11 Delicious Halloumi Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Why do you soak halloumi before cooking? ›

Why do you soak halloumi before cooking? While completely optional, many swear by this step for a softer, more flavourful, and sweeter result that will set your halloumi apart from all others. The easiest method is to soak the whole block of cheese in cold water for at least two hours (or overnight if you have time).

Place the cooled cheese in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Properly stored, cooked halloumi will last about a week in the fridge.

Halloumi recipes for you

Spiced up with paprika and crispy on the outside, serve with burgers, barbecue chicken, grilled fish and a green salad.

You can serve it as is for a quick and indulgent appetizer or as part of your cheese plate or mezze platter. I am a fan of sweet and salty, so I'll always opt for a drizzle of honey on top of my halloumi fries and fresh fruit like grapes, berries, or figs next to it.

Soak the halloumi in water for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours to remove the salty taste. I love the salty taste of halloumi, so I prefer not to soak it. However, if you find the kind you have to be too salty, the soak will help alleviate that. Allow the halloumi cheese to grill without touching it.

Put the halloumi into a bowl and boil a kettle of water. Pour the boiling water over the halloumi and leave for 20 minutes. This will make the cheese really soft and smooth in the centre when cooked.

How do you tell if halloumi cheese is bad? Spoiled halloumi cheese can be easily identified. If the cheese has become slimy or developed a mold, it's time to toss it out. Moreover, a strong sour smell or change in color can also indicate that the cheese is past its prime.

When eaten regularly in large quantities halloumi can be considered unhealthy, as this fried cheese is pretty high in saturated fat and salt. However, when eaten sporadically as part of a balanced diet, halloumi has a range of health benefits, as it's high in calcium and protein.

It is the high pH (low acid) of the cheese that causes this non-melting characteristic. Although the cheese keeps its shape, its outward appearance turns into a crispy, golden-brown color when fried or browned and with grill marks when grilled, it softens significantly but it does not melt.

What fruit goes well with halloumi? ›

How to serve halloumi with fruit. Whoever discovered the divine matrimony of salty halloumi and sweet, crisp watermelon deserves a medal. This cooling salad sings with summery flavour and many textures. Experiment with different types of melon, or combine halloumi with citrus fruit, which also works a treat.

How to Serve Halloumi. Whether its raw, fried, or grilled, in Cyprus halloumi often accompanies cold beer, wine, or zivania (Cypriot tequila) and is always a part of a traditional Cypriot meze spread.

Cut the halloumi into three slices per person. Place the halloumi slices in a small bowl of cold water and leave to soak.

You can enjoy halloumi slices cold in the salad. So, if you're prepping your lunch before work, you won't need to worry about reheating the cheese for your halloumi salad. Can you eat halloumi raw? Yes, you can eat halloumi cheese without cooking it first!

Simply patting the haloumi dry with paper towel will remove some of the saltiness, but you can also place it in a bowl of cold water to remove more of the salt, if you prefer. Just soak for 5 minutes, then pat dry with paper towel – patting dry is important to ensure the lovely golden crispy edges!

Haloumi was created at a time before refrigeration when it was vital that foods were made to last. Thankfully, because haloumi was stored in salty brine it could keep for long periods without spoiling and early producers found that wrapping haloumi in mint leaves further helped to maintain its freshness and flavour.

After soaking, remove the halloumi from the water and allow it to drain. It's important to note that while soaking halloumi can help reduce its sodium content to some extent, it won't eliminate it entirely.

My halloumi is too tough / rubbery

This can happen when it's cooked for too long in the oven, so next time try a lower cook time or thicker slices. It can also happen when it's been sitting out for too long, or with reheated halloumi.