Grilled Halloumi is a fast, delicious appetizer that is crispy, creamy and absolutely scrumptious! All you need is some halloumi cheese from your local grocery store. Be prepared for a delicious and easy treat perfect for tossing in a salad, serving with a pita or drizzling with honey!
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I absolutely loved making this grilled halloumi recipe at home. I had a busy day and needed a quick snack that I didn’t need to pay a lot of attention to. This recipe is perfect for beginners because it requires no fancy equipment or skills, you can’t mess it up!
Plus, this recipe would be a great addition to any charcuterie plate, vegetable platter, or even just enjoyed by itself!
I attended a dinner party a few weeks ago and brought freshly cooked halloumi that I coated in honey and fresh thyme. It was such a hit at the party and everyone was amazed that just honey and cheese could make such a delicious appetizer! It all starts with this Grilled Halloumi Cheese.
What is Halloumi Cheese?
Halloumi is an unripened, brined cheese from the island of Cyprus that is made with a mixture of goat’s milk and sheep’s milk.
This type of cheese is pretty tough, and it has a high melting point, meaning that it can easily be grilled without losing its shape and melting. A popular snack, especially in Cyprus, is made by grilling the halloumi cheese on the grill until it forms grill marks.
The cheese thins out and hardens a bit, but it is crispy on the outside and a little creamier and chewy on the inside. You can eat your halloumi as is, with a dip, or use it as an ingredient in other recipes.
Keep reading for instructions and best tips for making your halloumi!
What Ingredients Do I Need?
Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.
- Halloumi cheese–That’s it! Check your local grocery store’s specialty cheese section (usually near the deli) or you can usually find it at Trader Joes, Whole Foods or any Middle Eastern store. Some brands can be overly salty or rubbery. Look for halloumi with minimal additives and a firm texture. If possible, try a Cypriot-made variety—it tends to have the best flavor.
- Olive oil: To grease down the grill, just a bit.
How to Make Grilled Halloumi Cheese?
Step One: Slice the cheese into long slices about ⅓” thick.
Step Two: Grill over medium heat until grill marks form, then flip.
Step Three: Remove from heat and enjoy crispy and warm.
Expert Tips
- When you first begin grilling the halloumi it may emit a little bit of liquid. Continue grilling and the liquid will dry up.
- You can still make this recipe without a barbeque grill. Just use a tabletop grill or even an air fryer!
- If your halloumi is sticking to the grill, it probably isn’t hot enough. Allow it to keep cooking until it easily releases from the grill.
What Do You Eat Halloumi With?
Halloumi tastes good with pretty much anything which is why it is such a popular Mediterranean snack. You can eat it with grilled peppers or eggplants or even fresh watermelon and mint (like I’ve pictured here) for a healthy and vegetarian-style treat.
If you want a heartier way to use your halloumi, you can treat it like a meat, and eat it on a burger or pita with sides or on top of a grain bowl with roasted veggies. Because of halloumi’s heartiness, it’s a popular substitution for meat in a vegetarian meal. It would be delicious in a wrap with some tzatziki and cucumber!
If you want to eat your halloumi plain, you can do that, too! That’s what I did and it was definitely a great move.
Some suggestions include serving your halloumi alongside:
- Watermelon & Minut
- Pomegranate molasses and oregano
- Chili jam and lime zest
- Honey and thyme
- Balsamic glaze and basil
Recipe FAQs
Grilled halloumi has a salty flavor that pairs well with savory flavors like smoked meat or something sweet like honey or fruit. With a high quality halloumi your cheese should resemble Wisconsin cheese curds and feel a bit squeaky when you bite into it!
Yes! If you don’t have a grill you can still give your halloumi some delicious crisp using an electric grill like a George Foreman (like I used!) or simply use a nonstick skillet or stovetop grill pan. You may not get perfect grill marks but you’ll still get great texture and flavor!
Halloumi is perfectly safe to eat raw or cold but I really don’t recommend it. It becomes much more appetizing and flavorful when grilled. The texture improves, the flavor intensifies and the edges become beautifully golden. It’s one of those ingredients that shines when heated.
You can definitely cook halloumi in an air fryer. Set your air fryer to 375 degrees and cook your halloumi for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. You might not get the grill marks, but it should end up crispy and warm!
This recipe is best enjoyed fresh, but if you do end up with leftovers you can reheat in a skillet or toaster oven.
If you liked this recipe, you’ll probably also like these recipes I picked out just for you:
- Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
- Cheese Fondue from Switzerland
- Arancini from Sicily
- Colombian Hot Chocolate with Cheese
If you tried this Grilled Halloumi Cheese Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
Grilled Halloumi
Equipment
- Tongs
- Barbecue Grill or Electric Grill
Ingredients
- 4 oz Halloumi cheese
- 2 tsp Olive oil
- Watermelon, cubed for serving
- Mint, for serving
Instructions
- Slice the cheese into long slices about ⅓” thick.
- Heat a barbecue grill or indoor grill over medium heat. Brush the grill with a light layer of olive oil.
- Place the halloumi on the grill and allow it to sit until grill marks form, about 3-4 minutes. Use tongs to flip the cheese over and heat again until grill marks form on the other side.
- Remove from the heat and arrange on a platter with cubed watermelon and mint leaves. Enjoy!
Notes
- Halloumi cheese– If possible, try a Cypriot-made variety—it tends to have the best flavor.
- When you first begin grilling the halloumi it may emit a little bit of liquid. Continue grilling and the liquid will dry up.
- You can still make this recipe without a barbeque grill. Just use a tabletop grill or even an air fryer!
- If your halloumi is sticking to the grill, it probably isn’t hot enough. Allow it to keep cooking until it easily releases from the grill.
Chopper Ed says
First timer here…had it this morning as a side with breakfast which I enjoyed.
One pan, olive oil, one pad of butter, black pepper, Italian Seasoning, browned on both sides. While browning, toasted lemon bread, fried eggs, warmed previously cooked bacon, strong black coffee and ohhh yeahhh baby, Mangia! 👍
The Foreign Fork says
Yummy!!! That sounds like an awesome breakfast! Thanks for sharing your experience