Air-Fryer Halloumi: A Healthy, Quick-Fry Delight

Air frying halloumi is a convenient, hands-off way of cooking the cheese, which is known for its high melting point. It's also a lighter alternative to pan-frying, as it requires less oil and therefore has a lower fat content. You can brush or rub the halloumi with olive oil, season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, or mixed herbs, and cook in the air fryer for around 10 minutes, or until golden.

How to prepare halloumi for the air fryer

Halloumi is a semi-hard, unripened, brined cheese made from a mixture of goat's and sheep's milk from Cyprus. It has a high melting point and doesn't melt when heated, making it perfect for frying, grilling, and air frying.

Step 1: Cut the Halloumi

Cut the halloumi block into your desired shape and thickness. You can cut it into slices, cubes, strips, or wedges. If you're making halloumi fries, cut the block into thin slices, and then cut the slices into fries.

Step 2: Brush with Oil (Optional)

Halloumi can be cooked in the air fryer without oil, but brushing or rubbing both sides of the cheese with olive oil will help achieve a crispier texture. You can also use cooking spray or avocado oil spray as a lighter alternative.

Step 3: Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket

Place the halloumi pieces into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping or stacked. This allows the hot air to circulate around each piece, ensuring even cooking and crispiness.

Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend a temperature between 360°F and 400°F.

Step 5: Cook the Halloumi

Place the basket into the preheated air fryer and cook for 7-12 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness. For best results, flip the halloumi halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.

Step 6: Serve Immediately

Halloumi is best enjoyed right out of the air fryer while it's still hot and crispy. It can be served as an appetizer, side dish, or snack. It pairs well with something moist like juicy tomatoes, in a salad with dressing, or drizzled with honey for a sweet and salty combination.

Enjoy your crispy and delicious air-fried halloumi!

How long to cook halloumi in the air fryer for

Yes, you can cook halloumi in an air fryer! It's a hands-off and convenient way of cooking halloumi, and a great option for those looking to reduce fat and calories.

How long to cook halloumi in the air fryer:

The cooking time will depend on the size of your halloumi pieces. If you cut the halloumi into 6 equal slices, you should cook it for around 10-12 minutes at 180C/360F. If you are making halloumi fries or smaller cubes, you will need to reduce the cooking time. Check on your halloumi around the 7-8 minute mark to ensure it doesn't overcook.

If you cut the halloumi into 1/2-inch thick slices, you should air fry at 380F for 8 to 10 minutes. You can flip the halloumi halfway through to ensure even cooking. If you want crispier halloumi, you can add 1 to 2 extra minutes to the cooking time.

It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the brand and size of your air fryer, so keep an eye on your halloumi to ensure it doesn't overcook.

Tips for cooking halloumi in the air fryer:

• Before cooking, pat the halloumi dry using kitchen paper or a clean cloth, then brush or rub with oil.
• Season with salt, pepper, and any desired flavourings, such as smoked paprika or mixed herbs.
• Ensure your air fryer is preheated to the desired temperature before adding the halloumi.
• Do not overlap the halloumi pieces in the air fryer basket. Space them out evenly to ensure even cooking.
• Serve immediately. Halloumi is best enjoyed right out of the air fryer while it's still hot and crispy.

Serving suggestions:

• Drizzle with honey for a sweet and salty combination.
• Serve with hummus or tzatziki, fresh grapes, or sliced cherry tomatoes.
• Add to salads, wraps, sandwiches, or mezze platters.
• Use as a topping for scrambled eggs on toast or avocado toast.
• Include in a curry or pasta dish.
• Enjoy as an appetizer or side dish.

How to serve air-fried halloumi

Air-fried halloumi is a great appetiser, lunch, or side dish. It is a healthier alternative to pan-fried halloumi, as it is less oily and has a lower fat content.

• Drizzle with honey for a sweet and salty appetiser.
• Serve with hummus or tzatziki on salads, wraps, or a mezze platter.
• Top with a romesco or bravas sauce for a tapas-style treat.
• Serve in a sandwich or wrap with avocado and tomato.
• As a topping for scrambled eggs on toast, with some fresh salsa.
• As an avocado toast topping.
• As part of a substantial salad, such as a Halloumi & Black Bean Salad or a Beet Noodle Salad with Halloumi.
• With pasta. Try a Cherry Tomato & Halloumi Pasta or swap the burrata in a Bruschetta Pasta.
• With curry. It can be added to a Butter Halloumi Curry or any curry that calls for paneer, such as a Kale or Spinach Paneer Curry.
• With zoodles instead of carbs. Try Sarah's Halloumi Bruschetta Zoodles.
• With sliced cherry tomatoes and freshly chopped herbs, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

When preparing your halloumi, you can cut it into six equal slices, or cut each slice in half to make halloumi fries. You can also cut it into smaller cubes. Brush the halloumi with olive oil and cook in the air fryer for 7-12 minutes, until golden brown.

How to store leftover air-fried halloumi

Storing leftover air-fried halloumi is simple. It's best to eat it straight after cooking, but if you need to store it, place it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.

If you've cooked too much, don't worry—you can reheat it in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes.

You can also freeze halloumi, although this may affect the texture and flavour. To freeze, wrap it tightly in waxed paper, parchment paper, or cheese wrap. Then, when you're ready to eat it, thaw it in the refrigerator for a day before letting it return to room temperature.

The best type of air fryer to use

When it comes to choosing the best type of air fryer to cook halloumi, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, it is important to ensure that the air fryer has a temperature control setting. Halloumi is best cooked at temperatures between 180-390°C, so an air fryer that allows you to set the temperature within this range is ideal.

Secondly, consider the size of the air fryer basket. Halloumi should not be overcrowded in the basket, as it needs space for the hot air to circulate and crisp up the cheese properly. Therefore, choosing an air fryer with a larger basket size can be beneficial, especially if you plan on cooking larger batches of halloumi.

Additionally, look for an air fryer with a non-stick coating or basket. This will make cleaning easier, as halloumi can sometimes stick to the surface and leave a cheesy residue.

Other features to consider include timer settings, automatic shut-off, and adjustable racks or baskets. These features can vary depending on the brand and model of the air fryer, so it is worth comparing a few options to find the one that best suits your needs.

Some popular air fryer brands include Philips, Ninja, and Cosori. They offer a range of models with different features and price points, so you can find one that fits your requirements and budget.

Overall, the best type of air fryer to use for cooking halloumi is one that has temperature control, a spacious basket, and a non-stick coating. By choosing an air fryer with these features, you can ensure that your halloumi turns out crispy and golden brown every time.

Frequently asked questions