11 Delicious Halloumi Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to eat halloumi? ›

You can serve it as is for a quick and indulgent appetizer or as part of your cheese plate or mezze platter. I am a fan of sweet and salty, so I'll always opt for a drizzle of honey on top of my halloumi fries and fresh fruit like grapes, berries, or figs next to it.

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).

Spiced up with paprika and crispy on the outside, serve with burgers, barbecue chicken, grilled fish and a green salad. Save time and make a super easy midweek meal with these effortless halloumi fajitas, made with shop-bought seasoning and ready-made guacamole.

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.

When eaten regularly in large quantities halloumi can be considered unhealthy, as this fried cheese is pretty high in saturated fat and salt. However, when eaten sporadically as part of a balanced diet, halloumi has a range of health benefits, as it's high in calcium and protein.

How to Serve Halloumi. Whether its raw, fried, or grilled, in Cyprus halloumi often accompanies cold beer, wine, or zivania (Cypriot tequila) and is always a part of a traditional Cypriot meze spread.

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.

Traditionally, Halloumi is made from goat's or sheep's milk (or a combo of the two), but cow's milk is also used today. As for the flavor, it's tangy and salty, somewhere between mozzarella and feta cheeses.

Carefully pat the halloumi dry using kitchen paper or a clean cloth, then brush or rub with oil. Season with salt and pepper and any flavourings, if using. Put the halloumi in the air fryer basket and cook for 8 mins until beginning to brown. Flip over and cook for a further 2-5 mins until crisp and golden.

Who consumes the most halloumi? ›

The Halloumi trademark prevents any copies being named Halloumi within the EU, ensuring that Halloumi is only produced in Cyprus (with a PDO pending in Europe). More than 12,000 tonnes of Halloumi is consumed each year in Britain, making us the biggest consumer of the cheese outside of its homeland.

Best Ways To Eat Halloumi

In Greece, we love to serve grilled Halloumi as a warm salad with grilled vegetables or over a dark leafy green salad (like a mixture of spinach and rocket for example). Inside wraps and sandwiches instead of meat.

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.

And while Trader Joe's does require one to be fully clothed to shop, it's worth putting on a cover-up to grab my favorite summer grilling staple: Atalanta halloumi cheese.

Some cheeses, especially those that are fresh, can even help reduce the risk of diabetes in people who do not already have the condition. Mozzarella, Emmental, and Wensleydale cheese are among the lowest sodium options. People with diabetes should avoid more salty cheeses, such as feta and halloumi.

While Halloumi can be enjoyed raw, it's most commonly served after grilling or frying.

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.