Tillie Doyle
Halloumi is a semi-hard, semi-firm, salty cheese, traditionally made from goat or sheep’s milk or a combination of both. It is known for its high melting point, making it ideal for frying or grilling. Halloumi can be cooked in a frying pan in a few minutes, making it a quick and easy dish to prepare. The cheese can be fried in a pan with or without oil, depending on the desired texture and taste. Frying halloumi results in a crispy, golden exterior and a warm, creamy, gooey, or soft centre.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | 5 minutes or less |
| Pan | Non-stick pan |
| Oil | Olive oil |
| Temperature | Medium to medium-high heat |
| Thickness | Thick slices (0.5-1 cm) |
| Cooking time | 1-2 minutes per side |
| Colour | Golden brown |
| Texture | Crispy on the surface and gooey inside |
| Serving | Drizzle of honey |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Use a non-stick pan
Halloumi is a semi-hard, semi-firm, or firm cheese with a high melting point, which makes it ideal for frying. It is a versatile cheese that can be cooked in different ways, including baked, grilled, or fried. It is a popular ingredient in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, where it is often served as mezze or as part of a savory Mediterranean breakfast.
Halloumi can be cooked in a non-stick pan without adding any oil—this is called a "dry fry." However, cooking halloumi in oil makes it very delicious and results in a better texture. To fry halloumi in a non-stick pan, follow these steps:
- Slice the halloumi into thick sticks or slices, about half a centimeter to one centimeter thick. Thick slices are recommended because thinner slices may dry up and become hard.
- Heat olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Do not use extra virgin olive oil, as it has a low smoke point.
- When the oil is shimmering, add the raw halloumi slices in a single layer in the hot pan. Do not overcrowd the pan, as this will help the halloumi brown evenly.
- Cook the halloumi for 1-2 minutes per side or until golden brown. Keep an eye on the crust so it does not get too dark.
- Use a spatula to carefully flip the halloumi. Halloumi is delicate, so handle it carefully when flipping to avoid breaking it.
- Once the other side is golden brown, remove the halloumi from the pan and place it on a plate.
- Drizzle extra virgin olive oil or warm honey over the halloumi. You can also add seasonings such as dried herbs, ground cumin, smoked paprika, zatar, or sumac.
- Serve immediately. Fried halloumi is best enjoyed fresh, as it will become rubbery when it cools.
By following these steps, you can enjoy delicious, golden-brown, crispy-on-the-outside, and soft-and-gooey-on-the-inside halloumi prepared in a non-stick pan.
Scoville Pans: Oven-Safe?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Add olive oil for flavour
Halloumi is a semi-hard, semi-firm, salty cheese, traditionally made from goat or sheep's milk, or a combination of both. It is a non-melting cheese with a high melting point, which makes it ideal for frying.
You can cook halloumi in a frying pan without adding any oil, especially if you are using a non-stick pan. However, cooking halloumi in olive oil makes it very delicious and results in a better texture.
To cook halloumi in a frying pan with olive oil, start by heating a little olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium to medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the raw halloumi slices in a single layer in the hot pan. Do not overcrowd the pan! Thick slices (about half a centimetre to a centimetre thick) are recommended as they go nice and gooey in the middle.
Cook the halloumi for 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown, and use a spatula to carefully flip the halloumi, keeping an eye on the crust so it does not get too dark. Once fried, you can transfer the halloumi to a serving plate and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil or warmed honey. Serve immediately!
The Perfect Brownie: Getting Them Out Intact
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Fry for 1-2 minutes each side
Halloumi is a semi-hard, semi-firm, salty cheese, traditionally made from goat or sheep's milk or a combination of both. It is known for its high melting point, which makes it ideal for frying. When frying halloumi, it is important to note that it should be cooked for 1-2 minutes on each side. This will ensure that the cheese is browned and has a crispy texture.
To achieve the perfect fried halloumi, start by slicing the halloumi into thick sticks or slices, about 0.5 to 1 centimetre thick. Thick slices are recommended as they tend to get nice and gooey in the middle, while thinner slices may dry up and become hard. You can also cut the halloumi into small cubes if your recipe calls for it.
Next, heat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. You can use a regular frying pan or a griddle pan to get perfect grill marks. Add a small layer of olive oil to the pan, though halloumi can also be dry-fried without any oil due to its high-fat content. However, using oil will enhance the flavour and give it a beautiful golden crust.
Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the halloumi slices in a single layer in the pan. Cook the halloumi for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Keep an eye on the crust to ensure it doesn't get too dark. Use a spatula to carefully flip the halloumi, as it is delicate and may break.
Finally, serve the fried halloumi immediately. It is best enjoyed fresh, as it can harden and become rubbery when cooled. Fried halloumi is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, with sweet or savoury toppings, or used in sandwiches, wraps, or salads.
Pasta Water Ratio: How Much?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Drizzle with honey
Yes, you can cook halloumi in a frying pan. It is a versatile cheese that can be cooked in different ways, including baking, grilling, or frying.
Halloumi is a white, semi-hard, salty cheese, traditionally made from goat or sheep’s milk or a combination of both. It has a rubbery, squeaky texture when eaten raw, but when fried, it becomes soft and savoury. It is the perfect cheese for grilling or frying because of its high melting point.
To cook halloumi in a frying pan, heat some olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, place the halloumi slices in the pan and fry for about 2 minutes on each side or until golden and crispy. Transfer the halloumi to a serving plate.
To make the honey topping, warm some honey in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Drizzle the warmed honey over the fried halloumi. You can also add some thyme and chilli flakes for extra flavour.
Halloumi is best served immediately. It is a tasty, easy dish that can be ready in 5 minutes or less.
Stackable Pans: Instant Pot-Friendly?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Serve immediately
Halloumi is best served immediately—within a few minutes of cooking, it can become squeaky and harden as it cools.
Once you've cooked your halloumi to a beautiful golden brown, transfer it to a serving plate and drizzle with honey. You can also sprinkle with fresh thyme and a pinch of red pepper or chilli flakes. If you're serving it as a starter, add a side of warm pita bread, olives, and good olive oil.
If you're serving it as an appetizer, it goes well with watermelon or juicy tomatoes, in wraps, or as part of a mezze platter. You can also add sesame seeds and fruit to make a nice appetizer platter.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat in a pan over medium heat before serving, or cut it up and serve in a cold wrap or make a halloumi salad.
Restore Your Copper Pan: Clean the Inside of a Burned Pan
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, halloumi is a semi-hard, semi-firm, or firm cheese with a high melting point, which makes it ideal for frying.
You can dry fry halloumi, but it's recommended to use olive oil for extra flavor. Heat a non-stick pan to medium-high heat, then add the halloumi slices in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown, then flip carefully with a spatula. Serve immediately.
Halloumi has a salty flavor, so it goes well with something sweet like honey. It can also be served with thyme, red pepper or chili flakes, or olive oil for dipping. It can be served as an appetizer, with watermelon or tomatoes, in wraps, or as part of a mezze platter.
