Halloumi is a firm favourite cheese amongst foodies and has been transformed from just a block of cheese into delicacies such as halloumi burgers and halloumi fries. But how do you store these forms of halloumi? Is it safe to freeze them?
Can You Freeze Halloumi Fries?
Yes, you can freeze halloumi fries for up to 3 months. You may have already guessed this was possible as you can find boxes of frozen halloumi fries in the freezer aisle at most supermarkets.
Do Do Halloumi Fries freeze well? Yes
Can you refreeze Halloumi Fries? No
How to Freeze Halloumi Fries
Freezing halloumi fries is a great way to increase the shelf life of this delicious delicacy and it is really simple to do.
Halloumi cheese freezes well in comparison with other cheeses, so by following the steps below, you will get perfect halloumi fries every time.
- Make Halloumi Fries
Follow your favourite halloumi fries recipe, fry or bake them and then lay out any leftovers on a wire rack. - Allow to Cool
You must allow the halloumi fries to cool. Freezing anything whilst it is hot will cause condensation, which could impact the texture and make it unpleasant when thawed. - Place on a Baking Tray
Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper and lay out the halloumi fries, making sure theyāre not touching. - Flash Freeze
Slide the tray in the freezer, being sure to keep it flat, and flash freeze the fries for a few hours until the fries are solid. - Remove and Bag
Once solid, remove the frozen halloumi fries from the freezer and place into a high quality freezer safe bag or into a sturdy container. - Label and Freeze
Label your container or bag with the date of freezing and food product inside and then place back into the freezer for up to 3 months.
3 Tips for Freezing Halloumi Fries
Now you know how to freeze them, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing halloumi fries to have the best results:
Freeze Uncooked
Ideally, if you want the perfect halloumi fries, freeze them before they have been cooked. When they have been cooked beforehand, you may have a slightly drier halloumi centre to your fries.
Ensure the Containers are Airtight
If air can get in then ice crystals can form in the halloumi, which will dry it out and the texture of the cheese will suffer a lot. Do all you can to ensure it is stored completely airtight.
Try Panko Breadcrumbs
For the crunchiest halloumi fries possible, try using panko breadcrumbs instead. This Japanese variation of breadcrumbs creates such a crunch and really elevates your dish.
How Long Can You Freeze Halloumi Fries?
You can freeze halloumi fries that have been homemade for up to 3 months. After this, the texture and flavour of the halloumi cheese may start to deteriorate.
Obviously, if you have store-bought halloumi fries that are already frozen, you can abide by the recommended time frame on the box.
You Can Freeze Halloumi Fries for up to 3 Months
How Do You Defrost Halloumi Fries?
You do not need to thaw halloumi fries before either reheating or cooking. If you have cooked your halloumi fries beforehand, it is recommended that you bake your halloumi fries to reheat them.
Simply grab a baking tray, line it with greaseproof paper and layout your halloumi fries. Bake in your oven for around 10-15 minutes until thoroughly reheated.
If you have not cooked your halloumi fries before freezing, you can either spray with oil and then bake as per above or you can deep fry them. A deep-fry will result in a crispier halloumi fry.
Can You Refreeze Halloumi Fries?
If you have thawed pre-cooked halloumi fries and then baked them again, you should not refreeze them.
It will seriously impact the texture of the cheese and cause it to go dry and rubbery. If you had not cooked the halloumi fries before thawing and then fried or baked them, you can technically refreeze them but the texture will be somewhat impacted.
If you plan to do this, you should consume the halloumi fries sooner rather than later.
Do Halloumi Fries Freeze Well?
Given that you can find boxes of halloumi fries in most supermarkets now, halloumi fries are a great treat to have in the freezer if you want a delicious side dish or snack without all the preparation time.
Halloumi cheese freezes rather well in comparison to other cheeses, though be sure to protect the halloumi fries from any moisture. When stored properly, you will get great halloumi fries every time.
