Making Halloumi Fries: Deep Fat Frying Done Right

Halloumi fries are a delicious snack, appetiser, or side dish. They are made by frying halloumi cheese—a salty, non-melting cheese from Cyprus—until crispy and golden brown. The cheese is usually coated in flour, and sometimes also egg and breadcrumbs, before frying. You can use a deep fat fryer, but it's not necessary—you can also shallow fry the cheese in a pan, bake it in the oven, or use an air fryer. Serve the crispy fries with a dip—options include sweet chilli sauce, Greek yoghurt, ranch, garlic sauce, or tzatziki.

Choosing a frying method: air fryer, pan, or oven

There are several ways to make halloumi fries, each with its own unique benefits and drawbacks. Here is a detailed look at the different frying methods you can choose from:

Air Fryer

Using an air fryer is a great option if you want to reduce the fat content of your halloumi fries. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food, resulting in a crispy texture similar to that of deep-fried food, but with less oil. To make halloumi fries in an air fryer, simply pat the cheese dry, brush or rub with oil, and season with salt, pepper, and any desired flavourings. Then, cook in the air fryer basket at 200°C for a total of 10-13 minutes, flipping the fries halfway through.

Pan

Frying halloumi in a pan is a quick and easy method that only requires a shallow layer of oil. Cut the halloumi into even-sized fries, then coat them in a mixture of flour, paprika, and cumin (or another spice blend of your choice). Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat, and fry the halloumi in batches for a few minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. This method is simple and allows you to control the cooking process more closely, but it may require more oil than the air fryer method.

Oven

Baking halloumi fries in the oven is a healthier alternative to frying, as it uses little to no oil. To make halloumi fries in the oven, set up a dredging station with flour, egg wash, and panko breadcrumbs. Cut the halloumi into long rectangular shapes, then dip them in the flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. Place the coated halloumi on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, making sure they don't touch to ensure even crisping. Bake in the oven at 350°F until golden and crispy, which should take around 20-25 minutes. This method is ideal if you want to make a larger batch of fries, as it allows you to cook more at once.

Selecting the right oil

The key challenge when selecting an oil for deep frying is choosing one with a suitable smoke point. Cooking oils respond differently to heat, but generally, as the temperature increases, they start to deteriorate and eventually smoke.

The smoke point refers to the temperature at which the oil will begin to smoke. Using an oil with a high smoke point means that it can be heated to a higher temperature before it starts to smoke. If you cook with oil that has been heated past its smoke point, your food will taste burnt, and a fire could occur.

For this reason, refined oils are better for deep frying than unrefined oils, as they have a higher smoke point and don't impart flavour to the food.

Palm oil

Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the reddish pulp of the fruit of the palm tree. It is one of the best options for deep frying as it consists mostly of saturated and monounsaturated fats and has a high smoke point. It also has a neutral flavour, so it won't affect the taste of your halloumi fries. However, if you choose to use palm oil, make sure it is sustainably sourced.

Vegetable oil

Vegetable oil is a cost-effective option for deep frying. It usually comes in the form of a blend of different plant-derived oils, such as corn oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil. It has a high smoke point, a neutral flavour, and can be reused after cooling and straining.

Canola oil

Canola oil (also known as rapeseed oil) is another cooking oil with a neutral flavour. It has a good smoke point for deep frying at roughly 204 °C, and most deep-fried meals require an oil temperature of between 162 and 190 °C. It is also relatively inexpensive and widely available.

Groundnut oil

Groundnut oil is similar to vegetable oil in that it has a high smoke point (about 230 °C) and is useful for a variety of purposes. It is commonly used for deep frying. However, remember to check the allergen status of the groundnut oil, as crude groundnut oil may contain allergenic material.

Olive oil

Olive oil is not the best choice for deep frying halloumi fries as it has a lower smoke point (around 190 °C). However, if you only have olive oil to hand, you can use a refined version (labelled simply as "olive oil" or "light olive oil") rather than extra virgin olive oil, as these are more stable for cooking.

Preparing the halloumi

The first step in making halloumi fries is to prepare the halloumi cheese itself. Halloumi is a salty, brined cheese from Cyprus that is traditionally made with a mixture of goat and sheep's milk, though it can also be made with cow's milk. It has a high melting point, which means it holds its shape and doesn't melt when grilled or cooked. This unique characteristic makes it perfect for frying or baking.

To start making your halloumi fries, you will need a block of halloumi cheese, which you will cut into thick fry shapes or sticks. The thickness of the fries may vary depending on your preference, but it is recommended to cut them into even sizes for consistent cooking. A standard-sized package of halloumi should yield around 10-12 thick fries.

Once you have cut the halloumi into the desired shape, you have the option to coat the fries with a light layer of flour. This step will help the halloumi get super crispy when fried. You can use plain/all-purpose flour or experiment with alternative flours like gluten-free, corn starch, rice flour, almond flour, or coconut flour. Roll the halloumi fries in the flour or dip them in milk first if the cheese is dry. This step will help the flour or other coating stick better.

