Fried Halloumi Bites are golden and crispy on the outside and soft and warm on the inside!
Paired with a zesty, refreshing cilantro dip, they truly are the perfect appetizer for summer nights!
Fried Halloumi Bites
This is the kind of appetizer I’d totally serve on a hot summer night with a fun cocktail! By the pool. Hehe.
Small crispy cubes of halloumi fried until golden and soft on the inside, with a delicious cilantro dip! Of course you can swap the dip for a different one, if you’d like, but I love the halloumi + cilantro combo!
Everything you’ll love about these:
- Crispy fried layer that keeps you going back for more!
- Delicious halloumi flavor!
- Dip in the zesty cilantro sauce for a refreshing bite or use your favorite dip!
- Easy to make.
Ingredients
Halloumi cheese or queso fresco. They have different flavors but you can use halloumi or queso fresco for this recipe. Halloumi is salty and tangy (some halloumi can have a slight mint flavor) while queso fresco is a bit milkier.
Oil, for frying. I like vegetable oil but sunflower, canola, or peanut oil will also work!
Flour, for dredging.
Egg, to make the crispy coating stick well!
Breadcrumbs, for the crispy coating! You can use regular breadcrumbs or a mix of breadcrumbs and panko or even crushed cornflakes for a gluten-free option!
Cilantro dip. I used my go-to cilantro dip recipe for the dip: it comes together in 5 minutes in a blender, with a just a few simple ingredients!
How to make halloumi bites
STEP ONE: Make the cilantro dip, if using. Here’s the recipe I use for my cilantro dip. If making another dip of choice from scratch, make the dip first so the flavor can bloom while you make the cheese cubes. If using store bought, skip this step.
STEP TWO: Cut the cheese into small cubes (1-inch or 2.5 cm).
STEP THREE: Prepare the fried cheese bites. Add flour to a large plate, whisked eggs to a small bowl, and breadcrumbs in a third plate. Start by dipping a few cubes into the flour until they’re even coated then dip into the eggs and finally coat with breadcrumbs. Make sure the breadcrumb layer is even before frying.
STEP FOUR: Fry. In a large pan over medium-high heat, add about 1/4-inch (0.5 cm) of oil, then heat until hot. When you add a cheese cube, it should immediately fizzle and fry.
Fry in batches until all four layers of the cheese cubes are golden and crispy (about 1-2 minutes per side). Remove from the pan once done frying and place onto a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any extra oil. Serve hot!
Make-Ahead and Storing Instructions
Make-Ahead Instructions: I don’t recommend making these ahead of time, fried food is best eaten as it’s made when it’s still super crispy! You can make the cilantro dip ahead of time though!
Storing Instructions: Fried foods tend to soften up over time but if you do have leftovers, store them in an air-tight container for up to 1-2 days and reheat.
Reheating Instructions: Reheat in the oven at 350F (180C) for 5-10 minutes or until crispy on the outside. Or in the air-fryer at the same temperature for 4-6 minutes or until crispy. Do not microwave as they will turn soggy!
HAPPY COOKING!! I hope you'll love these Fried Halloumi Bites as much as I do!
PS: Please leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if you make it! Your comments make my day!! You can also tag me on Instagram @itsdamnspicy 🌈💘
More appetizer recipes you'll love:
Fried Halloumi Bites
Ingredients
- 1 batch Creamy Cilantro Dip
- 8 oz (225 g) halloumi cheese or queso fresco
- 2 eggs (whisked)
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (220 g) breadcrumbs (or half breadcrumbs half panko or crushed cornflakes for gluten-free)
Instructions
- Make the Creamy Cilantro Dip, if using. Make the dip first so the flavor can bloom while you make the cheese cubes. If using store bought or a different dip, skip this step.
- Cut the cheese into small cubes (1-inch or 2.5 cm).
- Prepare the fried cheese bites. Add flour to a large plate, whisked eggs to a small bowl, and breadcrumbs in a third plate. Start by dipping a few cubes into the flour until they're even coated then dip into the eggs and finally coat with breadcrumbs. Make sure the breadcrumb layer is even before frying.
- Fry. In a large pan over medium-high heat, add about 1/4-inch (0.5 cm) of oil, then heat until hot. When you add a cheese cube, it should immediately fizzle and fry. Fry in batches until all four layers of the cheese cubes are golden and crispy (about 1-2 minutes per side). Remove from the pan once done frying and place onto a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any extra oil. Serve hot!
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