5 from 5 votes

The Crispiest Halloumi Fries

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These halloumi fries are an unbelievable appetizer or side. Made with battered halloumi pieces, theyโ€™re crispy, salty, and great for dipping in sauces!
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
ยฃ1.28
Makes: 5
mains, Snack
Greek

Looking for a new way to elevate your snacking? Then youโ€™ve got to make these crispy halloumi fries that are pan-fried to perfection! Crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside, they’re a fantastic twist on chips. They’re made with a simple breadcrumb coating, making this a four-ingredient recipe! Enjoy this crowd-pleaser as an appetizer for gatherings, a side dish, or a yummy snack.

Halloumi fries on a plate with a small bowl of mayonnaise with some fries in. ametal container behind.

Why youโ€™ll love this recipe

Easy โ€“ Whatโ€™s easier than a recipe with four ingredients?!

Quick โ€“ These halloumi fries are ready in 10 minutes, from start to finish.

4 – main ingredient recipe โ€“ This dish only requires breadcrumbs, flour, an egg wash, and halloumi, then add some seasoning.

Full of protein โ€“ Halloumi cheese has around 6g of protein per ounce, making this a protein-rich snack.

Versatile โ€“ Serve this recipe with any dipping sauce you please.

Great for parties โ€“ This battered halloumi dish is easy to scale up for larger gatherings or family meals.

Use leftover halloumi to make the following recipes: Halloumi Kebabs with Chilli Sauce, The BEST Halloumi Salad, or Sweet Chilli Halloumi Wraps.

What are halloumi fries?

These halloumi cheese fries are similar to mozzarella sticks, except they are easier to eat! Halloumi is a firmer cheese, so it won’t become a gooey mess like regular mozzarella sticks. If you live in the UK, you’re probably already familiar with them as they’re on the McDonald’s UK menu.

What is halloumi?

Halloumi is a salty cheese usually made from sheep, goat, or cow’s milk. However, some recipes use a combo of kinds of milk. Originating in Cyprus, this hard cheese has a subtle flavour (think mozzarella cheese).

This cheese is on the saltier side and holds up well in high-heat recipes, as it does not melt. It has a stretchy texture that’s reminiscent of fresh mozzarella balls.

Preparing Halloumi

One of the most important steps when learning how to make halloumi fries is prepping the cheese. Too thin of slices will be challenging, flimsy, and challenging to cook/eat. Too thick of slices, and the crispy exterior to cheesy interior ratio is off. Here are a few tips to help you make the best halloumi fries.

How do you cut it?
Cut the halloumi cheese into fry shapes. You want the slices to be longer and about 0.5โ€ (or around 1.5 cm) thick. A standard block of halloumi should yield about 12 fries.

How to store it?
Store leftover halloumi in the fridge once it has fully cooled. It will stay good for up to two days in an airtight container. If you have leftover uncooked halloumi, store it in salt water. Then, use it within two weeks. Unopened halloumi has a much longer storage life; it can stay good in the fridge for up to a year.

Ingredients

Ingredients to make halloumi fries laid out on a pale blue background and labelled.

Halloumi Cheese
This cheese is the primary ingredient in these halloumi fries. You can use other hard cheeses if you can’t find any halloumi at your local store. Aim for options that don’t melt at high temperatures, like paneer, feta, or kasseri.

Golden Breadcrumbs
Using golden breadcrumbs helps achieve a deliciously crispy exterior. You can also use panko or regular breadcrumbs for this recipe.

Egg Wash
This is one ingredient you donโ€™t want to skip. The egg wash helps keep the breadcrumbs from falling off the fries as they cook.

See the recipe card for full information on all ingredients and quantities.

Variations/ Adaptations

I love creating halloumi recipes, as the mild cheese flavour allows for customisation to your taste preferences. Here are a few options to try when making cheese fries! Season the fries with spice mixes, herbs, or other seasonings. For example, you can add chopped fresh parsley for a pop of colour and flavour or garlic powder for a bolder taste.

Instead of using halloumi, try breading and pan-frying feta or paneer cheese. You can also coat the cheese in breadcrumb alternatives like pretzel crumbs, crushed cornflakes, or panko. Those who follow a gluten-free diet can use an almond flour coating instead.

