Air Fryer Halloumi

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Air fryer halloumi is the easiest way to enjoy golden brown, crispy halloumi- just like grilled halloumi but better! I love discovering new things to do with my air fryer, and I don’t think I’ll ever pan grill halloumi again!

What is halloumi?

It’s a white, rubbery goat or sheep milk cheese, originating in Cyprus. It’s known for its grilling or heating capabilities, because it remains firm and holds its shape when heated. That’s why it lends itself so well to grilling.

Why air fry halloumi?

Halloumi is one of those cheeses that just tastes so much better when it’s cooked. Grilled halloumi is something that we eat a lot in Middle Eastern cuisine. It is either enjoyed as a mezze (or appetizer), as a breakfast item, usually alongside eggs, and very commonly on salads.

Air frying halloumi takes all the effort out of transforming halloumi into something golden brown, crispy and delicious. Instead of having to heat a skillet and cook halloumi on one side, flipping it and cooking on the other side, you can cook it in one go in the air fryer. No flipping required! It cooks evenly on both sides, and takes less than 10 minutes.

It’s mess free and simple, and it’ll be your new favorite way to grill halloumi.

What ingredients do you need for air fryer halloumi?

Just two ingredients! A little bit of olive oil, and the halloumi itself. Halloumi usually comes in a block, and it’s best to slice it into equally thick pieces so they cook at the same time. I get 8 slices in an 8 oz block.

Where can you find halloumi?

You can find it in most well stocked supermarkets, in any Middle Eastern supply store, and online. Trader Joe’s even sells pre sliced halloumi if you want to make this even simpler!

How do I air fry halloumi?

There’s nothing to eat! Preheat the air fryer, just a few minutes while slicing and brushing your halloumi slices with a little olive oil.

Place the slices in the basket of the air fryer, trying to make sure they don’t touch each other. Air fry, without flipping, for 7-8 minutes until golden brown and crispy, then remove the basket from the air fryer, and carefully transfer the fried cheese to a plate.

Check out the video in the recipe card to see the steps in action!

What to serve grilled halloumi with:

In the Middle East, we often have grilled halloumi plain, sometimes with some pita bread. It’s usually a part of mezze platters, and enjoyed as a breakfast or appetizer.

I love topping any salad with chunks of grilled halloumi, it adds so much flavor. Check out this salad recipe, strawberries and halloumi are a match made in heaven.

Storing air fried halloumi:

You can store grilled slices tightly covered in the fridge for 1-2 days. Although it’ll lose a little of it’s crispy exterior, it’ll still taste really good, especially as a salad topping.

If you liked this recipe, you might like:

Air Fryer Onions

Strawberry Salad with Grilled Halloumi

Air Fryer Pasta