Baking Halloumi Cheese: Timing For Perfection

Halloumi is a salty, squeaky cheese that's perfect for grilling, frying, or baking. But how long does it need in the oven? Well, it depends on what you're after. If you want a softer texture, bake it for around 15 minutes at 375°F. For crispier halloumi fries, leave it in for 20 minutes. You can also grill halloumi, which will only take 2-3 minutes on each side. However you cook it, remember to cut the halloumi into 1cm-thick slices first.

How to bake halloumi in the oven

Baking halloumi in the oven is a great way to cook this amazing cheese. Halloumi is a semi-hard cheese made from goat's or sheep's milk, and sometimes cow's milk, that is used in Turkish, Greek, and Cypriot cuisine. It has a high melting point, which means it won't melt in the oven and instead becomes crispy and golden.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Before you begin preparing the halloumi, preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F. This is the ideal temperature for baking halloumi.

Step 2: Prepare the Halloumi

For baking, it is recommended to cut the halloumi into slices or thin strips. The thickness of the slices can vary depending on your preference, but thicker slices tend to result in a gooey and softer texture, while thinner slices may burn more easily and become crispy.

Step 3: Add Flavorings (Optional)

Halloumi has a salty and "squeaky" texture and flavor, but you can enhance it by adding various flavorings. Drizzle olive oil over the halloumi slices, along with dry herbs such as basil, rosemary, and oregano. You can also add other spices like chili flakes, fennel seeds, or dried basil and rosemary. Additionally, a drizzle of honey can help balance out the saltiness and create a crisp, golden finish.

Step 4: Place in the Oven

Place the prepared halloumi slices on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet or an ovenproof dish. Make sure the halloumi pieces are spread out in a single layer to ensure even cooking.

Step 5: Baking Time

The baking time for halloumi can vary depending on your desired texture. For softer halloumi, bake for approximately 15 minutes. If you prefer your halloumi to be crispier and more browned, extend the baking time to 20-25 minutes. Keep in mind that halloumi can dry out if left in the oven for too long, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.

Step 6: Flip and Baste (Optional)

For even cooking and browning, you can flip the halloumi slices halfway through the baking process. Additionally, basting the halloumi with the juices or sauce in the baking dish can add more flavor and moisture.

Step 7: Serve

Halloumi is best served immediately after cooking. It tends to become rubbery and dry as it cools down, so it's essential to enjoy it while it's still warm and gooey.

Tips and Variations:

• Halloumi can be baked as a whole slab at a lower temperature for a softer, almost juicy texture.
• If you're short on time, you can also cook halloumi in a skillet or frying pan. Simply heat a drizzle of olive oil in a pan over medium heat, add the halloumi slices, and cook for a few minutes on each side until golden.
• Leftover baked halloumi can be reheated in the microwave for a softer texture or in a pan over medium heat to restore crispiness.

Baked halloumi is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a vegetarian side, added to salads, or used as a topping for pasta and grain bowls. Enjoy experimenting with this unique cheese and finding your favorite ways to prepare it!

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 cheese:

Step 1: Slice the Halloumi

The first step is to cut the halloumi into slices or slabs. The ideal thickness of the slices is between 1/3 inch and 1/2 inch. Thicker slices are preferable as they result in a gooey, soft, and warm centre. However, be careful not to cut the halloumi too thick, as it may not cook evenly.

Step 2: Prepare the Grill

Before grilling the halloumi, preheat your outdoor grill or grill pan to a high heat. It is important that the grill is nice and hot when you add the cheese to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Oil the Halloumi

Once you have sliced the halloumi, drizzle or brush the slabs with olive oil. Make sure to coat both sides of the cheese with oil. This step is important as it prevents the cheese from sticking to the grill and adds flavour.

Step 4: Grill the Halloumi

Now, carefully place the halloumi slices on the hot grill. Allow the cheese to cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until grill marks form. Do not flip the halloumi too soon or too frequently, as you want to develop those tasty charred grill lines.

