Grilled Halloumi Recipe

Halloumi cheese: A semi-hard cheese that holds up well to grilling, providing a warm and soft texture with a slightly salty flavor.

Olive oil: Used to brush the cheese slices, helping to prevent sticking and adding a subtle richness to the flavor.

To enhance the flavor of your halloumi, try marinating the slices in a mixture of lemon juice, garlic, and fresh herbs like oregano or thyme for about 30 minutes before grilling. This will add a zesty and aromatic touch to the cheese, making it even more delicious.

• halloumi cheese - Substitute with paneer: Paneer has a similar firm texture and can be grilled without melting.

• halloumi cheese - Substitute with firm tofu: Firm tofu can be marinated and grilled, offering a similar texture and a vegan option.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a mild flavor, making it suitable for grilling.

• olive oil - Substitute with grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil is neutral in flavor and has a high smoke point, ideal for grilling.

• Allow the grilled halloumi to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the cheese soggy.
• Place the cooled halloumi slices in an airtight container. If stacking, separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
• Store the container in the refrigerator. The grilled halloumi will keep for up to 3-4 days.
• To reheat, preheat your grill or a non-stick pan to medium heat. Grill or pan-fry the slices for 1-2 minutes on each side until warmed through.
• For freezing, wrap each halloumi slice individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This ensures they don't stick together.
• Place the wrapped slices in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date for reference.
• Freeze for up to 2 months. For best results, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
• When reheating frozen halloumi, follow the same grilling or pan-frying instructions as for refrigerated slices.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil to the skillet.
  3. Place the leftover halloumi cheese slices in the skillet.
  4. Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side until the cheese is warm and slightly crispy.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the halloumi cheese slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  3. Bake for 5-7 minutes until the cheese is heated through and slightly golden.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the halloumi cheese slices on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to prevent splattering.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 30-45 seconds, checking to ensure the cheese is warm but not rubbery.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the halloumi cheese slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Air fry for 3-4 minutes until the cheese is warm and slightly crispy.

• Grill Method:

  1. Preheat your grill to medium heat.
  2. Lightly brush the halloumi cheese slices with olive oil.
  3. Grill for 1-2 minutes on each side until the cheese is warm and grill marks reappear.

• Grill: Used to cook the halloumi slices, providing the necessary heat and grill marks.

• Brush: Used to apply olive oil evenly on both sides of the halloumi slices.

• Tongs: Used to place the halloumi slices on the grill and to flip them during cooking.

• Cutting board: Used as a surface to slice the halloumi cheese into 1 cm thick pieces.

• Knife: Used to slice the halloumi cheese into the desired thickness.

• Plate: Used to serve the grilled halloumi once it is cooked.

Preheat the grill: Preheat your grill while you prepare the halloumi cheese to save time.

Brush in advance: Brush the halloumi slices with olive oil before you start grilling.

Use a timer: Set a timer for 2-3 minutes per side to ensure you don't overcook the cheese.

Serve immediately: Have your serving plates ready so you can serve the grilled halloumi as soon as it's done.