You Can Make Air Fryer Halloumi Popcorn—Here’s How

Updated: Feb. 07, 2024

These cheesy bites are about to become your new favorite snack.

Air fryers have revolutionized the snack game. We now have the power to make just about anything crispy without having to deep-fry it in oil and make a huge mess. They’ve also been a huge help to those with special diets. With the help of an air fryer, making snacks that suit your keto, low-carb, or gluten-free lifestyle is easier than ever.

Gluten-free recipe developer, food writer and cookbook author Becky Excell (@beckyexcell) just shared her recipe for gluten-free air fryer halloumi popcorn. The end result is chewy, crispy and savory, and like Excell’s other recipes, a godsend for anyone who has to avoid gluten.

What Is Halloumi?

Halloumi is a traditional cheese from Cyprus that’s made from a blend of sheep’s and goat’s milk. Sometimes the mixture includes cow’s milk as well. Halloumi has a rubbery, bouncy texture and a high melting point, which makes it ideal for grilling and frying. It’s popular in Mediterranean cuisines, such as Greek and Turkish. Halloumi is often used as a meat substitute, but it can also be used to provide textural variety in salads, pastas and even wraps. And, of course, it makes a great snack!

How to Make Air Fryer Halloumi Popcorn

@beckyexcell Air Fryer Halloumi Popcorn gluten free, ready in 10 minutes, absolutely delicious and so easy to make! Move along popcorn chicken there’s a tastier, cheesier kid on the block. It’s a bit of a lonely cheese, I’ve regularly seen it staring in the mirror saying hallou-mi, so make sure you give these little fellas some love Ingredients: 1 packet of halloumi (225g) 2 tbsp gf flour 1 egg 50g gf breadcrumbs pinch of salt 1 tsp smoked paprika (you can change up the spicing if you wish!) Method: 1) Dry your halloumi if its wet from the packet and cut it into big cubes / chunks. 2) Coat each in the gf flour, then the egg and then the gf crumbs, salt & smoked paprika (these are mixed together) 3) Lightly spray the airfryer drawer and then place the cube in for about 8-10 minutes at 200C until golden. I turned them just after half way through. 4) Serve up with a sweet chilli dipping sauce. #airfryer #airfryermaster #halloumi #airfryerrecipes #glutenfree #recipes #easyrecipes #airfryertiktok #comfortfood ♬ Little Things – Tiqta

Ingredients

  • 1 packet halloumi
  • 2 tablespoons gluten-free flour
  • 1 egg
  • 50 grams of gluten-free breadcrumbs
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, or seasoning of your choice

Directions

Step 1: Prep the halloumi

Remove halloumi from the package and pat dry if it’s wet. Cut into bite-size chunks. Coat halloumi pieces in flour. Dredge in egg and follow with breadcrumbs mixed with salt and paprika.

Step 2: Pop in the air fryer

Lightly coat air fryer drawer or tray with cooking spray and place halloumi. Cook at 390°F for 8-10 minutes, until golden. Flip halloumi halfway through.

Step 3: Enjoy!

Enjoy and serve with sweet chili dipping sauce!

Like other TikTok recipes, air fryer halloumi popcorn is open to adjustments. If you can’t find (or don’t need) gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs, the regular stuff will work just fine. You can also experiment with different dipping sauces. This recipe will also work in the oven or on the stove.

Try out these peachy halloumi fritters if you’re in the mood for more halloumi snacks!

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