Description
This Easy Pan-Fried Halloumi recipe features golden, crispy slices of halloumi cheese pan-fried to perfection with aromatic garlic and dried mint. Ready in just 15 minutes, it makes a delicious appetizer or snack with a simple Mediterranean flair.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1/4 cup diced garlic (optional)
- 8 ounces halloumi, sliced into thin long strips
- 1/4 teaspoon dried mint
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Heat pan: In a nonstick pan, heat the olive oil or butter over medium heat until it becomes shimmery, indicating it is hot enough for frying.
- Cook cheese: Place the halloumi slices in the pan and drizzle with lemon juice. Allow the cheese to brown on one side without moving it to develop a crispy crust, then carefully flip it over.
- Add garlic: (Optional) Add diced garlic to the pan alongside the halloumi, letting it infuse the oil and cheese with flavor.
- Sprinkle mint: Sprinkle the dried mint over the cooking halloumi to add a fresh, herbal aroma.
- Continue cooking: Flip the cheese one or two more times, carefully spooning the garlic and mint over the top to distribute the flavors evenly while cooking.
- Serve: Once the halloumi is golden brown and soft on both sides—approximately 6 minutes—remove the cheese from the pan and serve immediately to enjoy its perfect texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use a nonstick pan to prevent the halloumi from sticking during cooking.
- Halloumi browns best on medium heat; too high heat may burn the outside while leaving the inside uncooked.
- The lemon juice adds bright acidity that balances the salty, rich cheese.
- For a dairy-free variation, omit the halloumi and replace with grilled tofu.
- Halloumi is naturally gluten-free and suitable for a vegetarian diet.
