Halloumi Cheese Sticks in the Air Fryer
The delicious combination of cheese and breading make the perfect appetizer! But why make boring cheese snacks when you can change things up a little? These flavorful halloumi cheese sticks are the perfect party snack. And the best part about this simple recipe is that you can make them without messy oil using your air fryer.
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What Do I Need to Make Halloumi Cheese Sticks?
These crispy fries filled with gooey cheese are the perfect appetizer for any occasion. And the best part about this simple snack recipe is that you can make them with just a few simple ingredients. To prepare your own halloumi cheese sticks, you'll need:
- Halloumi cheese
- Breadcrumbs
- All-purpose flour
- Smoked paprika
- Dried parsley
- Garlic powder
- Dried oregano
- Salt
- Pepper
- Spray oil
- Fresh mint leaves
- Lemon wedges
- Plain yogurt
- Harissa paste
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How Do I Make Homemade Air Fryer Cheese Sticks?
You won't believe how easy it is to make these flavorful cheese sticks with the help of your air fryer. Just follow these simple instructions to enjoy this cheesy appetizer right now.
Step One: Cut the Cheese
Before you can air fry your cheese sticks, you'll need to prepare your halloumi cheese for breading. Cut the blocks into one-inch sticks to resemble fries or mozzarella sticks.
Step Two: Prepare the Breading
Once your cheese is ready to go, you can start topping them with breading. In one shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs. In a second bowl, add the flour. And in a third bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs, paprika, dried parsley, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
Step Three: Bread the Cheese Sticks
To bread the cheese sticks, start by dipping each piece of cheese into the egg and allow the excess to drip off. Then, dip the stick in the flour, coating all sides of the cheese, and return the stick back to the eggs again. Finish by coating all sides of the cheese stick in the breadcrumb mixture, lightly pressing the breadcrumbs into the cheese.
Step Four: Air Fry the Cheese Fries
When all your cheese sticks are coated in breading, place them in an even layer in the basket of your air fryer. You may need to cook the sticks in batches to keep from overcrowding the pan. Cook the fries at 395 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cook time. The fries will be golden brown and crispy when they're finished cooking.
Step Five: Preparing the Dipping Sauce
While the cheese fries are cooking, you can prepare your rose harissa dip by whisking together the plain yogurt with the harissa paste until it's smooth and well combined. Serve the cooked fries garnished with fresh mint leaves and lemon wedges with the yogurt for dipping.
Halloumi Cheese Sticks Baking Tips
You're going to love the delicious combination of crunchy breading and creamy cheese in this air fryer appetizer! And while this snack recipe isn't difficult to prepare, you can always use a few tricks as you're cooking. Try these tips while you're preparing your cheese fries to ensure they come out amazing the first time you cook them.
- Go easy on the salt. Halloumi cheese has a naturally salty flavor, so you won't need much additional salt in your breading. Start with a small amount. You can always add more after tasting the finished recipe.
- Cut the fries evenly for even baking. Make sure to slice your cheese sticks into even pieces to prevent the fries from becoming over or undercooked as they bake in the air fryer.
- Adjust the cook time, if needed. While 10 minutes is a great starting point for cooking your own cheese sticks, you may need to adjust your own cook time according to your preferences. Check the fries after 8 minutes of cooking, then continue baking until your desired crispiness has been reached.
- Try different sauces for the dip. Harissa adds a great flavor to the dip for your halloumi sticks. But if you don't have any on hand, you can swap it out for other spicy sauces like sriracha or chili garlic sauce.
Can I Make Baked Halloumi Cheese Sticks?
Using your air fryer is a great way to cook these snacks without the need for oil. But if you don't have an air fryer and want to skip the mess of deep frying your cheese, you're in luck! These halloumi cheese fries can also be baked in the oven.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and arrange the sticks in an even layer on a baking pan. Coat them in nonstick cooking spray and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping the sticks halfway through the cook time.
How to Store Halloumi Cheese Sticks?
These fried cheese sticks taste best when they come straight out of the air fryer. But if you have a few extras when you're finished snacking, they should be stored in the refrigerator.
Place the leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge. They'll stay good for up to three days, but the breading may be come soft the longer they're stored.
To reheat the cheese sticks, place them in the air fryer at 350 degrees for a few minutes, until the breading is crispy and the cheese is cooked through.
Halloumi Fries Vs. Mozzarella Sticks
Although these breaded halloumi fries look similar to mozzarella sticks, there are a few differences you should note. The flavor of halloumi cheese is similar to other fresh milk cheeses like mozzarella, but you will notice that halloumi is slightly saltier than mozzarella cheese.
The other major difference between the two cheeses is the consistency. While mozzarella cheese gets soft and stringy when melted, halloumi tends to hold its shape as it cooks.
Halloumi Cheese Sticks in the Air Fryer
Ingredients
For Halloumi Fries:
- 16 ounces halloumi cheese blocks
- 2 eggs whisked
- 5 oz breadcrumbs
- 4 oz all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon parsley dried
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano dried
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- spray oil
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
- Lemon wedges for serving
For Harissa Yogurt Dip:
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon harissa paste
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 395°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Cut the halloumi blocks into thick fries or sticks (around 1 inch).
- Set up three separate bowls: one for eggs, one for flour, and one for breadcrumbs mixed with the spices.
- In the first bowl, crack the eggs and whisk them together.
- In the second bowl, add the all-purpose flour.
- In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, smoked paprika, dried parsley, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Dip each halloumi fry into the flour, making sure to coat it evenly.
- Then dip the floured halloumi fry into the whisked eggs, allowing any excess to drip off.
- Finally, coat the halloumi fry in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure it adheres well.
- Place the coated halloumi fries in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Generously spray the fries with oil to help them crisp up.
- Air fry the halloumi fries at 395°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crispy.
- While the fries are cooking, prepare the rose harissa yogurt dip. In a small bowl, mix together the plain yogurt and harissa paste until well combined.
- Once the halloumi fries are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool slightly.
- Serve the halloumi fries hot with a side of the harissa yogurt dip.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves and serve with lemon wedges for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
Halloumi cheese has a naturally salty taste, so be mindful of adding additional salt to the coating mixture.
Make sure to cut the halloumi into thick fries to prevent them from becoming too soft or overcooked in the air fryer.
Adjust the cook time according to your air fryer's instructions and the desired level of crispiness.
If you don't have harissa paste, you can substitute it with other spicy sauces like sriracha or chili garlic sauce.
The rose harissa yogurt dip adds a tangy and spicy element to complement the halloumi fries. Adjust the amount of harissa paste to your preferred level of heat. FAQs:
Can I bake the halloumi fries instead of using an air fryer?
Yes, you can bake the halloumi fries in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes or until golden and crispy.
What can I use as a substitute for halloumi cheese?
If you can't find halloumi cheese, you can try using paneer or firm tofu as an alternative. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Is it necessary to preheat the air fryer?
Preheating the air fryer helps ensure the fries cook evenly and become crispy. It's recommended to preheat the air fryer to 395°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes before placing the coated halloumi fries inside.
How do I store leftovers?
If you have any leftover halloumi fries, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, you can either pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes or reheat them in the oven until warmed through.
