Everything you need to know about how to air fry halloumi. The air fryer gives you an easy, lighter way to cook this amazing cheese. Full instructions with photos plus lots of ideas for how to serve your air fried halloumi as an appetizer, lunch or dinner.
It’s no secret that I love halloumi and I love my air fryer, so it was inevitable the two should meet.
Air frying is a hands off and convenient way of cooking halloumi, perfect when you’re multitasking with lots of pans on the stovetop, and avoids the whole oil spitting mess that halloumi can give us. I’m going to show you how to do it and give you lots of ideas for how to turn that air fried halloumi goodness into an appetizer, lunch or dinner.
There’s a printable recipe card at the bottom with full instructions, and you’re welcome to scroll straight down to see it, but first I am going to get nerdy and some tips and ideas, because you’ve got me onto two of my favourite subjects and I just can’t help myself.
Q: How does air fried halloumi differ to pan fried halloumi?
Air fried halloumi is similar to pan fried halloumi, in that it’s super golden and crispy. But it is also less oily, so I’m not going to pretend it’s exactly the same. Without all the oil, the halloumi is a little bit drier, so I like to to serve it alongside food that brings moisture like juicy tomatoes or in a salad with dressing.
Q: Do I need to use oil when I air fry halloumi?
I know a lot of air fryer users are motivated to reduce their use of oil. You do not need to use any oil at all to air fry your halloumi (so long as your air fryer grate has a decent nonstick coating), but it will turn out a little drier. Personally, I would always want to brush it with a little oil to get the nicest crispy texture. But that’s up to you and it matters less if you’re adding it to something saucy.
Q: What kind of halloumi should I use?
I have only tested this recipe with full fat imported Cypriot halloumi. I have tried multiple brands available in UK supermarkets (such as Yamas, Dodoni, and the supermarket own brands, my favorite being M&S own brand) and they are fairly consistent.
I have never tried reduced fat halloumi or a locally produced halloumi-style cheese. In countries where imported Cypriot is expensive, there are some imitations out there which mimic halloumi but aren’t necessarily made to the strict standards that are followed by halloumi makers in Cyprus. This might mean a high cow’s milk content, for example. And sometimes this halloumi doesn’t behave the same way, for example it might melt down a little. If you are in a place where real halloumi is eye wateringly expensive, certainly test these brands but be aware of the possibility that they might go rogue on you.
How should I cut my halloumi for air frying?
You can cut your halloumi into whatever shape suits your recipe, but it will alter the cook time.
Generally, a block of halloumi will work well cut into six vertical slices (like those shown in my photos, on the plate with tomatoes and basil) for salads, sandwiches, appetizers, etc. This size will need 10-12 minutes to cook.
Other recipes suit smaller cubes of halloumi (as shown on the other plate in my photos, with honey drizzle). This size will need less time to cook, more like 8 minutes.
What to do with your air fryer halloumi
The fun part! With an abundance of halloumi recipes here, I have pulled out a few which are perfect for slotting your air fryer halloumi into.
Breakfast or Brunch
Lunches and Light Dinners
Air Fryer Halloumi Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 oz (225 g) block of halloumi cheese, (usually around 225g or 8oz)
- 2 tsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 180C / 360F.
- Prepare your halloumi. Slice into 6 equal size slices and brush on all sides with olive oil.
- Once the air fryer is preheated, brush the bottom of the fry basket with more olive oil and place the halloumi slices on top.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes for larger slices, or 7-8 minutes for smaller cubes, until your halloumi is crispy and golden.The first time you make this, keep a really close eye on it – all air fryers are quite different and some may cook faster than others.
The halloumi melted and fell through the holes.
Eeek! What halloumi did you use? I have never seen halloumi melt before.
I had the same problem. I would up transferring the cheese to a cast iron skillet
Can I ask you also what halloumi you were using? And where you live? I’ve honestly never encountered this with any brand of halloumi I’ve found in the UK (all imported from Cyprus). I’d love to understand this better and I wonder if there are halloumis elsewhere which behave a little differently?
Christ – don’t need the life story before the recipe….
Of course you don’t, which is why I just wrote about air frying cheese. Because that is the topic of the post. The post you clicked on somewhere. Despite being a vegan. Shrug.
Who hurt you? No seriously well adjusted people do not behave like this?
Your lack of punctuation makes this difficult to read. Funnily enough, the one punctuation mark you do try to deploy, the question mark, is used incorrectly.
“No seriously well adjusted people do not behave like this?” is not a question. It’s a statement.
