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Air-Fryer Mediterranean Halloumi Fries with Zesty Lemon Dip
Crispy on the outside and perfectly chewy on the inside, these halloumi fries paired with a fresh zesty lemon dip will transport your taste buds straight to the Mediterranean.
Estimated. Worked out from the ingredients using the UK food composition tables, so treat it as a guide rather than a measurement. A typical recipe lands within about a quarter of the true figure. Makes about 2.
Ingredients
- 250g halloumi cheese, cut into thick fries
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the dip: 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh herbs (e.g., dill or parsley)
Cooking Steps
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
In a bowl, toss the halloumi fries with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
Place the halloumi fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Air fry the halloumi at 200°C (400°F) for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even crisping.
While the halloumi fries are cooking, prepare the zesty lemon dip by mixing Greek yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chopped herbs in a small bowl.
Once the halloumi fries are golden and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately with the lemon dip.
Optional Enhancements
- Use feta cheese instead of halloumi for a different texture.
- Replace Greek yogurt with sour cream for a creamier dip.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the fries for an extra kick.
Plant & Growing Tips
Lemon
- Grow dwarf lemon trees in large pots in full sun, ensuring good drainage.
- Bring potted lemon trees indoors when temperatures consistently drop below freezing to protect them from frost.
Dill
- Sow dill seeds directly into well-drained soil in a sunny spot after the last spring frost.
- Dill prefers not to be transplanted, so sow seeds where they are intended to grow.
Parsley
- Plant parsley in rich, moist soil in a spot that receives partial shade to full sun.
- Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells, to encourage lush growth.
Natural Pest Control
- Spray dill and parsley with a strong jet of water to dislodge aphids.
- Use insecticidal soap for mealybugs or scale on lemon trees, applying according to product instructions.
- Hand-pick slugs and snails from young parsley and dill plants, particularly after rain.
- Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings to naturally control aphid populations.
Harvest
Lemon
- Pick lemons when they are fully yellow, firm, and feel heavy for their size, twisting them gently off the branch.
Dill
- Snip outer leaves once the plant is about 6 inches tall, before it flowers, for the best flavour.
Parsley
- Cut outer stems close to the ground once the plant has at least three segments of leaves to encourage new growth.
Storing & Freezing
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 180°C (350°F) to regain crispiness.
