Your vegetarian party food is not complete without these crispy and golden halloumi fries with sweet chili mayo dipping sauce served as an appetizer. Halloumi sticks tossed in simple seasoned flour and then fried until crispy and golden on the outside. Let me show you how to make it simple steps.
Halloumi fries
Halloumi fries which is also known as halloumi sticks or bites is so easy to make and requires a handful of ingredients with minimal prep. The hard work in making this at home yourself is frying and honestly, it literally takes about 15 minutes.
In fact, you can bake halloumi sticks in the oven or better still in an air fryer. What is not to like about this versatile cheese. It is not only great for chips or bites it is also great in salads and burgers.
What are you waiting for, the next time you plan to make chips and dip platter, get halloumi cheese fries on it!!! It is perfect for entertaining
What is halloumi cheese
Halloumi is a Cypriot cheese made from sheep’s milk. It can be more expensive than the regular popular ones like cheddar. However, it can be found in most supermarkets and cheese specialist stores.
It has a high melting point and able to hold its shape when fried, baked or grilled as it doesn’t melt.
Unlike other mozzarella sticks that melt easily when it comes in contact with heat, halloumi doesn’t and that is why it is perfect for chips.
What does halloumi cheese taste like
If you are wondering what is tastes like, halloumi cheese is salty but not overwhelming and has a mellow cheese flavour.
While halloumi can be eaten raw, you get the best out of it when cooked. It is able to take on a lot of flavors too and can be seasoned according to taste.
Ingredients you will need to make it
Halloumi cheese
All-purpose flour
Paprika: substitute with smoked paprika
Oregano
Cayenne pepper
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Vegetable oil to fry: Substitute with any flavourless cooking oil
Sweet chili mayo dip ingredients
I used a combination of the following for the dipping sauce
Mayonnaise
Sweet chili sauce
sour cream
salt and black pepper to taste
How to make halloumi fries
Make the seasoned flour: in a shallow bowl, combine all-purpose flour, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and mix to combine.
Cut the cheese: Slice the halloumi cheese lengthwise to about ½ inch thick log or bite sizes and place on a kitchen paper.
Roll the halloumi sticks in the seasoned flour and place on a dry plate
Heat up the oil: heat up vegetable oil on medium-high heat until hot and shimmering. Carefully add the halloumi sticks into the oil and fry in batches until golden and crispy on the outside. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked fries to a plate lined with kitchen paper to drain excess oil. repeat the process until you have exhausted the fries.
Serve immediately with sweet chilli mayo dipping sauce.
Tips
- Avoid overcrowding the cheese as it would lower the temperature of the cheese.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180C/365F for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden and crispy.
- Use low fat halloumi cheese for a healthier option.
- These cheese fries are best served warm so avoid making them ahead.
- For southern fries style, dip the cheese in seasoned flour then drench in egg wash and coat with again with the seasoned flour or breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs.
Air fryer halloumi fries
Cut the halloumi into small cubes (bite sizes) or lengthwise into chips sizes, pat dry to drain excess oil.
Spray halloumi with cooking oil, you only need a little to coat the fries so don’t overdo it.
Make the seasoning flour dredge and coat the cheese in it.
Preheat the air fryer at 180C/365F for 3 minutes.
Place the fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through until it is golden and crispy. Serve warm with any dip of choice.
Storage instructions
Halloumi fries are best served and eaten warm, that said, in the case where there are leftovers, transfer to an airtight container and make sure it cools completely before storing in the fridge for up to 3 days. It can be eaten cold on its own or with a dip. Alternatively, serve with salad or use as a sandwich filling.
To reheat: simply reheat in the microwave for about 10 to 20 seconds or reheat in the air fryer at 180C/360F for 3 minutes
More vegetarian party appetizer recipes
Pita chips with creamy feta dip
Watch how to make it
If you made this easy party appetizer recipe, don’t forget to leave me feedback and rate it 5 stars. Tag us @cravingsmallbites on Instagram and save away to your Pinterest
Halloumi Fries with Dipping sauce
Ingredients
- 15 ounces Halloumi cheese (450g)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp paprika
- ½ tbsp oregano
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- vegetable oil for frying about 1 cup
Sweet chili mayo dip ingredients
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp sour cream
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the seasoned flour: in a shallow bowl, combine all purpose flour, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, cumin and mix to combine.
- Cut the cheese: Slice the halloumi cheese lengthwise to about ½ inch thick log or bite sizes and place on a kitchen paper.
- Roll the halloumi sticks in the seasoned flour and place on a dry plate
- Heat up the oil: heat up vegetable oil on medium high heat until hot and shimmering. Carefully add the halloumi sticks into the oil and fry in batches until golden and crispy on the outside. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked fries to a plate lined with a kitchen paper to drain excess oil. repeat the process until you have exhausted the fries.
- Serve immediately with sweet chilli mayo dipping sauce.
Notes
- You can double or triple this recipe accordingly.
- Avoid overcrowding the cheese as it would lower the temperature of the cheese.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180C/365F for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden and crispy. Use low-fat halloumi cheese for a healthier option.
- These cheese fries are best served warm so avoid making them ahead.
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