Halloumi turned out nothing like the picture, burned on the edges and white in middle. Ended up frying on a pan. The picture you used was fried on a pan then transferred to an air fryer!!
I can assure you it wasn’t, I don’t use tricks like that. There are plenty of reviewers who had a positive experience and my cook times align with a lot of other recipes out there.
If you want to troubleshoot I’d ask for the brand of halloumi (and whether it was a genuine Cypriot export? Because imitations which use more cows milk don’t always behave the same way) and what type of air fryer you used (because if your halloumi overcooked, that might mean your air fryer model runs a little hotter or has a more aggressive fan than mine. There is a lot of variation).
Rude. I’m so glad this recipe was shared. Thank you Christine.
So kind of you to say, thanks 🙂
Just got an air fryer and used it for Emporium Selection Halloumi Cheese Fries purchased at Aldi’s in the US. Per your instructions 360° for 8 min. It worked great!
Your post is what convinced me to buy the air fryer. Pan frying is so messy and dangerous!
So happy to hear this worked out well for you! I hope that you enjoy getting to know your air fryer more, it’s such a great addition to the kitchen! 😃
Another Christine here!
Recipe looks good, will try. Thanks
I thought this was perfect and my daughter (the pickiest ) loved it!!
And… um… geeze people, why abuse the lady trying to share recipes? That’s just messed up.
The best way to cook halloumi we’ve had! Many thanks for your assistance as this was our first time to use our Air Fryer
Sooo happy to help and delighted you enjoyed it! 🙂
So good! I cut the pieces smaller and cooked for less time, but came out perfect. Drizzled with spicy honey, this might be my favorite snack.
Oooh the spicy honey is something I need to try! Sounds amazing, thanks for the feedback.
Best halloumi ever!! I cut into 12 and air fried for 10 mins at 180 degrees. Someone will need to stop me from trying to eat halloumi every day now!
Hi, I usually don’t use oil when ‘frying’ my halloumi – have you tried cooking without oil in the air fryer and if so, what were the results?
Thanks, and yes, a very big no to the so-called ‘critic’ – in the comments. Very unhappy person obviously!
Hi Kas! Yes you can absolutely make this without oil. I have tried this, it turned out just fine. It was a little drier and almost springy – weird way of describing it I know, but that’s what I remember thinking. You just want to brush a little oil in the bottom of the air fryer pan if you can to stop it sticking. If you use parchment paper to prevent sticking, you’ll want to flip it over halfway through cooking. When I get a chance I will add the instructions to make it without oil into the recipe notes. Thanks for taking the time to ask me about it as it’s always useful to know if there is something you’re interested in that I haven’t covered off yet!
Vegan post – let’s see you do something like this – don’t be so rude , this recipe looks great and it was a pleasure to read the entire article
Thank you John 🙂
Hooray! Just what I’m looking for. I am the Halloumi king at our local winery. More coming for SuperBowl Sunday. I use Rosemary olive oil, drizzled with warm honey and sesame seeds and top with cherry tomatos and a bit of Rosemary pieces and parsley for color. Tomorrow I’ll have them on thin slices of Ciabatta so that it is easier to walk around with it. AND I’ll air fry every slice. Thanks!
That sounds AMAZING! 🤩 enjoy!
Wow! Thanks so much for the amazing information. Really well explained and looks so easy.
Thank you for such a kind comment 🙂
Perfect recipe Christine!
Thank you for sharing 🙂
First time making halloumi t since I love it so much at restaurants! I followed the recipe- 360 degrees for 10 minutes, but the cheese hardened up pretty quickly before I was even a quarter into my salad lol. Any tips on getting it to stay soft longer?
It may have just overcooked – all air fryers and halloumis can be different so I’d just try cooking for a little less time next time. Also did you add oil? That also helps to prevent it drying out. In general, halloumi will get tough if it’s sitting out for a while, but you should definitely have time to finish your meal before that happens!
Thank you for sharing the recipe Christine! My daughter has married a British boy and told me about halloumi when she was home. I’m really bad at frying things, so we’ve had this halloumi for at least a year. But now I have an air fryer, and it turned out perfect!
I read the comments so I cooked it on some parchment paper just in case…. though I’m definitely not above fishing the melted cheese out of the grate 🙂
Thanks again,
Jean
Oh we love halloumi on this side of the pond! I am so glad this turned out well for you. Thanks for the feedback!
Such an easy way to cook halloumi, it became lovely and golden on the outside and soft on the inside without having to stand over a pan flipping it. Thanks!