How to make the Crispiest Halloumi Fries

  1. Slice the halloumi into strips, approximately 0.5 – 0.75โ€ (1.5cm – 2cm) wide. This is a matter of preference though so adjust according to your preference. (Smaller fries will be more effort to dredge bare in mind)! (Image 1).
  2. Next, assemble your dredging conveyor belt by adding the flour, Cayenne pepper, onion and garlic powder to one plate, the whisked egg to another, and finally the panko breadcrumbs to the last plate. Start by coating the halloumi strips in the flour (Image 2).
2 step by step photos, the first with sliced halloumi on chopping a board and the second with halloumi being dredged in flour, next to 2 plates of egg wash and breadcrumbs.

3. Then using a fork, place in the egg. Pick the piece up with the forks and allow the excess egg to fall off (Image 3).

4. Next it’s the panko breadcrumbs and to avoid mess with your hands, shovel the panko over the halloumi fry before rotating (Image 4).

2 step by step photos, the first with sliced halloumi dredged in egg wash and the second with halloumi being dredges in breadcrumbs next to 2 plates of egg wash and flour.

5. Once all of the halloumi is coated set aside on a plate (Image 5).

6. Meanwhile, add the vegetable oil into a large frying pan over a medium heat. Allow the oil to heat through (Image 6).

2 step by step photos, the first with sliced, breadcrumb coated halloumi on a plate and the second witha stainless steel frying pan with oil.

7. Place half of the halloumi strips into the pan, ensuring they arenโ€™t touching (Image 7).

8. Fry on each side until golden brown, which takes approximately 2-3 minutes depending on the heat of your oil. Rotate with tongs and once golden on both sides (Image 8).

2 step by step photos, the first with sliced, breadcrumb coated halloumi frying in oil in pan with tongs and the second with the goldne browned halloumi fried in the pan and turned with tongs.

9. Set aside on a wire rack whilst you repeat with the second batch (Image 9). 

10. Serve with a dip of your choice – I love mayo, sweet chilli and honey & mustard mayo with mine! (Image 10).

2 step by step photos, the first with golden browned halloumi fries on a metal rack  and the second withthe fries on a plate with mayonnaise in a small bowl and some fried in partial view in a metal container behind.

 

Tips for the best result

Cut the halloumi into fry shapes. As mentioned, cutting the halloumi fries into longer pieces is necessary. Ensure you don’t cut them too thick or thin during prep.

Donโ€™t overcrowd the pan. These yummy pan-fried cheese sticks need room to cook in the pan to get nice and crispy. Allow plenty of space between each halloumi fry so they can crisp up. You may need to make this recipe in batches if you’re using a smaller pan.

Avoid adding salt. Halloumi is a cheese known for being on the salty side. There’s also already salt in the breadcrumb mixture. So, avoiding salt when making this recipe is best, or you can end up with overly salty fries.

Here are more tasty halloumi cheese recipes to try: Halloumi Pasta, Halloumi Tray Bake with Roasted Vegetables, and The Best Halloumi Curry.

Halloumi fries in a metl container in some parchment paper and  a small bowl of mayonnaise behind and a plate with some fries in partial view.

What to Serve with Halloumi Fries

Here are a few ideas of what to serve with these crispy, yummy halloumi fries:

Dips โ€“ Enjoy with other dips! Since the cheese fries have a mild flavour, they pair well with nearly any dipping sauce. For example, you can serve them with a Greek yoghurt dip, marinara sauce, sweet chili sauce, hot honey, ranch, tzatziki, etc.

Other appetizers โ€“ Offer guests other finger food, like chicken wings and pigs in a blanket, to create a filling appetizer spread alongside the fries.

Put them on top of a salad โ€“ Since halloumi is packed with protein, itโ€™s a great option for a salad topping. Toss them onto your salad of choosing, and enjoy!

These recipes would go well with these halloumi fries : Sausage Tray Bake with Vegetables, Grinder Salad (Italian Sub Salad) and The BEST Crispy Bone-in Chicken Thighs

Storage and Reheat Instructions

Can you freeze them?
You can freeze cooked halloumi fries. However, thereโ€™s a chance they will be rubbery when reheated. This recipe is best eaten fresh. If you have leftover halloumi, you can freeze it uncooked in a block or slices.

How long before a party can I make these and store them?
As mentioned, this halloumi fries recipe is best served fresh. I do not recommend making these ahead of time. Prep the halloumi, breading, and egg wash. Then, cook them fresh once the guests arrive for the best results.

If thereโ€™s any leftover halloumi, wrap them in an airtight container or bag and refrigerate them. They should stay good in the fridge for up to two days. To reheat leftovers, toss them into an air fryer at 400ยฐF (210ยฐC).

