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These crispy halloumi bites are inspired by one of my favorite British pub snacks. And you don’t even have to fry them! You can crisp them up in the oven or even an air fryer. Serve them up with red pepper jelly and enjoy them with a cold, crisp beer. You and your friends are gonna love these!

A green platter of crispy halloumi bites and a brown bowl of red pepper jelly next to glasses of white wine, an orange linen, a brown plate, and a brown bowl of pistachios on a brown marble counter.

The first time I ever tried halloumi was when I was studying abroad in London. I had never heard of halloumi in my life, but the second I learned that it was cheese, I ordered it ASAP. And then it was over, I was hooked.

After I came home, I went years without my halloumi fix, because it used to be impossible to find in the States. It wasn’t until my post-college Europe trip that I finally got to have it again in Greece and all over Europe! Luckily, it’s way easier to find over the past few years, so I can have it any time I want.

This recipe uses the same dredging technique that I’ve been using ever since I was in culinary school. I don’t necessarily love dredging, but it actually goes pretty quick in this recipe. I can honestly prep a whole batch in like, 15 minutes.

Once it’s “fried” up and crispy, serve the bites with red pepper jelly (my fave!) or chili sauce. You can also drizzle them with some bourbon hot honey for a sweet and savory combo. Of course, they’re good as-is, but I also like to serve them with other Mediterranean-inspired appetizers like Spanish meatballs and citrusy marinated Spanish olives.

PDO label

A package of halloumi on a tan counter.

Some halloumi is better than others. So to make sure you’re getting the good stuff, look for the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) label! That’s the best way to know that you’re getting real Cyprus halloumi.

You can find halloumi in the artisan cheese section of well-stocked grocery stores or at cheese shops. Sometimes I can even find it at Costco or Trader Joe’s!

Oven-fried instructions

Cheese cubes on a wood board.
Start by slicing the halloumi cheese into 1-inch cubes.
A hand using paper towels to dry halloumi cubes on a wood board.
Pat the cheese with clean towels until it’s nice and dry.
A white bowl of flour with cheese cubes next to white bowls of cheese, breadcrumbs, and whisked eggs on a tan counter.
Toss the dried halloumi cubes in the all-purpose flour.
Cubes of halloumi in a white bowl of whisked eggs next to a white bowl of flour, white bowl of breadcrumbs, and sheet pan on a beige table.
Then, drench the cheese cubes in the whisked eggs.
Raw halloumi bites in a white bowl of breadcrumbs next to white bowls of cheese, eggs, and flour on a tan table.
Toss the halloumi in the breadcrumb mixture.
A platter of crispy halloumi cheese bites next to a brown bowl of red pepper jelly.
Bake at 425°F (218°C) for 20-25 minutes, until crispy.

For bites that are gooey in the center, I like to slice the cheese into 1-inch cubes. If you go smaller, the cheese could dry out or become too rubbery.

A hand dipping a cheese bite into a white bowl of red pepper jelly on a green platter of crispy halloumi bites next to an orange linen, glass of white wine, and brown bowl of pistachios on a tan marble table.

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Super Crispy Halloumi Cheese Bites

Yield: 30 bites
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
These are the crispiest halloumi cheese bites! With seasoned breadcrumbs, they are crunchy, melty, and amazing with a side of red pepper jelly or chili sauce. And, you don't even have to fry them! Just bake them up in the oven or air fryer. These are a crowd-pleaser at any party!
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Ingredients

  • 1 pound halloumi cheese (450 grams)
  • 1 1/2 cups Panko breadcrumbs (100 grams)
  • 2 Tablespoons sesame seeds (15 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Kosher salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (50 grams)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 Tablespoon whole milk or water (15 milligrams)
  • Olive oil or olive oil cooking spray as needed
  • Pepper jelly or chili sauce for serving

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
  • Use a sharp knife to slice the halloumi into 1-inch cubes. Dry them very well with a clean towel or paper towels. Set aside.
  • Then, prepare the dredging station. Combine the Panko breadcrumbs, sesame seeds, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Pour the flour into a small bowl. In another small bowl, whisk the eggs and milk or water until smooth.
  • Working in batches, toss the halloumi cubes with the flour until all of the sides are well-coated. Tap off any extra flour, and dip the cheese cubes in the egg mixture. Let any extra egg drip off the cheese, and then toss the cheese cubes with the breadcrumbs, making sure all sides are well-coated.
  • Line the halloumi bites on the prepared sheet pan. Drizzle the halloumi bites with olive oil, or spray them with olive oil cooking spray.
  • Bake the halloumi bites for 15 minutes. Then, flip the bites and bake them for another 5-10 minutes, until the cheese cubes are crispy on the outside and melty in the centers.
  • Serve the bites right away with red pepper jelly or chili sauce. Enjoy!

Notes

For the best halloumi, look for the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) label. You can find halloumi in the artisan cheese section of well-stocked grocery stores or at cheese shops.
For bites that are gooey in the center, slice the cheese into 1-inch cubes. If you go smaller, the cheese could dry out or become too rubbery.
Feel free to switch up the seasonings with whatever you like! This recipe is flexible.
You can also air fry the bites at 350°F (177°C) for 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.
 
 
Cuisine: American, greek
Course: Appetizer
Author: Sara Lynn Hunt Broka
Serving: 1bite, Calories: 64kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 5mg, Sodium: 234mg, Potassium: 10mg, Calcium: 158mg
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