If you're after a quick and easy meal - make these insanely delicious halloumi burgers tonight! Combining crumbed and fried halloumi, a zesty cabbage salad, tomatoes, and aioli - all sandwiched between a soft bun. So tell me - what's not to love?
CONTENTS
Why you'll love this recipe
- It's a unique veggie burger. Most veggie burgers can be a little "meh" in taste and texture. However, this vegetarian halloumi burger is anything but that! Crumbed and gently fried, the halloumi stands out as the star of this dish. It's a very different take on a burger, and this is why I love it, and I'm sure you will too.
- Soft, warm, crunchy cheese? Who's going to resist that in a burger. Some people might think it's madness to use an iconic cheese this way. However, I think it's genius.
Related: If you love different burgers try my chickpea and quinoa burgers with halloumi or my grilled salmon burger.
What goes into this recipe
- Halloumi - Make sure to use an authentic, good quality brand. You'll know it's real because the cheese will "squeak" when you bite into it.
- Cabbage - finely shred the cabbage and dress it with some lemon juice and salt. It adds a lovely contrast to the tomatoes.
- Tomatoes - because summer! Make sure they're ripe and juicy.
- Burger buns - I like to use soft "round-ish" rolls. They're perfect for these halloumi burgers. You can also use brioche buns - even better!
- Aioli - the secret ingredient! This creamy sauce of garlic and olive oil brings everything together.
How to make this recipe
To make our breaded halloumi burger, we first need to prepare the cheese.
- Step 1: Dredge the cut halloumi slices in flour
- Step 2: Dip it into the beaten egg.
- Step 3: Coat halloumi cheese slices with the panko breadcrumbs.
- Step 4: Place the prepared halloumi slices onto a lined tray with baking paper and place them in the fridge for 15 mins.
- Step 5: Fry the cheese on medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are golden brown.
- Step 6: Drain the crispy halloumi on an oven tray with a rack.
How to construct your Halloumi Burgers
- Layer the bottom bun with aioli and cabbage
- Top with the fried cheese
- Add the tomato slices
- Drizzle with extra aioli
Expert Tips
- Go authentic! I can offer you the best tip for making these halloumi burgers - use traditional halloumi cheese.
- Don't overcook. When frying, be wary of overcooking the cheese - you may find that it gets too soft.
- Grill instead of fry. If you're not a fan of breading the cheese, try pan frying it (without the breadcrumbs) or grilling it instead. Grilled halloumi still tastes fantastic.
Variations
While I think these burgers are perfect, you can swap out any ingredients to suit your taste buds. It's a very flexible recipe.
- Use different greens. Swap out the cabbage for Iceberg or Romaine lettuce - they make great substitutes.
- Add avocado. It will enhance the creaminess of the burger.
- Try a different sauce. Use sriracha instead of aioli for a nice spicy kick.
- Add roasted peppers for added flavour and texture.
What to serve with this recipe
- Try my roasted Greek potatoes for an authentic Greek experience.
- Make my classic Greek salad
FAQ's
Halloumi has similar flavours to mozzarella, paneer (Indian cottage cheese), and queso.
This recipe is also available as a Web Story 👉 check it out here.
Related Recipes
Explore some other recipes I have on the blog using halloumi in very creative ways:
Video - how to make them
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📋 Recipe
Halloumi Burgers
Ingredients
- 450 grams halloumi cheese, cut into 6 even thick slices
- ½ cup flour, all purpose (plain)
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- ½ cup breadcrumbs, panko
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 6 burger buns, wholemeal, brioche, white
- ¼ cabbage, finely shredded (see note 1)
- 3 tomatoes, sliced
- 6 tablespoon aioli
Instructions
- Dip the cut halloumi slices in flour, then dip it ino the eggwash and finally in the breadcrumbs. Ensure they are evenly coated - lay them on a tray lined with baking paper and place them in the fridge for half an hour.
- Pour the olive oil into a small - medium sized pan. Fry the halloumi on a medium heat three at a time making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
- Fry them for 3 mins each side until they are golden. Drain the halloumi on an oven rack and place in the oven to keep warm (this ensures the cheese stays soft).
- Construct your burger by adding some aioli, the shredded cabbage, tomatoes, fried halloumi cheese and more aioli.
Notes
- Go authentic! I can offer you the best tip for making these halloumi burgers - use traditional halloumi cheese.
- Don't overcook. When frying, be wary of overcooking the cheese - you may find that it gets too soft.
- Grill instead of fry. If you're not a fan of breading the cheese, try pan frying it or grilling it instead. Grilled halloumi still tastes fantastic.
- Use different greens. Swap out the cabbage for Iceberg or Romaine lettuce - they make great substitutes.
- Add avocado. It will enhance the creaminess of the burger.
- Try a different sauce. Use sriracha instead of aioli for a nice spicy kick.
- Add roasted peppers for added flavour and texture.
Nutrition
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Souvlaki For the Soul
This post was originally published in February 2008, but was republished with additional information in December of 2021.
Rosa
A great idea! I love the fact that you added prawns to your burgers.
Cheers,
Rosa
My Kitchen Stories
Oh God Peter...cheeseburger, that is epic!
Gordon
Great! I have been frying haloumi on a griddle this week, but had not thought of breadcrumbs. A nice twist I will try this week.
Alison Borgas
Love your enthusiasm! And I have a request... while you're showcasing Greek cheeses, can you please, please feature a recipe for kolokythokeftedes? Cheers.
Nagi | RecipeTin Eats
It is 7am on Monday morning and the thought of toast is suddenly very depressing. I almost broke my screen reaching in to grab that pile of crumbed haloumi! I definitely go "ga ga" over it 🙂 With good reason!
Sara (Belly Rumbles)
I'm your haloumi gaga girl 😉 Not sure how I initially thought of it on burgers, but these mini burgers rock.
Helen (grabyourfork)
Crumbed haloumi. You just took my favourite food and made it better!
milkteaxx
haloumi is good as it is already but deep fry it is totally a whole new level!