Step 5: Serve the Halloumi

Once the halloumi is grilled to your liking, remove it from the heat and serve immediately. Grilled halloumi is very versatile and can be served in many ways. It can be enjoyed as an appetizer with sliced baguette, fresh herbs, and a sauce for drizzling, such as honey or Greek dressing. It can also be added to salads, sandwiches, grain bowls, or paired with roasted vegetables.

Tips for Grilling Halloumi:

• Brush the grill with oil before placing the halloumi to prevent sticking.
• Avoid flipping the halloumi too much to ensure you get those desirable charred grill marks.
• Choose a halloumi that feels firm and is sliced thickly to ensure it holds its shape while grilling.
• Do not overcrowd the grill or grill pan. Cook the halloumi in batches if needed.
• Halloumi is best enjoyed fresh off the grill, as it may become rubbery or tough if left to cool.

Now you're ready to grill some halloumi!

How to pan-fry halloumi

Preparation

Halloumi is a semi-hard, salty cheese that's traditionally made from goat or sheep's milk, or a combination of both. It's highly versatile and can be cooked in different ways, including pan-frying, grilling, barbecuing, baking, or air-frying.

Before cooking, remove the halloumi from its packaging and pat it dry with a paper towel. This step is important as it helps achieve a crispy exterior when cooking. For pan-frying, cut the halloumi into approximately 1cm-thick slices.

Cooking

Add a drizzle of olive oil to a non-stick frying pan and heat over medium-high heat. You can also use a griddle pan to get perfect grill marks on the cheese.

Place the halloumi slices in the hot oil, ensuring they're not overcrowded. Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Don't flip the cheese too soon—wait until the liquid released from the cheese has evaporated and the underside is golden.

Serving

Halloumi is best served immediately while hot and crispy. It can be added to sandwiches, wraps, burgers, salads, or served as part of a meze platter. It pairs well with sweet or acidic dressings and salsas, as well as Mediterranean vegetables like tomatoes and peppers.

How to cook halloumi on the BBQ

Preparation

Halloumi is a traditional Cypriot sheep's and/or goat's milk cheese with a high melting point, making it ideal for grilling. It has a salty, savoury flavour and a firm texture.

Before grilling, cut the halloumi into 1/2-inch-thick slices. If you want to reduce the saltiness of the cheese, you can soak the halloumi in cold water for 2 hours or overnight before grilling.

Cooking

Brush each slice of halloumi with olive oil and place on a barbecue grill over a medium heat. Grill each side for 2-3 minutes, until lightly browned and gently crisped. Be careful not to over-grill the cheese.

Serving

Halloumi is best served immediately while it is still crispy on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside. It pairs well with acidic or fresh flavours like lemon juice, fresh tomatoes, or a light salad. It can also be served with crusty bread or used as a pizza topping.

How to cook halloumi in an air fryer

Preparation

First, preheat your air fryer to 180C/360F. Next, prepare your halloumi by slicing it into six equal-sized slices. You can also cut the halloumi into smaller cubes or fry-shaped pieces for a shorter cooking time. Brush the halloumi with olive oil on all sides.

Cooking

Once the air fryer is preheated, brush the bottom of the fry basket with olive oil and place the halloumi slices on top. Cook for 10-12 minutes until crispy and golden. If you are making halloumi fries or smaller cubes, you will need to cook the halloumi for a little less time. Check on the halloumi around the 7-8 minute mark to ensure it doesn't overcook.

Serving

Air-fried halloumi is best served immediately, as it can become drier and tougher as it cools. It is great served with juicy tomatoes or in a salad with dressing to balance out the dryness.

Tips

• If you are using an air fryer basket, make sure the halloumi slices are not touching. You may need to cook the halloumi in two batches.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer to ensure even cooking and a nice golden-brown sear.
• Don't overcook the halloumi, or it will become rubbery.
• If you are cooking without oil, brush the bottom of the air fryer pan with oil to prevent sticking. If using parchment paper, flip the halloumi over halfway through cooking.

Variations

• For extra flavour, season the halloumi with salt and pepper, smoked paprika, or mixed herbs.
• For a drier halloumi, pat the cheese dry with kitchen paper or a clean cloth before brushing with oil.

Frequently asked questions