Halloumi Cheese Recipe Ideas | Tasty & Easy

Halloumi Cheese Recipe Ideas – Halloumi is a semi-hard, brined cheese made from a mixture of goat’s and sheep’s milk, sometimes with cow’s milk added. Known for its high melting point, it can be grilled, pan-fried, or baked without losing its shape, making it an excellent choice for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Recipe ideas with halloumi include grilled halloumi skewers paired with vegetables like peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes for a smoky, savory appetizer; pan-fried halloumi served over fresh salads with watermelon or pomegranate seeds for a refreshing sweet-and-salty combination; and halloumi burgers, where the cheese replaces meat in a sandwich layered with avocado, lettuce, and a tangy sauce. It also works well in wraps with hummus and roasted vegetables, or baked into Mediterranean-inspired casseroles with olives, herbs, and tomato sauce. Its versatility makes halloumi a star ingredient in both simple weekday meals and more elaborate spreads.

Halloumi Cheese Recipe Ideas

Grilled Halloumi with Lemon & Fresh Herbs

Credit @chef_zouheir

Description:
A light Mediterranean-inspired dish where salty, squeaky halloumi cheese is grilled until golden and caramelized, then brightened with lemon juice, olive oil, and fresh herbs. Perfect as an appetizer or side dish.

Ingredients:

• 250g halloumi cheese (sliced 1cm thick)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 tbsp fresh mint leaves, chopped

• Freshly ground black pepper

Cooking Steps:

1. Slice the halloumi into even slices to ensure uniform cooking.

2. Heat a grill pan (or outdoor grill) until very hot.

3. Brush each slice lightly with olive oil.

4. Place the halloumi slices on the grill and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until golden grill marks appear.

5. Transfer to a serving plate.

6. Drizzle with lemon juice and sprinkle with chopped parsley and mint.

7. Season with black pepper and serve warm.

Halloumi & Watermelon Salad

Credit @habibbeirutuae

Description:
A refreshing summer salad balancing salty, crispy halloumi with sweet, juicy watermelon, fresh herbs, and balsamic glaze.

Ingredients:

• 200g halloumi cheese (sliced into cubes)

• 2 cups watermelon (cut into cubes)

• 1 small cucumber (sliced)

• 1 handful fresh mint leaves

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Balsamic glaze (for drizzling)

Cooking Steps:

1. Heat a skillet with olive oil over medium heat.

2. Fry the halloumi cubes for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crispy.

3. On a large plate, arrange watermelon cubes, cucumber slices, and fried halloumi.

4. Scatter fresh mint leaves on top.

5. Drizzle with balsamic glaze just before serving.

Halloumi Fries with Garlic Yogurt Dip

Credit @boldshawarma

Description:
Crispy golden halloumi fries served with a creamy garlic yogurt dip – a pub-style snack or party appetizer.

Ingredients:

• 250g halloumi (cut into thick fries)

• ½ cup plain flour

• 1 tsp paprika

• ½ tsp black pepper

• Vegetable oil (for frying)

Dip:

• 1 cup Greek yogurt

• 1 garlic clove (minced)

• Juice of ½ lemon

• 1 tbsp olive oil

Cooking Steps:

1. Mix flour, paprika, and pepper in a shallow dish.

2. Coat halloumi fries in the flour mixture.

3. Heat oil in a deep pan until hot (180°C).

4. Fry halloumi in batches for 2–3 minutes until golden. Drain on paper towels.

5. Mix dip ingredients in a bowl until smooth.

6. Serve fries hot with garlic yogurt dip.

Halloumi & Vegetable Skewers

Credit @primedrecipes

Description:
Perfect for BBQs—skewers loaded with halloumi, peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes, char-grilled to smoky perfection.

Ingredients:

• 250g halloumi (cut into cubes)

• 1 red bell pepper (chunked)

• 1 yellow zucchini (sliced into half moons)

• 8 cherry tomatoes

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• Salt & pepper

Cooking Steps:

1. Soak wooden skewers in water for 20 minutes (to prevent burning).

2. Thread halloumi, peppers, zucchini, and tomatoes alternately onto skewers.

3. Brush with olive oil and season with oregano, salt, and pepper.

4. Grill on medium-high heat for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until vegetables are tender and cheese is golden.

5. Serve warm with pita or tzatziki.

Halloumi Shakshuka

Credit @feedmemontreal

Description:
A twist on the Middle Eastern classic—spiced tomato sauce with poached eggs and golden-fried halloumi slices.

Ingredients:

• 200g halloumi (sliced)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 onion (chopped)

• 2 garlic cloves (minced)

• 1 tsp cumin

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tin (400g) chopped tomatoes

• 4 eggs

• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Cooking Steps:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté onions until soft.

