Here’s an unbelievably delicious 5 minute halloumi recipe: pan fried golden, drizzled with honey and sprinkled with thyme. It’s a stellar combination of flavours – salty, sweet and earthy herb. Great starter, snack, or make a basic salad so much more interesting!
Fried halloumi
It’s impossible to resist devouring golden fried halloumi straight from the pan, when it’s crispy on the surface and gooey inside. And why should we? It’s so great plain!
But one day, try it with a drizzle of honey, sprinkle of fresh thyme and pinch of red pepper flakes. It is Outrageously Delicious (caps intentional) and a great 2-second-way to dress up halloumi when you’ve got company.
Serve with warm pita bread, olives, and good olive oil for a simple yet thoroughly enjoyable starter!
The golden rules of halloumi cooking
It just so happens that while I’m writing this post, I’m at my hairdresser, Deange Hair which is owned by Greek sisters. So I’m sitting here with my head full of goop, having an enthusiastic discussion with Angela, the younger sister, about the golden rules of cooking halloumi. Here’s what you need to know!
- Real Halloumi from Cyprus: For the best results, use authentic Cypriot halloumi. Lower quality or imitation varieties won’t give you that perfect golden crust and may crumble when cooked!
- Cut it Thick: Slice your halloumi 1 – 1.25cm / 0.4 – 0.5″ thick. Thicker than you think! It shrinks about 30% during cooking, so thicker slices ensure a soft, juicy interior rather than a dry one.
- Use Oil: Don’t skimp on the oil! Halloumi needs it to achieve a golden, crispy exterior. Without oil, it will just burn, brown unevenly and certainly won’t get crisp.
- Pat the Slices Dry: Dry the slices thoroughly before cooking. This step prevents the sizzling and spitting of water on initial contact, leading to a better crust.
Angela’s advice is spot on, and I was thankful that I checked all her boxes. Now halloumi enthusiasts everywhere can cook it perfectly too! Who knew a hair appointment could double as a cheese tutorial!? 🧀✨
(I know what you’re thinking, and NO you are not going to get a photo of me with goop in my hair!!)
