Crispy halloumi bites with roasted beans is an easy, vegetarian recipe. It combines the savoury goodness of halloumi, the satisfying crunch of panko breadcrumbs, and the earthy flavours of butter beans and cherry tomatoes.
Have you ever craved a dish that’s both indulgent and satisfying? That’s exactly what you’ll get with crispy halloumi bites with roasted beans. It’s a dish that effortlessly combines crispy, cheesy halloumi with the comforting flavours of roasted beans and cherry tomatoes.
I love crispy bites. Doesn’t matter if we are talking about delicious chicken nuggets, mozzarella sticks or, in this instance, halloumi bites. So, you can imagine how delighted I was with this recipe. It kind of brings my inner child back to life.
I tried to incorporate more veggies and lovely pulses into this dish to add an adult taste, but if you want to be cheeky, you can eat the halloumi bites by themselves. They are more than delicious as a wonderful snack.
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of making your crispy halloumi bites the best they can be.
Tips for Making the Best Crispy Halloumi Bites
To make this recipe you don’t need any culinary skills and even a completely newbie will be able to create an extraordinary dish. But to help you, here are a couple of tips:
- Choose quality halloumi. Start with a good-quality halloumi block. Look for one that’s not too salty, as the cheese itself has a robust flavour.
- Properly coat with breadcrumbs. To achieve that perfect crunch, ensure that the halloumi bites are evenly coated with panko breadcrumbs. Dip each piece in beaten egg and then press into the breadcrumbs for a solid, crispy exterior.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet. Give your halloumi bites some space to cook. Overcrowding the pan can cause them to steam rather than crisp up.
- Use seasoning wisely. Halloumi can be naturally salty, so taste before adding more salt. Freshly ground black pepper, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, and a pinch of cayenne pepper can enhance the flavour without overwhelming the dish.
Crispy Halloumi Bites: Substitutions and Variations
These bites can be very versatile. Serve them alone as a snack or as a topping on your salad. Also, you can add extra ingredients to create a wonderful flavour pallet. To start with, I’ll share some options with you:
- Herb infused halloumi. Add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or mint to the breadcrumb mixture for an extra layer of freshness.
- Serve your halloumi bites with a side of tzatziki, hummus, or marinara sauce for dipping.
- Roast some bell peppers or zucchini alongside the beans and tomatoes for added colour and flavour.
- Drizzle the finished dish with a bit of balsamic glaze or a squeeze of lemon juice for a tangy finish.
Try out these vegetarian dishes:
Parsley and Chive Oil Noodles
Chickpea Stew with Coconut Milk
Bean Stew with Cheese Topping
Baked Halloumi with Tomato Sauce
My favourite kitchen equipment:
MasterClass Casserole Dish
Silicone Kitchen Utensil Set
ProChef Non-Stick Baking Tray
Recipe
Ingredients
1 halloumi block
1 egg
4 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
50g parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tin butter beans
1 tin chickpeas
200g cherry tomatoes
3 garlic cloves
Salt and pepper
Olive oil
Fresh parsley
Method
- Preheat your oven to 190 degrees.
- Cut the halloumi into bite-sized cubes.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk the egg. In another bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs and grated parmesan cheese with cayenne pepper.
- Dip each halloumi cube into the beaten egg, allowing excess to drip off, and then coat it with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Place the coated halloumi cubes on a baking sheet.
- In a separate baking dish, combine the butter beans, chickpeas and cherry tomatoes (cut in half).
- Wrap garlic cloves with tin foil and add them on top of tomatoes.
- Drizzle your veggies with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.
- Roast both the halloumi cubes and the bean mixture in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the halloumi is golden brown and the beans and tomatoes are roasted to perfection.
- After everything is baked take the dish out of the oven, unwrap the roasted garlic and mash it with the fork. Mix it with the roasted beans.
- Finish the dish with fresh parsley.
