Crispy Halloumi Fritters
These crispy and cheesy halloumi fritters pack a flavorful punch with each bite! This tasty dish blends halloumi’s salty, rich creaminess with fresh, herby, savory goodness, all wrapped in a crunchy outside coating. With a plate of halloumi fritters on the side, you can turn an ordinary meal into something truly spectacular. Gluten-free, egg-free, and vegetarian!
Halloumi is such a unique and flavorful cheese with a one-of-a-kind texture. While pan-frying halloumi cheese is quite common (and undeniably delicious!), I wanted to create something different with this cheese — something I hadn’t tried before. That’s when I discovered how well halloumi works when grated and incorporated into a simple gluten-free fritter recipe. You still get all the flavor, but you also get to enjoy halloumi in its melted form. It’s a winner!
Why You’ll Love This Crispy, Cheesy Snack
- This recipe is so easy to make! Mix the ingredients, form the batter, and fry them in the frying pan.
- It’s so quick to whip up, too! It’s perfect as a side dish during weeknight dinners or when craving a last-minute snack.
- Halloumi cheese packs a ton of flavor and nutrients! You’re loading up on protein and calcium with every tasty bite. It’s naturally gluten-free too.
- It works so well with various delicious dipping sauces!
Ingredient Notes
Halloumi Cheese: The main star of this dish. It holds up well during cooking, giving your fritters a satisfying, chewy bite. Use vegetarian/rennet-free variety if necessary. My favorite brand of vegetarian halloumi cheese is made by Dodoni.
Chickpea Flour: Helps hold the fritter mixture together without needing eggs. If you do not have or are not a fan of chickpea flour, you can use regular or gluten-free all-purpose flour.
Onion: Adds a mildly sweet, savory flavor. Red, white, or yellow works!
Garlic and Garlic Powder: Imparts a warm, savory flavor and a rich aroma.
Fresh Parsley: Provides a light, herbal taste. If you aren’t a parsley fan, feel free to omit it or use cilantro or another fresh herb in its place.
Black Pepper: Adds a gentle, lingering heat.
Salt: Enhances the flavor of the ingredients.
Sparkling Water: Adds moisture to the batter, helping the flour bind the ingredients together, as well as contributes a light and airy texture. If you do not have sparkling water, do not fret – regular water can be used instead.
Oil: I like to use avocado oil, but you can also use olive oil, grapeseed oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil for pan-frying the fritters.
How to Make Halloumi Fritters
- In a large bowl, combine the grated halloumi, flour, onion, garlic, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together thoroughly.
- Slowly pour in the sparkling water, mixing as you go, until you achieve a thick, spoonable consistency.
- Warm a large skillet over medium heat and coat the bottom with a thin layer of oil.
- Using wet hands, scoop 1-2 tablespoons of the mixture at a time, shaping it into small patties.
- Carefully place the patties in the heated skillet, frying each side for 2-4 minutes until crisp and golden.
- Transfer the fritters to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Serve warm, paired with sour cream if you like.
- Enjoy your crispy fritters!
Serving Ideas
- Paired with Meditteranean salads.
- Served as a side dish to roasted vegetables.
- Served alongside grilled potatoes.
- With dipping sauces like sweet chili sauce, spicy aioli, honey mustard, or mint and lemon yogurt dip.
- Topped with avocado and fresh salsa.
Expert Tips
- Pat the halloumi dry with kitchen paper before grating it. This will remove excess moisture from the cheese and give you a crispier fritter.
- Use a non-stick frying pan when making this recipe.
- You can also sneak veggies into the fritter mixture! Grated zucchini, carrots, or sweet potatoes are great options.
- Allow the batter to rest for about 10 minutes before frying. This allows the flavors to meld together.
Storing and Reheating
Allow the halloumi cheese fritters to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container lined with paper towels. They can be kept in the fridge for up to three days.
They can also be stored in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just freeze the fritters on a baking sheet before keeping them in a freezer bag.
You can reheat the fritters on the stovetop, in the oven, or air fryer until they are hot and crispy. Avoid using the microwave – it will turn the halloumi fritters soggy.
More Delicious Fritter Recipes
Gluten-Free Spring Pea Fritters with Lemon Tahini Sauce
Gluten-Free Fritters with Broccoli, Spinach & Serrano Pepper
Halloumi Fritters
Ingredients
- 1 225 gram block halloumi cheese grated, use vegetarian/rennet-free if necessary
- 1/4 cup chickpea flour
- 1/2 onion any variety, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup sparkling water
- 3 tablespoons oil for frying I like to use avocado oil
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated halloumi, flour, onion, garlic, parsley, garlic powder, salt and black pepper.
- Mix well.
- Gradually add the sparkling water, stirring until the mixture forms a thick but spoonable batter.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the oil.
- Scoop about 1-2 tablespoons of the fritter mixture at a time, and shape it into small patties using wet hands.
- Gently place the patties into the hot skillet. Fry each fritter for 2-4 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain on a paper towel and serve warm with sour cream, if desired.
- Enjoy!