Air fryer halloumi fries are similar to mozzarella sticks, but feature the Middle Eastern non melting cheese. Basically, if you enjoy a fried mozzarella stick, you’re going to love halloumi fries. They cook up perfectly in your air fryer for a delicious snack anytime!
Halloumi cheese originated in the Middle East and is typically made of sheep’s or goat’s milk. It’s a salty cheese with a similar consistency to feta, and holds its shape when heated so it won’t get super stringy and gooey.
This makes it ideal for halloumi fries, since you don’t need to overload on breading to hold things together. A simple dredge is all it takes for a crispy cheese fry that’s easy to dip!
Similar to Air Fryer Frozen Cheese Curds, you get a fun “squeaky” cheese, referring to the springy texture and squeaking sound it makes when you eat it.
Halloumi fries make a great snack, but you can also feel free to use them as a side dish in place of traditional fries, or offer them up as an appetizer along with your Middle Eastern or Mediterranean spread!
What You’ll Need: Ingredients
8 ounces halloumi cheese
¼ cup all purpose flour
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp dried parsley
¼ tsp black pepper
Nonstick or oil spray
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Halloumi cheese is often found in a block that you can cut into approximately ½” thick fries. However, I get pre-cut halloumi fries from Aldi. It’ll be slightly damp, which helps the breading stick to it (but you don’t want it dripping wet)
The pre-cut fries do have the downside of coming in non-uniform pieces. The closer in size your cheese sticks are, the more uniformly they’ll cook
All purpose flour can be swapped for cornstarch or rice flour, and works well with gluten free as well
The seasonings are adjustable to taste. Feel free to swap in Cajun or cayenne for a spicy fry, and oregano and mint are some other herbs that go well with it. You shouldn’t need salt because the cheese is already salty, but you can add some if desired
How to Make Halloumi Fries in the Air Fryer: Step By Step
If you are using a block of cheese, begin by cutting it lengthwise and then again into slices to create approximately ½” thick fries
In a shallow bowl or pan, add the flour and seasonings, then mix to combine
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C)
Roll each of the halloumi fries into the flour mixture to thoroughly coat all sides
Place the breaded halloumi fries into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between them (they expand during cooking)
Spray the tops of the fries with nonstick spray or an oil mist until the flour is wetted
Cook on the air fry setting for 10 minutes at 400°F pausing after 6 minutes to flip them and reapply oil, until crispy on the outside
Serve with your favorite dipping sauce!
What to Serve With Halloumi
Greek salad
Olives
Hummus
Pita
Couscous
Chicken souvlaki
Gyros
Burgers
Beets
Figs
Sweet potatoes
Watermelon salad
Tomato soup
Sweet chili sauce
Yogurt sauce
Tzatziki sauce
Harissa
Chimichurri
Pomegranate arils
There are lots of great sides and sauces to serve with your halloumi. Pictured with sweet chili sauce and Greek yogurt with garlic sauce (both were fantastic)!
Yes, you can make halloumi fries in an air fryer. It requires far less oil than deep frying and still delivers a crispy crust.
You can also cook from frozen, though it will take a couple extra minutes to account for the frozen temperature.
How Long to Cook Halloumi Fries in an Air Fryer?
Typically, it takes between 8-12 minutes to cook halloumi fries in an air fryer, depending on the size of the fries and your specific air fryer.
If cooking from frozen, expect it to take 12-15 minutes on average to account for the frozen state.
Are Halloumi Fries Like Mozzarella Sticks?
Halloumi fries are similar to mozzarella sticks, but don’t get as melted and stringy. The soft cheese is more akin to feta, which doesn’t produce that gooey melt.
They are similarly breaded and fried or air fried, and great in many of the same instances where you would eat mozzarella sticks.
Can You Eat Raw Halloumi?
Yes, halloumi is safe to be eaten raw.
Enjoy it on a salad or atop a burger if you like, but it’s equally great when fried.
Why Is My Halloumi Rubbery?
Halloumi is naturally rubbery until heated, so if yours is still rubbery you haven’t cooked it enough to get rid of that texture.
