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Grilled Halloumi Cheese is the Ultimate Finger Food for Your BBQ

When you think of barbecue, you probably picture juicy cuts of meat on the grill smothered in BBQ sauce. However, you don't have to be cooking meat to have a mouthwatering grill-out. Halloumi grilling cheese is the tangy cheese that rivals even the most tender ribs in texture and flavor. 

What is Halloumi Cheese?

Halloumi is a springy, semi-hard cheese from Cyprus that sets itself apart with its high melting point. This yummy cheese is a mixture of goat and sheep milk, giving it a flavor similar to fresh mozzarella and feta cheese without the meltability.

Cyprus fried halloumi cheese. Balanced food, close up. Cooking on a grill pan

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If you were to grill most cheeses, you'd end up with a gooey mess to clean up and a disappointing waste of a perfectly good cheese. However, because halloumi holds its shape even at high temperatures, it's the perfect cheese to add to your grilling repertoire. When cooked, it turns creamier and softer on the inside, while the outside stays crunchy,  contrasting perfectly to its internal creaminess.

Halloumi is is rich, salty and mild in flavor. It's popular throughout the Middle East and can be enjoyed on its own as finger food, in sandwiches, as a topping for salads and more. It can be pan-fried, oven roasted, or deep-fried, but we recommend grilling it for the best texture and flavor.

How to Grill Halloumi Cheese

Grilled halloumi salad with baked vegetables and mustard dressing. Comfort food concept.

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The best part is grilling halloumi cheese is incredibly quick and easy. You only need a few ingredients, and takes about 10 minutes from prep to presentation. , start by slicing the block into ¼ inch wide slices, making each slice similar in thickness. 

Brush the slices with olive oil and add a light sprinkle of smoked paprika, garlic powder and ground cumin. 

Grill the halloumi cheese on a grill or in a grill pan over medium-high heat, about 400 degrees F, for about 3 minutes per side. When they're done, the slices should have beautiful grill marks and a delicious crunchiness!

READ MORE: How to Grill Fireball Pineapple According to a BBQ Expert

Grilled Halloumi Cheese

As tasty as grilled meat is, grilled cheese is the perfect way to switch it up from the BBQ classics. Here's how to make delicious halloumi grilling cheese.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 8 oz packet halloumi cheese
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions
 

  • The best part is grilling halloumi cheese is incredibly quick and easy. You only need a few ingredients, and takes about 10 minutes from prep to presentation. , start by slicing the block into ¼ inch wide slices, making each slice similar in thickness. 
  • Brush the slices with olive oil and add a light sprinkle of smoked paprika, garlic powder and ground cumin. 
  • Grill the halloumi cheese on a grill or in a grill pan over medium-high heat, about 400 degrees F, for about 3 minutes per side. When they're done, the slices should have beautiful grill marks and a delicious crunchiness!

Notes

To store your grilled halloumi cheese, keep it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. When you're ready to finish your leftovers, reheat them in the microwave or eat the pieces cold.