Next Post
Coconut Pecan Caramel Butter Cake.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
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.
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.
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, parmesan, and sesame seeds.
Next, bake the halloumi in the oven 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.
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:
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!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
This looks good and I really do love cheese. I wish you had included a picture of the halloumi itself – like what it looks like when you buy it. I’ve never bought it before and have no idea what to look for. Does it have a rind or something that you need to cut off?
Hey Michelle,
I would just google it, there are plenty of pictures online. I hope this helps! Let me know if you try the recipe:) xTieghan
I couldn’t wait for Easter as originally planned. 🙂 I made them last night, and they were absolutely delicious and perfect! Thanks for such a great and easy recipe idea!
Hey Aline,
Thanks a lot for making this recipe, it makes me so glad that it was enjoyed. Have the best weekend!! xTieghan
I made them tonight, and they were delicious!
Hey Pepper,
Thanks a lot for making this recipe, it makes me so glad that it was enjoyed. Have the best weekend!! xTieghan
Could these be cooked in the air fryer?
Hey Nancy,
I have not tried this, but I’m sure they would turn out great. Let me know how it goes! xTieghan
Looks delicious and fun, Tieghan! Looking forward to doing this over the Easter holiday for an appetizer. My MIL has an egg allergy, So I’ll dip the halloumi in buttermilk before dredging in Panko. I have tried this with your chicken recipes with great success as well.
@ramya – you could try firm tofu, cubed, for a vegan alternative.
Hey Aline,
Perfect!! I hope you love the recipe:) xTieghan
Just curious if these can be made in instant pot instead of oven? Love, love, love halloumi so can’t wait to try it!
Hey Brittany,
I have not tested these in the instant pot and am not sure it would give the same results, I would stick with the oven:) Happy Friday! xTieghan
This sounds delish! We have a sesame allergy in our household. Any suggestions for subs that would still give the halloumi a little added flavor? Thank you xx
Hey Lindsay,
I would just skip the sesame, the Halloumi will still be fantastic! I hope you enjoy the recipe, please let me know if you make it! xTieghan
Where do you buy your halloumi cheese from? It’s been so hard for me to find. I’m in San Antonio Texas.
Hey there,
I get my Halloumi from Whole Foods! I hope you enjoy the recipe:) xTieghan
This looks awesome. Having people over Saturday night and it’s definitely on the menu. Do you think I could make it ahead of time?
Hey Tricia,
I think you could totally assemble everything and have it all on your baking sheet ready to go and then I would pop in the oven when you your guests arrive, I think these are best served warm. I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Love this! My family all love halloumi, but I don’t like all the sparking oil frying it. Having it like this soon, perfect solution. Thank you xx
I hope you love the recipe Kelly-Jane!! xTieghan
Looks so good
Thanks so much Ceri!
Halloumi is one of my all time fav foods! I buy it in large quantities because I’m slightly obsessed with it. I have everything on hand to make this so perfect timing! P.S. All of your Halloumi recipes are fantastic!
Hey there,
I love this! I hope you enjoy the recipe, let me know if you make it! xTieghan
As a Cypriot – I LOVE that you use Halloumi!!! It is so delicious with mint especially. My favorite way is simply pan fried! Keep using it – makes me SOO happy 🙂
Thanks so much Joanna! I hope you love this recipe! xTieghan
Hello!
Can we swipe the halloumi cheese with another one?
Maybe a mix of goat and feta?
Hey Amanda,
I think using feta would be your best bet! I hope you love the recipe, let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Will be making this soon with few subs i never had oven fried halloumi bites before as am a vegan and dairy free sorry for the early comment as am in Singapore will dm you if i make this and let you know how it goes Thanks Ramya
Thanks so much, I hope you love the recipe!!