Air Fryer Halloumi Fries (UK)

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Want a speedy side that’s guaranteed to please? Love using your air fryer? Try this super easy air fryer halloumi fries recipe! Perfect as a side, or for party nibbles, these air fryer halloumi chips are next level delicious! Especially when you use the secret trick for silky soft middles! Keep reading to learn more…

Why halloumi fries?

Ok, so they might not be a traditional British side, but hear me out…

Halloumi is a Cypriot cheese that has been much loved by us Brits for many many years. You will often find it on UK cafe and restaurant menus in dishes such as halloumi and avocado on toast and halloumi burgers.

Being such a multicultural country, we have adopted many non traditional foods as our own over the years. Like curry for example! Halloumi fries are a perfect example of this too. We just can’t get enough of them!

Is halloumi better in the air fryer or pan?

The answer to this is all relative. I consider myself somewhat of a halloumi expert (I eat about 1 block a week!), and I have eaten both air fried halloumi AND pan fried halloumi on many occasions.

While pan frying halloumi gives it those eye-catching golden brown marks, air fried halloumi tends to be slightly more pale in colour – but a little healthier due to the lack of oil required.

Ultimately, it depends what you’re using your halloumi for as to which cooking method will work better for you.

How to make air fryer halloumi fries

Halloumi cheese fries are really easy to make! You simply cut a block of halloumi into fries, pat them dry, coat in seasoned flour and air fry them in a single layer. It’s as easy as that!

And yes, you’ll still achieve crispy halloumi fries, even without using panko breadcrumbs.

How long to air fry halloumi fries?

When cooking halloumi fries in the air fryer, it usually takes between 10-15 minutes. Of course, things like the size of your halloumi fries, and your air fryer model can affect those timings.

Ninja air fryer halloumi fries

If you’re looking for a halloumi chips recipe for your Ninja air fryer, look no further! This recipe was developed in a Ninja dual drawer air fryer. So no need to change or adapt anything. Just follow the recipe as it!

How to air fry pre-made or frozen halloumi fries

Air frying pre-made is a little different to cooking homemade halloumi fries. All you need to do is convert the fan oven time and temperature into air fryer settings using a reliable air fryer conversion chart. And away you go!

Why soak halloumi before frying?

THE SECRET TO SUPER SOFT MIDDLES!!!

Soaking halloumi makes it silky soft, prevents drying out, and brings out the BEST flavour! It’s an entirely optional step, but totally worth it if you want to impress! It works in a very similar way to air fryer fries.

All you need to do is cover the cut halloumi fries in boiling water, and soak for at least 20 minutes. Then pat them all dry before you move on with the recipe.

The recipe/timings are unaffected by this additional step, so just follow it as normal. But you may want to opt out of the additional step to spray with olive oil and air fry for a final 1-2 minutes, as they will likely be quite golden anyway.

Ingredients and substitutions

Confused about what ingredients to buy? Not sure about a substitution? Here’s what you need to know…

• Halloumi – Obviously the halloumi is the overriding flavour here. So use the best quality halloumi cheese you can afford. They will still taste great with cheaper halloumi, but truly out of this world if you use the good stuff!
• Flour – It doesn’t really matter what flour you use, as it’s only for coating. I used plain (all purpose) flour as that’s what I had in my cupboard. Self raising or strong/bread flour would also work if that’s what you have. To make gluten free halloumi fries, just use a gluten free flour.
• Garlic – I prefer to use garlic powder over fresh, as it burns less easily, but still imparts a good deal of flavour.
• Herbs – You could use any dried herbs you fancy or have in your cupboard! I opted for Italian herbs – but oregano, basil, mixed herbs, or herbes de provence would also work well.
• Pepper – Freshly ground black pepper obviously gives a stronger flavour, but you could use ground white pepper if you prefer a more subtle flavour.
• Oil – Although an optional step, this does help with colour and appearance, and adds a little flavour. Especially if you use olive oil.

Recipe tips and troubleshooting

Here are tips you’ll find helpful when making air fried halloumi sticks.

• Don’t be tempted to oil the halloumi at the beginning. It actually makes it stick to the air fryer basket more.
• Want super soft insides to your halloumi fries? Soak the halloumi first! (See Why soak halloumi before frying? for more details)
• Make sure you air fry them in a single layer, and don’t overcrowd your basket/drawer.
• Keep a close eye on them in the last few minutes. Remember, all air fryers vary, so they may cook slightly quicker.

Time management

Have limited time? Struggle with recipe timings? Or juggling around other things? Here’s some time managing info to make your life easier.

