Oven Fried Halloumi Bites with Hot Honey.

Switching up the average appetizer with these fun Oven Fried Halloumi Bites with Hot Honey. Sesame and Panko breaded halloumi cheese bites, oven-baked, and served with an addicting sweet and spicy hot honey. Each bite is crispy on the outside, but full of warm, salty halloumi cheese inside. The hot honey sauce just makes them that much more addicting. Serve these up as a fun and easy appetizer or make them dinner with a side of rice and veggies. Can’t go wrong either way.

This recipe! You guys I am so excited to share these crispy popcorn halloumi cheese bites with you guys. I couldn’t love this recipe more. I know I’ve said this before, but I don’t often share appetizers. When I do, it’s normally around the holidays when we’re entertaining most.

I just seem to have this hang-up with appetizers. They always fill you up before the real meal, so to me, they’ve always seemed a little pointless. But at the same time, appetizers are some of the most delicious foods…

I mean, a cheese board alone is one of my all-time favorites.

Anyway, the point is that I don’t often share appetizers. I prefer a meal over an app. But then there are those appetizers that overly excite me and I just have to share them.

Enter these fun bites.

Funny enough, they came to be after a failed recipe that was meant to be something entirely different. I felt a little defeated, but also determined to turn out something delicious. I opened up the fridge and pulled out the last block of halloumi cheese…and then I made these bites.

They just kind of randomly came to mind after I had made some breaded chicken earlier in the day. I just didn’t think twice, went at it, and here we are.

Twas a great idea.

What is Halloumi?

Halloumi is a semi-hard, unripened cheese made from a mixture of goat and sheep milk. It has a super high melting point, so it’s good for frying and grilling because it holds its shape.

Halloumi is often associated with Greek cuisine and originated in Cyprus. It’s a popular cheese throughout the Eastern Mediterranean. It can be a popular alternative to meat.

It has a white, very distinctive chewy texture that is similar to mozzarella, but not as melty. Its key characteristics are how salty it is. Think more along the lines of feta! It’s delish.

The Process…

If you’ve made any of my chicken fingers or popcorn chicken recipes, this is the very same process, but with cheese.

Dip the cubed cheese pieces into beaten eggs, then dredge through a mix of Panko breadcrumbs, parmesan, and sesame seeds.

Next, bake the halloumi cubes in the oven in a single layer until it crisps all over. My secret is to gently drizzle the halloumi with olive oil before baking. This helps the coating to really crisp up nicely in the oven. You can’t skip this step, it’s crucial. If you need to do several batches, that works too.

On to the Hot Honey Sauces

It is literally just honey and chili flakes, that it’s it. But oh my goodness, it is SO GOOD when drizzled over the crispy salty “fried” cheese.

Don’t skip this. Promise you, it makes these bites extra delicious and just a little bit addicting too.

To sum things up, the halloumi is crispy, warm, melty a little bit salty, and very much addicting. The sauce is spicy, yet sweet. Put everything together and you’ll have crispy, salty, sweet, and spicy popcorn size halloumi bites.

Just add ketchup on the side for dipping. Two sauces are better than one.

And with that, who’s ready for a fun, different, and delicious appetizer? These are going to be so good for Easter and Mother’s Day!

Looking for other spring appetizers? Here are a few to try:

Homemade Cheesy Pizza Rolls

Jalapeño Cheddar Corn Fritters with Chipotle Aioli

Crispy Sesame Ginger Potstickers with Chive Chili Sauce

Lastly, if you make these Oven Fried Halloumi Bites with Hot Honey be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Oven Fried Halloumi Bites with Hot Honey

4.02 from 259 votes

8

by Tieghan Gerard

calories 299kcal

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Prep15 minutes mins

Cook20 minutes mins

Total35 minutes mins

Each delicious bite is crispy on the outside, but full of warm, salty halloumi cheese inside!

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Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 large eggs, beaten
• ▢ 2 (8 ounce) blocks halloumi cheese, cubed
• ▢ 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
• ▢ 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• ▢ 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• ▢ black pepper
• ▢ extra virgin olive oil

Hot Honey

• ▢ 1/3 cup honey
• ▢ red pepper flakes

Instructions 

• 1. Preheat the oven to 425° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  3. Whisk the eggs in a bowl, add the halloumi and toss to coat. In a separate bowl, combine the panko, parmesan, sesame seeds, paprika, and a pinch of pepper.

  4. Remove each piece of halloumi from the eggs, and dredge through the crumbs, tossing to coat. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all the halloumi has been used. Make sure not to crowd your pan. Lightly drizzle the halloumi with olive oil. Bake for 10-12 minutes, then flip and bake another 10 minutes, until golden and crisp all around.

  5. Meanwhile, combine the honey and a big pinch of chili flakes and sea salt.

  6. Serve the halloumi warm, drizzled with the hot honey. I love a side of ketchup as well!

Nutrition

Calories: 299kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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