Frederic Melton
Halloumi fries are a delicious, simple snack or starter with a unique property: they're made from a cheese that has a higher melting point than other varieties, so it can be grilled, baked, or fried without losing its shape. Halloumi is a traditional Cypriot cheese with a strong, salty flavour and a rubbery texture when eaten raw. However, when cooked, halloumi becomes soft and savoury, making it perfect for frying. To make halloumi fries, cut the cheese into rectangular strips, dip them in flour, egg wash, and panko breadcrumbs, and bake in the oven until golden and crispy. Serve with a dipping sauce like marinara, ranch, garlic sauce, or honey.
How to cook Halloumi Cheese Fries
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Halloumi Cheese, Flour, Eggs, Panko Breadcrumbs, Olive Oil, Salt, Spices |
| Cooking Method | Pan Fry, Air Fry, Shallow Fry, Bake |
| Cooking Time | 20 minutes in the oven, 5 minutes in a pan |
| Serving Suggestions | Marinara Sauce, Ranch, Garlic Sauce, Honey, Ketchup, Honey Mustard, Sriracha |
| Storage | Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days |
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What You'll Learn
Sourcing halloumi cheese
Halloumi is a semi-hard cheese that originates from Cyprus. It is traditionally made from a blend of sheep's and goat's milk, which gives it a rich, salty, and tangy flavour. Its high melting point and unique blend of proteins mean it has a signature squeaky texture when eaten raw, but it can be grilled or fried without losing its shape.
You can find halloumi in the dairy section of health stores or Middle Eastern/Mediterranean grocery stores. It is also available in the fridge section of some larger grocery stores, usually near the feta and mozzarella, and can be purchased online. If you are looking for a specific type of halloumi, such as organic or locally-sourced, you may want to try a specialty store, which will often stock a range of different varieties.
As halloumi is a Cypriot product, you may also be able to find it in Cypriot or Greek shops or markets, or shops specialising in Mediterranean produce. If you are unable to find halloumi or would like to try an alternative, there are several other varieties of cheese with a similar texture and flavour profile that can be used as substitutes.
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Cutting the cheese
Halloumi is a semi-hard cheese with a high melting point, which makes it ideal for frying. It is traditionally made with a mixture of goat and sheep's milk, giving it a salty flavour.
When preparing halloumi fries, the first step is to cut the cheese into the desired shape. Some recipes suggest cutting the block of halloumi into long rectangular shapes to mimic fries, while others recommend thick sticks or slices. The thickness of the fries is also variable, with suggestions ranging from 1/2-inch to 1-inch thick slices.
It is important to note that halloumi has a strong salty flavour, so you may want to consider the thickness of your fries in relation to the saltiness of the cheese. Thicker fries will have a more intense salty flavour, while thinner fries will be slightly milder.
When cutting the cheese, use a sharp knife to ensure clean and even slices. It is also helpful to pat the halloumi block dry before slicing, as this will give you a better grip and prevent the cheese from slipping. Aim for uniformity in size and shape to ensure even cooking.
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Preparing the dredging station
To prepare the dredging station, gather your ingredients: flour, eggs, and panko breadcrumbs. You can use plain all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour, depending on your preference or dietary needs. For the breadcrumbs, panko is the preferred type as they are lighter and airier, resulting in a crispier coating. However, regular breadcrumbs can also be used as a substitute.
Prepare three separate bowls for the dredging station. In the first bowl, place the flour. You can season the flour with spices such as smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, or cayenne pepper to add extra flavour and a touch of smokiness. In the second bowl, prepare an egg wash by beating one or two eggs, depending on the quantity you are making. The eggs act as a binder for the flour and breadcrumbs. If you want to make this dish egg-free, you can substitute the egg wash with milk. Finally, in the third bowl, place the panko or regular breadcrumbs.
It is recommended to keep one hand wet and the other dry during the dredging process to avoid a sticky mess. This way, you can easily coat the halloumi sticks without getting your hands too messy.
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Cooking methods
Halloumi cheese fries can be cooked in an oven, air fryer, or pan. Here are the methods for each:
Oven-baked
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Cut the halloumi block into long rectangular fry shapes. You can also cut them into wedges or diced pieces. Add spices to a small or medium-sized mixing bowl, followed by the halloumi, and toss together. Place the seasoned halloumi fries on the baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until golden and crisp.
Air fryer
Prepare a dredging station with flour, egg wash, and panko breadcrumbs. Cut the halloumi cheese block into long rectangular fry shapes. Dip the halloumi in the flour, then the egg wash, and finally the panko breadcrumbs. Set them on a tray lined with parchment paper. Drizzle or spray extra virgin olive oil on the fries. Bake in the air fryer until the halloumi fries are golden and crispy.
Pan-fried
Heat olive oil in a non-stick pan. You can also use canola oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil. Cut the halloumi block into long rectangular fry shapes. Place the halloumi sticks in a single layer in the pan. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side over medium to medium-high heat until all sides are golden brown.
Tips
- Halloumi fries are best enjoyed fresh and crispy when they come straight out of the oven.
- If you want to add a spicy kick, serve the fries with a sriracha aioli.
- You can also serve the fries with marinara sauce, ranch, garlic sauce, honey mustard, or ketchup.
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Sauces and dips
Halloumi cheese fries are often served with a variety of sauces and dips. Here are some ideas:
Marinara Sauce
A popular choice to serve with halloumi cheese fries is marinara sauce. This tomato-based sauce adds a fresh and tangy flavour to the salty halloumi. You can either buy a ready-made marinara sauce or make your own by cooking tomatoes, onions, garlic, and herbs.
Honey
Drizzling honey over the halloumi cheese fries or serving it as a dip is a great way to balance the saltiness of the cheese. You can also warm the honey before serving to make it more fluid and create a sweet and salty contrast. Some recipes also suggest adding sesame seeds to enhance the flavour.
Sriracha Aioli
For those who like a spicy kick, sriracha aioli is a perfect dip for halloumi cheese fries. The creaminess of the aioli pairs well with the salty halloumi, while the sriracha adds a nice spicy touch. You can adjust the spiciness to your preference by adding more or less sriracha.
Garlic Sauce
Garlic sauce is another popular choice for halloumi cheese fries. The savoury depth of garlic complements the salty halloumi. You can make a simple garlic sauce by mixing crushed garlic with mayonnaise, or you can add other ingredients like lemon juice or herbs for extra flavour.
Other Dips
You can also serve halloumi cheese fries with other dips such as ranch dressing, ketchup, honey mustard, or any other traditional fry sauces. Blue cheese sauce is another option for a tangy and creamy dip. Additionally, you can experiment with different spices and seasonings to create your own unique dip.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need halloumi cheese, flour, eggs, and panko breadcrumbs. You can also add spices and seasonings to the flour coating for extra flavour.
First, set up a dredging station with the flour, egg wash, and panko breadcrumbs. Cut the halloumi cheese into rectangular strips similar to fries. Dip the halloumi in the flour, then the egg wash, and finally the breadcrumbs. Place the coated halloumi on a tray lined with parchment paper. Bake in the oven until golden and crispy.
You can serve halloumi cheese fries with a variety of sauces such as marinara, ranch, garlic sauce, honey mustard, sriracha aioli, or ketchup.
Halloumi cheese fries are best enjoyed fresh and crispy straight out of the oven. However, if you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
