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.
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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
- 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.
- Toast the bread. Brush both sides of pita rounds oil and grill until toasty. Place on serving dish.
- 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.
- 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.
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Storing Instructions
TO STORE: Store your za’atar in an airtight container, like a glass spice bottle or mason jar, for up to 2 months.
Halloumi is a middle eastern cheese that is also finding newfound popularity. It is a semi-hard cheese that is made from sheep and goat’s milk, and then brined, so it has a salty component to it. Halloumi is also one of the few cheese’s that you can grill without it completely falling apart from the heat. This gives “grilled cheese” a whole different meaning!
Za’atar is a middle eastern spice blend where it varies from region to region, even person to person. The basic ingredients include thyme, sumac, salt and toasted sesame seeds. My version also includes oregano.
Grilled Halloumi with Za’atar and Olive Oil
Ingredients
- 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
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
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
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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Written by Laura Bashar
Hi, I’m Laura, a certified professional cook and cookbook author living in San Diego. I have been sharing my family’s favorite recipes inspired from all over the world since 2008. Let’s cook up something fun!
I love za’atar and have made a batch before. I should make more soon… this all looks so delicious! Happy 10 years – that is a big milestone of creations shared! I would absolutely love to enjoy these prizes in our very humble and small kitchen. 🙂
Beautiful posting by the way; the pictures are fabulous showcasing your recipe! Live in Southern CA as well, so this is going to be on my grilling menu year-round as well. My kids would enjoy this and such a great idea adding to hummus! Thanks!
At our home in the kitchen. Thank you
In my kitchen. I cook dinner every night and this would be so perfect.
In my kitchen at home- I LOVE to cook!
Would enjoy using in my new kitchen
I would enjoy them in my sweet little kitchen
I’d gift it to my friend who is a chef daily for his big family. He loves to cook up amazing meals! Thanks for the chance to win.
I would enjoy them in my kitchen
I would use it in my kitchen. I love to cook! Thank you so much for the opportunity!
I will enjoy my priZes in my own backyard
What beautiful photos! Halloumi is so much fun. I remember many years ago (I’m old) first tasting it and being put off by the rubberiness! But now I find it delightful. And it’s so fun for dipping.
This looks amazing! And that cutting board is just gorgeous.
I would enjoy them in my Cajun kitchen.
I’d enjoy the prizes in NYC.
We have family getaways to different places and my sister and I always take cooking utensils because we never know what’s going to be at the houses we stay in. This would be perfect to take! And congrats on 10 years!
Congratulations on 1,000 recipes, that is quite the feat! I love sumac and anything that it is in so I am excited to make this recipe.
You know I love this recipe! Simple but such sophisticated flavors. And what a great giveaway!
We have a cottage that we visit on the weekends in the summer, the cutting board and recipes would make a great addition to our family adventures!
Looks delicious.