Think fries are great? Just wait until you try halloumi cheese fries! These Air Fryer Halloumi Fries are crispy and golden brown, without the greasy cleanup of deep frying. Pair with Hot Honey to take them to the next level. They’ll vanish fast—serve them as a craveable snack, party appetizer, or easy side dish.
I’ve spent years mastering the air fryer—and how to get a crunchy "fried" coating with very little oil! Be sure to check out my Crispy Breaded Tofu, Tofu Sticks with Honey Mustard, and Vegan Avocado Fries to take your air frying to the next level!
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Delicious: Crispy, golden-brown breaded cheese drizzled in a sweet-spicy hot honey. I'm drooling just writing this. What could be better?!
- Easy: Quick and simple—ready in just 15 minutes! Don't miss the Tips section for my well-tested pro tips to ensure success (and speed) in your own kitchen.
- No deep frying: Save yourself the effort and oily mess. With my tested-until-perfect technique, you'll get a crispy, golden-brown exterior with just a light oil spray.
- Crowd pleaser: Watch these disappear in minutes! Crispy cheese is always a hit with friends and family. Be prepared to make a double batch!
- Make ahead friendly: These halloumi fries are great for entertaining. You can bread them in advance, then air fry them just before serving.
Ingredients (and substitutes)
There's just 8 simple ingredients in these craveable Air Fryer Halloumi Fries. Here's what you need:
- Halloumi: This cheese keeps its shape when heated. Most blocks of halloumi have a natural split down the middle—use that as your guide for the first cut.
- Panko: Panko is flakier and crunchier than regular breadcrumbs—and it's key to a crunchy coating without deep frying! You can substitute gluten-free panko if needed. I also use panko to make eggplant parmesan in the air fryer, broccoli fries, and as a crispy topping for my tomato gnocchi bake.
- Italian Seasoning: This popular pre-made spice blend combines oregano, basil, thyme, and more. It's a convenient, all-in-one option. It's delicious in my Ratatouille Pasta, Creamy Tortellini Soup, and Instant Pot Bean Soup too!
- Oil Spray: The only oil in this recipe! The air fryer + panko create crispiness with minimal oil—use grapeseed, canola, or olive oil spray. Don't forget this step.
- Hot Honey (optional): The perfect pairing for crispy halloumi fries! Whip up this 2 ingredient hot honey in just 60 seconds.
Find the recipe card below for the complete recipe, including all ingredients and instructions.
Want more delicious halloumi recipes? Make Seared Halloumi with Tomatoes, Halloumi Wraps with Hot Honey, or Herby Couscous Salad with Lemon next!
How to make Air Fryer Halloumi Fries
It takes just 15 minutes to make these easy halloumi fries in the air fryer. You'll even have the time to make the homemade hot honey while they bake.
Here's how to make this recipe:
1. Cut the block of halloumi in half, then slice into fry-sized sticks.
2. Mix flour, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt & pepper. Then coat halloumi.
3. Dip the floured halloumi into whisked egg, letting excess drip off.
4. Transfer to panko breadcrumb mixture. Use your fingers to press in panko to coat.
5. Arrange panko crusted halloumi fries in an air fryer basket. Spray with oil.
6. Bake in an air fryer until crispy and golden brown, about 8 minutes.
Find the recipe card below for the complete recipe, including all ingredients and instructions.
Tips
- Cut down the natural split: Halloumi's center split comes from how it's folded during production. First cut along this line to halve the block (see photo above), then slice into fry sticks.
- Use spices in both the flour and panko: Most recipes only season the flour. But our side-by-side tests proved halloumi fries taste better with spices in both coatings. The layers of Italian seasoning allows more flavor in each bite.
- Salt isn't necessary: As someone who loves salt, I was surprised to prefer the version without salt in the breading. The halloumi is salty enough! (If you want more, you can sprinkle it on after cooking).
- Fully coat the halloumi sticks: Coat each piece thoroughly in flour, egg, then panko. If the coating's sparse, the cheese might ooze out.
- Prevent sticky fingers: To work efficiently and minimize mess, add all the halloumi to the flour to coat. Use a fork to dip one piece into the egg and transfer it to the panko. Then, press in the panko with your fingertips. This method keeps your fingers dry so the coating doesn't stick! No fork? Use one hand for egg, one for panko (like in my Crispy Holiday Tofu).
- Serve with hot honey: It's listed as optional, but I'd argue it's almost not! Crispy halloumi fries pair perfectly with easy homemade hot honey. The sweet-spicy kick balances the salty cheese. Either drizzle it over the plate—or serve on the side for dipping.
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Recipe FAQ's
They're best baked fresh, but you can prep them in advance. Just bread the halloumi in the flour, egg, panko mixture. Spread in a single layer, cover, and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. When ready, spray with oil. (It can be easy to forget this step—but make sure you don't skip the oil spray)! Then, air fry as directed and serve immediately.
Yes, just substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour and panko.
I don't recommend preheating for quick recipes like this. The air fryer heats up so fast anyway, and you'll lose most of the heat when you open it to arrange the fries. As someone who's tested countless air fryer recipes, trust me—don't bother preheating for these halloumi fries.
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Halloumi Fries
Ingredients
- 8.8 oz halloumi cheese
- ⅔ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 4 teaspoons Italian seasoning (divided)
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
- 1 large egg
- oil spray (see note 1)
- hot honey (optional, homemade or storebought)
Instructions
- Cut: Slice 8.8 oz halloumi cheese into 12 fry-sized sticks—cut the block down the middle split, then cut each half into 6 pieces (0.4-inch (1 cm) thick × 0.75-inch (2 cm) wide).
- Prep: In 3 shallow bowls, mix:Bowl 1— ⅔ cup panko breadcrumbs and 1 teaspoon(s) Italian seasoning.Bowl 2— 3 tablespoons all purpose flour, the remaining 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.Bowl 3—Whisk 1 large egg.
- Coat: Toss all the halloumi sticks in flour mixture to fully coat. Use a fork to dip one stick in egg—let the excess drip off. Transfer to panko mixture. Use clean fingertips to press in the panko, until fully covered. Repeat and arrange halloumi in a single layer in an air fryer basket (see note 2).
- Bake: Spray halloumi with a light, even coat of oil spray. Bake in an air fryer (no need to preheat) at 390℉ (200℃) until golden brown, about 8 minutes (time varies by air fryer). Serve hot with hot honey for dipping or drizzling.
Notes
- Oil Spray: Such as olive oil, grapeseed oil, or vegetable oil.
- Air fryer basket capacity: It's important the halloumi fries are arranged in a single layer—without overlapping—so they crisp up. This recipe was tested in a 6 QT air fryer. If yours is significantly smaller, you'll likely need to air fry in batches.
- Make ahead tip: You can slice, dip and coat the halloumi sticks up to 4 hours in advance. Store in the fridge (covered), then arrange in the air fryer basket, spray with oil, and air fry just before serving. Remember: Don't skip the oil spray step!
- Storage/reheating tips: These are best made fresh and served hot. In the unlikely event you have leftovers, refrigerate in an airtight container and reheat in an air fryer at 350℉ (177℃) until warmed through (about 3 minutes).
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