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Golden halloumi cubes piled on a dark plate, drizzled with hot honey and scattered with lemon zest and parsley.

Crispy Air Fryer Halloumi Bites with Hot Honey Drizzle

Halloumi cubes coated in cornstarch and spices, air-fried until golden and crisp, then finished with hot honey and lemon.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 290
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 250 g halloumi cheese patted dry, cut into 2 cm / 3/4-inch cubes
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp hot honey for serving
  • 1 lemon , cut into wedges; for serving
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley or chili flakes / pinch; optional, for garnish

Method
 

  1. Pat the halloumi cubes dry with paper towels. Removing surface moisture helps the coating stick and the cheese crisp instead of steam.
  2. Put the cubes in a mixing bowl and toss with the olive oil until every piece is lightly coated.
  3. Sprinkle the cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper over the cubes. Toss again until each piece has a thin, even coating.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 200 C / 400 F for 3 minutes.
  5. Arrange the cubes in a single layer in the basket, leaving space between each piece. Work in two batches if your basket is smaller than 20 cm / 8-inch, so the cubes don't touch.
  6. Air fry for 8 minutes, shaking the basket at the 4-minute mark, until the cubes are golden and crisp on the outside and soft in the middle.
  7. Transfer the bites to a plate. Drizzle with hot honey and squeeze a lemon wedge over the top.
  8. Scatter with parsley or chili flakes and serve right away while warm.

Notes

  • Pat halloumi fully dry before coating for the crispest crust.
  • Don't skip preheating the air fryer, it helps the coating set fast.
  • Cut cubes evenly so they finish cooking at the same time.
  • Serve immediately, halloumi loses its crisp edge within minutes.