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Crispy Halloumi Snack

Featured in: Perfect Starters and Savory Bites

Transform halloumi into a crunchy, golden snack using an air fryer in minutes. This cheese stays firm while cooking, thanks to its high melting point. Just slice it, coat lightly with oil, and toss it in the air fryer until it crisps up perfectly. Flip halfway through for even cooking. It's a simple and impressive dish that pairs well with honey for sweet notes or herbs for a savory twist. Perfect as an appetizer or a quick protein-rich snack, ready in no time.
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By Chloe Chloe
Updated on Fri, 09 May 2025 14:59:40 GMT
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A wooden platter with a bowl of food. | cookitdelish.com

This Golden Air-Fried Halloumi with Sweet Honey turns a tasty cheese into something totally special. Your air fryer gets the outside perfectly crispy while keeping the middle soft and melty, giving you that amazing texture mix in every bite. Adding a bit of honey brings just enough sweetness to balance out the salty cheese - it's so good you can't stop eating it. This fancy-looking snack takes almost no work but will impress everyone.

I whipped this up when friends dropped by last weekend, and my neighbor thought I'd gotten takeout from that fancy Mediterranean place downtown. She couldn't wrap her head around it only taking 10 minutes in the air fryer. Even my cheese-avoiding husband kept sneaking back to grab more pieces. There's just something about that crispy-outside, gooey-inside combo that gets everybody hooked.

What You'll Need

  • Halloumi Cheese (8 oz Block): This sturdy, salty cheese holds its shape when heated and gets wonderfully crispy.
  • Olive Oil Spray (or 1 Teaspoon Olive Oil): Helps create that golden crust and stops the cheese from sticking.
  • Honey (For Drizzling): Brings a natural sweetness that works magic with the salty halloumi flavor.

How To Make It

Get Your Air Fryer Hot:
Turn your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) and let it heat up for 3 minutes.
Get The Halloumi Ready:
Dry the halloumi with paper towels, cut it into ½-inch slices, and brush or spray lightly with oil.
Cook It Up:
Put the slices in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until they turn golden.
Finish And Serve:
Put them on a plate, drizzle honey over them while they're still hot, and serve right away.
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A bowl of food with a spoon in it. | cookitdelish.com

More Ways To Enjoy It

You can do so much with this dish. Throw it into a grain bowl, serve it alongside roasted veggies, or top your salad with it for extra protein.

Gets People Talking

Whenever I bring this out at parties, everyone starts chatting about cheese, where they've traveled, and family food traditions. Many folks try halloumi for the first time at my place and instantly want the recipe.

A bowl of food with a spoon in it. Pin it
A bowl of food with a spoon in it. | cookitdelish.com

I found this cooking trick totally by chance. I'd always cooked halloumi in a pan, but one night my stove was full of other stuff, so I tossed it in the air fryer instead. What a game-changer! It came out crispier, used way less oil, and I didn't have to scrub a greasy pan afterward. Now I won't make it any other way!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Should I soak halloumi before cooking it?
If the cheese is too salty for your taste, soak it in water for about 15 minutes. It helps pull out some of the salt. Just make sure it's fully dried before frying.
→ Can I season halloumi before air frying?
Definitely! Try sprinkling herbs like thyme, oregano, or za'atar, or add spice with chili flakes or black pepper. Season just after coating with oil.
→ What goes well with crispy halloumi?
Pair it with honey or maple syrup, lemon juice, fresh herbs, warm dips like hummus, or as part of a mezze plate featuring pita and olives.
→ Why isn’t my halloumi crispy yet?
Make sure the slices are dry, the air fryer is preheated, and the pieces aren’t touching each other. You can also turn up the heat slightly or add a couple of minutes.
→ Can I make this ahead for a party?
Halloumi tastes best fresh and warm. You can prep slices early and keep them in the fridge, then fry them right before serving for the crispiest results.

Crispy Halloumi Snack

This crispy halloumi snack is quick, using just a little olive oil and an air fryer to create crunchy, golden cheese in 10 minutes. Great for entertaining or a midday treat.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
15 Minutes
By Chloe: Chloe


Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Yield: 2 Servings (8-10 halloumi pieces)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Things You’ll Need

01 Olive oil spray or about 1 teaspoon of regular olive oil
02 1 block of halloumi cheese (8 ounces)

→ Extras for Serving

03 Honey drizzle
04 Lemon wedges to squeeze on top
05 Fresh herbs like oregano or mint

Instructions

Step 01

Start by setting your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) and let it warm up for a couple of minutes. This temp helps create a crunchy outside while keeping the halloumi soft on the inside. Most air fryers heat up pretty fast, so it won't take long.

Step 02

Slice your block of halloumi into pieces around half an inch thick. This size works best—too thick and it won’t soften enough, too thin and it might overcook. Lightly coat the slices with olive oil. You can brush it on or use a spray if you prefer. This step makes them crisp up beautifully.

Step 03

Carefully arrange your halloumi slices in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Don’t let them overlap—this ensures they’ll cook evenly and turn out crispy. If your fryer’s basket isn’t big enough, it’s totally fine to cook in batches.

Step 04

Pop the basket in and let the halloumi cook at 380°F for about 8-10 minutes. Flip each slice over using tongs midway through cooking (after 4-5 minutes) so both sides develop a crisp, golden crust. If you want yours extra crispy, add an extra minute or two, but keep an eye out so it doesn’t overcook.

Step 05

Once done, move the halloumi to a plate and serve immediately. It’s best eaten right away while it’s still hot, with a gooey center and a crunchy outside. Enjoy as-is or add a honey drizzle for a sweet-and-salty combo, fresh herbs for color, or a bit of lemon juice for a zesty kick!

Notes

  1. Air-fried halloumi has the delicious squeaky texture we know and love, but it cooks faster and with less oil than pan-fried.
  2. Halloumi, a semi-firm cheese originally from Cyprus, blends goat, sheep, and sometimes cow milk. It won’t melt like other cheeses, so it’s great for frying or grilling.
  3. Serve your crispy cheese slices with warm pita and a fresh salad of cucumber and tomato for a full appetizer.
  4. Got leftovers? Pop them in the fridge and reheat in your air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes. Just know, fresh tastes the best!

Tools You'll Need

  • Air fryer
  • Sharp knife for cutting the cheese
  • Cutting board
  • Tongs for flipping the cheese
  • Pastry brush (if you’re using regular olive oil, not spray)

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy because of the halloumi

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 180
  • Total Fat: 14 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 2 g
  • Protein: 12 g