Can you freeze them?
You can freeze cooked halloumi fries. However, thereโ€™s a chance they will be rubbery when reheated. This recipe is best eaten fresh. If you have leftover halloumi, you can freeze it uncooked in a block or slices.

How long before a party can I make these and store them?
As mentioned, this halloumi fries recipe is best served fresh. I do not recommend making these ahead of time. Prep the halloumi, breading, and egg wash. Then, cook them fresh once the guests arrive for the best results.

If thereโ€™s any leftover halloumi, wrap them in an airtight container or bag and refrigerate them. They should stay good in the fridge for up to two days. To reheat leftovers, toss them into an air fryer at 390ยฐF (200ยฐC) for 3-4 minutes.

For more information on reheating, see my Best Ways To Reheat Salmon, How to Reheat Chicken Wings in the air fryer and How to Reheat Rotisserie Chicken

FAQs

Can you make halloumi fries in an airfryer?

Yes, you can air-fry halloumi fries! If you’re concerned about oil intake, this method will help produce crispy halloumi strips with minimal oil.

Can you bake halloumi fries?

Yes, you can absolutely create these cheese fries in the oven. Preheat the oven to 400ยฐF (210ยฐC).Then, add the battered strips to a foil-covered tray and spray with cooking spray. It will take about 15 minutes for them to cook in the oven.

Will panko breadcrumbs work as a breading?

Yes, I used panko breadcrumbs to make a crispy crust on these yummy fried halloumi fries.

Golden browned halloumi fires in a plate with some mayonnnaise in a small bowl in partial view.

If you tried this Halloumi Fries recipe, it would be mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys ๐Ÿ’› Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x

The Crispiest Halloumi Fries

Print
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
ยฃ1.28
mains, Snack
Greek
Servings: 5
These halloumi fries are an unbelievable appetizer or side. Made with battered halloumi pieces, theyโ€™re crispy, salty, and great for dipping in sauces!

Ingredients

  • 450 g (2 blocks) halloumi (ยฃ2.40×2)=ยฃ4.80) (ยฃ2.40×2)=ยฃ4.80)
  • 2 eggs (ยฃ1.50/3)=(ยฃ0.50)
  • 70 g panko breadcrumbs (ยฃ1.10)

Cupboard Essentials

  • 2-3 tbsp plain flour
  • 1 tsp Cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp onion & garlic powder
  • Vegetable oil

Method

  • Start by slicing the halloumi into strips, approximately 1.5cm – 2cm wide. This is a matter of preference though so adjust according to your preference. (Smaller fries will be more effort to dredge bare in mind)!
  • Next, assemble your dredging conveyor belt by adding the flour, Cayenne pepper, onion and garlic powder to one plate, the whisked egg to another, and finally the panko breadcrumbs to the last plate.
  • Coat the halloumi strips in the flour then place in the egg, use forks to evenly coat in the egg. Pick the piece up with the forks and allow the excess egg to fall off before dredging in the panko. To avoid mess with your hands, shovel the panko over the halloumi fry before rotating and setting on a plate.
  • Once all of the halloumi is coated, add vegetable oil into a large frying pan over a medium heat. Allow the oil to heat through before placing half of the halloumi strips into the pan, ensuring they arenโ€™t touching. Fry on each side until golden brown, which takes approximately 2-3 minutes depending on the heat of your oil.
  • Rotate with tongs and once golden on both sides, set aside on a wire rack whilst you repeat with the second batch.
  • Serve with a dip of your choice – I love mayo, sweet chilli and honey & mustard mayo with mine!

Notes

  • Ensure the halloumi fries are sliced into longer pieces, neither too thick nor too thin.
  • Avoid overcrowding the pan to allow for proper crisping during pan-frying. Consider cooking in batches if using a smaller pan.
  • Halloumi is naturally salty, and there’s salt in the breadcrumb mixture, so don’t add additional salt to prevent the fries from becoming overly salty.

Nutrition

Servings: 5 servings
Fat: 23g
Calories: 377kcal
Carbohydrates: 17g
Protein: 23g
5 from 5 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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Thank you so much for trying my recipe! I hope you loved it. Iโ€™d be so grateful if you could leave a comment/rating - it makes my day hearing your feedback!

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Comments

  1. Marian Todd | 5 months ago

    Such a great snack idea. So easy and tasty.5 stars

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