24 Tangy, Unexpected Halloumi Recipes You’ve Never Tried Before (2024)

food

By Katherine Gillen

•

Published Aug 18, 2022

Additional reporting by

Taryn Pire

What’s briny, creamy, savory and positively magical? If you guessed halloumi cheese, you’re right. When fried or grilled, the semi-hard Cyprian cheese develops a crispy crust on the outside and a warm, gooey inside that’s not only tasty but surprisingly versatile, too. Don’t believe us? Here are 24 halloumi recipes that prove it.

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Katherine Gillen

1. Halloumi And Caramelized Mushroom Tacos

Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian, gluten free

Not all taco fillings need to be slow-cooked for hours or prepped in advance. Case in point: These handhelds stuffed with pan-fried halloumi and tender, golden brown mushrooms.

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YUM CREATIVE/I HEART CHEESE

2. Crispy Halloumi ‘fries’ With Roasted Tomato Dip

Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

Not only do the fries cook in just five minutes, but the roasted tomato dip comes together in the blender. In the words of Ina Garten, how easy is that?

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Laura Edwards/The Yoga Kitchen Plan

3. Sweet Potato, Tomato, Kale And Halloumi Sheet Tray

Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, sheet pan recipe, beginner-friendly, vegetarian

When you want to make something stunning but don’t feel like cooking, this is your go-to dish. All you really have to do is chop some veggies and let your oven do the rest.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

4. Grilled Caprese Skewers With Halloumi And Sourdough

Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser

No barbecue is complete without skewers, and these are sure to kick the cookout off right. They’re fun to make, even more fun to eat and have “dinner party” written all over them.

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Aubrie Pick/Great Tastes

5. Tomato Salad With Grilled Halloumi And Herbs

Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, one pan

Think of this salad as a caprese upgrade. Pop some halloumi on the grill until it’s charred and gooey, and you might never go back to mozzarella again.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

6. Grilled Peach And Halloumi Salad With Lemon-pesto Dressing

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser

Sure, you could make a boring grilled chicken Caesar for dinner. Or you could spice things up with this gorgeous fruit-and-cheese creation that begs to be eaten alfresco.

7. Halloumi Nuggets With Marinara Dipping Sauce

Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients

They’re basically mozzarella sticks for adults. Need we say more? Bonus points for finishing the golden nuggets with fried basil leaves.

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Half Baked Harvest

8. Coconut Chickpea Curry With Rice And Fried Halloumi

Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly

We bet you can’t find this at your local Thai spot. And we should mention the curry is cooked in a single pot, so you'll have minimal dirty dishes to clean post-dinner.

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Half Baked Harvest

9. Roasted Cauliflower Fried Halloumi Tacos With Spicy Avocado-basil Guacamole

Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly

Proof that vegetarian tacos can be just as tasty as meat-filled ones. These boast halloumi, shredded cucumber, black beans, spiced cauliflower and a uniquely herby guacamole.

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What's Gaby Cooking

10. Melon Halloumi Salad

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy

Melon and feta are a fab combo…but we need something new. The briny flavor of halloumi really complements the sweet cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon and mint vinaigrette. Plus, it’s got that crunchy-outside, creamy-inside thing going for it.

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Half Baked Harvest

11. Pan-roasted Brussels Sprouts With Bacon, Dates And Halloumi

Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy

It’s time to introduce halloumi to our other two favorite ingredients: bacon and Brussels sprouts. Bookmark this to serve at Thanksgiving dinner.

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What's Gaby Cooking

12. Fried Halloumi Tacos With Guacamole

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, vegetarian, kid-friendly

Step aside, fish tacos. These vegetarian ones are just as crispy and satisfying, with the added benefit of cheese and charred corn guacamole. (Thanks, Coterie member Gaby Dalkin.)

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Floating Kitchen

13. Butternut Squash And Apple Soup With Fried Sage And Halloumi

Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy

This soup couldn't be more autumnal if it tried. Use a tart type of apple like Granny Smiths—the acidity will cut through the squash's sweetness just right.

