These Halloumi Fries are sticks of halloumi cheese tossed in a coating of flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then baked at 425°F for 10 minutes, flipped, and finished under the broiler until golden. Halloumi holds its shape in the oven, so the outside gets crisp while the inside stays soft and a little chewy. One 8-ounce block makes 2 servings in about 22 minutes. I serve them as an appetizer or a side with a dipping sauce.
You’ll love these fries if you enjoy recipes like these Golden Baked Jicama Fries and these Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese.
Halloumi fries are rooted in Mediterranean cuisine, as halloumi cheese originates from Cyprus. It’s traditionally made from a mixture of goat’s and sheep’s milk, though modern versions often also include cow’s milk.
Halloumi has a high melting point, so it can be baked, grilled, or fried without melting or losing its shape. That is why it works so well cut into fries.
The outside bakes up golden and crisp, the inside stays soft and a little chewy, and the smoked paprika and garlic powder give every fry a salty, smoky bite. I like them on their own or with a dipping sauce.
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💛 Why you’ll love this recipe
- Surprisingly easy to make.
- It’s a customizable recipe, as the spices can be adjusted to suit your taste.
- Great for sharing and bringing along to parties.
➡️ Ingredients
⏲ How to make halloumi fries
This is an overview of the recipe’s instructions. The full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Preheat Oven: Set one oven rack in the middle of the oven and one at the top. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Coat: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss the halloumi sticks in the flour mixture until evenly coated.
Recipe Tip: If needed, you can lightly spray the fries with cooking spray at this point to better adhere the flour mixture to the fries.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Gently shake off the excess flour mixture from each fry, then transfer the coated fries to the prepared baking sheet and arrange them in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch each other (this allows them to crisp up nicely).
- Bake: Transfer the baking sheet of the fries to the middle oven rack and bake for 10 minutes, until the coating looks dry and set.
- Flip: After the initial bake, remove the baking sheet from the oven and carefully flip each fry over. Lightly coat each fry with some cooking spray.
Recipe Tip: Spray the cooking spray from further away than you normally would spray a pan. Doing this will ensure that the flour mixture isn’t sprayed off the fries.
- Broil: Transfer the baking sheet to the top oven rack and turn on the oven broiler. Broil the fries until the cheese is golden brown, which should take about 30 to 90 seconds. Watch them carefully to ensure they do not burn.
- Final Steps and Serve: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the fries to cool slightly. Serve them on their own or with a dipping sauce while they’re still warm.
👉 Ingredient substitution suggestions
- All-Purpose Flour: You can use rice flour for a gluten-free option. For a coating with no flour, replace the flour and cornstarch with ⅔ cup crushed pork rinds.
- Cornstarch: Arrowroot powder or potato starch can also work.
- Garlic Powder: Use onion powder instead.
- Cooking Oil Spray: You can lightly brush the fries with extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil instead.
✨ Variations
- Add a pinch of ground cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the flour mixture, or drizzle Sriracha over the baked fries, for a spicy version.
- Mix seasonings like za’atar, sumac, dried rosemary, dried thyme, and/or dried oregano into the flour mixture.
- After the initial bake, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on the fries before the broiling step for an extra layer of flavor and crispiness.
- Sprinkle some lemon zest and/or drizzle some lemon juice on top of the baked fries for a fresh, citrusy flavor.
〰️ How to serve
- Dipping Sauces: Serve them with tzatziki, hummus, garlic aioli, marinara sauce, or BBQ ranch dressing.
- Pork: Plate alongside shake and bake pork chops or oven baked ribs.
- Soup: Pair with a bowl of sweet potato and red pepper soup, creamy Italian sausage soup, or cream of crab soup.
- Pizzas, sandwiches, and burgers: Serve these as you would regular fries. Try them with cold veggie pizza, cranberry turkey sliders, eggplant milanese sandwich, or smash burgers.
- In a Wrap: Include the fries in a pita wrap with some veggies and a drizzle of tahini or yogurt.
- Party Platter: Include them alongside finger foods like chicken wings, sliders, or mozzarella sticks on a party platter.
💬 FAQs
Where can I buy halloumi cheese?
Halloumi cheese is sometimes called “grilling cheese” in U.S.-based stores. It’s typically found in larger grocery stores’ specialty cheese section or stores that carry international foods. Sometimes, you might find it alongside other Mediterranean or Middle Eastern foods. If your grocery store has a specialty cheese section, often near the deli, you will likely find halloumi there.
Why are my halloumi fries not crispy?
Make sure you’ve coated them well and that they are not touching each other on the baking sheet. Also, don’t skip the broiling step, as it adds a crispy finish.
How should halloumi fries be stored?
Let the fries cool down to room temperature before storing them. Once cooled, place them in an airtight container, using parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the oven, air fryer, or on the stovetop. Keep in mind, however, that freshly made halloumi fries offer the best texture and flavor.
Can you freeze halloumi fries?
Freezing the halloumi fries is not recommended, as it can alter their texture.
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Halloumi Fries
Ingredients
- 1 block Halloumi cheese, 8 ounces, cut into sticks about ½ inch thick
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour, 15 grams
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch, 16 grams
- ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ tsp pepper
- Cooking oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set one oven rack in the middle of the oven and one at the top. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Coat: In a shallow bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss the halloumi sticks in the flour mixture until evenly coated. (If needed, lightly spray the fries with cooking spray to better adhere the flour mixture to the fries.)
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Gently shake off excess flour mixture from each fry, then transfer coated fries to prepared baking sheet and arrange them in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch each other (this allows them to crisp up nicely).
- Bake: Transfer baking sheet to middle oven rack and bake for 10 minutes, until the coating looks dry and set.
- Flip: After initial bake, remove baking sheet from oven and carefully flip each fry over. Lightly coat each fry with cooking spray.
- Broil: Transfer baking sheet to top oven rack and turn on oven broiler. Broil fries until cheese is golden brown, about 30 to 90 seconds. Watch them carefully to ensure they do not burn.
- Final Steps and Serve: Remove baking sheet from oven and allow fries to cool slightly. Serve on their own or with a dipping sauce while they’re still warm.
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