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Made with halloumi cheese, panko breadcrumbs, and ground spices, these spicy baked halloumi “fries” are best served with ketchup or Sriracha mayo!
Why Make These Baked Halloumi Fries?
These vegetarian-friendly halloumi fries offer a unique alternative to mozzarella sticks, French fries, or potato wedges.
Featuring salty, squeaky halloumi cheese covered in a crunchy coating of panko breadcrumbs, flour, chili powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and cayenne, these cheesy “fries” make a great side for burgers and sandwiches. They’re also a fun appetizer or tailgate snack. Serve homemade halloumi fries alongside other veggie-friendly nibbles like buffalo cauliflower, vegetarian sausage rolls, cheese pizza rolls, and pesto pinwheels. And don’t forget the spicy sriracha dip!
What Is Halloumi?
Halloumi is a semi-hard, brined cheese originating from Cyprus, and traditionally made from a mix of goat’s and sheep’s milk. Known for its high melting point, halloumi can be grilled or fried without losing its shape. It has a distinctive salty flavor and a squeaky texture, and is often used in salads, sandwiches, or as a meat substitute in vegetarian recipes. In recent years, halloumi has gained popularity in both home cooking and in restaurants.
I first sampled halloumi during a cheese lecture at Le Cordon Bleu London (a popular lesson for most students on the course— culinary school doesn’t get much better than an evening spent sampling cheeses, and learning from a cheese expert like Tom Badcock!) and have enjoyed it ever since. Pret’s falafel and halloumi wrap is a personal favorite, and it’s also tasty in salads, on top of shakshuka, or as part of a main dish like this crispy potato and halloumi bake.
Ingredients for Making Halloumi Fries
To make these halloumi fries, you’ll need to gather the following ingredients:
- Halloumi cheese – You’ll need 500 grams, or about 17 1/2 ounces (I used 2 packages).
- Panko breadcrumbs – I highly recommend using panko breadcrumbs for this recipe, not the finer, sandlike kind.
- Egg – You’ll need one large egg, lightly beaten.
- All-purpose flour – For dredging the fries.
- Spices – You’ll need mild chili powder, smoked paprika, ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Cooking spray – Spritzing with nonstick cooking spray helps the fries develop their golden brown color and crispy texture. You can also use olive oil spray, or an oil sprayer filled with your favorite olive oil.
Halloumi Fries Recipe Tips and Tricks
Divide the egg. Before dredging, divide the beaten egg into two smaller portions. When the first bowl becomes ‘sludgy’ with flour and breadcrumbs, discard it and switch to the second bowl.
Adjust the spices. You can adjust the spices in the coating to taste. Vary the amounts, or add other flavors you enjoy. Some suggestions include regular paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, or cumin, or a seasoning blend such as Old Bay.
Slice carefully. When slicing the halloumi, which has a tendency to separate or break into pieces, a sharp chef’s knife (rather than a paring knife) makes the process easier.
Vary your dipping sauces. Try ketchup, sriracha ketchup, sriracha mayo, mayonnaise, aioli, honey mustard, hot honey, barbecue sauce, sweet chili sauce, or anything you’d like! You can even assemble a dipping bar with a variety of options.
Pay attention to pan prep. Use a half-sheet rimmed baking tray (the larger size allows plenty of room—it’s important not to crowd the tray, or the fries won’t brown) and line the tray with parchment to prevent sticking. If doubling this recipe, you will need to spread the fries over two trays, or bake in two batches.
Use plenty of oil. Generously spraying the fries with oil promotes browning, creating a crispy, golden-brown crust.
Make-Ahead and Storage Suggestions
Halloumi fries are best enjoyed immediately. If reheated, the cheese can take on a rubbery texture.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Enjoy cold, or dice into pieces and add to a salad.
Other vegetarian recipes you might enjoy:
Vegetarian Sausage Rolls
Buffalo Cauliflower
Baked Veggie Nuggets
Cheese Pizza Rolls
And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!
Halloumi Fries
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: About 20 1/2-inch thick fries 1x
Description
A recipe for spicy baked halloumi fries. Made with halloumi cheese, panko breadcrumbs, and ground spices, these cheesy “fries” are best served with ketchup or Sriracha mayo!
Ingredients
500 grams halloumi cheese (17 1/2 ounces, or 2 packages)
64 grams all-purpose flour (1/2 cup)
1 teaspoon mild chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Pinch ground cayenne pepper
75 grams panko breadcrumbs (1 cup)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Nonstick cooking spray or olive oil spray
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400° F / 205° C. Line a half sheet rimmed baking tray with parchment.
With a sharp chef’s knife, slice the halloumi into sticks, each about 1/2-inch thick and approximately 3 inches long.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, chili powder, paprika, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Set aside.
To a second bowl, add the panko breadcrumbs. Add the egg to a third bowl, and whisk briefly.*
Dredge each halloumi stick in the flour mixture, followed by the egg, and finally, the panko breadcrumbs.
Arrange on prepared tray.
Spray the tops of the sticks with olive oil spray or nonstick cooking spray.
Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, turning periodically with a flat metal spatula and spritzing with additional oil as needed, until golden brown.
Serve immediately, accompanied by ketchup or sriracha mayo.
Notes
*Before dredging, I suggest dividing the beaten egg into two smaller portions. When the first bowl becomes ‘sludgy’ with flour and breadcrumbs, discard it and switch to the second bowl.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Savory
- Method: Oven