Crispy on the outside and melty on the inside – these air fried halloumi fries make the perfect appetizer or snack! Halloumi is a firm, salty cheese that holds its shape when cooked, making it ideal for frying. The hot air in the air fryer crisps up the outside to golden browned perfection.
This easy recipe transforms plain halloumi cheese into the most crave-worthy fries. They have just the right amount of seasoning from the garlic powder and black pepper mixed into the flour coating.
One bite will have you hooked! Whether serving these cheesy fries on their own or with a dipping sauce, they never disappoint.
The ingredients are minimal and the method is fast. In less than 10 minutes, these hot and melty fries will be ready to eat. Even better, air frying helps make a lighter version so you can indulge guilt-free. Let’s get started!
💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Crispy Outside, Gooey Inside– The air fryer gives these halloumi fries an incredibly crispy outer shell, while the inside stays soft and gooey. The contrast of textures in each bite makes them irresistible!
Addictively Tasty- Between the salty halloumi, garlic powder, black pepper, and flour coating, these fries are packed with flavor. One bite has you hooked for more – they’re hard to stop eating!
Healthier than Deep Frying- The air fryer uses significantly less oil than deep frying, keeping these fries lighter than their traditionally fried counterparts. You avoid excess grease for a less guilty pleasure.
✨ Recipe Ingredients
To make halloumi fries in air fryer you will need:
- 8oz (225) Halloumi Cheese
- 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- Olive Oil Cooking Spray
👨🍳 How To Make
Follow this easy recipe and make the best crispy air fried halloumi chips:
Step 1
Combine the flour, garlic powder, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Mix them together.
Step 2
Slice the halloumi cheese into 1/4 inch thick fries. You can also make them thicker if you prefer, up to 1/2 inch thick.
Step 3
Preheat your air fryer to 390F (200C) and spray the basket with olive oil cooking spray.
Toss the cheese fires in the flour mixture- make sure they are well covered. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Step 4
Spray the halloumi fries with cooking spray and air fry for 8-9 minutes. There is no need to flip them- but you can if desired.
Step 5
Remove the fries from the air fryer and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. That’s it! Enjoy these delicious air fryer halloumi fries! They are so tasty and crispy.
💡Tips
1. Flour Mixture Variations
The flour, garlic powder, and black pepper coating provide a basic, flavorful crust. However, you can elevate your halloumi fries by experimenting with additional spices and herbs.
Consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or dried oregano for a Mediterranean twist. For a more exotic flavor, incorporate a small amount of curry powder or cumin.
The key is to balance the flavors without overpowering the natural, salty taste of the halloumi.
2. Prepare the Halloumi Properly
Before slicing, ensure your halloumi is patted dry to get rid of excess moisture. Dry cheese will fry up crisper in the air fryer. Allow refrigerated halloumi to come up to room temperature before cutting to prevent crumbling.
Cut the halloumi into thick matchsticks or 1/4 inch fries rather than too thin so they don’t overcook.
3. Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer Basket
Be sure to cook the halloumi fries in a single layer and avoid overcrowding for even cooking. Overcrowding can cause some fries not to crisp up. Cook them in batches if needed to allow air flow around each fry for best texture and color.
4. Toss Well in Seasoned Flour
After cutting the halloumi, make sure to thoroughly toss the fries in the seasoned flour mixture until completely coated on all sides. This helps create a crispy outer shell around the salty, melty cheese when cooked. Feel free to experiment with other spices in your flour like cayenne pepper or oregano.
5. Eat Immediately for Maximum Crispiness
As soon as the air fried halloumi fries are finished, remove them promptly from the hot air fryer basket. Their irresistible crisp exterior will start to soften as they cool. Enjoy right away on their own or with desired dipping sauces for warm, crispy, melty fries! Don’t let them sit too long before serving.
Variations
1. Halloumi Fries with Lemon Zest- Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest to the flour mixture before coating the halloumi fries. The bright citrus flavor pairs beautifully with the salty cheese.
2. Cajun Halloumi Fries– Mix 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional), and 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano to the flour mixture. Fry as directed. The Cajun spices give these fries a bold, southwestern kick. Ranch dressing makes a cooling dipping companion. Yee-haw!
3. Panko Halloumi Fries- Substitute 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs for the flour. Toss the halloumi fries in 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water before coating in panko. Spritz with oil and air fry until crispy. The panko gives these fries extra crunch! Dip in marinara sauce for an Italian twist. Mangia!
4. Buffalo Air Fryer Halloumi Fries- Toss the cooked fries with 2 tablespoons hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot recommended) and 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles. The spicy hot sauce pairs perfectly with the creamy blue cheese in every bite. Serve with extra ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
5. Chili-Cheese Halloumi Fries- Top fries straight from the air fryer with 2 tablespoons nacho cheese sauce, 1 tablespoon chopped pickled jalapeños, 1 chopped green onion, and a pinch of chili powder. Ultimate loaded fries!
