Grilled Halloumi with Za’atar and Olive Oil

This grilled halloumi with za’atar seasoning is a simple yet delicious campfire appetizer. Homemade za’atar is terrific way to add zing and enhance your roasted chicken, hummus, or yogurt.

Summer may be winding down, but it doesn’t mean that the outdoor fun has to end. As the weather cools from summer to fall, the outdoors beacon us even more. The cooler temps entice more people to cook and dine outdoors before winter rolls in and freezes us out.

Here in Southern California, we are blessed with grilling weather 365-days a year, so you know we take our outdoor kitchen very seriously. I am always looking for easy recipes that can be prepared both indoors or outdoors that pack in a lot of flavor and impact with minimal effort.

And this grilled halloumi with olive oil and za’atar is one of those recipes.

Ingredients you need

• Za’atar seasoning: You can use store bought or make your own. My version is made with  sesame seeds, dried thyme, sumac, dried oregano and sea salt.
• Halloumi: Halloumi is a semi-hard cheese made from sheep and goat’s milk. It is also one of the few cheese’s that you can grill without it completely falling apart from the heat.
• Extra virgin olive oil: I drizzle olive oil for flavor, so you can use any variety you like the taste of. You can go bold and peppery or choose an olive oil infused with other flavors like lemons or herbs.
• Bread: You can use a baguette, pita rounds, lavash or any flat bread you like. If using thin lavash bread, just gently heat on the grill otherwise you will end up with crackers.

Step-by-step directions

1. Make the za’atar. Toast the sesame seeds in a small skillet then let it cool. Add thyme and oregano in your mortar and pestle and grind into a fine powder. Mix in sumac and sea salt and cooled sesame seeds and set aside.
2. Toast the bread. Brush both sides of pita rounds oil and grill until toasty. Place on serving dish.
3. Grill the halloumi. Cut halloumi into ¼ to ⅓-inch thick slices and brush both sides with oil. Place on hot grill until seared, about 1-minute for each side. Use a metal spatula to slide under cheese to loosen before flipping over and grilling the other side. You can also prepare this in your kitchen using a grill pan.
4. Serve. Top warmed bread with grilled halloumi and drizzle with more olive oil. Sprinkle generously with 1-tablespoon of prepared za’atar spice mix. Serve with extra za’atar on the side.

Expert tips and recipe FAQs

Once grilled, halloumi won’t be ooey gooey like most warm cheese. It will be soft, warm and salty. Add some warm flatbread, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a generous sprinkling of za’atar and you have an amazing food to snack on by the campfire, or sitting on the porch while watching the sunset.

You can add za’atar to any food to kick up the flavor. Roast your chicken with it. Garnish your hummus or yogurt with some. Even a simple dish of extra virgin olive oil and za’atar to dip your bread in can be a heavenly appetizer for your senses.

If you have never tried sumac, it has a very tangy flavor. We love adding it to a big plate of Persian rice and koobideh kabob. Paired with woodsy thyme, fragrant oregano and toasted sesame, and your taste buds are having one heck of a party.

Grilled Halloumi with Za’atar and Olive Oil

Laura Bashar | Family Spice

This grilled halloumi with za'atar seasoning is a simple yet delicious treat. Homemade za'atar is terrific way to add zing and enhance your roasted chicken, hummus, or even some grilled halloumi.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Appetizers

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 6

Calories 297 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon sumac
• 2 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 8 oz Halloumi
• 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 3-4 pita rounds

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Instructions

 

• Add sesame to a small skillet over medium heat. Stir often until seeds are toasted, about 5-8 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool.
• Add thyme and oregano in your mortar and pestle and grind into a fine powder. Mix in sumac and sea salt and cooled sesame seeds and set aside.
• Prepare grill for medium-high heat.
• Brush both sides of pita rounds with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Cut halloumi into ¼ to ⅓-inch thick slices and brush both sides with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Add halloumi and pita rounds to hot grill until seared, about 1-minute for each side. Use a metal spatula to slide under cheese to loosen before flipping over and grilling the other side.
• Return grilled pita rounds to serving dish and top with grilled halloumi.
• Drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle generously with 1-tablespoon of prepared za'atar spice mix. Serve with extra za'atar on the side.

Notes

TO STORE: Store your za’atar in an airtight container, like a glass spice bottle or mason jar, for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 297kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 13gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 684mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1g

Keyword grilled halloumi, how to grill halloumi, zaatar halloumi

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Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

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