Recipe: Fried Buffalo Halloumi Bites

Overview

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Prep/Cook Time:
30 minutes/15 minutes

Makes:
4 Servings

Course:
Appetizer

Halloumi is a firm, mild, salty cheese that really takes heat well — whether it be grilling or hot oil. These bites are just a different, but delicious vehicle for homemade buffalo sauce and dip. A few steps in this recipe — essentially three easy min recipes put together.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. Halloumi cheese (can usually find at your grocery store, next to the Feta)

• 1 C All-purpose flour

• Vegetable oil for frying

• Black pepper

• 1/2 tsp celery salt

• 2/3 C Frank’s Redhot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce

• 1 stick unsalted butter

• 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp white vinegar

• 1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

• 1/8 tsp garlic powder

• 1/8 tsp paprika

• 6 large eggs (at room temperature)

• 5-6 oz. plain greek yogurt (use sour cream if you wish)

• 1/2 lime

• 1/2 tsp honey

• 2 Tbsp chopped cilantro, PLUS extra for garnish (swap out for another herb if you like)

• Green onion for garnish (optional)

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Instructions:

Lime-Cilantro Dip

1. Mix greek yogurt, lime juice honey and cilantro in a small bowl. Season with a pinch of salt if desired.

2. Set aside.

Buffalo Sauce

1. In a saucepan, add hot sauce, butter (chopped up in 4-8 chunks to melt quickly), white vinegar, Worcestershire, cayenne, garlic powder and paprika.

2. Bring to a hard simmer (not boil) over medium heat. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

3. Take off of heat, set aside to cool (where it will thicken)

Fried Cheese

1. Cut cheese into 1/2 inch slices and then cut into small bites.

2. Now while the cheese does not crumble easily, it still may a bit. That’s fine! See below for how non-uniform mine came out to be.

3. Dab away any moisture form the cheese with a paper towel.

4. Make a dredge of the flour, pepper and celery salt. Toss the cheese in, knock off any excess flour and set aside.

5. In a cast iron pan (or any shallow fry pan, add an inch of vegetable oil. Bring to 350 degrees over medium-high heat (may take 10 minutes or so). Can use a candy thermometer, but because it will be shallow, may want to use a meat thermometer.

6. When you are at 350 degrees, use a metal tong or spider to drop the slices in. Do in two batches so you don’t crowd the pan.

7. Watch them closely and fry until they are evenly golden brown. Depending on various factors, may go anywhere from 3-5 minutes.

8. When done, use a slotted spoon to take out and drain on a paper towel.

Bringing it all Together

1. Put the cheese on a plate.

2. Stir the buffalo sauce with a spoon (it will have separated a bit), and drizzle over the cheese liberally. Put some in a small bowl for extra dipping.

3. Top with lime zest, cilantro, green onion, etc. — all optional. Put lime-cilantro dip in a small bowl.

4. Enjoy them as warm/hot as you can!