After coating the halloumi fries with flour, you can choose to season them with various spices. Some popular options include paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, dried mint, oregano, or cumin. You can mix these spices with the flour before coating the halloumi or sprinkle them on top of the coated fries.

Now, your halloumi fries are almost ready for cooking! Just keep them covered until you are ready to fry them, but don't prepare them too far in advance, as the flour coating may dissolve into the cheese over time.

Dipping Sauces

Halloumi fries are often served with dipping sauces on the side. While you can serve them plain with a squeeze of lemon juice, here are some sauce suggestions to elevate your dish:

• Greek yogurt or sour cream
• Sweet chilli sauce
• Honey lime dressing
• Ranch dressing
• Caesar dressing
• Tzatziki sauce
• Lemon & butter sauce
• Garlic sauce
• Mayonnaise or aioli
• Tahini sauce
• Warm honey or maple syrup
• Marinara sauce

Coating the halloumi

Step 1: Prepare the Halloumi Cheese

Before coating the halloumi, it is important to cut the cheese into the desired shape and size. Most recipes recommend cutting the halloumi into thick fry shapes or sticks, around 1/2 inch (1.5 cm) thick. This size ensures that the halloumi fries hold their shape during cooking and provides a good balance of crispy coating and chewy cheese.

Step 2: Prepare the Coating Station

The coating station is essential for a smooth and efficient coating process. Set up three separate bowls or plates for the dry coating, the wet coating, and the final breadcrumb coating. For the dry coating, combine plain flour with spices and herbs of your choice, such as paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, or dried mint. You can also use gluten-free flour or alternative flours like almond or coconut flour for a gluten-free option. Mix the dry ingredients well to ensure an even distribution of flavours. In a second bowl, prepare an egg wash by cracking and whisking a couple of eggs. You can also use milk as a substitute for the egg wash. The third bowl should contain the breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs are often recommended for a lighter and crispier coating, but regular breadcrumbs can also be used.

Step 3: Coat the Halloumi

Now it's time to coat the halloumi! Using one hand for dry coating and the other for wet coating will help keep things neat. First, dip the halloumi sticks into the flour mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated. Shake off any excess flour. Next, dip the floured halloumi into the egg wash, allowing the excess to drip off. Finally, coat the halloumi with the breadcrumbs, pressing them gently onto the cheese to ensure they adhere well. Repeat this process for all the halloumi sticks.

Step 4: Prepare for Frying

Once all the halloumi sticks are coated, you are almost ready to start frying. Heat your chosen oil in a deep-fat fryer to a medium-high heat. You can use a variety of oils, such as vegetable oil, light olive oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil, or any other oil with a high smoke point. Be sure to heat the oil sufficiently before adding the halloumi to ensure a crispy texture and avoid oil absorption.

Step 5: Fry the Halloumi

Carefully add the coated halloumi sticks to the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding the fryer. Fry the halloumi for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on the halloumi to avoid overcooking, as you want the cheese to remain soft and chewy on the inside. Once the halloumi fries are golden and crispy, remove them from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.

Now you have perfectly coated and fried halloumi fries! Serve them fresh and crispy with your choice of dipping sauces, such as spicy sriracha aioli, marinara sauce, ranch, garlic sauce, or a spicy yoghurt dip. Enjoy!

Serving suggestions

Halloumi fries are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas to get you started:

As an Appetiser or Snack

Halloumi fries make a great appetiser or snack on their own. They are easy to eat and perfect for entertaining guests. You can serve them as is, or with a dip. Some popular dip options include:

• Greek yoghurt or sour cream
• Sweet chilli sauce
• Honey lime dressing
• Ranch or Caesar dressing
• Tzatziki sauce
• Lemon and butter sauce
• Garlic sauce or mayonnaise
• Tahini sauce
• Warm honey or maple syrup
• Marinara sauce (Italian tomato sauce)

As Part of a Main Course

Halloumi fries can also be served as a side dish or as part of a main course. Try them with:

• A simple green salad
• A 'saucy' Mediterranean dish like baked eggplant with tomatoes and feta or one-pan chicken and chorizo with cherry tomatoes
• Greek chicken meatballs, perhaps with a marinara sauce and a simple green salad
• Any salad, to add a crunchy, salty element
• BBQ dishes, as a vegetarian alternative to meat

As Part of a Mezze or Sharing Board

Halloumi fries would be a great addition to a mezze or sharing board. Serve them with dishes like:

• Crusty bread and olives
• Greek or Mediterranean dishes like tzatziki, hummus, or baba ganoush
• Other fried halloumi dishes, like halloumi bites

Other Serving Ideas

• Halloumi fries can also be served as a light lunch, perhaps with crusty bread, olives, and dips.
• For a more substantial meal, serve them with a chorizo and halloumi breakfast baguette at the weekend.
• They can also be a tasty, low-carb snack or side dish.

Frequently asked questions