However, halloumi is safe to consume raw as well, so it’s only really needed if you don’t like the rubbery texture.
Does Halloumi Have Black Bits in It?
It’s normal for halloumi to have black bits in it. It is traditionally packed with mint, which are the flecks that appear. However, it’s sold without it as well.
Just because you see flecks in one halloumi and not another doesn’t indicate anything is wrong with the cheese.
What Cheese is Closest to Halloumi?
Feta cheese is closest to halloumi, similar in both texture and salt levels.
The next closest is paneer, which tends to be higher in acidity but still a similar texture overall.
Recipe Pro Tips
My Aldi halloumi fries were perfectly crisp after 10 minutes in a Ninja air fryer. Other brands of air fryer and fries may vary slightly
I highly recommend a pair of tongs to flip them – they get soft and floppy and will firm up more as they brown, so handling them otherwise is tricky
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover halloumi fries in an airtight container or zippered bag in the refrigerator. Use within 3 days, or freeze for up to 6 months
Reheat halloumi fries for 3-5 minutes at 350°F in the air fryer, or until warmed through. Alternatively, a conventional oven for 5 minutes at 400°F works as well. The microwave will make them lose their crispiness, so it’s not recommended
These easy air fryer halloumi fries are flavorful, crispy, and super dippable! They make a great snack, appetizer, or side dish replacing regular fries.
While I saved time by grabbing pre-cut halloumi fries from Aldi, you can easily buy a block at many grocery stores, or Mediterranean and Middle Eastern markets.
That’s great, because at only 10 minutes of cooking time, they require little effort, but deliver a truly delicious result!
Crispy Air Fryer Halloumi Fries (No Egg or Breadcrumbs)
Crispy halloumi fries cook up in only about 10 minutes thanks to your air fryer. They have a pleasant crunch outside with a soft, cheesy inside that’s perfect for dipping!
If you are using a block of cheese, begin by cutting it lengthwise and then again into slices to create approximately ½” thick fries
8 Ounces halloumi cheese
In a shallow bowl or pan, add the flour and seasonings, then mix to combine
¼ Cup all purpose flour, ½ Tsp garlic powder, ½ Tsp paprika, ½ Tsp dried parsley, ¼ Tsp black pepper
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C)
Roll each of the halloumi fries into the flour mixture to thoroughly coat all sides
Place the breaded halloumi fries into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between them (they expand during cooking)
Spray the tops of the fries with nonstick spray or an oil mist until the flour is wetted
Nonstick or oil spray
Cook on the air fry setting for 10 minutes at 400°F pausing after 6 minutes to flip them and reapply oil, until crispy on the outside
Serve with your favorite dipping sauce!
2 Tbsp Dipping sauces (optional)
Notes
Halloumi cheese is often found in a block that you can cut into a fry shape. However, I get pre-cut halloumi fries from Aldi. The cheese will be slightly damp, which helps the breading stick to it (but you don’t want it dripping wet)
The pre-cut fries do have the downside of coming in non-uniform pieces. The closer in size your cheese sticks are, the more uniformly they’ll cook
All purpose flour can be swapped for cornstarch or rice flour, and works well with gluten free as well
The seasonings are adjustable to taste. Feel free to swap in Cajun or cayenne for a spicy fry, and oregano and mint are some other herbs that go well with it. You shouldn’t need salt because the cheese is already salty, but you can add some if desired
My halloumi fries were perfectly crisp after 10 minutes in a Ninja air fryer. Other brands of air fryer and fries may vary slightly
I highly recommend a pair of tongs to flip them – they get soft and floppy and will firm up more as they brown, so handling them otherwise is tricky
Store leftovers in an airtight container or zippered bag in the refrigerator. Use within 3 days, or freeze for up to 6 months
Reheat halloumi fries for 3-5 minutes at 350°F in the air fryer, or until warmed through. Alternatively, a conventional oven for 5 minutes at 400°F works as well. The microwave will make them lose their crispiness, so it’s not recommended
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
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I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
