The Perfect Haloumi: Grilling Time And Temperature Guide

Halloumi is a semi-firm cheese from Cyprus that is a favourite in Greek cooking. It is made with a blend of goat's and sheep milk, and sometimes with added cow's milk. It has a salty flavour and a distinctive layered texture similar to mozzarella. It is also known as squeaky cheese due to its texture. It is highly versatile and can be grilled, pan-fried, barbecued, or air-fried. When cooked, it turns golden rather than melting, making it ideal for meat-free dishes. So, how long do you cook it for?

How to cook halloumi in a frying pan

Preparation

Halloumi is a semi-hard, semi-firm, or firm salty cheese made from sheep, goat, or a combination of both—cow's milk is also sometimes used. It is popular in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine and is known for its high melting point, allowing it to develop a deliciously charred exterior while staying firm and creamy inside.

To prepare your halloumi for frying, start by removing it from its packaging and patting it dry with a paper towel. This step will help you achieve a crispy exterior when cooking. For frying, cut the halloumi into slices or sticks, generally around 0.5 cm to 1 cm thick. You can also cut it into cubes, blocks, or chips, depending on your preference and how you plan to serve it.

Frying

For frying halloumi, a non-stick pan is ideal, although a cast iron grill pan or a regular stainless steel pan can also be used. If using a non-stick pan, there is no need to add any oil, as the cheese will release liquid as it cooks. However, if using a stainless steel pan, it is recommended to add a dash of oil to prevent sticking.

Turn the heat to medium and place the halloumi slices in a single layer in the pan, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Allow the cheese to cook for a few minutes without moving it. The halloumi will release liquid, which will then cook off. Once the excess liquid has evaporated, the underside of the cheese will turn golden brown. This should take around 1-2 minutes.

Flip the halloumi slices and cook the other side. This side will brown more quickly, so keep an eye on it and remove from the heat once it reaches your desired level of browning.

Serving

Fried halloumi is best served immediately, as it tends to become rubbery as it cools. It can be served as an appetizer, with watermelon or juicy tomatoes, in wraps, burgers, or sandwiches, or as part of a mezze platter. It pairs well with sweet or acidic dressings, salsas, or honey, and goes well with Mediterranean vegetables like tomatoes and peppers.

How to grill halloumi

Grilling halloumi is a great way to cook this unique cheese. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to grill halloumi:

Step 1: Slicing the Halloumi

Firstly, you will want to slice the halloumi into thick pieces. The thickness can vary from 1/3 inch to 1/2 inch. Thicker slices are preferable as they result in a gooey, soft centre.

Step 2: Prepare the Grill

While you are slicing the halloumi, preheat your outdoor grill or grill pan. You want the grill to be nice and hot when you put the cheese on. This helps prevent the cheese from sticking to the grill.

Step 3: Oil the Halloumi

Drizzle or brush the halloumi slices with olive oil or vegetable oil. Ensure both sides of the halloumi are coated. This step is not necessary if you are using a non-stick pan.

Step 4: Grill the Halloumi

Place the halloumi slices on the grill. Depending on the heat of your grill, cook each side for 2-3 minutes. You are looking for grill marks and a golden-brown colour. The halloumi should be warmed through, with a chewy texture.

Step 5: Serve the Halloumi

Halloumi is very versatile and can be served in many ways. It can be served as an appetizer with sliced baguette, fresh herbs, and a sauce for drizzling. It is also great in salads, sandwiches, or bowls.

Tips:

• Do not flip the halloumi too much when grilling. Allow the grill marks to develop for extra flavour.
• Halloumi is best eaten straight away. If left to cool, it can become rubbery.
• If using a stainless steel pan, cook the halloumi on a lower heat, as it can burn quickly.
• If grilling other food, grill the halloumi last so that it stays warm for serving.
• If you are unable to find halloumi in your local supermarket, try specialist stores or shops with a wider range of cheeses.

