These halloumi fries make for a great appetizer or finger food to serve guests. Easy to make and super fun to eat! My fries are baked in the oven for maximum crunch and a healthier version of the fried cheese sticks you get at restaurants.
What is halloumi?
It’s basically a white firm cheese made from sheep’s milk. It has a salty taste (which usually fades when cooked) and a rubbery texture, and it’s often referred to as the “grilling cheese” because it doesn’t melt when grilled!
I have so many memories of weekend breakfasts with my dad grilling halloumi cheese and eating it with Arabic pita bread. Now I’m thrilled to see it becoming a super popular trending food. It’s popping up on so many restaurant menus lately, and rightfully so!
- It has a unique flavor and texture
- It doesn’t melt, making it so versatile for recipes
- And it adds a meaty texture to otherwise plain salads or meals.
Ok, now that we have a proper introduction to halloumi down, let’s get into the fries part of these Halloumi fries. Or you can also call them Halloumi sticks. This recipe is basically inspired by traditional mozzarella sticks, but I decided to use halloumi cheese instead of mozzarella cheese. And I added some toasted sesame seeds on the outside for added crispy factor, and I guess, added Mediterranean factor.
How To Make Halloumi Fries
To make the halloumi fries, just set up an assembly line of flour, egg wash and panko bread crumbs with sesame seeds. Then bake in the oven until the fries are golden and crispy.
You can eat these halloumi fries alone, but I whipped up a quick homemade marinara sauce to go with it.
TopTips for Making Halloumi Fries
- When coating the halloumi, keep one hand wet and one dry so that you don’t get into a sticky mess!
- Don’t let the fries touch when you place them on the baking sheet.
- Bake the fries in a pre-heated oven for the best results.
- Serve immediately
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in halloumi fries?
This recipe makes four servings, and each serving, with dip, is less than 100 calories so they make a great party food. They aren’t exactly a health food, but they are delicious and cheesy and perfect for a treat!
Can you make halloumi fries ahead of time?
These fries are best served straight out of the oven so that they are super crispy and the cheese is perfectly soft. You can dredge the cheese ahead of time though, place them on the baking tray and keep the covered in the fridge and then pop them in the oven when you are ready to serve.
Can you eat halloumi fries cold?
If you do have any leftovers, you can keep them in the fridge in an airtight container for two or three days. To have them cold, I prefer to chop them up and add to a salad – YUM!
I’m making a few other recipes with halloumi because it’s so widely available in stores now, and I don’t have to wait to visit the local Lebanese stores in Dearborn Michigan to buy it. One of my favorite halloumi recipes already on the blog is the Zaatar Spring Rolls which are stuffed with halloumi cheese. After you make these halloumi fries, head to that recipe and try the spring rolls…YUM!
More fries recipes
If you make this healthy-ish feelgood Halloumi Fries recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories!
Halloumi Fries
Ingredients
Halloumi Sticks
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1 egg beaten
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 9 oz block halloumi cheese cut into sticks
Zaatar Marinara Sauce
- 3 to tomatoes
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 Tbsp zaatar
- ¼ cup fresh basil
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
Halloumi Sticks
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the flour in one small bowl, the eggs in another bowl and the flour in a third bowl. Add the sesame seeds to the flour and stir to combine.
- Dredge the halloumi sticks in the flour, shake off excess, then into the eggs, and finally into the panko sesame seed mixture.
- Place the halloumi sticks on the prepared baking sheet and bake until the sesame seeds become golden, about 20 minutes.
Zaatar Marinara Sauce
- Preheat the oven to 425°F
- Place tomatoes in the roasting pan; add garlic cloves, basil, zaatar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss with your hands.
- Place the pan in the oven and roast until tomatoes have reduced and are starting to get a few black edges, about 45 to 50 minutes. The pan should still have some juices, not be dry.
Video
Notes
- When coating the halloumi, keep one hand wet and one dry so that you don't get into a sticky mess!
- Don't let the fries touch when you place them on the baking sheet.
- Bake the fries in a pre-heated oven for the best results.
- Serve immediately
