This crispy air fryer halloumi is soft on the inside, golden on the outside, and ready in 10 minutes. Top it with a drizzle of honey for the best sweet and salty appetizer or side dish. The easiest and best way to cook halloumi cheese!
Best ever crispy air fryer halloumi recipe
I love halloumi cheese! It’s salty, flavorful, and easy to cook. Halloumi is the perfect cheese for frying, grilling, and air frying since it has a high melting point and doesn’t melt when cooked like most cheeses. Once air-fried, the halloumi is warm, soft, and crispy on the outside.
Air fryer halloumi is the perfect side dish for any meal or appetizer. I love drizzling mine with some raw honey for a sweet and salty combination. But you can also serve halloumi with hummus, tzatziki, on salads, in wraps, or on a mezze platter.
The best part is that this air fryer halloumi takes under 10 minutes to make, and it’s healthier than other recipes because we are not frying it in a lot of oil. Typical recipes call for 1/4 up of frying oil; this recipe calls for cooking spray or 1 teaspoon of olive oil. It’s lighter and healthy.
Let’s not forget that air fryer halloumi is also keto, low-carb, and gluten-free. Everyone will love this recipe (trust me)!
Why you’ll love this air fryer recipe:
- The halloumi is soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.
- Ready in under 10 minutes.
- Only two ingredients.
- Oil-free option.
- Healthy and lighter than other fried halloumi recipes.
- Perfect for salads and bowls.
- Serve as an appetizer or side dish.
- Or you can serve it in a sandwich, wrap, or with eggs.
- 100% gluten-free.
- Halloumi is keto too.
- Try these homemade air fryer mozzarella sticks next!
Ingredients needed
This is seriously the best-ever air fryer halloumi recipe! You only need two ingredients: halloumi cheese and olive oil. I like using olive oil spray to lighten this recipe up even further! Here is a list of everything you need so you are prepared:
- Halloumi: Grab one 8oz block of halloumi cheese. Halloumi is a sheep and goat milk cheese that doesn’t melt when cooked; it gets crispy and warm.
- Olive Oil or Cooking Spray: I like using olive oil or avocado oil spray to help crispen up the outside of the halloumi as it air fries. You can also use 1 to 2 teaspoons of olive oil.
Kitchen tools required
Here is a list of kitchen utensils you will need to make this 10-minute air fryer halloumi. Clean up is so easy.
- Air Fryer
- Tongs
- Measuring Tools: 1 teaspoon.
How to cook air fryer halloumi
Air fryer halloumi takes under 10 minutes to make! Any level cook can make them since it’s so easy to prepare. I love serving it as an appetizer and as a side dish. Here are detailed step-by-step instructions with pictures for visual reference so anyone can make it. The full recipe and ingredient measurements are at the bottom of this page in the recipe card.
Step 1:
First, preheat your air fryer to 380°F.
Step 2:
Then, cut the halloumi block into ½-inch thick slices. If you are using olive oil, lightly brush both sides with olive oil. If you are using a spray, lightly spray both sides.
Step 3:
After that, evenly space the halloumi pieces in the preheated air fryer basket. NO OVERLAPPING!
Step 4:
Air fry at 380°F for 8 to 10 minutes; I like to flip mine halfway through with tongs so they are evenly golden. They should be golden, not burnt. You can add 1 to 2 extra minutes IF you want the halloumi to be crispier.
Serve immediately on top of a salad or on its own with a drizzle of honey (if you like sweet). Enjoy!
Expert tips for perfectly crispy air fryer halloumi
- Preheat your air fryer. This ensures that the halloumi pieces are golden and cooked for the right amount of time. If you skip this step, the cook time will increase.
- Flip the halloumi halfway through. This ensures that both sides of the halloumi are golden and crispy.
- Cut the halloumi into 1/2-inch thick pieces (nothing thinner). If you cut the halloumi cheese thinner than half an inch, it will shrivel, and the edges will burn in the air fryer.
- Don’t skip out on the olive oil spray or olive oil. I like using olive oil or avocado oil spray for this recipe to lighten it up and make it “oil-free,” but you can also use olive oil. Don’t skip out on the spray or olive oil because it’s essential in making the halloumi golden and crispy.
