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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, 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.
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:
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
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 299 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 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!
Hi Tieghan,
These look delicious !
I was wondering if you would be able to advise me on making these in an airfryer?
All the best
Dee
Hey Dee,
I’ve not tested this recipe in the air fryer so I don’t have the instructions, but I bet it would work well for you! Let me know how the recipe turns out! xT
Sooooo good !!
Made this for a Sunday afternoon grazing snack. Perfect with a crisp glass of white wine.
Thankyou.
Hey Tracy,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks for sharing your feedback and making this recipe, I am so glad it was a hit! Happy 4th of July!??
This was absolutely delicious! Always looking for ideas for my veggie kids, but I’ll be making them for us!
Mine needed 10-12 max. I forgot the oil too but they still were lovely and crispy and VERY addictive ?
Hey Julie,
Awesome!! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed! Thanks for making it and sharing your feedback:) xx
Is it possible to make these ahead?
Hey Alison,
You could prep everything in advance, but I would save the cooking to serve these warm and fresh. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you give the recipe a try! xT
Would paneer work as a sub for Haloumi?
Hey Anita,
Totally, that would be a great option! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Love this recipe! I am hosting a brunch and would like to make this but have someone coming who cannot do gluten…any suggestions for replacements for the panko? Thank you!!
Hi Erin,
Wonderful! It’s so great to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Your local grocery store should sell GF Panko:) xTieghan
I literally just took a bite and said “Oh my gosh, are you kidding me?!” This is so freaking good!! And easy to make? why I never made this before?? ??♀️
Hey Angela,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it!! xTieghan
This sounds delicious! Any suggestions for a substitute to the eggs?
Hey there,
You could try using buttermilk in place of the eggs. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This looks delicious. Going to make today for my big fat Greek Cypriot family. Fresh halloumi from Cyprus will taste extra divine. Also, going to use almond flour as I follow keto. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
Thanks Georgia! I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Ive made this like 5 times now! It’s my go to snack for when I’m having a couple friends over for drinks. So easy! And so good! Everyone loves them!
Hey Kerry,
Wonderful! I am so glad this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for making it! Have a lovely week:) xTieghan
Tried this tonight…not sure if i got the wrong version of the cheese or what but the crumbs didn’t stick to the cheese and so its mostly bare cheese in the oven with stuff sprinkled on top. Definitely doesn’t look like the picture lol the cheese itself was wet out of the package so I guess the egg didn’t mesh well with it?
Hey Christine,
So sorry to hear this. Next time, I would use a different brand of Halloumi and also make sure to pat it dry before adding to the egg. I hope this helps! xTieghan
I haven’t tried this yet (hoping to this week) but maybe next time pat the cheese dry and lightly dust the cheese in flour before the egg wash ! The flour could help the egg stick to the cheese better.
Hope you love the recipe Jenn!
SO GOOD! With the amount of Panko breading mixture in the recipe I was able to ‘double dredge’ the cubed halloumi (i.e. egg, breading, egg, breading) – I did need a third beaten egg though!
Hey Nicholas,
Awesome!! I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go! xTieghan
I made this, but I substituted Everything Bagel Seasoning for Sesame Seeds (as Sesame seeds are also in that seasoning). So tasty!
Hey Lisa,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad that it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xTieghan
nice
Thanks!
Tried this dish yesterday and it was amazing!
Hey Arthy,
That is so awesome this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Happy Friday! xTieghan
Made these at the weekend. Such an easy, delicious recipe. Thank you. Xx
Hey Kelly-Jane,
Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xTieghan