Grilling Halloumi In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Halloumi is a semi-hard, unripened, brined cheese made from a mixture of goat's and sheep's milk from Cyprus. It is known for its grilling or heating capabilities as it keeps its shape when heated. Air frying is a convenient and healthier way of cooking halloumi, as it requires less oil. It is also a lot easier to cook halloumi in an air fryer as it doesn't require flipping or constant attention.

How to prepare halloumi for the air fryer

Air-fried halloumi is a delicious, healthier alternative to pan-fried halloumi. It's easy to make, with very little prep required.

Step 1: Cut the Halloumi

First, cut the halloumi into slices or cubes. For slices, cut the block of halloumi lengthways and then widthways to create six equal slices. You can also cut the halloumi into wider, flatter slices by cutting six slices vertically. Alternatively, cut the halloumi into smaller cubes or fry-shaped pieces for a shorter cooking time.

Step 2: Dry the Halloumi

Use a paper towel or a clean cloth to pat the halloumi dry. This will help ensure that the halloumi doesn't become too oily during cooking.

Step 3: Season the Halloumi

Brush or rub both sides of the halloumi slices with olive oil. You can also season the halloumi with salt and pepper, smoked paprika, or mixed herbs for added flavour.

Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C). You can also preheat to a higher temperature, such as 400F or 390F (200C), depending on how golden and crispy you want the halloumi to be.

Step 5: Place the Halloumi in the Air Fryer

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the halloumi slices in the basket, ensuring they don't touch or overlap. You may need to cook the halloumi in batches.

Step 6: Cook the Halloumi

Cook the halloumi for 7-10 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. For a more well-done texture, cook for 8-12 minutes, flipping the halloumi over halfway through. Keep an eye on the halloumi to ensure it doesn't overcook and become rubbery.

Step 7: Serve the Halloumi

Remove the halloumi from the air fryer and serve immediately. Air-fried halloumi goes well with sliced cherry tomatoes, freshly chopped herbs, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze. It can be served as an appetizer, lunch, or dinner and is a great addition to salads, sandwiches, or grain bowls. Enjoy!

How long to cook halloumi in the air fryer

Cooking times for halloumi in an air fryer vary depending on the brand and size of your air fryer, as well as the size and shape of your halloumi pieces. However, a general rule of thumb is to cook halloumi in the air fryer for around 10 minutes, and no more than 15 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer

Before you start cooking, preheat your air fryer to 180°C (360°F) or 200°C. This should take around five minutes.

Prepare the halloumi

Cut the halloumi into your desired shape and thickness. For salads, you might want to cut the halloumi into six equal slices, or into smaller cubes. If you're making halloumi fries, cut the block into six slices, then cut each slice in half lengthways.

Once you've cut your halloumi, pat it dry with kitchen paper or a clean cloth, then brush or rub both sides with olive oil. You can also season the halloumi with salt and pepper, or spices like smoked paprika or mixed herbs, if desired.

Cooking the halloumi

Place the halloumi in the air fryer basket, making sure the pieces don't overlap or touch. Cook for 7-10 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. For best results, flip the halloumi over halfway through cooking.

Keep a close eye on the halloumi during the cooking process, as you don't want to overcook it. Overcooked halloumi can become rubbery.

What to serve with air-fried halloumi

Air-fried halloumi is a delicious treat, and there are plenty of ways to serve it. Here are some ideas for what to serve with your air-fried halloumi:

Salads

Halloumi is a great addition to a salad, providing a salty, savoury flavour and a robust, meaty texture. Try serving it with a simple salad of mixed herbs and cherry tomatoes, or a more substantial salad such as a couscous salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, olives, and feta cheese. You could also make a halloumi and watermelon bulgur salad, combining the salty halloumi with sweet, crisp watermelon.

Sandwiches and Wraps

Halloumi works well in a sandwich or wrap, especially with avocado and tomato. You could also add red peppers, aubergine, hummus, and harissa.

Eggs

Halloumi is a tasty addition to scrambled eggs on toast, especially with some fresh salsa or served on avocado toast. You could also try a halloumi omelette with pumpkin and chilli, or a meatless Cobb salad with halloumi, butter lettuce, tomato, avocado, blue cheese, coconut "bacon", hard-boiled eggs, and red wine vinaigrette.

