙂 I had a giant greek salad last night, was thinking of you. I had the feta crumbled though, not the proper way in a chunk! This looks fabulous, all my fave salads in one yummy salad!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      09 Jun 16 at 6:06 pm

      Hi Nagi! We’ve had a reasonably warm week this week (thank goodness!), but the weather’s always so temperamental over here, even in summer 🙁

      You crumbled the feta through the salad – shock horror!!! Nah, it’s OK. Don’t tell anyone, but I do that sometimes too! 🙂

      Reply
  11. [email protected] says

    08 Jun 16 at 2:42 pm

    Sorry about the weather, I’m sending sunny vibes your way. This is a salad I could eat anytime, I love roasted tomatoes in a salad.

    Reply
    • Helen says

      08 Jun 16 at 9:02 pm

      Hi Janette – thanks so much for the sunny vibes. They’re working!!

      Reply
  12. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says

    08 Jun 16 at 10:30 am

    Halloumi AND avocado? I am totally on board with that. I have been eating loads of these kinds of salads recently, as they are really filling.

    Reply
    • Helen says

      08 Jun 16 at 9:02 pm

      I know you’re a fan of halloumi, Dannii, so this one was just for you! 😉

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


Don't expect to find anything fussy or complicated here. Just QUICK, EASY & (mostly!) HEALTHY recipes from the Mediterranean and beyond. ENJOY! READ MORE >>


Trending!

A stack of halloumi fries on brown paper and a blue marble platter with dips to the side

The BEST Crispy Halloumi Fries (+ Air Fryer Option)

Someone lifting a piece of crustless quiche out of a white dish

The very best crustless quiche (impossible quiche!)

A close-up of a piece of 6-ingredient gooey Swedish chocolate cake or kladdkaka with a fork on baking paper.

6-ingredient gooey Swedish chocolate cake (kladdkaka)

A white dish of cooked Greek potatoes with fresh herbs on top with a spoon in it and with a blue tea towel and baking dish in the background.

The best Greek potatoes (with a video)

A souffle dish of easy 'magic' lemon pudding from above with a spoon in it on a marble background with lemons and a blue striped tea towel.

Easy magic lemon pudding (5 ingredients, no eggs)

The inside of a Greek yogurt blueberry muffin on a cooling rack with more muffins behind.

Greek yogurt blueberry muffins (low sugar recipe)

In season!

A closeup of 4 halloumi kebabs on a white platter and on a bed of green leaves with bread and lime segments on the side

Halloumi Kebabs With Chorizo, Tomatoes And Honey Lime Dressing

A close-up of an individual asparagus tartlet with bacon and an egg on top

Puff Pastry Asparagus Tartlets With Bacon

Someone eating a slice of lemon mascarpone cake on a pale beige plate with blueberries with a fork

Easy Lemon Mascarpone Cake

A stack of three lemon bakewell slices with lemons in the background

Lemon Bakewell Slices

More seasonal recipes

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Posts may contain affiliate links.

Copyright ©2022, Scrummy Lane. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy
Design by Pixel Me Designs