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4.9 from 81 votes

The Best Crispy Halloumi Fries

Really crispy fries... but they aren't regular fries. They're fried halloumi cheese - with easy, yummy dips like Greek yogurt and sweet chili sauce. A family favorite for years, these halloumi fries are the original recipe with just 3 ingredients (no breading necessary!). They truly are legendary. Everyone loves them, and they take just minutes to make. Will they become a new family go-to for you, too? Try them and see!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 4 (as an appetizer)
Calories: 215 kcal
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Ingredients

For the ‘fries’
  • 9 ounces halloumi cheese (this is usually 1 'log' but exact weight doesn't matter)
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • vegetable oil For frying (enough to fill a medium saucepan to a depth of about half an inch). Use light olive oil or another favorite oil if you prefer.
For the dips (optional)
  • Greek yogurt (or sour cream), sweet chili sauce (I prefer Greek yogurt. I sometimes swirl the two together.)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cut the halloumi cheese into roughly equal sized ‘fries’. Mine are about 1.5cm in thickness and I get 12 fries out of one block of cheese.
  2. Roll the ‘fries’ in the flour.
  3. Heat up the oil in a small to medium-sized saucepan until the end of the ‘fry’ dipped into it sizzles. Then, carefully lower the fries into the oil.
  4. Fry for a few minutes on each side or until golden and crunchy-looking (flip over with a fork). You might have to do this in 2 or more batches.
  5. Remove carefully from the oil with a slotted spoon and serve immediately with the dips.

Notes

  • Inspiration: Recipe inspired by Oli Baba's original halloumi fries invented in 2015 and sold at Camden market in London.
  • Best pan to use: I usually use a small to medium-sized saucepan so that I don't use much oil. I prefer to cook in 2 batches instead of using a larger saucepan. 
  • Oil: I prefer either vegetable oil or light olive oil but you can use any oil, really. After you've finished cooking, let the oil cool down then pour it into a double layer of leak-proof bags before throwing away. 
  • How to serve: While I love to serve with Greek yogurt (or 5-minute dill sauce) and sweet chili sauce, you can serve these with any sweet, tangy or creamy dip. My advice is to keep the dip(s) simple! Alternatively, you can serve with lemon wedges for squeezing over. 
  • I usually serve halloumi fries as a small appetizer for guests, or as a light lunch with bread and olives for ourselves. They can also make a great side dish with a casserole, at a BBQ, and more.
  • Nutritional info: Note that when calculating the nutritional info for this recipe, I did not include the cooking oil or dips. 
  • Where to buy halloumi: It's widely available in supermarkets/grocery stores or Mediterranean style delis in many countries. If halloumi is tricky to find where you are, you could use Latin American ‘queso para freir’ or Indian paneer instead if you like. Or any hard cheese that you know doesn’t melt easily when heated.

Nutrition Information

Calories 215kcal (11%) Carbohydrates 3g (1%) Protein 14g (28%) Fat 16g (25%) Saturated Fat 11g (55%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 4g Sodium 766mg (32%) Potassium 4mg (0%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Calcium 638mg (64%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4(as an appetizer)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 215

% Daily Value*

Calories 215kcal 11%
Carbohydrates 3g 1%
Protein 14g 28%
Fat 16g 25%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 4g 20%
Sodium 766mg 32%
Potassium 4mg 0%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Calcium 638mg 64%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.