• It will take 2-3 minutes to cut the halloumi and dry it with kitchen roll.
• If you decide to soak your halloumi first, this will take about 20-25 minutes.
• The seasoned flour will only take 1 minute to prepare.
• Coating the halloumi fries in the flour mixture will take about 3-5 minutes.
• Air frying your halloumi fries should take between 8-12 minutes.

If you like this recipe…

…you might also like:

• Easy bacon halloumi bites
• Halloumi prosciutto bites

Air Fryer Halloumi Fries – Step by Step Picture Recipe

(For a printer friendly version, see the recipe card at the end of this post)

Ingredients

Here is what you will need to serve 2-3 as a side (makes about x 10-12 fries).

• 1 x 225g (7.9 oz) Block of Halloumi
• 3 tbsp Plain Flour
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Italian Herbs
• Black Pepper, to taste
• Olive oil, optional

Essential equipment

• Chopping Board
• Sharp Knife
• Kitchen Roll
• Bowl or Shallow Dish
• Air Fryer

Instructions

Drain the halloumi (1 x 225g block) and cut it into fries using a sharp knife and chopping board.* Then pat each one dry with kitchen roll.

*At this point you can choose to soak your cut halloumi fries in boiling water for 20 minutes to make them softer. If you do, thoroughly pat them dry afterwards.

Next, mix the flour (3 tbsp), garlic powder (1 tsp), Italian herbs (1 tsp), and black pepper (to taste) together in a bowl or shallow dish.

Then coat each halloumi fry in the seasoned flour mixture. Make sure you tap them gently after to remove any excess that hasn’t properly stuck.

Meanwhile, preheat your air fryer to 180ºC for 3 minutes.

Next, space the halloumi fries out in a single layer in your air fryer drawer or basket. Make sure you leave a little space between each one, so as not to overcrowd.

Then air fry them for 4 minutes…

Now turn them over and air fry for a further 4 minutes.

This is optional but, at this point, I like to spray them with a little olive oil and give them a quick shake. Then air fry them for a final 1-2 minutes.

I find the olive oil adds a little flavour, and improves the appearance/golden colour.

*If you soaked your halloumi, you probably won’t need to do this extra step.

Serve your air fryer halloumi fries immediately.

How to serve air fryer halloumi fries

Serve your air fried halloumi fries straight away with sweet chilli sauce. Or with whatever your favourite dipping sauce is.

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Air Fryer Halloumi Fries - Printable Recipe

Yield: 2-3

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 18 minutes

Perfect as a side or for party nibbles, these air fryer halloumi fries are quick to make, and NEXT LEVEL delicious!

Print

Ingredients

• 1 x 225g (7.9 oz) Block of Halloumi
• 3 tbsp Plain Flour
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Italian Herbs
• Black Pepper, to taste
• Olive oil, optional

Essential Equipment

• Chopping Board
• Sharp Knife
• Kitchen Roll
• Bowl or Shallow Dish
• Air Fryer

Instructions

1. Cut the halloumi into fries, then dry with kitchen roll.
2. Mix the flour, garlic, herbs and black pepper in a bowl or shallow dish.
3. Coat each of the halloumi fries in the seasoned flour, and preheat your air fryer to 180ºC for 3 minutes.
4. Place the prepared halloumi fries into the preheated drawer/basket, spaced apart in a single layer, and air fry for 4 minutes.
5. Turn them over, and air fry for another 4 minutes.
6. (Optional) You can serve them as they are, OR you can spray with a little olive oil and shake. Then air fry for a further 1-2 minutes. (This will add a little flavour, and improve the golden appearance.) Serve immediately with your favourite dipping sauce.

Notes

How to make halloumi fries SPECIAL!

Soaking the halloumi first will result in a better overall flavour, super soft middles, and naturally golden outsides. See Why soak halloumi before frying? for more details.

Notes

See the main post for a more detailed, step by step picture recipe.

Be sure to read the sections Ingredients and Substitutions, Recipe Tips and Troubleshooting and Time Management for lots of helpful information before you begin making this recipe. You can find them in the main body of this post.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

• 
  Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowl Set 3 Piece
• 
  Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer [AF400UK] 9.5L, 2 Drawers

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 257Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 471mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 18g

Nutritional information on kitchenmason.com should only be used as a general guideline, I am not a certified nutritionist. Please always check labels for allergens where applicable.

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Other tasty halloumi recipes

• Creamy halloumi curry recipe
• Halloumi wrap with Greek yoghurt sauce
• 15 minute halloumi pasta