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This vegetarian Halloumi Burger recipe is SO easy to make. Crunchy on the outside, gooey, melty goodness in the middle, served up in a brioche bun with sweet chilli mayo sauce.
Did you know that a burger made with halloumi can be ready in just 15 minutes?!
Whether you’re a burger fan or not, this recipe will knock your socks off (it’s that good).
Don’t just take my word for it… Those who try this have called it the best halloumi burger recipe, which has put a smile on the face of even the fussiest of eaters at the dinner table.
It’s a perfect midweek vegetarian family meal.
Why you’ll love this Halloumi Burger recipe
⭐️ So easy, no prep needed
⭐️ Ready in less than 15 minutes
⭐️ Our favourite veggie SQUEAKY CHEESE
Sarah’s notes
I love the fact that we’re becoming halloumi fans in our droves, and that we’re still discovering just how versatile this delicious Mediterranean cheese really is.
With its high melting point and salty, delicious flavour, it can lend itself to so many dishes.
It’s perfect to use instead of meat because it stays intact, so as well as slicing up for burgers, you can chop it up for sauces, kebabs or toppings.
It’s wonderful air fried, grilled or fried and you can flavour it however you want.
Even better, it’s a relatively inexpensive ingredient, is now easy to get hold of in the supermarkets and lasts for ages in the fridge, so if you have some in your fridge, it’s likely you’ve always got dinner to hand.
Halloumi Burger Ingredients notes
- Halloumi – You will need 2 packs for this recipe
- Olive oil – Regular for this recipe as extra virgin would burn (and waste money!)
- Burger toppings: Avocado, tomatoes, cress, red onion (all optional)
- Brioche burger buns – You can swap this type for your favourite if you like
- Lime – Juice only (optional)
- Sweet chilli sauce – This transforms it into a spicy halloumi burger but chilli flakes and honey will do too (or you could try my Big Mac Sauce)
How to make a Halloumi Burger
1. Cut the halloumi lengthways into 2 and dip into flour mixed with paprika. Coat well. Fry off in a hot pan with oil.
2. Prep your sweet chilli mayo in a dish. When the halloumi is cooked, drain any excess oil on kitchen paper. Stack your burgers and GO!
Hint: Try not to push the halloumi about the pan too much as it’s cooking and leave it for 5 minutes before you flip it. This helps to make a crunchy ‘crust’ and not stick to the pan.
Substitutions
- Salad – This recipe includes avocado, red onion and tomatoes for the burger toppings as they complement the halloumi really well, but you can use your preferred toppings.
Leftovers
In the fridge You can keep this recipe in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat fully by before serving or eat cold.
In the freezer This isn’t the most ideal cheese for freezing once it’s been cooked, so while I would rather freeze than throw away, but it wouldn’t be my first choice for batch cooking.
It will have a slightly solid texture after being frozen and reheated, so bear this in mind.
Recipe Tips
How to cut halloumi into burgers
I’m always in the market for more cheese, so I use 1 block per 2 people. Simply cut across it to get x2 ‘burgers’. You can make it go further by cutting them smaller. You can use sliced halloumi too if you can get it.
Double up
You can supersize this and turn it into something else if you like. A mushroom and halloumi burger would work well, or go for it and create a monster chicken and halloumi burger or beef and halloumi burger!
Serving suggestions
More delicious halloumi recipes…
Vegetarian
Halloumi Curry {30 Minute Meal}
Under 15 minutes
Halloumi Fajitas {15 Minute Meal}
Under 15 minutes
Halloumi Pasta {15 Minute Meal}
Under 15 minutes
Halloumi Wraps {with Sticky Sauce}
FAQs
Yes you can BUT don’t coat in the flour. The flour and the hot oil are what give this a crispy coating. You’d need to use just plain halloumi sprinkled with smoked paprika. Just keep an eye on it under the grill to make sure it doesn’t burn. Halloumi grills really well for salads etc, so it’s fine.
No, halloumi is made from sheep’s milk, but you can buy vegan halloumi cheese as an alternative.
Absolutely! Halloumi cooked in the air fryer is perfectly crispy every time.
Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ below.
Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).
Halloumi Burger {15 Minute Meal}
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp Olive oil
- 500 g (1.1 lb) Halloumi, Usually 2 blocks
- 50 g (0.5 cups) Plain flour
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the sweet chilli mayo:
- 100 g (4 oz) Mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Sweet chilli sauce, Add more if you'd like more spice
- 1 Lime, Juice only (optional)
To serve:
- 4 Brioche buns
- 1 Avocado, Peeled and sliced
- 2 Large tomatoes
- Cress, (Optional)
- 0.5 Red onion, Peeled and sliced
Instructions
- Cut each halloumi block in half along the centre so you end up with a square burger shape.
- Mix the flour, paprika, salt and pepper, on a plate and dip each piece of halloumi in, coating both sides.
To cook in the Air Fryer:
- Carefully put the halloumi burgers into the air fryer basket.
- Spray the tops with a little oil.
- Air Fry at 200c/400F for 10-12 minutes (the timings will depend on how thick the halloumi burgers pieces are) You may want to turn halfway through cooking.
To Cook on the Hob:
- Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat.
- Pop into the hot oil in the frying pan and cook for about 5 minutes on each side until crisp and golden. (Try not to move them too much or they will lose their crispy coating.)
To make the Sweet Chilli Mayo:
- Mix the mayonaise with the lime juice and sweet chilli sauce.
To serve the Burgers:
- Stack the burgers in the brioche buns with lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, onions, cress, the halloumi and the mayo.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This post was originally published on July 22, 2019. It was updated with new notes and photos on August 18, 2023.
This post was originally published on August 18, 2023 and updated later to make improvements.
This is amazing! the whole family loved it! Would definitely make again! One of the best recipes I’ve ever come across! And suits all my family’s dietary needs as well as being healthy.
Super tasty 10/10 recommend
A definite favourite in our house! The price of ready made halloumi burgers is ridiculous too! These are so quick and easy but taste amazing!