This is the complete guide to how to cook halloumi perfectly! Whether you want to fry it, grill it or bake it find step by step instructions for each method plus loads of recipe ideas for how to use it.
Jump to:
- What is halloumi?
- Pan Fried Halloumi
- How to grill halloumi cheese
- Can you cook halloumi cheese in the oven?
- FAQs
Halloumi is one of the ingredients which features most frequently on this blog. It's got an amazing chewiness which makes it super satisfying to eat and an excellent replacement for meat.
It's also got a fantastic saltiness which is insanely moreish, I would happily snack on fried halloumi all by itself all day long, it's that good.
When you learn how to cook this amazing cheese then you've got the perfect base for so many amazingly delicious recipes.
What is halloumi?
Halloumi is a semi-hard cheese made from goat's or sheep's milk used in Turkish, Greek and Cypriot cuisine. Because of its high melting point halloumi is best eaten when cooked. It’s most commonly fried but can be prepared in other ways, keep scrolling to find some fab halloumi recipe ideas!
Although I've posted recipes for a couple of different ways to cook halloumi, the most common way is to pan fry it. It turns out crispy on the outside and soft and a little chewy on the inside.
If you're using halloumi for a salad or in a sandwich or wrap or any other endless number of ways that halloumi is perfect then you need this simple guide for how to cook halloumi!
Pan Fried Halloumi
Fried halloumi is the way we most often eat halloumi and it is so good.
Start by slicing the halloumi as shown above. You don't want the halloumi slices too thin because then they'll burn more easily and you'll end up with a salty, chewy crisp.
Once you've done that heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. The halloumi release liquid when it cooks so there's no need to add any oil.
Add the slices of halloumiand cook for a few minutes until browned on one side, it normally only takes a couple of minutes to get all golden and delicious. Gently flip, remember that the halloumi will be quite soft now so be careful, and cook until golden on the other side. Remove from the pan and serve.
Keep scrolling for some ideas on how to use halloumi in different recipes!
Ok, so that's great but what about cooking it in different ways?
How to grill halloumi cheese
Halloumi is awesome on the grill or barbecue. That high heat helps the cheese to become really soft and gooey on the inside which is delicious on a hot day with some really fresh summery salads.
The best way to cook it on the barbecue is to cut the halloumi into cubes and put it on skewers (wooden skewers are best when soaked for 30 minutes before using, otherwise use metal ones). Brush the halloumi with olive oil and grill for 2-3 minutes per side.
You can also cook halloumi under the grill (broiler). Place the slices on a grill pan and cook under a medium grill for a couple of minutes, flipping halfway through. Keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn't burn.
Can you cook halloumi cheese in the oven?
Halloumi works great in the oven. Slice it in the same way as above and add the halloumi to an oven proof dish or baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and place in a 200°C/400°F oven for about 15 minutes until soft, flipping halfway through cooking.
Another great way of cooking halloumi in the oven is wrapping it whole in baking paper like I do in this recipe for baked halloumi.
FAQs
Can you eat halloumi by itself?
Ummm absolutely! I have definitely been known to snack a few slices of this fried cheese with nothing but a bit of hot sauce.
Can you cook halloumi in the microwave?
While it wouldn't be my go-to method for cooking it, you can use a microwave at a push. Place the cheese slices on a microwavable plate and cook for 30 seconds at a time until hot. You won't have the browned edges but it'll still taste good.
How to cook halloumi with honey?
Check out this recipe for honey glazed halloumi for instructions on how to cook halloumi with honey.
So now you know how to cook halloumi you need some recipes to use it in!
The first halloumi recipe I shared on The Cook Report was a tomato and halloumi bake with courgette and it's still the most popular recipe on the blog. It's so quick to make and gets a good helping of veggies in there too.
It's also made all in one skillet. Once the sauce is cooked then the halloumi is sliced, just like it is in the photos above, and then spread across the top of the sauce and put under the grill (broiler) until browned.
I've also used halloumi as a replacement for meat in a halloumi curry and it's so delicious. It's probably one of my all time favourite meals. One of those 'what would your last meal be' type situations. That good.
This curry has a super creamy sauce made with cashews and coconut milk which is perfect with the salty cheese. I add in the step of quickly frying the halloumi before putting it in the sauce because it gets that lovely crispy outside.
Halloumi is one of the best summer ingredients. I use it all the time in salads, wraps and sandwiches. One of my favourites is this harissa halloumi salad with couscous. It's got loads of Mediterranean vegetables, harissa flavour and fried halloumi.
Take this salad to your next barbecue or summer party and you'll be the most popular person there.
A few more halloumi recipe ideas...
Panko Halloumi Sandwich with Kasundi
Halloumi Tacos with Red Cabbage Slaw
Grilled Halloumi Salad with Herby Tomato Salsa
Halloumi, Sweet Potato and Bulgur Wheat Salad
Broccoli Cheese Soup with Halloumi Fries
So, there you have it. How to cook halloumi and how to use it in some delicious recipes. If you want more halloumi recipes, and surely you do, then find all of my favourites here.
How do you like to use halloumi in your cooking? Share your ideas below!
Have you made one of these halloumi recipes?
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