2. Add garlic, cumin, and paprika; cook for 1 minute.

3. Stir in tomatoes, season with salt, and simmer for 10 minutes until thickened.

4. Meanwhile, fry halloumi slices in a separate pan until golden on both sides.

5. Make 4 small wells in the tomato sauce and crack eggs into them.

6. Cover and cook until eggs are done to your liking.

7. Place fried halloumi around the skillet.

8. Garnish with parsley and serve with crusty bread.

Halloumi & Spinach Stuffed Peppers

Credit @annasfamilykitchen

Baked bell peppers filled with a cheesy halloumi-spinach mixture for a healthy, satisfying main dish.

Ingredients:

• 2 large bell peppers (halved and seeds removed)

• 150g halloumi (grated)

• 1 cup fresh spinach (chopped)

• 1 small onion (diced)

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)

Cooking Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).

2. In a pan, heat olive oil and sauté onion until translucent.

3. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Remove from heat.

4. Stir in grated halloumi and chili flakes.

5. Fill pepper halves with the mixture and place in a baking dish.

6. Bake for 25–30 minutes until peppers are tender and cheese is golden.

Halloumi & Pesto Pasta

Credit @carolcooks9319

Description:
A quick Italian-inspired dish where fried halloumi cubes are tossed with pasta, basil pesto, and cherry tomatoes.

Ingredients:

• 250g pasta (penne or fusilli)

• 200g halloumi (cubed)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tbsp pesto

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)

• Parmesan (optional)

Cooking Steps:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

2. Heat olive oil in a skillet and fry halloumi cubes until golden.

3. Add cherry tomatoes and sauté briefly.

4. Toss pasta with pesto, then add halloumi and tomatoes.

5. Mix well, sprinkle with Parmesan (if desired), and serve.

Halloumi Burger

Credit @altazahcharcoalchicken

Description:
A vegetarian burger with a thick slice of grilled halloumi replacing the patty, paired with fresh toppings and sauces.

Ingredients:

• 2 burger buns

• 2 thick slices of halloumi

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Lettuce leaves

• Tomato slices

• Red onion slices

• 2 tbsp tzatziki or garlic mayo

Cooking Steps:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet and fry halloumi slices for 2–3 minutes per side until golden.

2. Lightly toast burger buns.

3. Spread tzatziki/mayo on each bun.

4. Layer lettuce, tomato, onion, and grilled halloumi.

5. Close burger and serve hot with fries.

Halloumi Tacos

Credit @chef_zouheir

Description:
A Tex-Mex style fusion dish—crispy fried halloumi served in warm tortillas with slaw and spicy sauce.

Ingredients:

• 200g halloumi (cut into strips)

• 6 small tortillas

• 1 cup coleslaw mix

• 2 tbsp chipotle mayo or hot sauce

• 1 tbsp olive oil

Cooking Steps:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet and fry halloumi strips until crispy.

2. Warm tortillas in a dry pan or oven.

3. Fill each tortilla with coleslaw and fried halloumi.

4. Drizzle with chipotle mayo/hot sauce.

5. Serve immediately.

Halloumi & Chickpea Curry

Credit @kaleitwithkendra

Description:
A hearty vegetarian curry where cubes of halloumi replace paneer, simmered in a spiced tomato-coconut sauce with chickpeas.

Ingredients:

• 200g halloumi (cubed)

• 1 tin chickpeas (400g, drained)

• 1 onion (chopped)

• 2 garlic cloves (minced)

• 1 tsp curry powder

• 1 tsp garam masala

• 1 tin coconut milk (400ml)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

Cooking Steps:

1. Heat oil in a pot and fry halloumi cubes until golden. Remove and set aside.

2. In the same pot, sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.

3. Add curry powder and garam masala; cook 1 minute.

4. Stir in coconut milk and chickpeas. Simmer for 10 minutes.

5. Return halloumi to the pot and cook for another 5 minutes.

6. Serve hot with rice or naan bread.

Halloumi Pizza

Credit @bohemecesme

A cheesy homemade pizza topped with halloumi slices, olives, and roasted vegetables for a Mediterranean twist.

Ingredients:

• 1 pizza base (store-bought or homemade)

• 100g mozzarella

• 100g halloumi (sliced thin)

• ½ red onion (sliced)

• ½ cup olives

• 1 red pepper (roasted and sliced)

• ½ cup tomato sauce

Cooking Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F).

2. Spread tomato sauce on pizza base.

3. Add mozzarella, halloumi, onion, olives, and roasted pepper.

4. Bake for 12–15 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.

5. Slice and serve hot.