Whether you're hosting a dinner party or just looking for a quick and easy appetizer, these extra-crispy Halloumi Fries will hit the spot!
These golden strips of salty, squeaky cheese have a crispy outer layer and a warm, gooey center. And you only need four ingredients: halloumi cheese, flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs.
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Halloumi fries are delicious on their own, but they're even better when paired with a dipping sauce. They're the perfect choice for finger food or a healthy snack.
I've tried out different dipping sauces for my homemade extra crispy Halloumi fries, and let me tell you, my absolute favorite is a zesty spicy mayo with just a hint of lemon zest.
It perfectly complements the salty goodness of the cheese. And if you're feeling adventurous, why not try dipping them in tangy Cacik (Turkish Yogurt sauce) or sweet Thai Style Tomato Chili Jam to match your mood?
Ingredients You'll Need
Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.
- Halloumi - It is a firm, white cheese with a unique flavor and texture, made from sheep's milk. It doesn't melt when cooked and adds a meaty texture to dishes. They are widely available in supermarkets or Middle Eastern shops.
- Breadcrumbs - For breading, I use panko breadcrumbs because they're made from crustless white bread and have a larger grain than regular breadcrumbs. They have a light and airy texture and crisp up to a perfect golden brown. However, feel free to use any breadcrumbs you have on hand.
- Plain flour (all-purpose flour) - It helps the eggs stick better to halloumi pieces.
- Eggs - They help the breadcrumbs stick to halloumi strips.
How to Make Extra Crispy Halloumi Fries?
Start by cutting the halloumi cheese into thick strips, resembling fries. I get 16 strips out of two blocks of halloumi.
Prepare your workstation: On a small plate, mix together the plain white flour, freshly ground black pepper, and paprika. In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs until well combined. Place the panko breadcrumbs in another shallow bowl.
Take each halloumi strip and coat it first in the flour mixture, then dip it into the beaten eggs.
Coat it in the panko breadcrumbs, ensuring it's fully coated. Place them on a plate.
Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the coated halloumi strips into the pan in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
Fry the halloumi fries for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
Once cooked, remove the halloumi fries from the pan and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
Top Tips From the Chef
- Make sure to coat each halloumi strip evenly with the flour, egg, and breadcrumbs for a crispy outer layer.
- While breading the halloumi strips, you might need to take breaks to wash your hands once or twice.
- Preheat the oil to the correct temperature before frying the halloumi fries.
- Avoid overcrowding the frying pan by frying the halloumi fries in batches.
- This recipe works perfectly with other grilling cheeses such as paneer or queso panela.
What to Serve with Halloumi Fries?
You can have halloumi fries on their own, or pair with a variety of dipping sauces such as Haydari (Turkish Yogurt Dip), Toum - Lebanese Garlic Sauce, or sweet chili sauce.
They also go great with a side of Lebanese Fattoush Salad or Briam - Greek Roasted Vegetables for a substantial meal.
How to Store the Leftovers?
Allow the leftovers to cool completely at room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container or resealable bag and then place them in the refrigerator.
They can be stored in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. When ready to eat, you can reheat them in the oven or toaster oven until they are heated through and crispy again.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can prepare halloumi fries ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. However, for best results, it's recommended to fry them just before serving to maintain their crispy texture.
Yes, you can air fry halloumi fries for a healthier alternative to traditional frying. Simply coat them in breadcrumbs as usual and place them in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for about 13-14 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
Halloumi cheese is a semi-hard cheese that comes from Cyprus. It's made from sheep's and/or goat's milk and has a firm, slightly rubbery texture. When cooked, it gets crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Halloumi has a salty taste and is often grilled or fried. It's used in Mediterranean dishes like salads and sandwiches.
Related Recipes
For more delicious quick and easy appetizer recipes, why not try:
Pair it With
These are my favorite dips to serve with Extra Crispy Halloumi Fries:
Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.
I hope you enjoy the process of making these Extra Crispy Halloumi Fries as much as you enjoy eating them! 🙂
Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!
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Extra Crispy Halloumi Fries
Equipment
- 1 kitchen scale
- 1 measuring spoons
- 1 Measuring cups
Ingredients
- 1 lbs halloumi cheese (450 grams)
- ¼ cup plain white flour / all-purpose flour
- 2 small eggs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ cup oil for frying
Instructions
- Start by cutting the halloumi cheese into thick strips, resembling fries.
- Prepare your workstation: In a shallow bowl, mix together the plain white flour, freshly ground black pepper, and paprika. In another shallow bowl, beat the eggs until well combined. Place the panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow bowl.
- Take each halloumi strip and coat it first in the flour mixture, then dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally coat it in the panko breadcrumbs, ensuring it's fully coated. Place them on a plate.
- Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the coated halloumi strips into the pan in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
- Fry the halloumi fries for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Once cooked, remove the halloumi fries from the pan and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
Notes
- Make sure to coat each halloumi strip evenly with the flour, egg, and breadcrumbs for a crispy outer layer.
- While breading the halloumi strips, you might need to take breaks to wash your hands once or twice.
- Preheat the oil to the correct temperature before frying the halloumi fries.
- Avoid overcrowding the frying pan by frying the halloumi fries in batches.
- This recipe works perfectly with other grilling cheeses such as paneer or queso panela.
Dilara says
These halloumi fries were so crispy on the outside and soft inside. Really tasty and hard to stop eating.