Bacon Wrapped Halloumi Cheese Bites
User Reviews
5
Bacon Wrapped Halloumi Cheese Bites
Description
This recipe starts by patting dry a block of halloumi cheese and cutting it into either 12 finger-sized rectangular pieces or 24 smaller square pieces. Each piece is wrapped with a slice or half slice of bacon: whole slices in a spiral for larger pieces or half strips for smaller bites. When pan-frying, toothpicks can be used to hold the bacon in place, while air frying or oven baking does not require this step.
The bacon and halloumi rolls are cooked until the bacon reaches the desired crispness and the cheese is hot with lightly golden edges. Air frying at 180°C (360°F) takes approximately 10-15 minutes depending on bacon cut thickness. Pan-frying requires a bit of fat to prevent sticking. Halloumi’s firm texture holds up during cooking and contrasts well with crispy bacon.
These bites can be served as appetizers or snacks. The salty and smoky components make the dish rich and savory. Soaking halloumi before use can reduce its saltiness if preferred. The portion sizes offer flexibility between snacks for gatherings or more substantial finger foods.
Ingredients
- 1 block halloumi cheese about 8.8 oz / 250 grams
- 12 lices Bacon about 8 oz / 225 grams
- 2 tablespoons cooking fat if cooking in skillet, not needed for air fryer, for frying
Instructions
Prepare the bacon wrapped cheese
- Pat dry the 1 block halloumi cheese with a paper towel. Cut it in 12 rectangular, finger sized pieces, or half the size for 24 smaller square appetizers.
- Wrap the 12 slices bacon tightly around each piece of cheese. Use whole strips for long pieces of cheese, wrapping around in a spiral if needed to cover the cheese, or half strips for square ones.
- Skewer the bacon halloumi rolls with toothpicks if cooking in a frying pan to hold the bacon, this step is optional if air frying or baking in the oven.
Air fryer cooking instructions
- Arrange the halloumi and bacon rolls in the air fryer basket with space in between them, and with the ends of the bacon strips facing down (if they're not skewered with toothpicks).
- Set the air fryer to 180°C (360°F) and cook until bacon is at desired crispness and halloumi is hot with golden tips - about 10-12 minutes for streaky or thin bacon / half strips and 15 minutes for thick cut bacon or back or Canadian bacon.
Oven baking instructions
- Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
- Arrange the bacon halloumi rolls on the pan or roasting rack, with the ends of the bacon strips facing down if not held by toothpicks. Keep some space between the rolls.
- Bake for 13–18 minutes until golden brown or bacon is at desired crispness. Flip the halloumi appetizers halfway through.
Pan frying instructions
- Skewer the wrapped halloumi bites to secure the bacon with one or two toothpicks, so they don't unwrap as they are flipped around in the pan.
- Add 2 tablespoons fat for frying (oil, ghee or lard) to a large skillet on medium high heat.
- When the fat is hot, gently place the bacon wrapped cheese onto the pan.
- Turn the heat to medium and fry until the bacon is crisp as you like and the halloumi is golden, turning the wraps around in the pan to cook evenly.
- Transfer the appetizers to a plate lined with paper towels or a metal rack to drip away excess oil. Serve while hot.
Notes
- Soak the halloumi block in water to reduce saltiness; change water as it leaches salt out.
- Cut cheese either into 12 finger-sized pieces wrapped with full bacon strips or 24 smaller squares wrapped with half slices.
- Use toothpicks if pan-frying to keep bacon secured, but they are not needed for air frying or baking.
- Portion sizes affect serving quantity: 6 pieces out of 24 small bites or 3 pieces out of 12 large bites per serving.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12or 24 appetizers
Amount Per Serving
Calories 295 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 295kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 0.7g | 0% |
| Protein | 20.8g | 42% |
| Fat | 23.2g | 36% |
| Fiber | 0g | 0% |
| Sugar | 0g | 0% |
| Net Carbohydrates | 0.7g |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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