Dipping Sauces
Here are 5 delicious dipping sauce suggestions that would pair perfectly with the air fryer halloumi fries:
1. Tzatziki Sauce– This classic Greek yogurt and cucumber sauce would complement the salty flavor of the halloumi fries wonderfully. The cooling tanginess of the tzatziki is the ideal contrast to the hot and crispy fries.
2. Spicy Mayonnaise– For those who like a kick of heat, a spicy mayo made with sriracha or other hot sauce mixed into regular mayonnaise makes for a mouthwatering dip for the fries. The creaminess balances the spiciness perfectly.
3. Ranch Dressing– Nothing says American snack food quite like ranch dressing. The rich tang of ranch would adhere well to the crispy exterior of the fries, while the mild herby flavor would let the taste of the cheese shine through.
4. Honey Mustard Sauce– Honey mustard strikes an enticing sweet and savory balance that halloumi fries were made for. The French fry-dipping classic plays well with the salty, crispy fry texture.
5. Marinara Sauce– for those who want to turn their fries into more of an appetizer, marinara sauce turns the halloumi fries into tasty bite-sized cheese sticks perfect for dunking into a familiar red sauce. The richness of the cheese fries can stand up to the acidity and spice of the tomato sauce.
Keto / Low Carb Version
To make a keto and low carb version of this halloumi fries recipe, there are a few simple substitutions you can make:
Instead of all-purpose flour, use a low carb flour like almond flour or coconut flour. You could also use crushed pork rinds or grated parmesan cheese for dredging instead of flour.
Skip the flour coating altogether! Simply slice the halloumi cheese into fries, spray with oil, and air fry until crispy. The cheese will release its own oils and fry up perfectly crunchy without any coating.
Double check that you are using plain halloumi cheese that only contains milk, salt, and enzymes. Some flavored halloumi contains flour or other high carb ingredients.
Serve your low carb halloumi fries with a high fat dipping sauce like ranch, blue cheese, or an olive tapenade instead of a sugary ketchup or honey mustard.
Gluten Free Version
To make this air fryer halloumi fries recipe gluten-free, simply swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend. I recommend using a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend containing ingredients like rice flour, tapioca flour, potato starch, and xanthan gum.
Follow all the recipe steps as normal, but instead of tossing the halloumi cheese fries in regular flour, toss them in your gluten-free flour mix until well coated before air frying.
That’s all there is to it for an easy gluten-free version! The air fryer halloumi will still get beautifully crispy and golden in the air fryer without the gluten.
Storage
To store leftover halloumi fries, allow them to cool completely then transfer to an airtight container. They will keep refrigerated for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the cooked fries for longer term storage.
When ready to eat, place the frozen fries back into the air fryer and reheat at 390°F for 3-4 minutes until hot and crispy again. Enjoy!
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need to pat the halloumi dry before coating in flour?
Yes, it’s best to thoroughly pat the halloumi slices dry with paper towels after slicing and before coating. Any moisture on the surface can make the flour coating get soggy and affect the crispness.
2. Why do we not need to flip the halloumi fries during air frying?
Halloumi fries cook evenly in an air fryer due to the circulating hot air, which ensures all sides are crisped without flipping. However, if you notice uneven cooking in your air fryer model, a mid-cooking flip might be beneficial.
3. How do I reheat leftover halloumi fries?
To reheat, place the leftover fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 360°F for 4-5 minutes until warmed through and crispy again. You can also reheat in the oven but air frying works best to recrisp the exterior.
Halloumi Cheese
Halloumi is a semi-hard, brined cheese that originated in Cyprus. Its unique ability to maintain its shape when fried or grilled has made it popular for all sorts of recipes.
Unlike most cheeses, halloumi has a very high melting point due to its high concentration of casein proteins. This allows it to keep its form instead of turning into a gooey mess when exposed to high heat. As a result, slices or cubes of halloumi develop a crispy, golden exterior when pan-fried or grilled, while the inside remains soft and chewy.
This texture contrast of crispy exterior and creamy interior makes halloumi an appealing ingredient for recipes of all kinds. Whether served with salads, grain bowls, kebabs, sandwiches, or even desserts, the fried or grilled halloumi adds a satisfying, protein-rich crunch and salty flavor. Its ability to play well with both sweet and savory ingredients further broadens its versatility.
I hope you enjoy making these crispy, delicious air fryer halloumi fries! Halloumi gets nice and golden brown when cooked in the air fryer without needing much oil. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below.
And be sure to check out more easy and tasty recipes on my website! I post new recipes every week, from appetizers to desserts and everything in between. Thanks for reading!
Air Fryer Halloumi
- 8 oz Halloumi Cheese (220g) (one block)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons Olive Oil
- Preheat the air fryer to 350F (175C).
- Slice the halloumi cheese into 5 slices and brush them with olive oil on every side.
- Spray the basket of the air fryer with oil (I used olive oil spray) and place the cheese slices inside.
- Air fry fir 11-12 minutes until crispy.