Pasta

Pasta with cherry tomatoes and mint is a perfect pairing with halloumi, or you could try a cherry tomato and halloumi pasta.

Rice and Couscous

Rice pilaf, made by cooking rice in a broth with herbs, spices, and vegetables, is a classic side dish that goes well with halloumi. Similarly, couscous salad, made by boiling couscous and tossing it with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, olives, and feta cheese, is a delicious pairing.

Grilled Vegetables

Grilling vegetables like eggplant, bell peppers, asparagus, mushrooms, or zucchini is a great way to add flavour and nutrition to your meal, and they pair perfectly with halloumi.

Dips and Sauces

Halloumi is excellent served with a dipping sauce like sweet chilli mayo, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze. You could also try a romesco or bravas sauce for a tapas-style treat.

Roasted Potatoes

Roasted potatoes are a delicious and easy side dish to serve with halloumi. Cut potatoes into wedges or cubes, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast until golden brown.

Soup

Tomato Zaatar Soup, made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and Middle Eastern spices, is a delicious side dish to serve with halloumi.

As a Canapé

You can also serve halloumi as a gluten-free canapé or party nibble, such as halloumi and bacon rolls with chopped chives.

How to store leftover air-fried halloumi

If you have leftover air-fried halloumi, it is best to store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will last for about a week. To ensure the halloumi stays as crisp as possible, line the container with a paper towel and separate any layers with parchment paper. The paper towel will help to absorb any excess moisture.

If you have leftover raw halloumi, you can store it in an airtight container in salt water in the fridge for up to two weeks. Alternatively, you can wrap the halloumi tightly in wax or parchment paper and place it in a sealed plastic bag. Remember to replace the wrapping each time you unwrap the cheese.

You can also freeze leftover halloumi, although this will affect the texture. Lay the halloumi pieces on a parchment-lined sheet pan and freeze them for an hour before transferring them to a freezer bag. The halloumi can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. For better results, it is recommended to freeze raw halloumi instead of cooked halloumi.

How to crumb halloumi

Yes, you can grill halloumi in an air fryer. It's a hands-off and convenient way of cooking halloumi, and it helps to lower the fat content.

Now, here is a step-by-step guide on how to crumb halloumi:

Halloumi is a versatile cheese that can be grilled, kebabs, added to salads, or fried. If you're looking to add a crispy texture to your halloumi, here's a step-by-step guide on how to crumb it:

Step 1: Prepare the Halloumi

Start by cutting the halloumi into your desired shape and size. You can cut it into slices, sticks, or cubes, depending on how you plan to serve it. For salads, you might prefer thinner slices, while thicker slices or sticks are great for frying or serving as appetizers.

Step 2: Gather Your Crumbing Ingredients and Create a Dredging Station

The standard breading procedure involves a simple flour, egg, and breadcrumb coating. However, you can also add some herbs and ground black pepper to the breadcrumbs for extra flavour. Here's what you'll need:

• Flour
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs (preferably panko breadcrumbs for a crispier texture)
• Dried herbs and ground black pepper (optional)

Set up your dredging station by placing the flour on a plate or in a shallow bowl, whisking the eggs in a separate bowl, and combining the breadcrumbs, herbs, and pepper (if using) in another plate or shallow bowl.

Step 3: Coat the Halloumi

Take each piece of halloumi and dip it first in the flour, making sure it's well coated. Shake off any excess flour, then dip it into the egg, ensuring it's fully coated. Finally, roll it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly so that the breadcrumbs adhere to the halloumi.

Step 4: Fry or Bake the Halloumi

If you're using an air fryer, preheat it to around 180°C (360°F). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray, and place the crumbed halloumi inside, making sure the pieces don't touch. Cook for about 7-10 minutes, keeping an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook and turn rubbery.

Alternatively, you can shallow fry the halloumi in a pan with some sunflower, vegetable, or olive oil. Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat, and fry the halloumi in small batches for about 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side, or until golden brown.

Step 5: Serve

Halloumi goes well with something sweet or creamy to balance its salty flavour. You can serve it with a drizzle of honey, in a salad with juicy tomatoes, as an appetizer with dips, or as a topping for sandwiches, wraps, or scrambled eggs.

Enjoy your crispy, crumbed halloumi!

Frequently asked questions