Crispy Halloumi Sticks in Air Fryer
Crispy halloumi sticks, quickly cooked in an air fryer, perfect as a snack or appetizer.
Steps
- 1
Cut the halloumi cheese into sticks the size of french fries.
- 2
In a bowl, mix olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- 3
Roll the halloumi sticks in the spice mixture until evenly coated.
- 4
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F).
- 5
Place the halloumi sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- 6
Air fry for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and crispy.
- 7
Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Shopping list
halloumi cheese, olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper
Recipe story
Halloumi is a traditional Cypriot cheese made from a mixture of goat's and sheep's milk. Originating from Cyprus, this semi-hard cheese has a high melting point, making it ideal for frying. Crispy halloumi sticks are a modern twist on an ancient recipe, adapted for the air fryer.
Ingredient Secrets
Black pepper
Known as 'black gold' in antiquity, pepper was so valuable that it served as currency and tribute. In the Middle Ages, Venetian merchants controlled the pepper trade, and individual peppercorns were often counted. Legend has it that when Alaric, king of the Visigoths, demanded tribute from Rome, he included 3,000 pounds of pepper.
Sea salt
Sea salt, extracted from ocean waters by evaporation, was one of the most precious goods of antiquity, used both as food and as currency. In ancient Rome, soldiers were paid with salt, which is the origin of the word 'salary'. Salt roads connected entire civilizations, and in the Middle Ages, salt was so valuable it was called 'white gold'.
Paprika
Paprika, a emblematic spice brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus from the New World. Although associated with Hungarian cuisine, its origins are in Central America, where it was used by the Aztecs.
Garlic
Native to Central Asia, garlic was already known in ancient Egypt, where it was given to slaves to boost their strength. In ancient Greece, athletes consumed it before competitions, and in Rome, legionaries considered it essential for courage. During the Middle Ages, it was used to ward off vampires and the plague.
Olive oil
Originating in the Mediterranean basin, olive oil was already produced in ancient Crete 5,000 years ago. In ancient Greece, it was considered a gift from Athena and used in lamps, cosmetics, and religious ceremonies. The Romans spread it throughout the empire, and in the Middle Ages, monasteries preserved the tradition of its production.
