Air Fryer Halloumi

Finger-licking good air fryer halloumi cheese bursting with a sweet and salty combination of cheese, seasoning, and honey flavors.

The combination of salty cheese and sweet honey with some nice spices is one of my best appetizers ever.

Perfectly cooked halloumi is always crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and never rubbery.

I’ve tested this way of cooking halloumi many times and I guarantee it will be a huge hit at your next gathering.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The fastest and easiest way to cook halloumi: it is done in under 15 minutes from start to finish.
• A dream delicacy and the perfect appetizer for people who love halloumi cheese – it is a better version of french fries – air fryer halloumi fries. More decadent for sure!
• Crispy air fryer halloumi slices with soft cheese inside – what else can we ask for? They are also called halloumi fries.
• Healthier than pan-fried halloumi as air frying halloumi uses less oil.
• Addictive. I warned you!
• Perfect for Middle-East or Greek-themed potluck.

What Is Halloumi Cheese?

Halloumi is a type of cheese that is soft, slightly chewy, and holds its shape even when heated. He has a signature salty flavor.

It is a Cypriot cheese that was originally made of a mixture of goat and sheep’s milk, but today we most often buy cow’s milk halloumi. 

Halloumi is a semi-hard cheese, just like feta cheese or mozzarella.

You should be able to buy halloumi cheese at larger grocery stores (Whole Foods, Trader Joe, etc).

Ingredients Notes

• Block of halloumi cheese, cut into ½-inch to 1-inch thick slices, don’t measure though, it doesn’t have to be exact. Get full-fat halloumi cheese for the best taste. You can buy halloumi cheese at most grocery stores, it can also be called ‘grilling cheese’ or ‘bread cheese’.
• Avocado oil. We need vegetable oil with a high melting point, and sometimes virgin olive oil can burn and smoke a little bit, so avocado oil or canola would be better. In an air fryer recipe, oil is what gives the crispiness to halloumi.
• Seasoning: paprika (smoked paprika is a great option too) and garlic powder.
• Toppings: Honey (hot honey if you like spicy), red pepper flakes, and sprigs of thyme. Dried thyme or other herbs you love pair well with air-fried halloumi. You can completely skip the honey if you only want a savory flavor.

For the full recipe and exact measurements, check the recipe card at the end of the post.

Equipment Needed

• Cutting board
• Knife
• Measuring spoons
• Air fryer (use parchment or special air fryer liner to prep the basket of the air fryer)
• Parchment paper
• Pastry brush

How To Make Halloumi In The Air Fryer

1: Prep Halloumi Pieces

1. Prepare the air fryer basket or tray by lining it with perforated parchment paper.
2. Pat halloumi dry with a paper towel. If the cheese is not dry and still holds some excess moisture it won’t become crispy.
3. Lightly brush both sides of the cheese with the oil. Air frying uses very little oil so be gentle, just lightly spray or brush each side.
4. Season both sides of the cheese with the paprika and garlic powder.

2: Air Fry Halloumi On Each Side

1.  Place the seasoned cheese on the prepared tray (or basket) in a single layer and cook at 350F for 5 minutes or until golden brown. Do not crowd the basket, if needed work in batches.
2. Flip the cheese and cook halloumi for an additional 4-5 minutes or until that side is also golden brown and the cheese is crispy on all sides. Once the edges start to brown the cheese is done, it should still have a firm texture.

3: Add Toppings

1. Remove and immediately add a drizzle of honey, red pepper flakes, and thyme before serving. I add the herbs after air frying halloumi to make sure the herbs don’t burn. You can use more honey for dipping.
2. Serve immediately and enjoy this crispy perfection while hot.

Serving Suggestions

Of course, buy or make your favorite dips to go with your air fryer halloumi slice. If you don’t mind spicy, I highly recommend making jalapeno dipping sauce.

In general, crispy halloumi works well for breakfast with eggs as a side dish, makes a quick appetizer with cherry tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil drizzle, and balsamic (caprese-style), and serves as a protein-rich add-on to salads (halloumi salad with chickpeas and avocado is amazing), and charcuterie boards.

Halloumi is also a perfect cheese to make halloumi curry, halloumi fajitas, and halloumi pasta.

Storage

I only make this cheese right before serving. The leftover halloumi cheese can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days after making.

Air-fried halloumi can be reheated in the air fryer at 400° F for 2-4 minutes. 

You can make some extra halloumi for weekly meal prep as it is packed with protein.

Substitutions & Variations

• Halloumi substitutes: Cotija cheese (queso fresco), Kefalotyri cheese, Mozzarella cheese (will be much softer and gooey), or paneer cheese.
• Make air fryer halloumi bites instead of halloumi sticks. Any shape of halloumi cheese works for the air fryer recipes. Smaller pieces will be faster to cook.
• Make breaded halloumi cheese (easy snacks that kids love). Coat each piece in egg wash, flour, and panko breadcrumbs. Another indulgence, you bite in crispy edges and there is halloumi melted and gooey inside. Hard to resist.
• Seasoning variations: cayenne pepper for extra heat, onion powder, Nigella seeds, Italian seasoning, and any spices or herbs you love. And of course, regular salt and black pepper are ok to use.
• Toppings: Honey is a classic, but you can also use sweet chili sauce, balsamic, marinara sauce, lime juice-based vinaigrette, or even plain yogurt.

Expert Tips To Make The Best Air Fryer Halloumi

• You can make a test batch as cooking time can be different depending on the air fryer and thickness of the halloumi slices. For best results, preheat the air fryer for about 2 minutes.
• It is tempting to just set the timer for 8-10 minutes straight but I highly recommend flipping the cheese 4-5 minutes in.
• If you don’t have an air fryer, try other cooking methods. You can also fry the cheese on the stove or grill it.

Popular Questions

How Long Does It Take To Air Fry Halloumi?

Air frying halloumi takes around 4-5 minutes on each side on average to reach a nice brown crisp. Any longer and you risk getting rubbery and chewy cheese bites.

What Is The Best Way To Fry Halloumi?

There are different ways to make crispy halloumi fries. Grilling cheese and the air fryer method are two of the best and healthiest ways to cook halloumi. It is fast, easy, and foolproof.

Can I Eat Raw Halloumi?

Yes! Halloumi is safe and delicious to eat raw as it is a soft cheese just like mozzarella or feta. But if you want to add extra crisp and flavors, frying halloumi or making breaded halloumi fries is better.

Why Soak Halloumi Before Frying?

Soaking halloumi before frying is absolutely optional. Some people soak raw halloumi to get rid of saltiness but it is not necessary, especially when you dip fried halloumi pieces in honey.

Does Halloumi Cheese Melt?

Halloumi cheese doesn’t fully melt, it only softens when heated and it doesn’t melt even if you cook it longer, on the contrary, it will become dense and chewy like rubber.

If you love this air fryer snack recipe, you’re going to love these other air-fried appetizer recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

More Great Cheesy Appetizers

Air Fryer Taquitos

Baked Brie and Preserves

Crockpot Jalapeno Popper Dip

Cream Cheese Salsa Dip

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