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 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.

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Is halloumi bad for cholesterol? ›

In a word, no. As Watkins explains, Halloumi is 'high in saturated fat (12g per 70g), which has been linked with 'bad' cholesterol levels. It also matters how you prepare the halloumi as adding lots of oil – if frying – will increase the calorie count.

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Is halloumi good or bad for you? ›

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.

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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).

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Is halloumi bad for your stomach? ›

Overeating halloumi cheese can cause diarrhoea, food poisoning, high blood pressure, weight gain and bloating. Furthermore, allergic reactions may be common in people who have a milk allergy.

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.

What is the unhealthiest cheese? ›

The least healthiest cheese overall is Double Gloucester, which contains the highest amount of calories (415 per 100 grams) and a whopping 21.9g of saturated fat – which is more than the NHS's recommended daily saturated fat limit for women.

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What is the healthiest cheese to eat if you have high cholesterol? ›

Using lower-fat cheeses – such as mozzarella, feta, cottage cheese or reduced-fat cheeses – will provide less saturated fat.

Read On ›

What cheese is worse for cholesterol? ›

While cheddar cheese and American cheese are the two most popular cheeses, they are also among the highest in cholesterol and saturated fat. Ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, and fat-free cheeses are not as popular, but they are much healthier.

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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Why is halloumi so expensive? ›

Halloumi is made out of sheep's milk, which is more expensive than cow's or goat's milk due to the animal milking production—though nowadays you can also find Halloumi varieties with a mix of these kinds of milk, thus lowering the price of the product.

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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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What meat goes with halloumi? ›

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.

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Why is my halloumi slimy? ›

Spoiled halloumi cheese can be easily identified. 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.

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What happens if you eat raw halloumi? ›

Can you eat halloumi raw? While eating raw halloumi won't hurt you, we do recommend cooking it using one of the methods below for best results. One of the best things about this squeaky, salty cheese is its crispy, golden exterior when fried, grilled or barbecued!

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Is halloumi always pasteurized? ›

Traditional halloumi is typically made from fresh, unpasteurised sheep and/or goat's milk. However, for its commercial production a mixture of pasteurized sheep, goat and occasionally cow's milk is used (with the cow's milk making up the lowest proportion of the milk used, if used at all).

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Why doesn t halloumi melt? ›

It is the high pH (low acid) of the cheese that causes this non-melting characteristic. Although the cheese keeps its shape, its outward appearance turns into a crispy, golden-brown color when fried or browned and with grill marks when grilled, it softens significantly but it does not melt.

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What does raw halloumi taste like? ›

As for the flavor, it's tangy and salty, somewhere between mozzarella and feta cheeses. A 1-ounce serving of Halloumi cheese has up to 9 grams of protein and 25% of your daily calcium needs, making the nutritional value beneficial to vegetarian diets.

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