Halloumi Cheese Is the Squeaky Star of the Grill in 2025
Halloumi cheese has been a fixture on tables from Cyprus to Sweden for generations, but it’s only recently started turning heads in American kitchens. It’s mild, a little salty and has a texture that squeaks when you bite into it. Throw it on a hot pan and something changes — it softens just enough, holds its shape, and gets a golden crust that’s hard to resist.
It might look like feta at first glance, but that’s where the similarities end. Halloumi doesn’t crumble. It’s made to be cooked.
If you’ve ever wanted a cheese that can handle the heat and still bring something new to the plate, halloumi delivers. Here’s how to use it, cook it and maybe even build a new obsession around it.
Jump to Section:
- What is Halloumi Cheese?
- How Halloumi Cheese is Made
- What Does Halloumi Cheese Taste Like?
- Halloumi Cheese vs Paneer or Feta
- Halloumi Cheese Recipes and Uses
- Halloumi Cheese Nutrition and Health
- Where to Buy Halloumi Cheese
- Halloumi Cheese FAQs
What is Halloumi Cheese?
If you’re new to halloumi cheese (pronounced huh-loo-mee), here’s a quick intro. It comes from Cyprus, a Mediterranean island with strong ties to both Middle Eastern and Southern European food traditions. Halloumi is made from sheep’s, goat’s or cow’s milk — sometimes a mix — and is known for its semihard, rubbery texture before cooking. It’s often called “grilling cheese” because it holds up so well to heat.
We’ll talk more about what halloumi tastes like in a bit, but for now, think of it as mild and milky, kind of like mozzarella with a firmer bite.
How Halloumi Cheese is Made
Halloumi cheese is made like most other cheeses, by heating milk and adding rennet or another culture to separate the curds from the whey. The curds are then drained, pressed into rectangular molds and poached in water or leftover whey. Poaching the cheese at high heat gives halloumi its famously high melting point. It’s why you can grill or fry it without it turning into a gooey mess.
A little salt is added at the end, and traditionally, so is a sprinkle of fresh mint. Halloumi isn’t aged, but it can be stored in brine for months, which helps it stay fresh and firm. Unlike most cheeses, no acid or acid-producing bacteria is used in the process.
You’ll usually find halloumi sold in vacuum-sealed bricks. When you go to cook your halloumi cheese, it’s best and easiest to first cut it into strips so you can cook it evenly. Just be sure to place it seam-side down in the pan — the cheese is layered and pressed, and that seam can split if it’s not facing the heat.
What Does Halloumi Cheese Taste Like?
Halloumi cheese is mild, with a firm, rubbery bite when cold and a softer, creamier texture once heated. While it’s safe to eat straight from the fridge, it’s really meant to be cooked. Once cooked, it becomes wonderfully soft and melty on the inside, while the outside has a very light 'crust'.
Cold halloumi tends to taste saltier, but once warmed, the saltiness fades and the flavor becomes only slightly salty and very creamy. It’s often compared to mozzarella, though the texture is denser and a bit springier.
Halloumi Cheese vs Paneer or Feta
Halloumi cheese might look a bit like feta, but that’s where the similarities end. These two types of cheese are actually worlds apart. Feta crumbles easily and has a much tangier, saltier flavor. Halloumi, on the other hand, holds its shape, doesn’t melt, and has a far milder taste. Feta is usually sold in brine or as crumbles, while halloumi cheese comes vacuum-sealed in a block.
Paneer is a closer comparison. Both are firm and don’t melt, but they get there in different ways. Paneer uses acid to hold its shape, while halloumi is poached to bind the curds. You could swap one for the other in a pinch, but you’ll notice the difference in flavor and texture right away.
Halloumi Cheese Recipes and Uses
Halloumi cheese might not be a staple on your charcuterie board ideas, but its golden, grilled goodness makes it surprisingly versatile in the kitchen.
1. Grilled and Pan-Fried Halloumi
The best way to enjoy halloumi cheese is cooked — whether you grill it, pan-fry it or even deep fry it. The outside turns golden and crisp while the inside stays soft and melty.
2. Salads and Caprese Variations
Add thin strips of grilled halloumi to your favorite salad for a salty, satisfying bite. For something different, swap mozzarella for halloumi in a caprese-style salad. It holds its shape and adds a savory richness, especially when served warm.
