Grilled Halloumi Cheese

5 from 6 votes

A grilled halloumi cheese recipe, marinated in a spiced basil chili oil and finished off with maple syrup to give it an extra layer of flavour that makes that squeaky grilled cheese even more satisfying than before!

Prep Time15

Cook Time10

Total Time25

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: Fusion, Mediterranean

Servings: slices of cheese

Calories: 89kcal

Author: Joyce Lee

Ingredients

1 block of halloumi cheese (approx. 280g)

Spicy Basil Chili Marinade

1 tablespoon crushed red chili flakes
⅓ cup oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice (approximately half a lemon)
1 shallot (or ¼ small red onion)
1 clove garlic
¼ cup fresh basil leaves (Italian or Thai basil)
¾ teaspoon cumin

Dipping Sauce

Leftover marinade (approximately ½ cup to ¾ cup)
1 tablespoon oil
1 tablespoon maple syrup

Instructions

Preparation

Slice 1 block of halloumi cheese, 1 cm thick. Put it in a bowl and set aside.

Making the Marinade

Peel 1 shallot, and 1 clove garlic, and place them in a food processor.
Add ¼ cup fresh basil leaves1 clove garlic¾ teaspoon cumin, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, ⅓ cup oil, and 1 tablespoon crushed red chili flakes into the food processor and blitz it.
Alternatively, if you don't have a food processor, you can also finely chop the basil, and finely grate the garlic and shallots, and combine it with the rest of the ingredients.
Pour the marinade over the sliced cheese and gentle coat so they are all evenly coated.
Marinate the cheese for a minimum of 15 minutes.

Grilling It

Set the grill to 400F-450F and oil the grates well.
When the grill is hot, add the cheese onto the grates (make sure there isn't too much marinade on the cheese when you put it on the grill)
Grill them for approximately 2-4 minutes a side or until you see grill marks. (Use a metal spatula and scrape gently below the cheese to loosen it off the grill before flipping it)
Remove from grill when there are grill marks on both sides and the cheese is slightly melted
Set on serving plate

Making the Dipping Sauce

In a small sauce pan, add Leftover marinade, 1 tablespoon oil, and 1 tablespoon maple syrup (½ tablespoon of honey) and cook over low heat for 3-4 minutes until it is hot.
Pour into a small bowl and serve it with the grilled halloumi! Enjoy!

Notes

Marinate For a Flavor Boost: To infuse your halloumi with a burst of flavor, allow the cheese to sit in the marinade for a minimum of 15 minutes before grilling. I have also marinated it for over 24 hours and didn’t really taste a difference so 10-15 minutes should give you great results.

Prep Your Grill: Before placing your halloumi on the grill, ensure you oil the grates well. This will prevent the cheese from sticking and help achieve those desirable grill marks.

Scrape Gently Before Flipping: When it is time to flip your halloumi, use a metal spatula to gently scrape beneath the cheese to loosen it up. This will help guarantee that it doesn't stick to the grill grates and maintains its shape and texture before you flip it.

Spicy Grilling Fumes: When grilling your marinated halloumi - the chili flakes can create strong spicy fumes that make it difficult to breathe. Always grill in a well-ventilated area.

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