What is halloumi cheese?
Halloumi (also called “grilling cheese”) is a traditional sheep and goat’s milk cheese from Cyprus. It is salty, squeaky, and creamy. Halloumi has a high melting point, making it perfect for air frying, grilling, and frying since it won’t melt when cooked.
How to serve air fryer halloumi
Air fryer halloumi is a fantastic appetizer and side dish. I love drizzling halloumi with honey for that classic sweet and salty combination and serving it alone or with some fresh grapes. But you can also serve halloumi with hummus, tzatziki, on salads, in grain bowls, in wraps, in sandwiches, with eggs for breakfast, on a mezze platter, or with grilled vegetables, chicken, salmon, shrimp, or lamb. Here are a few recipes to check out:
- Orzo Pesto Salad – substitute the mozzarella with halloumi
- Kale Crunch Salad
- Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl
- Balsamic Grilled Peach Salad
- Greek Yogurt Chicken
Frequently Asked Questions
What does halloumi taste like?
Halloumi is a salty, creamy, and mild cheese. It tastes similar to creamy sheep or goat’s cheese but has a firmer texture. It is not as tangy and strong as feta.
What’s the texture of air fryer halloumi?
Air fryer halloumi has a soft (not gooey or runny) center and a golden, crispy exterior. It doesn’t melt when cooked.
Where to buy halloumi cheese?
You can buy halloumi (also called “grilling cheese”) at any grocery store in the refrigerated cheese section. It is typically sold in an 8-ounce packaged block.
What’s the best substitute for halloumi cheese?
If you plan on air frying, grilling, or frying the cheese, kefalotyri is the best substitute for halloumi. Kefalotyri is a salty, white cheese made from sheep or goat’s milk. It is harder in texture than halloumi but has a high-melting point, making it the best substitute.
What is grilling cheese?
Grilling cheese is another name for halloumi. It is called grilling cheese since it doesn’t melt when cooked because of its high melting point.
Can I make it ahead of time?
I don’t recommend making air fryer halloumi ahead of time. It is best enjoyed straight out of the air fryer or within 5 to 10 minutes of cooking since you want to serve it warm.
What’s the best temperature to air fry halloumi cheese?
For best results, air fry halloumi at 380°F. If the temperature is too low, the halloumi won’t crispen up. If the temperature is too high, it can burn.
How long do I air fry halloumi at 380°F?
Halloumi takes about 8 to 10 minutes to air fry at 380°F.
What’s the best way to cook halloumi cheese?
You can grill, pan-fry, or air-fry halloumi. Air frying is the best way to cook halloumi cheese since it is the easiest, quickest, and healthiest way. You don’t have to wait for oil or for a grill to to heat.
Is halloumi keto?
Yes, halloumi cheese is keto since it is low-carb.
Is halloumi vegan?
No, halloumi cheese is not vegan since it is made with sheep or goat’s milk.
How to store & reheat:
Storing: I highly recommend portioning out and air-frying the amount of cheese you are going to eat. Air fryer halloumi is best enjoyed straight out of the air fryer. If you need to store extras, add it to a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 – 5 minutes until warm again.
If you love this recipe, try these next!
- Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
- Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
- Air Fryer Quesadillas
- Goat Cheese & Pesto Crusted Chicken
- Chicken and Broccoli Lasagna
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
Air Fryer Halloumi
Ingredients
- 1 (8oz) block halloumi cheese
- Olive oil, avocado oil spray, or 1 tsp of olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F.
- Cut the halloumi block into ½-inch thick slices. If you are using olive oil, lightly brush both sides with olive oil. If you are using spray, lightly spray both sides.
- Evenly space the halloumi pieces in the preheated air fryer basket. NO OVERLAPPING!
- Air fry at 380°F for 8 to 10 minutes, I like to flip mine halfway through with tongs so they are evenly golden. They should be golden, not burnt. You can add 1 to 2 extra minutes IF you want the halloumi to be crispier.
- Serve immediately on top of a salad or on it’s own with a drizzle of honey (if you like sweet). Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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