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: 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!