3. Sandwiches and Burgers
In parts of Scandinavia, a halloumi burger is just as common as beef. Grill a thick slice and add your favorite toppings. It’s a perfect meat alternative for vegetarians, or just a tasty change-up for everyone else.
4. Classic Pairings
In Cyprus, halloumi is often served with watermelon and fresh mint — a sweet, salty combo that works well at any summer barbecue. It’s fresh, simple and unforgettable.
5. Meat or Bread Substitute
The firm texture of halloumi makes it a handy replacement for meat or bread in recipes. Stack it in sandwiches, cube it for skewers or layer it into dishes where you’d normally use a protein.
6. Fries, Hashes and Brunch Ideas
Try halloumi fries topped with Mediterranean ingredients like pomegranate arils and a tangy yogurt sauce. Or, cube it into a hearty breakfast hash with sweet potatoes and herbs — a great addition to your brunch food ideas.
7. Tex-Mex and Fusion Dishes
Halloumi cheese works surprisingly well in nontraditional settings. Toss it into fajitas for a meatless twist or add it to tacos with grilled vegetables and avocado crema.
Tips for Prepping Halloumi Cheese
Each block of halloumi has a seam where the layers were pressed together. For slices that stay intact, cut perpendicular to the seam — usually across the shorter side of the block. Keep slices about half an inch thick to cook evenly without falling apart.
If halloumi cheese is totally new to you and you want to learn more about it and how to cook with it (along with other delicious ingredients), online cooking classes are a great tool. Or, if you prefer, the in-person option, cooking classes in Boston, Baltimore or Atlanta make for a fun date night or friend outing.
Halloumi Cheese Nutrition and Health
Like most dairy products, halloumi cheese is a decent source of calcium and protein — two things your body actually needs. But it’s also fairly high in fat and sodium, which is part of why it tastes so good.
That creamy texture? It comes from the cheese’s high fat content, often around 25g per 100g serving. And while fat isn’t inherently bad (your body needs it), it does add up quickly in calories. Sodium is another factor. Depending on the brand, halloumi cheese can contain 2g or more per 100g — about a third of your recommended daily limit. That means it’s probably not something to eat daily if you’re trying to cut back on salt.
So is it healthy? Like most cheese, it depends on how much you eat and what you pair it with. Grilled halloumi with fresh fruit or roasted vegetables is a more balanced way to enjoy it, compared to piling it onto a plate of fries. But overall, it’s a fun occasional food that can fit into most diets, just maybe not every day.
Where to Buy Halloumi Cheese
Even if you’ve never tried it before, you might’ve walked past halloumi cheese at your local grocery store without realizing it. It’s often tucked away near the feta, and thanks to its similar shape and packaging, it’s easy to confuse the two. Halloumi cheese started showing up in mainstream American stores in the early 2000s, and it’s now fairly easy to find.
Most large retailers like Walmart, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s carry at least one brand of halloumi cheese. You’ll usually find it vacuum-sealed in the specialty cheese section.
For online options, check out Murray’s Cheese, iGourmet, or even Amazon, which regularly stock halloumi and similar grilling cheeses.
If you’re shopping in person, keep an eye out for Cypriot brands or labels that mention grilling cheese — it’s the same thing, just marketed differently depending on the supplier.
Halloumi Cheese FAQs
What is Halloumi Cheese Called in the USA?
Most packages still label it as halloumi cheese, but some places call it grilling cheese. Since it’s best served warm, some brands use terms like halloumi-style cheese or grillable cheese. In Spain, it’s sometimes called frying cheese, but that term is rare in the U.S.
What Does Halloumi Cheese Taste Like?
Halloumi cheese has a mild flavor and a firm, squeaky texture. It’s closest to mozzarella, but with a little more chew.
Is Halloumi a Healthy Cheese?
It can definitely be part of a healthy diet. Halloumi cheese is high in protein and calcium, with enough fat to keep you satisfied — just go easy on portion size if you're watching salt or calories.
Is Halloumi the Same as Feta?
Not at all. Halloumi and feta may look similar at first glance, but feta crumbles and melts easily while halloumi stays firm and grillable. The taste is also much saltier and tangier in feta.
Now that you’ve had a crash course in halloumi cheese, you’re ready to give it a go. Start simple: pan-fry slices until golden and enjoy them as a snack or salad topper. Once you get the feel for it, there’s a whole world of delicious uses to try.
For even more fun foodie ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
