Easy Pan Fried Halloumi Greek Cheese is a simple, delicious, and amazing appetizer that is bursting with lemon garlic and mint flavors! 

If you’ve never heard of Halloumi, you might be wondering just what Greek Fried Cheese is all about – and let me tell you, you’re in for a MAJOR treat!

It’s slightly crunchy, squeaky when you chew it, salty, and sooooo delicious – a hot fried cheese that doesn’t melt when fried or grilled. It gets soft and a bit gooey, but keeps its shape – making it an amazing cheese to serve as an appetizer or hot side dish!

While simply grilling or pan-frying halloumi is delicious, I decided to kick our favorite Greek cheese up a bit in this recipe with some rich roasted garlic and a fresh kick with some mint!

Fried garlic and mint take this super easy to prepare cheese to another lever – this is soon to become your favorite appetizer ever!

Be sure to scroll through the post for cooking tips, other delicious Greek inspired recipes (most adapted with love with help from my large community of friends from my Greek Orthodox Church), and some alternative cooking ideas!

If you’re not sure where to buy Halloumi, ask your grocery store’s deli staff. It is usually with high-end cheeses, and is much more widely available than it used to be just a few years ago! Our King Soopers and City Market (Colorado’s Kroger), Safeway, and Whole Foods always have Halloumi in stock lately. You can also use “bread cheese”, or another cheese that doesn’t melt under heat.

Pan Fried Greek Cheese Alternative Serving Suggestions

For other delicious flavor ideas to serve with halloumi, try these delicious twists:

-When garlic is browned, deglaze pan with 1 oz brandy or rum for a sweet, boozy kick (bonus points – light the alcohol for a flaming cheese that is similar to saganaki, but chewy instead of melted and gooey).

-Add peaches, plums, or other stone fruit (or preserves) to pan and fry with cheese.

-Drizzle honey over the cheese for a sweet kick that gives a nice sugary crust.

-Add candied nuts to pan when frying for a bit of a salty-sweet crunch.

Other Greek-Inspired Recipes You’ll Love:

If you love this deliciously easy Greek fried cheese with lemon mint and garlic, you will love the garlic, lemon, and oregano in these Greek inspired recipes:

Whole Roasted Grecian Chicken 

Greek Roasted Chicken Drumsticks

Greek Garden Salad

Perfect Grilled Souvlaki

Easy Pan Fried Halloumi Greek Cheese Recipe

Yield: 6

Easy Pan Fried Halloumi Greek Cheese

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Easy Pan Fried Halloumi Greek Cheese is a simple, delicious, and amazing appetizer that is bursting with lemon garlic and mint flavors!

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Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup garlic, diced
• 8 oz halloumi , sliced into thin long strips
• 5-8 sprigs fresh mint, diced

Instructions

1. In a nonstick pan, heat oil on medium heat until shimmery.
2. Add garlic and sauté until lightly browned and soft.
3. Add cheese to pan, and drizzle with lemon juice.
4. Let cheese brown on one side, then flip.
5. Add mint to pan over cheese.
6. Flip 1-2 more times, lightly spooning garlic and mint over cheese.
7. When cheese is soft and golden brown on both sides (after about 6 minutes), remove from pan and serve immediately!

Nutrition Information

Amount Per ServingCalories 148 Saturated Fat 6g Sodium 454mg Carbohydrates 2g Protein 8g

Nutrition is automatically calculated by Nutritionix - please verify all nutrition information independently and consult with a doctor or nutritionist for any and all medical and diet advice.