Grilled Halloumi
Grilled Halloumi is a Mediterranean favorite featuring firm, briny cheese that holds its shape on the grill and develops a golden, crisp crust with a warm, squeaky interior. It is salty, savory, and irresistibly satisfying, a fantastic vegetarian option for a party platter or barbecue. Serve it hot with a drizzle of honey, lemon, and fresh herbs.
- ⏱ 10 min
- 📊 easy
- 🍽 Party
Ingredients
- 250 g halloumi
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp (optional) honey
Instructions
- Slice a block of halloumi into pieces about 1 centimetre (half an inch) thick, since slices that are too thin can fall apart on the grill.
- Pat each slice thoroughly dry with paper towels to remove surface moisture, which helps the cheese brown rather than steam.
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high, around 200C (400F), and lightly brush the grates with oil so the cheese releases cleanly.
- Place the halloumi slices on the hot grill and cook undisturbed for about 2 to 3 minutes until deep golden grill marks form on the underside.
- Flip each slice carefully with a thin spatula and grill the other side for another 2 minutes until both sides are crisp and golden and the cheese is warm and soft inside.
- Transfer the grilled halloumi to a platter immediately while hot, because it firms up and loses its appealing texture as it cools.
- Drizzle with honey and a squeeze of lemon, scatter with fresh mint or oregano, and serve right away as a warm party appetizer.
💡 Chef's tip
Pat the halloumi completely dry before grilling and do not add oil to the cheese itself, because halloumi browns beautifully on its own and excess moisture or oil prevents the crisp golden crust from forming.
Halloumi's high melting point is what lets it grill: it browns and crisps on the outside while holding its shape instead of melting through the grates.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Protein: 18 g
- Carbs: 3 g
- Fat: 23 g