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Salt & Wind

14. Pea Guacamole And Seared Halloumi Soft Tacos

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, beginner-friendly

It doesn’t get much better than sweet peas, ripe tomatoes and golden halloumi, all wrapped in a tortilla blanket. Thanks, Coterie member Aida Mollenkamp.

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Spoon Fork Bacon

15. Sweet Potato Agnolotti With Halloumi, Pecans And Fried Sage

Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, vegetarian

If you’re going to make homemade pasta, you might as well go all out. (And who’s ever complained about extra cheese and brown butter?)

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How Sweet Eats

16. Grilled Vegetable And Halloumi Skewers With Pistachio Pesto

Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, vegetarian

Charred cheese, caramelized vegetables and pistachio pesto sure beat a hot dog or hamburger. For the ultimate fridge clean-out, use whatever veggies you have on hand.

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The Pig and Quill

17. Roasted Shrimp And Polenta With Halloumi Crisps

Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, sheet pan recipe, beginner-friendly

Aside from being totally delicious and impressive, this dish comes together on a single baking sheet. Go the extra mile by adding crispy prosciutto or pancetta on top.

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Clean Eating Magazine

18. Arugula And Cantaloupe Salad With Grilled Halloumi

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly

In a room full of steaks, be a grilled halloumi salad. Feel free to swap in spinach for arugula, blueberries for blackberries or honeydew for cantaloupe.

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This Mess Is Ours

19. Apple, Halloumi And Labneh Flatbreads

Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly

Oh hey, 15-minute flatbread dinner. With your sweet, salty and spicy flavor profile, we might just make you every night for the rest of forever.

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The Bojon Gourmet

20. Roasted Yellow Tomato Soup With Green Harissa And Halloumi Croutons

Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, special occasion-worthy

Choosing between bread and cheese is almost impossible, unless you’re talking croutons. These have a toasty exterior, creamy interior and are just what your savory tomato soup needs.

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How Sweet Eats

21. Halloumi Hummus Bowls

Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, vegetarian

The secret to an irresistible grain bowl? A generous variety of color, flavor and texture. This one is creamy, chewy and crispy, with plenty of fresh herbs and lemon for good measure.

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Feel Good Foodie

22. Za'atar Spring Rolls

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, beginner-friendly

These crackly, crispy appetizers are filled to the brim with halloumi cheese and fresh mint. In case that's not enough dairy for you, they're served with labneh yogurt for dipping.

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Half Baked Harvest

23. Chili Crisp Peanut Noodles With Crispy Halloumi

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly

One bite and this nutty masterpiece will wiggle its way into your weekly rotation. First, the halloumi is pan-fried in sesame oil. Then, it's tossed in fresh garlic-chile oil, peanuts and sesame seeds for spice and extra crunch.

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The Mediterranean Dish

24. Easy Fried Halloumi With Warmed Honey

Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients

Make this drool-worthy dish the focal point of your next charcuterie board. Place the fried cheese in the center with a bowl of honey for drizzling, then surround it with grapes, figs, berries, olives and pita chips.

Get the recipe

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For even more great recipes, check out our first cookbook, Only the Good Stuff.

Katherine Gillen

Senior Food Editor

Katherine Gillenis PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City...

read full bio

Taryn Pire

Food Editor

Taryn Pire is PureWow’s food editor and has been writing about all things delicious since 2016. She’s developed recipes, reviewed restaurants and investigated food trends at...

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24 Tangy, Unexpected Halloumi Recipes You’ve Never Tried Before (2024)

FAQs

Why do you soak halloumi before cooking? ›

Why do you soak halloumi before cooking? While completely optional, many swear by this step for a softer, more flavourful, and sweeter result that will set your halloumi apart from all others. The easiest method is to soak the whole block of cheese in cold water for at least two hours (or overnight if you have time).

Learn More Now ›

How do Greeks eat halloumi? ›

A popular addition to a Greek meze table, frying halloumi creates a unique treat. It's chewy—don't expect it to melt in your mouth—and it's delicious. The fried halloumi is best served warm, and you can complement it in any number of ways.

