The Most Amazing Hot Honey Halloumi Appetizer
This post might have affiliate links. For full details please see my disclosure policy.
If I ever need a quick-and-easy appetizer that also impresses, I turn to this hot honey halloumi. First of all, halloumi is probably one of the best cheeses of all time. And then when it’s pan-fried until golden-brown and drizzled with a sticky honey-sesame glaze? It’s unbelievable, you need to make this ASAP!
This past week, I made a giant charcuterie board for my cousin’s wedding, visited a new cheese shop in town, and ate approximately two pounds worth of halloumi. I’m obviously not lactose-intolerant, but I do feel like I might be testing the boundaries here.
Needless to say, if you’ve been here, you know that I love cheese. And I especially love cheese appetizers! But when I really want to impress, I pull out halloumi.
If you’ve never had halloumi before, you need to add some to your cart as soon as humanly possible. It’s a sheep and goat’s milk cheese from Cyprus that is salty, tangy, and absolutely delicious. It also has a super unique texture, because you can fry or even grill it for a crisp outside and soft, melty inside. It also has a signature ‘squeaky’ texture, which I know sounds weird, but trust me, it’s totally addictive!
The sauce is inspired by a honey-sesame concoction that I started making to drizzle over feta when I was in culinary school. But now, I use hot honey, because a little spice is always welcome. And while this app would be amazing with some crusty bread, you can also make it with other Mediterranean-inspired appetizers like Spanish meatballs or this lemony artichoke bruschetta!
Where to find halloumi
Luckily, halloumi is way easier to find in the U.S. than it used to be! I can find it at pretty much any well-stocked grocery store these days, but you can also find it at cheese shops. Sometimes even at Costco!
Something to know about halloumi is that it’s not all created equal. For the legit stuff, you want to look for the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) label. This is the only way to know that the cheese is sourced from Cyprus!
Pan frying the cheese
Don’t overcook the cheese, or it’ll get dry and rubbery. You want to fry it over medium-high heat just until the cheese has a golden-brown crust and a melty center!
Hot honey glaze
You’ll want to serve the halloumi right away! The longer it sits, the harder the cheese will get. This is definitely something I would make while you’re chatting with friends over wine. 🙂
If you make this recipe, I would love it if you left a star rating and review! I read every single comment and love hearing what you think about my recipes. Thank you for supporting Sunday Table!
Easy Hot Honey Halloumi Appetizer
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons hot honey, store-bought or homemade (40 milliliters)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- Freshly-cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 pound halloumi cheese (450 grams)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil (30 milliliters)
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Red pepper flakes, for garnish
Equipment
Instructions
- Whisk the hot honey, sesame oil, and black pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Then, use a sharp knife to thinly slice the halloumi into 8-9 rectangles. Slice the rectangles diagonally to make triangles, or in half to make squares. Then, use a clean cloth or paper towels to pat the halloumi dry.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place slices of halloumi in the hot pan, but be sure not to overcrowd the pan! Sear the halloumi for 2-3 minutes, until it's golden brown. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the cheese is hot and golden brown on both sides. (If your pan isn't big enough, work in batches as needed.)
- Transfer the hot halloumi to a serving platter. Drizzle the halloumi with the hot honey-sesame glaze and garnish with sesame seeds and red pepper flakes, to taste. Enjoy right away!
