Easy crispy oven-baked halloumi fries! The perfect cheesy appetizer or snack for parties and get-togethers. Even tastier than the famous Aldi halloumi fries (in my opinion!).
Serve the baked halloumi fries with dips such as roasted red pepper hummus, sour cream and chive, or homemade ketchup for an indulgent treat!
So much easier to make than mozzarella fries, due to the high melting point of halloumi cheese. These easy vegetarian-friendly baked halloumi chips are the perfect finger food at parties.
Kids love the squeaky texture, adults love the saltiness, everyone loves the crispiness. They are win-win snack on all levels!
👩🍳 Love fries? Try my pepperoni pizza fries - great for sharing with friends!
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- Baked not fried = healthier.
- Fuss free and effortless to make.
- Perfect with dips at a party.
- Kids AND adults love them.
🛒 Ingredient notes
- Halloumi - two standard blocks of halloumi, drained and cut into fries. Lighter/low fat halloumi works too (if you want to cut the calories).
- Plain Flour - for dredging.
- Eggs - coats the halloumi and allows the breadcrumbs to stick.
- Panko Breadcrumbs - or use regular dried natural breadcrumbs. I love the coarser texture of panko breadcrumbs but if you prefer a finer texture, blitz the breadcrumbs in a food processor first.
- Seasonings - garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
🔪 How to make baked halloumi fries with breadcrumbs
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Cut each block of halloumi in half so you are left with two square thinner pieces. Cut each of those squares into 4-5 slices to make halloumi sticks.
Two: Place the flour, egg, and panko breadcrumbs (with the seasonings mixed in) in three separate shallow bowls. Take each halloumi stick and dredge in the flour (knocking off excess), turn in the beaten egg, then roll in the seasoned panko breadcrumbs. Place on a baking sheet lined with baking paper.
Three: Oven bake the halloumi fries for 25-30 minutes (turning halfway with tongs) until golden brown and crispy.
Four: Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving with a choice of dips.
💭 Expert tips
- Air fry the halloumi fries instead of oven baking! Simply place the fries in the air fryer basket and air fry at 180c for 10 minutes, turning halfway through cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer you may want to do this in two batches.
- When baking the fries, spread them out on the baking sheet and don't let them touch. You want to crisp up all the sides! Use two baking sheets if you have to!
- Keep one hand wet and one dry when you are dredging the halloumi to keep mess to a minimum. This is easier said than done though...especially when you are making these with children! I like to keep a bowl of cold water nearby so I can keep clean any sticky fingers off.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Serve at parties as part of a grazing platter with a variety of dips such as hummus, sweet chilli dipping sauce, and tomato salsa.
For a light lunch serve them with a crispy green salad and an easy dressing of extra-virgin olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice.
📖 Variations
- Make spicy halloumi fries and add a pinch of chilli flakes to the panko breadcrumbs.
- Use Cajun seasoning or dried mixed herbs for something a bit different.
- Use low fat halloumi to cut the calories.
- Add sesame seeds to the panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch and texture.
- Use paneer cheese, or another 'grilling cheese' instead of halloumi.
- Shallow fry them in a frying pan rather than oven baking, using sunflower oil or a light olive oil. You could even deep fry them if you wanted too but you'll need to put them on paper towels after frying to absorb the excess oil!
- Drizzle over hot honey just before serving. The sweet honey complements the salty cheese and makes for a very delicious snack!
🥡 Storage
Baked halloumi fries are best eaten fresh, straight from the oven.
Get Ahead Tip: Cut the halloumi blocks into fries the night before and store them in the fridge. The seasonings can also be mixed in with the panko breadcrumbs and stored in an airtight container.
To Store: If you do have leftovers (unlikely!), store the fries in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To Reheat: Reheat the halloumi fries in the air fryer or oven for 5 minutes.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Halloumi cheese is a hard white Cypriot cheese traditionally made out of sheep’s milk or goat’s milk – but is now often made of cow’s milk. In terms of taste, it is mild and salty. It has a very high melting point meaning it is great for baking and frying.
You can either substitute the breadcrumbs for crushed up cornflakes or rice krispies and oven bake, or forgo any coating altogether and simply shallow fry the halloumi fingers in oil.
Yes! But it's much nicer when baked or cooked!
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Recipe
Crispy Oven Baked Halloumi Fries
Ingredients
- 450 g Halloumi 2 regular sized blocks
- 40 g Plain Flour
- 2 Eggs beaten
- 80 g Panko Breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°c (160 fan/ Gas 4) and line a large baking tray with non stick baking paper.
- Cut each block of halloumi in half so you are left with two square thinner pieces (most halloumi blocks already have a cut through the middle so just carry this on). Cut each of those squares into 4-5 slices to make halloumi sticks.450 g Halloumi
- Place the flour, egg, and panko breadcrumbs (with the seasonings mixed in) in three separate shallow bowls. Take each halloumi stick and dredge in the flour (knocking off excess), turn in the beaten egg, then roll in the seasoned panko breadcrumbs. Place on a baking sheet lined with baking paper.40 g Plain Flour, 2 Eggs, 80 g Panko Breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika, ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder, ¼ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Pepper
- Oven bake the halloumi fries for 25-30 minutes (turning halfway with tongs) until golden brown and crispy. Alternatively you can air fry them for 10 minutes.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving with a choice of dips.
Notes
- Air fry the halloumi fries instead of oven baking! Simply place the fries in the air fryer basket and air fry at 180c for 10 minutes, turning halfway through cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer you may want to do this in two batches.
- When baking the fries, spread them out on the baking sheet and don't let them touch. You want to crisp up all the sides! Use two baking sheets if you have to!
- Keep one hand wet and one dry when you are dredging the halloumi to keep the mess to a minimum. This is easier said than done though...especially when you are making these with children! I like to keep a bowl of cold water nearby so I can keep clean any sticky fingers off.
- Make spicy halloumi fries and add a pinch of chilli flakes to the panko breadcrumbs.
- Use Cajun seasoning or dried mixed herbs for something a bit different.
- Use low fat halloumi to cut the calories.
- Add sesame seeds to the panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch and texture.
- Use paneer cheese, or another 'grilling cheese' instead of halloumi.
Claudia Lamascolo
Very good recipe we all love the flavor in this and baked is a plus!
Toni
This is such a perfect snack! My kids couldn't stop eating! Thanks!
Beth
I am VERY interested in this recipe! I've never heard of halloumi cheese before, but these fries look so gold, crispy, and delicious. I've got to snag some of that cheese and give these a try.
Natalie
I usually make halloumi fries on the pan, bat this is a genius idea. I'm making this tonight. Looks delicious!
Pam
We love halloumi cheese but I never thought of making fries with it. Genius!
Ago
This recipe is wonderful! I've to try It in my airfry 😋❤️