Crispy Halloumi Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Golden fried halloumi cheese layered in toasted bread with buttery crispness and optional fresh greens.

# What you'll need:

→ Cheese

01 - 7 oz halloumi cheese, sliced into 0.2 inch thick pieces

→ Bread & Spread

02 - 4 slices rustic or sourdough bread
03 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
04 - 1 tbsp olive oil

→ Optional Additions

05 - 2 tsp honey or hot honey, for drizzling
06 - 1 small handful fresh rocket (arugula) or baby spinach
07 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Method:

01 - Pat halloumi slices dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture.
02 - Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat; fry halloumi slices for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Remove from skillet and set aside.
03 - Spread softened butter evenly on one side of each bread slice.
04 - Place two bread slices, buttered side down. Arrange fried halloumi on top, add rocket or baby spinach, drizzle honey if desired, and season with freshly ground black pepper.
05 - Cover with remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
06 - Wipe skillet clean and return to medium heat. Grill sandwiches for 2 to 3 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden and crisp and cheese is warmed through.
07 - Remove sandwich, slice in half, and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The halloumi gets this crispy, almost crispy-fried exterior while staying soft inside, turning an ordinary sandwich into something restaurant-worthy.
  • It comes together faster than most people expect, making it perfect for when you want something that feels fancy but doesn't demand much time.
  • That melty-meets-crispy contrast is genuinely addictive, especially paired with just a hint of honey or fresh greens.
02 -
  • Halloumi has a high melting point, which is why it fries instead of melting into a puddle—this is the whole reason it works, but it also means you need to fry it first or it won't soften properly inside the sandwich.
  • The drying step isn't optional; I learned this the hard way when splashing hot oil caught me off guard the first time I skipped it.
03 -
  • Make sure your skillet is at medium heat, not high—high heat will burn the outside of the bread before the halloumi inside has a chance to warm through properly.
  • Slice your halloumi fresh from the block if you can; pre-sliced cheese often has a thin coating that prevents it from frying up the same way.
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