Get More Info ›

Can you eat halloumi straight from the packet? ›

Yes, you can eat halloumi raw, and here's how

There are so many other ideas for using halloumi. If you can restrain yourself from cooking it, here are 3 ways you might like to try raw halloumi, which brings out the best in it.

Why can't you eat raw halloumi? ›

Halloumi could be eaten raw, but it typically isn't as its flavour and texture is enhanced when cooked. A big part of enjoying halloumi is the crisp, browned outside and soft inside when cooked, and this would be lost if eaten raw.

How long to soak halloumi in boiling water? ›

Put the halloumi into a bowl and boil a kettle of water. Pour the boiling water over the halloumi and leave for 20 minutes. This will make the cheese really soft and smooth in the centre when cooked.

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Are you supposed to wash halloumi? ›

When you buy a packet of haloumi, it comes with a little salty brine. Simply patting the haloumi dry with paper towel will remove some of the saltiness, but you can also place it in a bowl of cold water to remove more of the salt, if you prefer.

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Which is healthier feta or halloumi? ›

Brands vary, but feta is usually the winner. Haloumi tends to have more calories and a higher fat content. Plus, it usually has more salt. Haloumi makes a good cooking cheese thanks to its high melting point.

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What is halloumi called in USA? ›

Many Halloumi-style cheeses are prepared by dairy and goat farmers in Canada and the United States. For legal proprietary reasons, these cheeses are usually called Halloumi-style or grillable cheeses. Sometimes they are called grilling cheese or frying cheese, or queso de freír in Spanish.

Get More Info ›

Can I eat halloumi raw? ›

What is halloumi? Originating from Cyprus, halloumi is a semi-hard, un-ripened, brined cheese that can be made from cow, sheep or goat's milk. It can be eaten raw but is truly delicious cooked, having a high melting point, makes it an excellent choice for grilling or frying.

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How do I know if my halloumi is bad? ›

If the cheese has become slimy or developed a mold, it's time to toss it out. Moreover, a strong sour smell or change in color can also indicate that the cheese is past its prime.

Why is my halloumi squeaky? ›

This is because, unlike many cheeses, halloumi has a high pH, as no starter cultures are used in its production. It seems that when this dense casein network “rubs” against the enamel of the teeth, it produces a squeak. Other cheeses usually have a lower pH, which tends to make the casein more fragile.

What are the disadvantages of halloumi cheese? ›

However, while protein and calcium work to suggest that halloumi is healthy, there's no getting away from the fact that there's also a pretty high sodium and fat content. In fact, one 28g portion of halloumi contains a whopping 9 grams of fat and 15% of your DV (Daily Value) of sodium.

What happens if you eat too much halloumi? ›

In these individuals, a high intake could lead to issues such as water retention and bloating ( 16 ). While raw halloumi contains a moderate number of calories, it's often consumed fried or coated in oil. This can significantly increase the calorie content, potentially contributing to weight gain.

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Is halloumi cheese anti inflammatory? ›

Additionally, if halloumi is made from sheep's or goat's milk, it can provide healthier fats than those found in cow's milk. These fats, such as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), have been associated with various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties and potential cancer risk reduction.

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Why is halloumi stored in brine? ›

Haloumi was created at a time before refrigeration when it was vital that foods were made to last. Thankfully, because haloumi was stored in salty brine it could keep for long periods without spoiling and early producers found that wrapping haloumi in mint leaves further helped to maintain its freshness and flavour.

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Does soaking halloumi remove salt? ›

After soaking, remove the halloumi from the water and allow it to drain. It's important to note that while soaking halloumi can help reduce its sodium content to some extent, it won't eliminate it entirely.

How do you keep halloumi from sticking to the grill? ›

How Do You Grill Halloumi So It Doesn't Stick?

Pat dry. After cutting the halloumi into long slabs, pat each one dry all over with paper towels. ...
Brush with oil. Lightly brush the slabs of halloumi on both sides with olive oil.
Start with a hot grill. ...
Clean and oil the grill grates. ...
Allow for ample cook time.

Jun 16, 2023

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What stops halloumi from melting? ›

It is the high pH (low acid) of the cheese that causes this non-melting characteristic.

Learn More ›