How to cook halloumi on a BBQ

Preparation

Halloumi is a semi-firm, salty, and squeaky cheese from Cyprus that's perfect for grilling. It's traditionally made with sheep's milk, but can also be made with goat's or cow's milk. It has a high melting point, so it won't melt and fall through the grates of your barbecue.

Before grilling, cut the halloumi into 1/2-inch-thick slices. You can also cut it into cubes or smaller squares to thread onto skewers, alternating with vegetables such as bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and mushrooms. If you want to remove the excess saltiness, soak the halloumi in cold water for 2 hours or overnight before grilling.

Cooking

Prepare a medium gas or charcoal grill fire (350 F to 375 F). Lightly brush each side of the halloumi slices with olive oil and place them on the grill. Grill for just a few minutes on each side (about 2 to 3 minutes), until lightly browned and gently crisped. Be careful not to over-grill, as halloumi can become rubbery.

Serving

Halloumi is best served immediately while it's slightly crispy on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside. It can be served as an appetizer with sliced baguette, fresh herbs, and a tasty sauce for drizzling, such as honey or balsamic vinegar. It can also be added to salads, sandwiches, or bowls, or served with sliced tomatoes and crusty bread. For a unique flavor combination, pair it with sweet watermelon.

How to cook halloumi in an air fryer

Preparation

First, preheat your air fryer to 180C/360F. Next, cut your halloumi into slices or cubes. If you're making slices, cut the halloumi into 6 equal-sized pieces. You can also cut the slices in half to make halloumi fries. For cubes, simply cut the halloumi into smaller pieces.

Cooking

Once your air fryer is preheated, brush the bottom of the fry basket with olive oil and place the halloumi inside. Cook for 7-12 minutes, until crispy and golden. Smaller pieces will require less cooking time, so check on your halloumi around the 7-8 minute mark.

Serving

Air-fried halloumi goes well with juicy foods like tomatoes, or in a salad with dressing. You can also serve it with dips, in a sandwich or wrap with avocado and tomato, or as a topping for scrambled eggs on toast.

How to prepare halloumi for cooking

Halloumi is a semi-hard, semi-firm, or firm salty cheese that comes from Cyprus. It is traditionally made from a blend of sheep's and goat's milk, and sometimes includes cow's milk, too. It is known for its high melting point, which means it retains its shape when cooked, making it ideal for grilling. It is also known as "squeaky" cheese due to its texture.

Unpacking and Slicing

Firstly, unpack the halloumi and pat it dry with a paper towel. This will help the cheese achieve a crispy exterior when cooking. Then, slice the halloumi into pieces. The thickness of the slices will depend on how you are cooking the halloumi and what dish you are using it for. For grilling or frying, slices of around 0.5 cm to 1 cm are ideal. For kebabs, you might want to cut the halloumi into larger cubes, and for halloumi fries, cut the cheese into chips.

Marinating

Before cooking, you can marinate the halloumi in olive oil and your choice of herbs, spices, citrus zest, garlic, and chilli. This step is optional but will give the halloumi more flavour.

Cooking Methods

Halloumi is very versatile and can be baked, grilled, fried, barbecued, or cooked in an air fryer.

Baking

Place your block or slices of halloumi in a baking dish, drizzle with olive oil and herbs if desired, and bake in a medium-heated oven for 10-15 minutes until soft. You can also put it under the grill for a crispier exterior.

Grilling

Cut the halloumi into cubes and thread them onto a skewer. Brush with olive oil and herbs if desired, then grill over medium-high heat for 5-10 minutes, turning frequently.

Frying

This is the quickest method for cooking halloumi. You can dry fry halloumi in a non-stick pan, or fry in a bit of olive oil over medium to medium-high heat. Place the halloumi in the pan in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown.

Barbecuing

Pat the halloumi dry and cut into 1 cm slices. Brush both sides with olive oil and season with spices if desired. Place the slices directly on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until grill marks form.

Air Frying

Cut the halloumi into 1 cm pieces and place in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crispy.

Frequently asked questions